THE SMARM FACTOR
Okay, I have tried to accept Richard Clark thesis on the Bush administrations “failings” in the war on terror, but I just get it! I don’t see how any rational person can listen to the substance and media spin of what Clark says now, compare it with cold hard facts, and not see that he is just wrong!
I don’t know if he’s lying, if he’s a planned partisan election bomb or if he’s just covering his ass and I don’t care. When you listen to what he says, it just doesnt’ add up. But that’s not what really bothers me. What I just cannot seem to get over is Clark’s….smarmy-ness. (Did I just make up a word?)
Is it just me or does he seem like a bureaucrat? There is no doubt that he is intelligent and capable and he defends himself with passion, but he just comes off like the lady at the DMV who looks at you like your a moron because you forgot your tax asessment receipt and everyone know you can’t get your car tags renewed if you don’t have your tax asessment receipt. (Oh, don’t worry. I’ll have it next time.)
When there is a movie about all of this, and trust me, there will be a movie, Larry Miller would be the perfect actor to play Richard Clark. (Remember the character he played in Necessary Roughness? Dean So-and-so, the guy who didn’t like jocks or sports so he set about trying to sabatouge their play-off efforts?) Larry has that smarmy character down. You just love to hate some of the characters he portrays…and that’s the way I feel about Clark. At first I thought I was just having a knee-jerk reaction to a guy who seemed to be unfairly attacking my president, but it is more than that. I realized it when I watch Clark being interviewed by Tim Russert on Meet the Press. At the end of every provocative answer, Clark glared at Russert as if to say, “See how foolish your question sounds, now that you’ve heard the truth spring forth from my lips?”
Blech!
Every news story about him, his book, his testimony and everything the guy says should be tagged with Yul Brenner from the King and I saying, “So let it be written, so let it be done.” Just listen to what he’s trying to sell. His current celebrity is based on the theory, his the0ry, that Bill Clinton was effective and focused on the war on terror, specifically al Qaeda and bin Laden, but if Clinton would have only listened to him, it would have been better. His theory is that George Bush was not focused or effective in fighting terrorism, at least not until September 11th….and if they would have only listened to him, especially the shallow dimwit Condaleeza Rice, things would have been better. He also says that the focus of the Bush administration after September 11th turned towards how to use this as an excuse for invading Iraq, which they never would have done, if they had only listened to him.
Okay genius. What should we do next? You see, that’s the question Clark can’t answer, because next hasn’t happened yet. He’ll be able to tell you after the fact what you should have done and he’ll use that tone of voice that the computer guy at your office uses when you call to tell him that your printer won’t work.
In closing, here are some contextual references, so you can get my view of Richard Clark.
RICHARD CLARK IN THE LOCKER ROOM AFTER A FOOTBALL GAME
COACH: Men, we made some mistakes today and we got beat.
CLARK: Oh, I could have told you that you were going to lose.
COACH: Wait, aren’t you the guy that drys the balls on the sidelines?
CLARK: Yes, but before that I was the junior assistant to the assistant coach for defense when the previous owners had the team?
COACH: Didn’t they lose every game?
CLARK: Yes, but winning was our number one priority…and they never would have let the other team score that big touchdown in the first quarter.
COACH: How do you know that?
CLARK: Because I was working on a plan to prevent first quarter touchdowns.
COACH: But the old team gave up more first quarter touchdowns than any previous team!
CLARK: Yes, but after each touchdown we really came back and hit them hard.
COACH: How?
CLARK: We tumped over their waterbucket and told them to behave.
COACH: Okay genius, how did you know WE were going to lose?
CLARK: Well it was obvious….because you did not take my advice.
COACH: Well what was your advice and why didn’t tell us sooner?
CLARK: Well, I really wouldn’t have told you to do anything differently than what you did and I would have spoke up sooner, but my publisher thought I wait. Oh, and by the way when I leave, I’m going to write a book about how terrible you were as a coach and about all the crazy things you said in team meetings.
COACH: But you havent’ been in any team meetings.
CLARK: Yes, but I can just tell from your attitude that your a bad coach.
COACH: Get out of here you jerk!
