Tonight I got caught up in watching PBS since they were showing a documentary called "Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story".
I was already familiar with Atwater's history & his influence on the Pigboy Karl Rove's approach to George W. Bush's operations.
This is essential viewing to understand the recent history of negative campaigning & fear tactics that have gripped the political process, especially on the Republican side. His tragic demise adds an interesting dimension to his story. He had brain cancer & found himself looking into the black abyss of death. I've already personally tackled the meaning of life, but the idea of death is a topic I intend to post about soon. That is, if I don't die first.
After chasing the ungratifying illusions of fame, wealth, and especially power, Lee Atwater apparently came to realize the immeasurable human value of caring relationships. He deeply regretted tearing people & the country down, but there are still people out there who don't learn this lesson of causality easily.
AFTER WATCHING "THE LEE ATWATER STORY"
ReplyDeleteTo stir up innuendo and false rumors has to be
Upon the fateful road of life a shameful legacy;
A road which hastens unto death allowing no return--
Therefore the ways iniquitous the best of men do spurn.
It may be second best, at least, if one comes to repent,
Regretting heinous harms for which he was not innocent,
But it is not unique among the human legacies
Since immemorial time to label slander a disease.
He called himself a good man did George Herbert Walker Bush,
Leading unwary souls to cliffside, giving them a push,
And even so considers himself a good man today--
But from the mirror both he and his dear Barbara look away.
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