Who Gives a %$^#?
Far be it from me to ever use this space as a forum for political discourse, but enough is enough. For some reason over the last 48 hours the hockey blogosphere has developed a strange and unnatural attachment to a certain VP candidate…all because she happens to be a hockey mom.
Yes, it’s wonderful that her kids have grown up understanding the greatness that is hockey. And we’re all very proud that, as their mother, she picks them up and drops them off and occasionally attends games. Good for her.
But if I may, allow me to point out a couple of key things:
1. Being a hockey mom makes her about as relevant to hockey and hockey fans as Dick Cheney is to the gun control lobby. For starters, hockey moms are not necessarily hockey fans themselves. If that was true, the MLS would be much more popular; you’d find their fans in every minivan-laden parking lot across the country.
2. Even if she is a hockey fan, it doesn’t necessarily make her a good person, or someone who should be second in line to run the country – anyone who has ever been to a hockey game can tell you that the two don’t necessarily go together. Would you want that crazy drunken fan who sits behind you yelling incoherent things and spilling beer to be inches away from the button that controls our nuclear arsenal? Me, neither.
3. Of course her kids play hockey…she lives in Alaska. It may not snow year-round but I hear it’s still pretty darn cold there. I’m thinking baseball and soccer seasons are pretty short.
4. Knowledge of hockey doesn’t give you knowledge of foreign or domestic affairs. Unfortunately.
5. No, nominating her for Vice President is not a strategic attempt by the McCain camp to wrangle that ever elusive hockey fan vote, I can assure you. We’re a demographic that is likely to be ignored by any candidate of any party from now until…well, until the President of the United States strolls out to center ice and drops the puck for a ceremonial faceoff at a Caps game. Any day now, right?
So in this all-important election year, when big issues and serious problems abound, how much should we really care that the Republican nominee happens to be a hockey mom?
We shouldn’t care at all. Not one iota.
In fact, I’m going out on a limb and being my audacious self in hoping that this is the last time Ms. Sarah Palin will appear on a hockey blog, with or without her teeth.
…hey, no one ever said hockey fans were smart, either.
Perhaps we should have write in campaign for Mike Modano (born: Livonia, MI). I don’t know if he’s a Repucklican or a Zambonicrat.
Comment by The Peerless — August 31, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Nah, I say we go with Chris Clark (born: South Windsor, CT). I don’t know which party he’s affiliated with either but he is a Red Sox fan. That’s all I need to know.
Comment by CapsChick — August 31, 2008 @ 11:24 am
A-friggin’-men.
And beauty of a photoshop, that.
Comment by J.P. — August 31, 2008 @ 11:28 am
1. She is a science-hating creationist.
2. She is absolutely 100% against womens’ reproductive rights – even in cases of rape or incest.
3. She is about as environment-unfriendly as you can get.
4. She is a gun-toting lunatic.
Comment by Thag — August 31, 2008 @ 11:28 am
wow, I dont think anyone on any blogs are saying because she likes hockey makes her a good VP they are simply getting excited because hockey has been mentioned on a national level (which is cool).
And with hockey news as low as it’s been, this “story” was bound to hit the net.
Am I the only one that thinks its cool that someone running for office is a hockey fan and it was in the title of her book? It wouldnt make me vote for her or against her, it’s just neat.
i think everyone should cool their jets and get back to talking about how pathetic tampa bay ownership is.
Comment by shwedick — August 31, 2008 @ 11:34 am
and just in response to Thag-for all fairness
She also helped pass a tax increase on oil company profits.Palin has followed through on plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisers to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska
In a televised debate, Palin supported allowing both creationism and evolution in public schools.
just because she owns a gun and is for the 2nd amendment doesn’t make her a “nut”.
Do we call people that protest or worship their God freely a nut because they are using an amendment? I don’t think so.
Comment by shwedick — August 31, 2008 @ 11:38 am
-JP
+100
-CapsChick
Thanks for the post, you hit the nail on the head.
