Like history, Greek tragedy repeats itself. You’ve heard the expression that someone has “the Midas touch.” That’s supposed to be a good thing, right? But in Greek Mythology, Midas is a tragic figure. When the god Dionysus offered Midas one wish, Midas asked that whatever he touched should turn to gold. This sounded great, until his food and drink started turning to gold. Later, in a version penned by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Midas even turns his own daughter to gold. Thus, the Midas touch is a cautionary tale of one who destroys all he touches. Obama has the Midas touch. Let’s look at some of his victims.
ACORN. The most obvious victim of Obama’s Midas touch has been ACORN, which announced yesterday that it will finally be shutting down. Before its involvement with Obama, ACORN could draw on 400,000 members for left wing causes. It was arguably the most successful organization at funneling federal funds to Democratic voters, getting away with voter fraud, and generally raping taxpayers. But after a one night stand with Obama, conservative activists infiltrated and Troy fell.
Manuel Zelaya. Manuel Zelaya placed himself into Obama’s hands and soon found himself playing the part of blind King Phineas, who lost his kingdom and was prevented from eating by Harpies sent by the god Helios. In this case, Zelaya found himself trapped in the Brazilian embassy, eating hot dogs, after losing his kingdom, as the Honduran Army harassed him. But unlike Jason, who saved Phineus from his fate, Obama left Zelaya to his.
Rahm Emanuel. Democratic Party high-flier Rahm Emanuel was a take-no prisoners up and comer in the Democratic Party. When Obama called upon Emanuel, Rahm saw his chance to add more feathers to his wings. So he guided Obama through the Labyrinth of Washington power. But like Icarus, Rahm was overcome by giddiness and flew too close to the sun, which made him a target for the frustration of other Democrats with Obama’s dithering. Now Rahm plummets to the earth, a burned, waxy mess. Look for Emanuel to quietly disappear from office after November.
Hillary Clinton. With a cold stare that could turn a man to stone, Hillary Clinton came within an eyelash of becoming the first female president. She was that important. But, for reasons unknown, Hillary accepted Obama’s offer and banished herself to the lonely island known as the State Department, where she became a sad, despised creature with bad hair. Now Obama sends challenger after challenger to usurp her authority and take Medusa’s power.
The Democratic Party. Who else has Obama left in his wake? How about the entire Democratic Party. They fell for his siren song and followed his lead as he plotted a course right between the Scylla and Charybdis of party politics: enraging his opponents and demoralizing his supporters. By vastly over-promising and pathetically under delivering, he has guaranteed that the party’s days are numbered. November will be the last hurrah of the Democratic Party as it smashes against the rocks of discontent to which Obama has steered it.
So there you have it, Greek tragedy brought to life by this very administration. Did I miss anyone?
Oh, and if you're wondering why there is no Joe Biden, the only parallel I could find was Moronicus, and he was a fool before he ever met the king.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Obama’s Midas Touch
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16 comments:
Robert Gibbs, the Court Jester. He hasn't been thrown out the Ivory Tower yet, but his time's coming.
Andrew, I now have a burning desire to rent JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963 version, of course). :-) LOVE that movie!
Regarding ACORN, aren't they rebranding? I have a sinking feeling they'll re-emerge as another "non-profit" organization with a misleading name that can continue stealing from taxpayers.
The other one to add to your list is Harry Reid. A hydra, maybe? Although I think Pelosi makes the perfect hydra.
I love it Andrew! Perhaps you could extend the metaphor, real America being Zeus, and the liberals would be the Titans in a modern day clash that would rival that mythological tale.
I fear that ACORN will merely morph into some other kind of nut, but it will take them awhile to organize in such a way as to be as efficient again at registering dead voters and obtaining loans for prostitutes as they were in the messiah's better days.
USArtguy, There are just too many fools in this administration. Serious, is Gibbs like the long lost son of Joe "the Brain" Biden?
Writer X, That's one of my favorites too. Pelosi and Reid as the Hydra would work, of course they would also work as Cerberus, the two-headed dog that guards the gate to Hades.
As for ACORN, they're finished. The New York and California branches broke off and rebranded. The rests of the organization ran out of money and is disbanded -- and they are bitter about it. LOL!
Stan, Real Americans as Zeus works well! LOL! Hopefully, November will be time to toss a few lightening bolts toward our friends in Washington.
Lawhawk, The creature that was ACORN is finished, but apparently its New York and California branches will continue as something else.
But keep in mind, what kept this creature alive was the money funneled to it by Congress. I'm betting when the Republicans take over Congress the days of handing out money to these groups will be coming to an end. At least, they better.
Andrew: That was indeed the real problem. As I mentioned over at Big Hollywood, the morphing is the equivalent of advertising's "same s--t, different package." So I do agree that the election of a more conservative, Republican Congress will cut off their life's blood under any name they use. Or, like you, at least I hope it will.
Isn't the Obama administration more like Geek tragedy than Greek tragedy?
Lawhawk, I think they will. They seems to be showing a much better sense of the politics of letting groups like this run unchecked and they are starting to wake up to how much the government has been supporting their enemies.
Hamilton, They are about as close to Greek tragedy as anyone can get without being Greek.
Fantastic :D
Thanks CrisD, I'm glad you liked it! It was fun to write, though it stretched my brain a good deal trying to remember my Greek Mythology.
I'm with LawHawk as far as Acorn is concerned. They know they've been tainted beyond help, so they're just quietly undergoing a name change without any real change in structure or policy. Ugh.
Nice analogies, Andrew!
Thanks Crispy, I thought everyone might like them. I kind of puts this administration into perspective!
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