Rethinking Islamist Terrorism
Dan Yankelovich

Participant
In polite society it isn't proper to discuss politics, religion or sex. Are we observing that protocol in this forum?

As to politics and sex, I live in California, and today we are probably going to elect someone who has such an unbelievably sleazy record in the treatment of women that he could not have done these things and continue to be a physician, police officer, teacher, lawyer, professor, or even be employed by the state government which he seeks to govern. I wonder how the Republican acceptance and defense of his behavior will shape future issues of this sort. I fear that women have suffered a terrible setback, even if he loses. I think to regain that ground, women should file complaints.

I don't know if it's California or Republicans, but California Republicans (with some help from starry-eyed Democrats) have proven unable to distinguish a film performance from real life. Has the population of any other state elected movie stars like John Wayne, George Murphy, Ronald Reagan, and now Arnold Schwarzenegger? John Wayne was something of a true hero onscreen, but do we want Arnold to personify his onscreen characters?

Participant
You are painting with a broad brush, Dick. There are many "California Republicans" who want nothing to do with "Ahnold". As far as I'm aware, John Wayne, George Murphy and Ronald Reagan offered no basis for serious criticism -- other than respectable ideological differences, of course.

Perhaps I just don't understand the situation, but it's my impression that in many states -- including California, of course -- the leadership of parties has little in common with the attitudes of voters. Party philosophy is not put to a vote; we get to vote only for obscure names, who -- like politicians everywhere -- hide their personal feelings quite well at election time.

XParticipan
My criticism is not of Reagan, Murphy or Wayne, but of the voters who cannot distinguish between real life and movie heroism. Or rather of our educational system that somehow fails to enable students to think critically.

Participant
Evidently, then, you think that Reagan, Murphy and Wayne had no personal substance in "reality". The choice of a profession should not disqualify a person from useful political participation. But we digress!

Today I'm considering emigrating to New Zealand.

Participant
No, it's just a victory of image over substance. Small children are often described as having no ability to distinguish between what they see on television and what is "real life". I'm afraid that it is more dangerously true of adults.

Your remark about emigrating has been made dozens of times to me these past few months. Usually joking, as yours no doubt was, but not always. Many Americans are embarrassed about our country, disgusted with the political processes at work, and fearful of impending events. I can't blame them. I've made the remark myself. And how many of us think of New Zealand!

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