When I was much younger, I used to swear that I would never lament the wicked and sorry ways of the younger generation the way everyone over 40 bemoaned that my generation was heading straight for hell in a row boat. I lied. I find myself constantly lamenting the state of today’s youth. However, I’ve decided to repent and take to higher ground, and it’s all because of Paris Hilton. I confess that I have never been a fan of Paris Hilton; however, I now realize that Paris was not looking for a 53-year-old woman to hang with her at the club. She probably never knew and didn’t care that I wasn’t a fan. Nonetheless, I’m sorry Paris for my harsh words. I did stupid stuff when I was young too, and I’m only grateful that there wasn’t a crowd of people following me around with a camera while I did it. Regardless of your misbegotten past, you have redeemed yourself in my eyes.
Just in case you’ve been in a remote part of the Sahara without access to any media, let me provide you with a little background. Senator McCain and his campaign made a lot of noise about Senator Obama’s alleged lack of foreign policy experience, suggesting that he lacked the knowledge and skills to be viewed credibly as a leader by the leadership of foreign governments around the world. They challenged Obama to go abroad and suggested that if he did so, he would be revealed to be unprepared to face a world stage. Well, Senator Obama took the challenge, went overseas, and…well let’s just say, he went, he saw, and he conquered. Crowds in the hundreds of thousands cheered him, heads of state welcomed him, the foreign press reported him to be knowledgeable and personable, and favorably compared him to other great statesmen in history who preceded him.
Senator McCain’s camp was displeased. That displeasure was expressed with a little video that chides Obama for being nothing more than an international celebrity, incapable of doing more than smile and wave. To hammer home the point, the video pictures Brittney Spears, followed by Paris Hilton, and then that fluffy celebrity, Barack Obama. Unlike some of the bizarre attacks on Obama, this one is not from some fringe group; the closing voice-over and tag-line say it all, “I’m John McCain and I approve this message.”
I’m going to reveal something that may shock some of you; I laughed so hard when I saw this video that I gave myself the hiccups. Can you spell d-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e, boys and girls? First, the McCain campaign said that Obama didn’t have what it takes to be the representative of the free world, now their take is that he’s too popular! Somebody in McCain’s campaign not only smoked but inhaled–a lot! I can only assume that the ad is meant to be an attack on Senator Obama. Sorry, Senator McCain, but if I were you, I’d pimp slap whoever dreamed up the idea for this commercial. (BTW, check out an entertaining post about the video and other campaign matters on a journal, Skelligrants , that I recently started reading.)
Just when I thought that I was all laughed out, I came across a response to the McCain campaign ad, not from Senator Obama, but from Paris Hilton. I laughed, I hiccuped, snorted and cried. I would have rolled on the floor but I didn’t want to have to call Bob and announce, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” I don’t want to hear anyone say a single bad word about my new BFF ( best friend forever). Paris, you rock.
The following news video includes Paris’ response video.
Sheria's Place 
I agree 100% on half of what you wrote. I found the Paris video hysterically funny and was astonished at the level of her sarcasm and her energy policy statement. Up to the point of viewing the video, I had an extraordinarily low opinion of Paris, based on a grand total of twenty seconds of thought I’d given the matter. I was wrong. She is extremely clever, regardless of whether she wrote her own script or was smart enough to hire the person who did. And the delivery is spot on.
On the other hand, I think the polls show that the McCain video only seems stupid to those of us who actually think about the issues and the campaign, and I include those of us on BOTH sides. However, the people behind the video are not stupid, in fact they’re some of the most accomplished manipulators the world has ever seen. I believe that they realized that the rest of the great unwashed could be swayed either by the overt message, or perhaps even by subliminal ones involving race and sex. No I disagree 100% with the other half of your assessment, and I fear that it’s going to be a very long three months.
oh i almost posted this today. glad now that i didn’t. i thought “good for her” when i saw the vid. the old guy… double edged sword for me ( no longer a spring chicken myself) but definitely has merit.
I’m amazed the McCain ad is still running, but it is on several times a day in my redneck part of the world. It must be working on some demographic (that’s a really scary thought.)
I must say that I’m with you on the whole Paris thing. There is a level of intelligence there that crashes the whole rich, blond stereotype.
Thanks for making me laugh.
I”ll try not to think about the implications for the future.
End of Aug. and the ad is still playing in OH (It has been edited a bit, lost it’s creativity.) But it must be working on some demography. Scary!
I think I’ll vote for Mr. Potato-head. Can’t do any worse than what we have now (Mr ‘be nice or I’ll beat you up!!!’) Not someone I want as a role model for my kids.
Please don’t take that as meaning Mr. Obama. Mr. Potato-head is my fall-guy.
I’m just an ex-Republican trying to figure out where I fit. All I know for sure is that the world as defined by the Bush/McCain party doesn’t work for me at all.