Got an interesting call this evening
I was about to sit down for a little mindless television when the phone rang. It was a recorded message but I actually listened for 15 seconds. It was an automated system announcing that U.S. Congresswoman Thelma Drake (2nd District Of Virginia) was having a teleconference town hall meeting and if I stayed on the line, I would be automatically connected into the call.
My first reaction was that this was an interesting and potentially positive use of technology to reach a group of overwhelmingly non-technological people. I got over my positive vibe pretty quickly.
Congresswoman Drake is a Republican. Technically, so am I. Unfortunately, Drake is a “politician” more than other label she may want or receive. After 15 minutes of residents asking questions and Drake having very polished but useless responses, I was left with a Hollywood line …
“I was so busy keeping my job I forgot to do my job.”
- Michael Douglas as President Andrew Shepard, The American President.
Hollywood has written some great politicians and some great leaders. Is it impossible to believe there are characters in real life that could win a debate, a character contest, an achievements list; against a fictitious silver screen character ? Or should we all resign ourselves to the notion that all politicians are just actors. (Appologies to my thespian friends.)
