Curious Queries – Interview II
 

I love the interview thread with it’s thoughtful questions and answers, but it takes quite some time to keep that one going, so I thought I’d start something along the same lines but a little less restrictive. That said come here and pose your curious questions to your fellow swankers. These can be simple one-off questions with the only restriction being that they a directed to specific person or person(s).

So I’ll start off with a couple of questions for Eliza Hodgkins 1812:

Robots – when began your fascination, and what about them do you love so much? Do you have favorites? What in your mind makes a really good robot.

Graphic Novels – when began your interest in these. Do you remember your first? Would you like to write your own – or have you already? What makes for a superior graphic novel?

Darn you people who don't hang on the internet all day! Okay, I shall try to get a few more questions going:

MousePod - as a relative newcomer to this community, I don't think we've heard you Disney story yet. What was it that started your obsession with the Mouse. What was the first park you visited and how old were you? When did you relize that you were a bit more obsessed about it than most others?

What other (non-Disney) things draw your attention? What is your favorite collection?

Not Afraid

Punk Rock – You’ve often referred to your punk rock past, What was it that made you a punk rocker, what distinguished you from the possuers who came after? How are you still most like a punk rocker. What about you is the least punk rock?

Whoring your own thread, C? Tee hee. Let me ask some too, so you're not alone.

EUROMEINKE! You have such insightful and clever things to say on the board. You are an awfully quiet man in person. This, of course, has its charm, and I don't mean to belittle it. I'm simply curious about why the internet draws out your conversation, and why hanging out inspires you to keep more mum. Also, is it possible to keep more mum? Is that a sorely-phrased expression?

Since this looks like it's a quick 'n' dirty thread, I'll try to give you short answers. My obsession with the mouse is actually an adult thing. When I was a kid (late 1960s- early 70s) I had what I considered to be typical exposure to things Disney. My family watched The Wonderful World of Disney on television, we saw all of the first-run and rerelease movies in the theaters, and I read the occasional Disney comic book. My first visit to a Disney park was Disneyland at the age of 6, and I was too scared to go on a lot of the rides. In my adolescent and teen years, my obsessions veered toward the seamier side of pop culture - comics, punk rock, strange movies... that sort of thing. Disney wasn't exactly gone, but took more of a back seat, along with other "safe" things like The Beatles. Fast-forward past my druggie/alky ordeal (pretty boring stuff, really) and into my first year of sobriety. I'd met a bunch of cool people at an ICYPAA (International Conference of Young People in AA) and they invited me to come to a local conference in SoCal. Long story short, a bunch of us 18-21 year olds wound up spending an afternoon and evening in DL. Holy Crap! Sober fun. Given the opportunity reexamine the Disney empire with a new set of eyes was enlightening. And I've been a fan ever since.
For more details of my obsession, see The MousePod

Honestly, there are too many to mention. I don't think I'm a "casual fan" of anything. If I read a good book, I need to read everything the author has written. If I see a good movie, I want to experience the director's entire oeuvre. I have thousands of records, books, cds, videos... My favorite collection at any moment is the one I'm currently researching. Right now, there's this Japanese singer that I'm obsessing on. I have all of her CDs and DVDs, but none of her emphemera. There are a couple of shops in Tokyo that might have what I'm looking for. Wanna come along?

All these serious questions. I'm going to ask a trivial, silly one (at least I think it's trivial and silly).

Cadaverous Pallor, I believe you've posted before that you use Pantene shampoo (me too). What do you think of their new formula? If I am mistaken about your shampoo, tell us about what shampoo you do use; you have very pretty hair.

LOL!

I was a rebellious kid. I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist Christian household with a Mother who cares a bit too much about what everyone else thought. I always hated her attitude and the "little white lies" that went along with them.



When I got into HS, I started to find my own way (which was quite a bit different than the way I was brought up). I got into new types of theater, music, art and dance that were different from the traditional forms I had been exposed to. The friends I was attracted to were all of different races, religions and sexual orientations.



One day my BF brought home a single of Siouxsie and the Banshees "Hong Kong Garden". It was so wonderful and different from the boring, unimaginative Foreigner, Boston, ELO, Foghat, Kansas etc. We started to go see bands that were new and different - usually at small, intimate venues.



Through the club excursions, I met more people and saw more bands - some of them local. I started hanging out with other punks and bands, started shopping at thrift stores (Mother was appalled :)), cut my long red/blond hair and dyed it black and generally threw ALL of the teachings of the church and my parents out the window as I discovered my own sense of "normal" - which I discovered doesn't really exist. I learned to questions things (like authority ;)) and find my own answers.