Comment by tj — August 31, 2008 @ 11:50 am
J.P.: Thank you, thank you. I felt a little dirty putting her in a Caps jersey, but it is appropriately red.
Thag: I try to keep my political beliefs at least a little veiled, but…I hear you. Scary.
Shwedick: You bring up a good point – I actually meant to mention that she may be getting so much hockey blog press because nothing else is happening and forgot, so agreed on that point.
And I know that no one is really saying she’d be a good VP because of her affiliation with hockey – I’m just tired of seeing someone with the thinnest of links to hockey being so dominant among hockey blog posts. I could have done the same when Anna Kournikova was popping up all over the Caps blogosphere last month.
As for hockey being in the title of her book…no offense, but I couldn’t care less. It was just her attempt to spotlight part of her life that makes her “just like you and me”, something that all candidates regardless of party affiliation attempt to do.
I think we as hockey fans have a tendency to get too excited when our sport is mentioned in the slightest. It makes us seem desperate for attention and we shouldn’t be. As you said, we should all get back to talking about the ridiculousness that is Tampa’s ownership and leave the political figures out of it.
On the actual political issues you bring up, I think we’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m happy to engage in political debate on any of those topics and I appreciate you addressing them as respectfully as you did, but as we’ve both said…this is a hockey blog and nothing more.
Comment by CapsChick — August 31, 2008 @ 11:58 am
I agree, we are very eager because hockey fans always feel like “the oppressed” And yes, calling herself a hockey mom is the same was any wealthy politician “understanding” what it’s like to be “normal”. Like ” I feel your pain”.
I thought it would be relevant to respond to “Thag” since it was on this thread.
Yes, let’s get back to the hockey for Reagan’s, woops, Ovechkin’s sake.
Comment by shwedick — August 31, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Exactly. And I have no problem with you responding to Thag even if it does venture into political territory – you’re definitely welcome to do so!
But yes, let’s get back to the hockey for Obama’s, woops, Ovechkin’s sake
Comment by CapsChick — August 31, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
Ouch, a bit too much for me, but it’s your page and you can write what you want. I myself am excited to see her on the ticket and it has nothing to do with hockey…
On with the 64 reasons.
Comment by Super — August 31, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
-Super
LOL, best of luck with that.
Comment by TJ — August 31, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Well composed post CapsChick. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Comment by "Dave Schultz" — August 31, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
I’ll be sending you the bill for my psych-trauma therapy, CapsChick. Did Wes Craven help you photoshop that pic? Yikes.
Comment by Jimmy Jazz — August 31, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
@TJ
No Worries
Comment by Super — August 31, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
Somehow I doubt you write this drivel if she’s a left wing loon.
Comment by eric — August 31, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
wow…if your this upset on august 31…then i hate to see what you would be like if mrs palin and her compatriot actually win in nov. since when does anything on a hockey blog in august have to be ‘relevant’? i think we all need to be careful about getting too upset about politics as i’ve seen it firsthand how it can spoil otherwise great relationships (i’m specifically talking about my homeowners association intranet where apparently its a free for all every night pitting neigbor vs neigbor arguing about politics and subsequently spoiling their relationships and even their childrens relationship with their neigborhood friends). as i stated on the ofb blog (or implied); relax its just something thats a little interesting and happens to hit the hockey blogosphere at a very boring time for hockey types.
Comment by pig pile — August 31, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
Super: Thanks for understanding – and no worries, I’ll get down off my soapbox soon and 64 Reasons will be back for your non-political reading pleasure!
JJ: Sorry about that! If it makes you feel any better it was traumatic to make, too
Eric: I might have been a little less snarky had we been talking about – as you so nicely put it – a “left wing loon”, sure. But I assure you that the sentiment would have been the same no matter what the party affiliation was. Sorry to burst your bubble!
PP: Well, I personally would be very upset if they did win – however, that’s not what this post was about. As I mentioned above, I might have been a little nicer to Ms. Palin if I agreed with her on anything at all but the general idea of the post would have been the same.
