Sep 28 2008
The Price of Petulance
We are 36 days away from the 2008 Presidential Election. This week I am going to find out how and when I can cast an early ballot in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From here on, I am going to focus on my work: the psyche of American people as it plays out daily within “the American experience”.
This morning on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Senator John McCain spoke of the value Governor Palin brings to his campaign. He expressed jubilance at “the excitement…popularity…enthusiastic response” she has generated for his whole campaign; while exhibiting petulance toward the entire conversation. That petulance disturbs me.
Friday night, McCain’s entire debate appearance can be summarized as “shrouded in petulance”. I have had it with Petulant Presidents. I did not like it with Clinton. I certainly have grown weary with Bush II, and the idea of enduring any-more years via Petulant McCain is really an outcome I dread to consider.
I do not remember Reagan as petulant. Admittedly, even though I voted for him in both 1980 and 1984, I am not a historical fan. Iran-Contra, along with issues like poverty and HIV-Aids eventually wore me out. The point is, Senator McCain claims Reagan as his icon. Reagan was never petulant.
What is the price of petulance in a president to the American people? What is the price of petulance in the American president to the world? The answer might lie in the horizon of possibility. Consider the definition: Petulant: 1. unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish 2. Contemptuous in speech or behavior. How do those qualities contribute to concepts like “future”, “hope”, and most specifically, “safe and secure”?
Petulance is a choice. It is a mode-of-being that one chooses. The choice is made by each of us, daily, even hourly, as we actively co-contitute our life and outlook. Personally, I can’t afford petulance in any area of my life. I do not have time for it, and I sure can not afford the negative outcomes that accompany it. Bottom line: I have found it gets me no-where and no-thing.
Pre-petulant Bush:
I, for one, will take pedantic over petulant any day.
Good post, cheers.
Politics from a psychological point of view, great idea for a blog!
I just feel plain worn out. Yet another play in which they contribute thier roll. Especially with these latest antics of spending yet billions, maybe trillions before we are done, of our “future” money to private enterprise. I’m just feeling, bored, defeated and palin worn out tonight.