How is that different from the poseurs that came after? I think we were forging a new type path that was different that what had come before. We were defining American Punk in the late 1970's and early 1980's and it was a different attitude than the English Punk that inspired it. It was less about economics and more about attitudes, beliefs, religion, anger, authority, and government (although English Punk has some of the same focus). The music that came out of these attitudes expressed our beliefs and it was hard and fast and exhilarating! Those that came after (and continue today) adopted the style of Punk, but the attitude is rarely there. It's more of a fashion statement than anything - with a few exceptions. The conformity gets to me because it is so not punk.



Why am I still punk? I take my own road in many ways. I seek out things that are challenging and interesting. I don't follow much of what the masses do - especially in creative endeavors; music, art, dance, etc. I'm still very rebellious about getting involved in certain "popular" social phenomenon. I hate TV, I won't watch the News, I only listen to public radio, I usually don't read "bestsellers" and I'm very careful about how I spend my time and money. I still seek out the interesting and odd. But, I'm less punk in how I "look" (although I still wear a lot of black). I don't feel the need to make my opinions know all of the time. I don't need to convince anyone else I am right. I've become more comfortable in my own skin and am not out to change the world through my opinions. I don't really know if that is less Punk or not. But, it sure is a different attitude than the one I had when I was learning what rebellion was all about.

Interesting question! Thanks!

Whew – good question, I wish I knew the answer and would be interested in hearing some theories. I suppose in many ways, I’m more comfortable with expressing myself in the written word than in the spoken word. But that seems too simple and pat an explanation.

I think in many ways I’m a reluctant leader, call it shy, or maybe even codependent, but when a group gets going, it creates a certain momentum and I hate to get in it’s way. I’m uncomfortable competing for the attention that live groups seem to have. I usually wait for a lull to step in, and then very tentatively. Lack of confidence? Fear of rejection? Perhaps those come into play – whatever it is, it’s probably irrational.

I much prefer one-on-one conversations, and in those situations I can be quite verbose – or so I’m told.

I suppose the internet works for me in that I can put myself out without talking over anyone else. People can choose to ignore what I say, so I don’t feel so bad about putting it out there. I am very fascinated with other people’s stories, and love to hear about the things that make them unique. So I suppose my whoring this thread is perhaps a fine example of a way in which I feed my intellectual voyeurism.

But I do wish sometimes, I could import my internet self into the real world. Perhaps someday I'll be able to Matrix myself in ;)

Whew! I thought he was going to say that his wife was to loud for him to get a word in edgewise. ;)

Kevy Baby - You've mention a few times you desire to be a parent. What is it you look forward to the most, about having a child? What is the one piece of wisdom you hope to pass on? And what do you hope your child will think about you as he or she becomes an adult?

Innerspaceman: I know you've done your share of "altered experince attraction riding" at Disneyland, but what was the first attraction you rode in an altered state and what type of experience was it? (And the tram into the park doesn't count.)


Bonus question: Who did the fabu artwork in your avatar?

Well, the first of many altered ride experiences at the happiest place on earth :D was my first time ever riding Space Mountain in 1978, just after smoking a joint with friends in the parking lot. (Come to think of it, the parallels with my first ever riding EuroDisney Space Mountain in 2003 after downing a bottle of champagne with a friend are striking). :cheers:


Anyway, even though I had no sober reference point for the experience of hurtling through the blackness of space with floating chocolate chip cookies and psychenautic echo sounds, I knew instantly that the altered state put me a little bit more into the suspension of disbelief mode that befits the Disneyland attractions, and it was beyond effortless to accept Walt's invitation to play. Also, details were clearer, audio was more crisp, visuals were more colorful, movement was more keenly felt.

I knew from that moment that an altered state of consciousness was the perfect partner for experiencing playtheme physical environment creation attractions, and went on to get high on every Disneyland ride on every drug imaginable over the subsequent years.


I don't do that much anymore. I can still have plenty of fun at Disneyland without being high, and do so consistently. But there's nothing quite like Pirates of the Caribbean on ecstacy for appreciating the visual splendor, or hitting some dope in the smoking area just outside the Mansion to have a slightly creepier ride. And nothing in the world beats taking acid and then riding Space Mountain wearing rainbow-streak glasses and hitting on a nitrous oxide balloon as you're going up the last lift .... :eek:






:coffee: Bonus Reply: Dunno. It's concept artwork from 'The Incredibles.' It's so delicious an image, but I don't know who the artist is. It's from an 'Art of' book that I gave to Isaac for Xmas. Yummy, isn't it?

