New to Perryville, a Op/Ed page.
February 1, 2004
View from the Litter Box.
CatEyes
Disclaimer: This feline has no personal knowledge of, or connection to Steve Perry …. well, except for that slight psychic connection. Just kidding. Actually, I had lo-jack installed and for $19.95 a month, they monitor his whereabouts for me.
By now I am sure most internet-board member-Perry/Journey fans have read Mr. Bart Mills’ column on presidential theme songs, and Gen. Wesley Clarks’ choice of “Don’t Stop Believing” as his.
Seems Mr. Mills is under the impression that all Perry/Journey fans drive Miatas, like cats and are “sensitive”. Do they really still MAKE Miatas? Maybe it’s the car of choice in Lima, Ohio where Mr. Mills has been inspired to exercise his rights to free speech and free press. The problem with those freedoms is that sometimes you have to listen to what you don’t like – and I don’t like what Mr. Mills had to say, and not because he is “anti” Journey (he does seem to like Steve Perry, tho).
Even tho it may be that Mr. Mills’ column was written tongue-in-cheek, it frightens me. It frightens me that someone could harbor these attitudes in this day and age. The qualities he uses to describe Perry/Journey fans all seem to be female qualities – or those recognized as mostly female qualities – and thereby, hinting that Perry/Journey fans are mostly female. Taken one step further, Mr. Mills seems to hint that the choice of “Don’t Stop Believing” would attract the female vote – like it would hypnotize us the way a snake charmer’s song could hypnotize and tame the most poisonous reptile..
Back in the early ‘60’s when President Kennedy was just another candidate, it was always noted how he had a “lock” on the female vote because of his “boyish good looks and natural Kennedy charm”. During the campaign of George I (W’s daddy) the press kept mentioning how he had the female vote wrapped up because of his running mate’s, Dan Qualye, “Robert Redford”-like good looks. Personally, I always wondered if anyone had cleared this statement with Robert Redford. And during the Clinton campaign, oh just refer back to the Kennedy campaign – I don’t have the strength.
And, of course, the song “Don’t Stop Believing” will attract all of the females and “sensitive” male voters - after all since we are mere females we probably have not noticed or are concerned that, as of today, February 1, 2004, eight million Americans lose their unemployment. We haven’t noticed that our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters in the military are fighting in different places around the globe. The fact that most Americans do not have adequate, affordable health care is unimportant to us.
A lot of people have e-mailed Mr. Mills. Not me. Nope.
Do you want this guy and others like him to know how you feel? That in fact you do have feelings and opinions?
Do you want the world to know that you exist and that your voice will be heard?
You have the weapon of choice at hand ….. VOTE!
I don’t care who for …just vote.
There is a primary near you right now. Go use it. And if you have an extra 5 minutes, give a friend a ride to the polls
Join one of the scariest and most powerful forces in the Universe:
WOMEN WITH BRAINS THEY AREN’T AFRAID TO USE AND WHO VOTE
As for the choices available, none of them have impressed this feline yet ….. not even the cute ones.
Enjoy your week!
