In the last couple of years I have come to appreciate fantasy and Sci-Fi. LoTR has always been a favorite, but lately I have expanded my horizons in especially the fantasy genre of literature. My wife is the primary culprit for my increased exposure to such stories, and it is conversations with her that has me thinking about Hilary Clinton.
It is already disturbing that the political institution has engorged itself to a high society that increasingly resembles a modern day version of the medieval royal court. Participating in politics is supposed to be a privilege and a duty that community leaders participate in for a short time. As my good friend Tackett pointed out to me, it was never supposed to be its own career that only the elite participate in and are groomed for. My frustrations aside, what is interesting is that our little world of political celebrity not to different from the web of stratagem in these fantasy novels I am reading. Many analogies can be drawn between the leading male political leaders.
However, to me, the most obvious of the similarities has to do with the leading women. The reoccurring depiction of the main villainous female in most fantasy series, paints the picture of a woman of higher status who is devious and two-faced, there are no means too cruel as long as they further her primary objective-- the rapid accrual of power and position. It is difficult to find anyone who really believes Hillary Clinton is anything other than this vision of the conniving lady of scheming ambition. She is not unlike the classic female Disney villains, and I don't simply mean the wicked witches, however. She more closely resembles the ruthless wives who used their husband's prestige for their own rise to power.
On the other side, there are guys who bring real contrast to this villainous elitism. I can't help but love the every-man ethos that Mike Huckabee brings to this race. He is the clever protagonist who comes from nowhere-- the underdog who overcomes adversity to win the hearts of the common people and slay the evil witch. He is more of the mysterious gleeman or bard who uses his humor to disarm and maneuver. He has his problems, but two things stick out to me: He had the fortitude of mind to lose over 100lbs, and he graduated from a small Christian college ( Ouachita Baptist University)--not a Harvard or Yale artifact. Plus, Chuck freekin Norris is supporting him, come on.
Another guy who fits into this vague unfleshed-out fantasy analogy, John McCain, a warrior, the battle-torn military man who speaks his mind. The scarred hedge knight who takes over when all others are losing their heads. This guy has less of what I like in the way of personalty, he is kinda dull, but he was a P.O.W., nothing dull about that.
There are other connections to fantasy literature, I am sure, but...not that interest me right now.
(Image credit by Flickr user originalunoriginal)
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