Heehee, the things people remember from my posts....:D

Actually, I quit Pantene a while ago. Now I use L'Oreal Paris' Vive shampoo and conditioner. I use the Smooth-Intense variety - it's easy to spot on the shelves due to the orange bottles. :) As soon as my washed hair is dry it frizzes like nobody's business and is hell to brush. After literally years of being faithful, I finally realized that Pantene was not giving me the results I wanted and I needed to try something else. This stuff does help quite a bit.

I can feel the difference already when I rinse the shampoo out. I really love the shampoo. In fact, I've considered trying the shampoo with Pantene conditioner, as I'm not sure which conditioner is better. Anyway, I've been using the set for a while and am rather happy with the results. My hair is combable straight out of the shower. I do still get some dryness, but the frizz is markedly better than before. Some days, to give it some shine and tame the remaining frizz I use a bit of shiny pomade.....which I CAN'T FIND AT THE MOMENT! WTF? I know I brought it with me somewhere...grr.

Do you have really thick, frizzy hair too? :) Thanks for the trivial, silly question, I post too much deep stuff here anyway. ;)

I need the deductions on my taxes.

I enjoy sharing the experience of life with others. Both Susan and I had crappy childhoods. We both have a desire to "break the cycle." There is also a lot of unexplainable drive to want to nurture. A lot of the desire is hard to put into words - it just seems to be the right thing to do.

If my child were to learn just one thing from me, it would to be a good human: be good to yourself and be good to others. Enjoy life, live in the moment but don't fail to plan for the future. Follow your heart. Don't grow up too fast: there will be plenty of time for the adult things when you are an adult. Be honest with yourself and others: difficult truth is much easier to deal with than questionable niceness. If it is a girl: don't let people you can't do something just because you are a girl (and you can't date until you're 30). If it is a boy: don't be afraid to cry: it makes you MORE of a man, not less. (I guess I lost count on my way to one - sorry.)

And I hope that my child feels that he or she can trust me with anything. I would hope that we have a deep enough of a relationship that there is nothing to fear about talking to Dad.

You're gonna be a great Dad, KB.:)

That would be an understatement. It's thick, dense, curly, frizzy, and I've been having a problem with buildup lately. I'm afraid Pantene may be on its way out.

God, I love this thread, too. I'm gonna have to think up a good question. :D

Harder to respond than I would have expected.
 

Knowing why I like certain things is a lot easier than writing an explanation for why I like them, I think. Thanks for taking an interest in my interests, Chris.

Five main reasons:

1. I have a laymen’s interest in science and mechanization, and robotics is a lovely marriage of the two.

2. I’ve also a laymen’s interest in philosophical quandaries about what defines a life, a soul? Is it sentience? Organic matter? Emotion? Self-awareness? Fictional stories often employ robots as a device to explore these questions (Data on Star Trek; Yod from Marge Piercy’s novel He, She, and It; to great humorous effect, Marvin the Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and my iboyfriend Sonny, from the film I, Robot – for a robot lover, I should probably be shot for having read not one word of Isaac Asimov’s…) I’m also interested in a more realistic speculation about the future of robotics, and what it might mean for our labor forces – the sci-fi version of John Henry and his hammer…

3. I was the kind of child that personified objects and animals, and robots are the perfect simulacrum of this childhood fantasy. I probably first realized this watching R2D2 in Star Wars. It was like watching a favorite toy come to life, and I was interested in something manmade having intelligence and emotion. There was a silly movie I saw when I was very young called “Electric Blue” in which a computer develops sentience and feelings for its owner, and I remember thinking it so terribly heartbreaking that this very human intelligence was trapped inside a box.

4. And (for complete honesty) there’s probably something that fascinates me along the lines of a J.G. Ballard story, but I’d rather not get into my own personal perv box of reflections about metal, erotica, emasculation, etc. I suppose it’s a response to the mechanization and computerization of our age, though.

5. Robots are COOL!


Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron by Daniel Clowes was the first. I read it serialized in Clowes’ Eightball books and was immediately drawn to this format of storytelling, having already developed an interest in art/illustration, writing, and picture books. His story was so bizarre and psychological and complicated. I was familiar with R. Crumb in a cursory sort of way, and mostly thought of Marvel's superhero books and the like when thinking of comic books. Clowes opened up my mind to the possibility of what a pictorial literature could be, and my obsession grew from there.

