The Magic Bullet

The History Chanel recently aired "JFK: Three Shots that Changed America," a three-hour documentary on the assassination of America's 35th president.

How the times have changed, irrevocably, inconceivably. No doubt shows like "Mad Men" capture glimpses of the sixties, but these are glossy, orchestrated, and romanticized. Things that seemed bromide are now security risks - JFK mulling about in crowds, though nerve-racking for the SS, was practiced. Imagine Obama doing the same - those forty years have seen some of the most drastic changes of all.

On that day, Jackie O. was wearing "some knobby pink thing" as a CBS reporter observed. The people in Fort Worth were there to see her style, and to shake hands with the President. They wanted a smile, a "how are you?" from the president, and only that.

The Media and, by proxy, news and entertainment outlets, have proven fascinating litmus tests of history. How the news saw the Kennedy Assassination the day of it divulges from how it was seen a week later - and, of course, with forty some odd years of analysis and insight, how will Matthew Weiner and Co. color the assassination? How different a world it is, from November 22, 1963, to the upcoming November 22, 2009, where, when President Obama came to New York City with the First Lady to see a show in May, the closest the press could get was half a block away, carefully watched by the NYPD and rooftop snipers.

These are tumultuous times, times of metal detectors and bomb-sniffing dogs and tracers. Yet, with things as they are, it is all too easy to forget that the so-called Golden Years of America were still riddled with danger - presidents were still assassinated a century and a half ago; America has been, mostly, a dangerous country. There were few sanctions in the developing West, where vigilantes and rogues took the law into their own hands. And yet, the 1950's and, to an extent, the 1960's, were the halcyon days, to be looked upon longingly.

Those days were fugacious at best, a hyperbolic lie at worst.

What of the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis? How easy it is to get caught up in the worries most germane to us - crumbling economies, swine flu, Lady Gaga - but how important it is to turn back the pages of history, to be reminded of the echoes of the past.

Yes We Did!

Some Thoughts of Media's Impact in Presidential Election

As part of the "East-coast Media Elite" (and I use that term very lightly, as I am on the lowest rung of that elitist ladder), it has been fascinating to watch how pop culture has shaped this election. Shows like "The Colbert Report," "The Daily Show," and "Saturday Night Live" have all put in their two cents worth, either explicitly, or hidden behind a faux-Channel suit-wearing, 'g' droppin' Tina Fey. It's no secret that the media has a liberal bias. Jon Stewart proclaimed his support for Obama early on; Fey brought to attention Palin's down-home quaintness - and her adorable way of dodging questions.

(Amy Pohler as Katie Couric): "Is it true that you become increasingly more adorable when you're cornered?"
(Tina Fey as Sarah Palin): "I don't know, you tell me! Pyew, pyew!" (She shoots imaginary finger guns into the air).

And what of Stewart's Old Man McCain jokes? In the weeks preceding the election, he would constantly make "get off my lawn, you crazy kids!" smears.

Now that isn't to say Obama was not the brunt of many a joke. With the middle name "Hussein" and a unique ethnic background compared to the pallid Protestants that preceded, come on. That's easier than falling out of the proverbial tree of knowledge into grassroots! But, for example, the opening skit to Saturday Night Live featured Obama and Hillary Clinton in a CSPAN interview. Everyone proclaimed to have "Obama-itis," "Obama fever," and just plain Obama-session. Obama was never portrayed as a feeble old man who had to take a nap on the road from caucus to caucus, but neither was he.

I was sent by the Post last night to report on the happenings at Union Square. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people - mostly the errant hip and young crowds of NYU, but a few older fuddy-duddies weaved intermittently. The energy was palpable. People hugging, dancing, drinking, singing - with all of their hearts. It was as though Christmas came early, or New Years happened on the fourth of November. People brought anything they had - pots, pans, garbage cans, drums, cello's, trumpets, silly string - to celebrate. Then came the brown bags and the dubious clouds of smoke. And then, a few daring young gentlemen thought it wise to scale the lampposts in the Square. One climbed to the top and was handed an American flag, which he waved euphorically over the crowd. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

McCain's Concession Speech was gracious and humble and beautifully delivered. At no point did he sound bitter or spiteful, or like he was going to chase some young hoodlums off his (seven) lawns. He admitted Obama was the candidate for the time, and hushed the boo's and hisses of his still fervent supporters.

Obama, meanwhile, delivered a speech that I think will be a hallmark in history books and presidential documentaries. As he has for the past two years, he spoke of hope, and of change, and begged Americans and politicians to drop the silly bipartisan labels of old. It is time for change. And this great nation will pursue that change, under the guidance of Obama.

In honor of Obama''s glorious win, I have written a poem:

Some people call it an abomination
I like to call it Obamanation
'Cause he Obamanated every
Insane husseincusation
And Came out
Solid as Barack.