And I have to respectfully disagree with you on one thing – if there’s anything worth getting upset about, it’s something like politics that affects our life and the reputation of our country. The problems are caused when people aren’t willing to accept that not everyone agrees with them…and I fully understand that there are some out there who disagree with my political views, and that’s fine.
Basically, regardless of how this election turns out? You won’t see a hint of it on this blog. That’s the way I think it should be.
Comment by CapsChick — August 31, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
i’m not sure you need to disagree with me here….i think arguing about politics is fine and necessary…..i guess maybe my whole point is that this isn’t the proper forum (nor is my homeowners intranet for that matter). i’m old school….i like to talk politics face to face….where you hopefully receive a little respect (give and take). i’ve found through my experience that this keeps things atleast civil…and i’ve also found (disappointingly i might add) that its pretty rare for someone to change another persons mind. i’ve wanted so bad to chime in to some of the non-hockey forums on the caps site but i don’t want to risk possible future friendships over this. anyway, i’m done….can’t wait to oct 11
Comment by pig pile — August 31, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Ah, sorry about that! Then yes, I do agree – politics don’t belong in this kind of setting. That was pretty much what I was going for, actually. Although I can see how doing a post on a hockey blog…about not posting about politics on a hockey blog…could undermine the point a little
Anyway. Yes. I’m done, too. And October 11?? Please! I can’t wait until September 20th! We should not have this much free time to talk about non-hockey things, right?
Comment by CapsChick — August 31, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
@ CapsChick,
Lol, I guess this is what happens when this type of topic comes up especially here in D.C., Sports or not. I didn’t get to post this in my prior entry, but I really do appreciate all of the work you do on your site. you are really helping me deal with the time between now and puck drop. You could also between now and then re-post 64 Things to Do During the Offseason ‘07. That was so satisfying last year, and some people may not have had the chance to enjoy it. It was genius. Thanks again.
Super
Comment by Super — August 31, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
actually its kinda funny….no matter which blog (hockey related)…if there is a topic thats politically charged…its a sure fire way to get poster comments into the stratosphere!!! i’ve noticed this on other teams blogs as well….but there is nothing like talking politics in the dc area…all of my visiting upstate new york relatives are dumbfounded about the everyday political conversation that takes place in this town. anyway, anybody here think GMGM has something up his sleeve.
@super – yeh last years 64 reasons were excellent but this years 23 apr piece after the game 7 loss to ‘philthy’ was better
Comment by pig pile — August 31, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
ohgod. Politics. I come to hockey blogs to escape the political chatter and what do I find? More political chatter.
Is it September yet?
Comment by Andi — August 31, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
Oh! So talking politics is how I actually get you to talk to me, my friend. I see. What if I brought up the Fair Tax. Would you get back with me then? Hmmm?
Comment by Kaat — September 1, 2008 @ 3:28 am
Waahhhh!!
Poor baby.
Are you upset your beloved Hillary got bounced?
Comment by Wahhh! — September 1, 2008 @ 6:58 am
Super: So true. DC’s favorite sport is politics, you know? And thank you so much for the kind words – I’m always glad to know that my way of coping with the offseason is helping someone else do the same! I’ll think about re-posting that list, it’s one of my favorites too
PP: We have the burden of national politics being in our backyard, unfortunately. It’s a fascinating place (to put it one way
). And does GMGM have anything up his sleeve? Ha! Of course he does! We haven’t heard any rumors, so something must be going on.
Andi: Sorry!! I was trying to make the point that politics don’t belong on a hockey blog and…failed. Clearly. Back to hockey, I promise!
Kaat: I was looking for you yesterday but someone was too good to come online and talk to me!
And there ain’t nothing fair about taxes…
Wahhh: You know, I shouldn’t even respond to such a dumb comment because clearly you didn’t even read the post…but I can never resist. Sorry, big guy – just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I was supporting Hillary. Thanks for trying, though!
Comment by CapsChick — September 1, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Mhmmm…I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for days my dear. I had to put a baby to bed.
Comment by Kaat — September 1, 2008 @ 12:37 pm