What I love about them:

As a whole it’s a stylistically reductive medium: It takes complex action, thought, and emotion and simplifies them so that the reader can – with ease – be fully impacted by the artists and writers intent without being mired in too much detail. You don’t often have pages and pages of text describing a characters emotion, and you can’t – as you can with film – watch as a character goes through a prolonged shift in mood. Instead it gives you just what’s necessary. Snippets of prose, delicately crafted, and spread out over a couple of pages. Three panels to show a shift in mood, that give you just enough to know exactly what the character is experiencing while your mind fills in the blanks.

However, each individual panel then zeroes in on the most important moment (so it’s reductive, but not in a way that “ignores subtleties or important details”, as the definition implies. There is the act of taking complex things and drafting them in terms of “simple structures and systems”. But the minimalist nature of comics is what gives them their weight. When a graphic novel is good, each panel is perfectly crafted. Each moment is exactly as it needs to be to get the writer(s)' and artist(s)’ intent across; all else has been left out. Then each moment is organized sequentially, and together this indicates pacing, movement, intensity, and emphasis. There has to be a harmony between the text and image, and the panels behave like a covenant binding them all together.

I also think of it as Outsider art adopted by pop culture. Also, much like children’s literature, writers and artists have more free reign to think left of center. They aren’t under the scrutiny of mainstream expectations and bottom lines. They don’t need to be on the best sellers list, so editors and publishers aren’t as concerned with content that is marginalized, controversial, disturbing, etc. Anarchy and philosophy is explored to the nth degree. It’s a very radical medium.

My skills in drawing and painting have greatly diminished over the years, but one day I hope to get back into it. I’ve written down ideas, and storyboarded them as well, for comics, but until I feel that I’m a better artist, I don’t want to make any attempts. I realize that many graphic novels are a collaboration between writers, draftsman, inkers, colorists, etc., but I have a feeling I’d be more interested (and more capable of) creating works like Phoebe Gloeckner, who writes semi-autobiographical stories and does all the artwork herself. The worst a person can do is assume it’s easy. It’s a really difficult medium to work in, I think. And too often I come across work where the writing is up to par, but the art sucks, or the exact opposite happens. And I notice it more with graphic novelists who do it all themselves. I wouldn’t want to half-ass it.

MotorboatCruiser:

Most of us know that you write and perform music. How long have you been interested in music? What was the first instrument you learned to play? What instruments do you play? When (approximately) did you write your first song? And lastly, what serves as your inspiration; who are your muses?

Dude, you and Chris have both mentioned the Japanese chick, but your both whithholding her name. Stop teasing us. I want to hear her music but I need that name. C'mon, gimme her name!

Hehehehehe!

I'd like to add: And when is your next gig, so some of us can head over and check it out? :snap:

So many questions! :) I'll do it this way...

To be honest, since I first remember hearing it. My earliest recollection is two years old and my parents playing an 8-track of Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow". It mesmerized me. I also heard Abbey Road by the Beatles quite a bit. I always had a fascination with instruments for as long as I can remember.

When I was about 4, the neighbors had a little cheap organ, the kind that you held down a button and it made a chord, which you could accompany. All the kids complained that I wouldn't play with them when I was over there and wouldn't leave the organ alone. My parents decided to take a chance and buy one. When I got it, it came with all these "play by the numbers" books that showed you how to play simple songs. My mom said that she walked by my room and heard me playing "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells". She said it sounded pretty good and she looked in, expecting me to be using the books. They were on the floor though, unopened. For some reason, I was able to look at the keyboard and see the song. I pretty much taught myself although I sort of took lessons for a few years after. My ear was a major hinderance though. I could hear something and play it so easily that I never really learned how to read music that well. I always relied on my ear. Still do, although I can read drum music pretty well.

Drums are actually my main instrument. I graduated from the Musician's Institute in Hollwood in '84 and drums were my primary instrument. I started playing them when I was 12. I can play bass guitar and acoustic guitar functionally well enough to record and write but I have rarely performed on them. I sing but it is something that I am pretty self conscious about still. I like to and don't think I am awful but there is still a lot of apprehension there.

Hmm, probably around 10 or 11 years old. Nothing very impressive though. :)


Most of the music I write is instrumental although I do write some lyrics. Lyrically, I suppose my inspiration just comes from life experience. The ups and down, the struggles, the triumphs, the despair, the joy. It is hard to say exactly. Sometimes I just start writing, not even knowing what the topic is and something just forms from the ramblings.

