Post: Post Reply: Politics.... by TonicTheBard

Original Message: Politics....
From: poly - meaning Many, and Tics - Little Mindless Blood Sucking Things... 8^) My Bro used to drag me along to Young Left meetings, to branch stack against the Conservative elements. I thought they were Boring or Weird... I was 15 - 16. One became a member of Parliament, currently in Long Bay Jail for Boning Boys... Yes, he HAS been Beaten Up in Jail. 8^) My BRIEF Foray into Personal Politics here, aged 11... -- *Captain of School* When I was in the sixth grade – the last of primary school down here – there were elections for school captain. It was by popular vote amongst 5^th and 6^th grades only. Boys voted for the boys, girls for the girls. Someone must have nominated me for captain, probably my desk buddy, Jeff Milton, but I never asked. It was an attractive notion but I was not “popular” really. The prospect of getting some real, enforcable RESPECT began to obsess me, but I thought I had no chance. The front runner was Dean E, the Alpha Male of the class who had all but me and a few other 6^th grade boys in his entourage. But then a strange, rather devious plan occurred to me. Dean was a free spirit. And he was a kind of enlightened bully who only really preyed on other bullies. Merciless with those who picked on the LITTLE folk. A “Head Hunter” like that Celebrated Son of Melbourne, Chopper Read. (Chop Chop was NOT a bully at school, he was Bullied, and made it his life's work to repay the bullies of society.) I went to him, and convinced him that the whole school captain thing would cramp his style. Having to set a good example all the time. Having to enter all school sporting events and activities. Having to greet visitors to the school, having to make a speech at assembly every second week (alternating with the girls' captain). I convinced him the whole thing would be a total albatross necklace to him. And, you know, to throw his voting block behind me for pointing out this pitfall to him in the nick of time.... It worked. The plan was conceived in a moment of clarity, and executed in 2 or 3 minutes. I didn't have to Campaign for a Single Vote, Bypassed all THAT Sht. 8^) I hadn't even READ Machiavelli at that age. I was delighted (about everything except giving the speeches to the whole school, I nearly crapped myself in the lead up to those – shyness about public speaking). My parents were delighted, which delighted me. I got to wear The Badge of Office* for a whole year, and I still have it somewhere. I had the power to send other kids to the principal's office to get flogged. Which I never used once all year. I think it was desperation to get a little respect that spurred on this deviousness. I think Dean was amused by Jesus tempting the Devil. Dean sought ME out and sat next to me at a 25^th High School reunion and we had a great old time talking about it, and other shared memories. He had the cushiest of jobs. HE was a captain now, of a tug boat. He worked 6 months a year (on call 24/7), and had six months off. I was the James Carville of the school. I should have gone into politics. But I had SOME ethics.... “If you Can't be CAPTAIN, Don't Play!” - Joseph P Kennedy Sr (Fascist Asshole, and father of Joe Jr, John F, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy) Funny, Those who Listened to the Kennedy-Nixon Debate on RADIO thought Nixon won Hands Down. Those who Watched it on TV thought Pretty- Boy War Hero won.. 8^)

Captain of School

When I was in the sixth grade – the last of primary school down here – there were elections for school captain. It was by popular vote amongst 5^th and 6^th grades only. Boys voted for the boys, girls for the girls. Someone must have nominated me for captain, probably my desk buddy, Jeff Milton, but I never asked. It was an attractive notion but I was not “popular” really. The prospect of getting some real, enforcable RESPECT began to obsess me, but I thought I had no chance. The front runner was Dean E, the Alpha Male of the class who had all but me and a few other 6^th grade boys in his entourage.

But then a strange, rather devious plan occurred to me. Dean was a free spirit. And he was a kind of enlightened bully who only really preyed on other bullies. Merciless with those who picked on the LITTLE folk. A “Head Hunter” like that Celebrated Son of Melbourne, Chopper Read. (Chop Chop was NOT a bully at school, he was Bullied, and made it his life's work to repay the bullies of society.)

I went to him, and convinced him that the whole school captain thing would cramp his style. Having to set a good example all the time. Having to enter all school sporting events and activities. Having to greet visitors to the school, having to make a speech at assembly every second week (alternating with the girls' captain). I convinced him the whole thing would be a total albatross necklace to him. And, you know, to throw his voting block behind me for pointing out this pitfall to him in the nick of time....

It worked. The plan was conceived in a moment of clarity, and executed in 2 or 3 minutes. I didn't have to Campaign for a Single Vote, Bypassed all THAT Sh*t. 8^)

I hadn't even READ Machiavelli at that age. I was delighted (about everything except giving the speeches to the whole school, I nearly crapped myself in the lead up to those – shyness about public speaking). My parents were delighted, which delighted me. I got to wear The Badge of Office for a whole year, and I still have it somewhere. I had the power to send other kids to the principal's office to get flogged. Which I never used once all year.

I think it was desperation to get a little respect that spurred on this deviousness. I think Dean was amused by Jesus tempting the Devil. Dean sought ME out and sat next to me at a 25^th High School reunion and we had a great old time talking about it, and other shared memories. He had the cushiest of jobs. HE was a captain now, of a tug boat. He worked 6 months a year (on call 24/7), and had six months off.

I was the James Carville of the school. I should have gone into politics. But I had SOME ethics....

“If you Can't be CAPTAIN, Don't Play!” - Joseph P Kennedy Sr

(Fascist Asshole, and father of Joe Jr, John F, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy)

Funny, Those who Listened to the Kennedy-Nixon Debate on RADIO thought Nixon won Hands Down. Those who Watched it on TV thought Pretty- Boy War Hero won.. 8^)