CLARK: Oh I don’t mean anything by it, I just want the fans to see a good game.
Smarmy, huh?
Zack Says: March 30th, 2004 at 2:30 pm
“Smarmy”…good word, Smarmy. It really fits! I am just baffled by the press…did I actually say that? Anyway, they are sooooooo anxious to see a WWF style election this year that they will listen to ANYTHING that stirs controversy. It’s almost as though Clark is completely immune to shame, or facts. You would think that a man in him job would be aware of the fact they have video tape of his other 4 stories! I guess if the media is going to back-up everything you say….why not? The media has mentioned Clark’s other stories several times, but they just keep quoting his book as though it is actually still credible after they’ve uncovered so many different stories. I swear I heard a former Clinton regime member say yesterday “Every time terror tried to creep up, President Clinton launched a strategic missile attack and stopped it”, HUH? They can’t be serious! The Dem leadership has got to be sitting in a room somewhere laughing their heads off saying “I know they’re on our side but, I can’t believe the press is buying this one! Hey, tell ‘em we beat-down terror by launching one missile at a time at just the right target, several times. WE didn’t have to start a war.” LOOK, LOOK, THEY’RE RUNNING WITH THAT ONE TOO!!!!! As I was writing this, FOX News (on XM) announced that Bush’s poll numbers have gone up 12 points in the past 2 weeks. They are speculating as to why that is. They suggest that it is his new TV commercials…? Haven’t seen ‘em. Then they suggest that it’s because Kerry has been on vacation….don’t think so. Hey I know! Maybe it’s because people are figuring out that KERRY WILL SAY ANYTHING IT TAKES TO GET ELECTED! And the people are not ALL as stupid as the media thinks they are.
Zack Says: March 30th, 2004 at 2:33 pm
“A man in HIM job?” oh great, plastered out there for everybody to see!
Suzanne Says: April 1st, 2004 at 9:24 am
I now know the reason I stay out of political discussions. They stink. The sick comments about Richard Clark, now that is what made me write a comment. How can anyone is their right or left mind write such childish comments about a man who deserves the respect of every American.
Now that I got started, think I will really throw some comments. Ever since WaterGate, this country has been out for blood, does not matter which side, the donkey or the elephant will do. Or any other animal that happens to be easy game.
I grew up in a Miltary Family, My Father taugh us to respect our country, to respect our govermemt. Now, yes, I realize it is sometimes very hard to respect our goverment when actually you want to laugh at some of the things that come out of the White House.
But, this is my theory.
Theory Number One- After I have served a term as the President of the United States of America, I will have my opinion, but will respect the decision of the President. (unless it is so odvious the President has lost it, then, as a woman, I do have the right to change my mind).
Number Two: I am so tired of listening to one know-it-all after another know-it-all on TV, about how the President could have prevented 9/11, I have stopped watching TV completly.
Would some one tell me how in the world President Bush could have stopped the events that took place on September 11, now, for all of you who think that the President could actually have prevented that day, then please tell me how it would have been done.
As possibly, you are part of those who were involved, and therefore know more that the President did.
Other than that, I am not involved in politics, come to this site because of you Zack, and have found it very interesting. I will also come back.
Because every four years, I watch as grown men make fools of themselves, and watch as the press make fools of themselves, watch the stupid televison commercials, listen to the TV show hosts, and by the time voting day arrives nothing I have heard, seen or read will in anyway influences my decision on who to vote for.
Now, Zack, I might listen to you. As you do not have anything to gain in this election, you do not have companies related to the oil industry, at least I don’t think you are into that.
That is about it. Now, I am back to my Graphic and photography work, will go back into my hole. and when election day comes, I will do as I have done every four years for a long time. Vote for the man my Father is voting for. Unless I happen to disgree with his choice.
Nice site, my first time to visit. I found Smarmy to be the perfect example of the problem in this country, too many Smarmy’s
Not enough Richard Clark’s
zack Says: April 1st, 2004 at 2:28 pm
Ok….here’s the deal…..Richard Clark calls our President a liar. He should be willing to take the heat. So….go draw something, come out in November, push the button next to BUSH. Then take a picture of it and go draw some more.