Instrumentally, it is usually a particular emotion or visual that I'm trying to capture. I've done a lot of work writing soundtracks for things like documentaries and industrial videos. In those cases, I look at the visuals and try to imagine what emotions the visuals convey. What is the pace? What is the effect the producer is trying to bring across. I've looked at monkeys in Bali and I hear a certain sound that might have jungle instruments, maybe a lot of ethnic percussion like congas, marimba, a playful jumping, yet, mysterious sound. Or I might see a WWII plane at the bottom of the sea and hear a snare drum march, ghostly in the background as a mournful trumpet plays a solitary melody. A race car might suggest distorted guitars, a slapping bass, and a very quick pulsating drum track.

I know that is kind of long-winded but that is really how I do what I do. I visualize images and try to imagine what emotion the score should convey. I hope that answers your question.

Thanks for asking! :)

I'll let everyone know when I am playing someplace that is open to the public. I gig quite a bit with a jazz band but we mostly do private functions like weddings, anniversaries, private clubs, that kind of thing.

I'm still working on putting together a lounge-oriented solo keyboard gig though. As soon as I get some bookings, I'll let you all come so you can laugh and throw rotten tomatoes. :)

Here's an odd question for Not Afraid.

We all know about your love of kitties. Since you have many and spend a lot of time with them, I wonder if some of their traits have rubbed off on you and Chris.

So my question is; Who possesses more cat-like qualities, you or Chris, and how so?

(told you it was odd :))

We certainly get luts of fur rubbing off on us all of the time, but traits......hmmmmm.

Well, let's talk about why I like cats first and see what happens......

I like cats because they are indpendent, entertaining, affectionante, sweet, playful, sexy, aloof at times and lazy.

I would say that Chris is all of those things - except I'm lazier. But, our cats have tought us both how to lounge like the finest of cats. Chris is more of a cat person than I am - only in that other animals don't seem to like him as much. Where I tend to be liked by animals in general. So, he is probably more cat-like than I am. He certainly is furrier than I am! ;)

I love that cats are so independent but also so very affectionante. It's a good combination and I never grow tired of their affection or their needs and I always know that they love their Mommy. Chris is also very independent but also very affectionante and loving but, at the same time, he isn't clingy. I can leave both the cats and Chris at home for a few days and know they won't get into too much trouble. ;)

You're right. This IS an odd question and one I probably shouldn't be answering at 1:30 am. But, certainly fun to think about. Maybe Chris can add more about my feline qualities because I have no idea.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

Do you have a favorite "Herbie" movie and what do you like most about these series of films? If you could write/direct your own Herbie movie, what would the plot involve and who would you like to star in it?

Well, the original 1968 version of course! Dean Jones, Michelle Lee, David Tomlinson are all great. And it features one of the funniest men ever, Buddy Hackett. The guy just shows up on screen and it's funny. The climactic race at the end is nothing short of great gag film-making. It's a Mad, Mad World would be the only one to top it.

I don't know if I would want to, since I don't think I or anyone else could capture the esence of the original. There's just a real charm to the whole film that always stayed with me and is always revived whenever I watch it. I am sure the new one coming out is just going to be a horrible rehash. Sure it's nice to see the younger audience get exposed to the Herbie idea, but the original is so timeless, they should just release that into theatres again.

Carole: Help, I'm a prisoner! I can't get out!
Van Hippy: We all prisoners, chickee-baby. We all locked in.
[looks over at his hippy partner]
Van Hippy: Huh, a couple of weirdos, Guenivere.
(courtesy IMDB.com)

Looks like this thread is out of questions. :(

Prudence: If you could be any Medieval person, who would it be and why? (Would rather be like King Alfred or Margery Kempe?)

Ghoulish Delight and/or Cadaverous Pallor: Did you see the latest Jib Jab? What did you think? (p.s. I accidentally typed "Ghouldish" at first. I don't know what that means, but it's an interesting slip.)

Motorboat Cruiser: Do you always wear all black, or was that just for the profile photo? Also, I heard that they drained the motorboat lagoon; does this make you sad?

Jumpin' jellybeans -- I can't even pick a century or country and you want me to pick a whole PERSON? Yoiks! This will require thought.

Actually, I figured you'd either answer "None, thanks. I appreciate conveniences like toilets and clothes driers" or that you'd have a favorite author or something.

If I answered the same question honestly, I'd have to go with "None, thanks. I apprecitate conveniences like toilets and clothes driers." But take your time. :)

Matterhorn Fan - Icelandic/Norse folktales, what's the draw - what originally sparked your interest? How much Norse do you know, what's your favorite Norse phrase?

