S3e16- The U.S. Poet Laureate ("Intellect and Instinct")

Since re-starting my journey back into blogging along with watching "The West Wing," there have been several instances where this journey back into the idealogical Utopia took a sharp right turn into comparisons with the present state of things.  In this episode, I had moments of absolute whiplash.

1- Remember a time when saying this would have been met with shock and outrage?

"I think we might be talking about a .22 caliber mind in a .357 magnum world."

Oh, those were the days.  President Bartlet was reprimanded by members of Congress!  Now, compare that to the Cheetoh Voldemort (sorry, I refuse to use his name) said in his open mic controversy.  

Oh, those care-free days of the early 2000's...

2- .... and then the response:
"The President didn't realize that the camera was hot and he said something he shouldn't have, as we all do from time to time."

As for Cheez-who-must-not-be-named?  Well, he obviously went on to say that it was locker-room banter, apologize to his wife,  remind people that he thinks the Clintons had done worse, and earn 320 electoral votes from the party that was supposed to be standing for family values.

I know, I'm on a roll... don't stop!

Ok- take a read through these lines from Sam's conversation with Ainsley:

SAM- We're of the belief that if you're going to set policy, it'd be a bonus to understand it.  And at this point, we'd be astonished to discover that [he] had read as many as six journal articles on anything other athletic support mechanisms.
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SAM- Good advisors could better advise informed and curious Presidents.

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SAM- Because before I look for anything, I look for a mind at work. Nobody's saying the President needs to have a tenured chair in semiotics, but you have to have...

AINSLEY- What?

SAM- Gravitas.

AINSLEY- And how do you measure that?

SAM- You don't, but we know it when we see it, and Republicans tend to mock it

when they do.

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Oh, Sam... if only you know what was happening in the real world...

Whew.  Felt good to get that out of my system.

Quick Hits:

• Lemon-Lyman.com- not currently active, but thankfully, there is  http://lemonylyman.tumblr.com/  Not a bad substitute.
• Interesting background on Sorkin's inspiration for this plotline here: 

• Toby and Tabitha- Oh, wow.  First, what an amazing job of wardrobe for a poet.... and I have to say, I'm a bit impressed with Toby's game!

• Finally, has there ever been a more unexpected Toby than this Toby?

I love this show.

Keep watching, keep laughing, keep calling your congressional representatives (and a few other people's representatives, while you're at it)!

What's Next?  S3e17-Stirred

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