Of course he resigned, Senate Majority Leader, Trent Lott, pulled the pin on his career grenade last week and finally let go of the spoon yesterday. He really had no choice, as he came across in his Black Entertainment Television (BET) Public mea culpa as a “Crossing Over” audience member channelling George Wallace.
Then Dubya had a chat with him. Lott faced two choices with Dubya: Resign, or become Colin Powell’s Valet and Bootblack. Since Powell likes shiny shoes and good creases in his shirts, Lott took Choice One.
I suspect Lott will employ the Gore Stratagem. Go away for a while, then come back and stare wistfully off into middle distance. I can almost see Trent Lott with a tight curl perm, in a Pendleton shirt, well-worn jeans, used Rockports, sporting a Fu Manchu and a ‘doo rag. His new job? Admissions Director for Bob Jones University.
Although its a lovely dream, the reality is he’s going on the Rubber Chicken Circuit as a lecturer at $5,000 a pop. This should keep him in marine epoxy for a few years ensuring his legacy of Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.
The real legacy is that the media will not brook even the potential of politically incorrect stain on your record. If your Daddy’s Daddy belonged to some organization that was/is not PC today, then you’re just as guilty, even if you, personally have never been a member. The excuse for this I heard more than once from learned commentators was: “The Apple Doesn’t Fall From The Tree”, which is utter nonsense.
But it seemed to suffice as reason enough to pillory Lott as a sheet-wearing, cross burning, night-riding, fire hose-waving zealot who stood beside Bull Connor and had his own autographed Louisville Nightstick. Which is also, utter nonsense.
Now, I refuse to defend Lott, as he is an idiot and so far right he makes Nixon look like a Libertarian, but I can’t get past then zealotry of the media in pursuing him because it is a slow new week.
The part that scares me, is since the late 70’s, the majority of North Americans get almost all their news from Television. A Roper Poll (mid 80’s or so) placed Television News at the top of the list for credibility, honesty and believability with viewers. Not just by a few percentage points either, it was something like four times more credible than newspapers, radio, magazines and books.
If that doesn’t scare you. Then nothing will.
RoadDave 