But the really cool people HAD toilets! And servants to wipe their royal posteriors! And they didn't wash their own clothes. I'll have you know I'm strictly an Eleanor of Aquitaine/Elizabeth I kind of girl. You may have noticed that I crave power. I don't want to be beheaded or live in muck or eat sops on a regular basis. I'd need lots of disposible income. And good shoes.

I think part of my problem is that there are so very many things I'd want to see and I'm weighing them in my head and trying to decide if they'd be worth the inconveniences.

But if I had to pick, it'd be the grand dame herself -- Elizabeth I.

Well, I used to wear a lot of black but I've scaled back. The exception is for gigs, where I still tend to. That pic was from a series of promo pics for our band, hence the black.

Sigh, my beloved motor boat cruise. We rode the monorail over the empty lagoon yesterday and my heart sank. I really would like to see them put something similar back into the area, rather than fill it. So yeah, definitely a bit sad.

:)

Good question, and even more difficult to answer now that it's been almost 2 years since I've read any of that stuff. From what I've read, I've come to the conclusion that I like the act of translating much more than I like the actual texts. But the texts themselves can be fun--some more than others. I remember very little Old Icelandic (Old Norse, if you're from Norway), but with a glossary I could translate just as well as before--I can't remember languages because I never speak them (English is the one exception), but they always come back pretty quickly.

My favorite OI phrase, as you know, is one that translates as "Sam was a dandy." Really it means he loved the finer things in life, but "dandy" was definition #1 for the word ("skartsmaðr") in the glossary I was using, and I got a good laugh out of it.

Jumping in here: No, we have not seen the latest Jib Jab. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I've seen any but the original (This Land is Your Land). While amusing, I've grown kinda tired of online flash animation, especially political satire. It's gotten old-hat in my mind.

scaeagles and SacTown Chronic: I'd like to know from each of you who your favorite politician is. Actually, I'd like to hear who your favorite dead politician is, and who you think best captures their agenda today.

Favorite dead politician is a no brainer for me. Ronald Reagan. He was the man who inspired my love of politics. I admired more than anything else his resolve on foreign policy issues. He had a plan to bring down the USSR, and it worked. Without Lady Thatcher he couldn't have done it, but he was the engineer. His ability to simply communicate his conservative ideals is unmatched.

He refused to back down from a strong defensive stance. When his opponents objected to Pershing II nuclear missiles going into Europe, he didn't care. He had the balls to walk out of....crud, either Reykavik or Helsinski, can't recall which....with Gorbachev because he wouldn't compromise on missile defense and convinced Gorbachev that we could and would do it. He rebuilt our military and rescued our country from the disaster of the Carter Presidency.

He is the only politician I can recall that I think really did not care what others thought of him. He was gonna do what he was gonna do and criticism be damned. All in spite of being described as everything from a war monger to frail, stupid man.

I could go on forever about Reagan, but it is those things more than anything else that make me admire him more than any other.

Sadly, there is no one today who can hold a candle to what he was or represented. Neither Bush was or is in his league. I see no Senator nor Representative nor governor who measures up. I once held high hopes for Newt Gingrich, and was a full supporter of the Contract with America, but he was not the communicator Reagan was and eventually could no longer handle the pressure and criticisms and that was the end of him. Rumor has it he'll be running for President, and that would be interesting. However, I cannot name one person who is even close to carrying the Reagan legacy forward.

If I had to name a fovorite politician now, it would be the junior senator from AZ, Jon Kyl. An honorable man, from what I can tell, and consistent in his conservative stance.

I don't really have a favorite politician, dead or otherwise. I don't like 'em, I don't respect 'em, I don't trust 'em. But if I had to choose a fav dead politician, I'd pick FDR. He had integrity and compassion. He cared about all Americans and not just the ones who could help him politically or financially. And I believe the New Deal rescued America from it's darkest hour. The politician who came the closest to being FDR was Clinton. Much like FDR, Clinton was a compassionate leader who had to follow an incompetent president and clean up a messy economy (although the economy that Clinton inherited was nowhere near as bad as what FDR had to deal with).


A special shout-out goes to Jimmy Carter. Maybe not the world's greatest politician, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better man. I just love that man and the humanitarian work he does.

Sac, wouldn't the answer be, "You're right, my favorite politician IS a dead polititian"?

For the record - I missed the above question before, and will get to watching it ASAP, just so I can respond. :) I'm intrigued as to why we'd specifically be asked that...