COLUMN: ‘Queer Eye’ a definite low point of 2003
Most of us spent 2003 trying desperately to get away from the reality of the conflict, occupation, war on terrorism or whatever CNN is calling it this week. Fortunately, there was plenty going on to distract us. The top-10 list concept has been used more than the Fifth Amendment so I’ll just give you some of the highlights and lowlights in no particular order.
“The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”: This is one of those shows that, like a whoopee cushion, is funny on the surface but in reality may be the most offensive thing on television since Amos and Andy. It makes insidious stereotypes of both straight and gay people at the same time. All gay people are fabulous and creative and all straight people are completely out of touch with style, taste and hygiene. How different is this than a show called “African Americans Teach Whitey to Dance?”
Speaking of gays, at the same time the radical right is trying to promote marriage as a sacred intuition reserved for only men and women, popular culture keeps making it less and less sacred with reality shows culminating in the marriage of the contestants. And you thought the old “Dating Game” show was bad.
Speaking of bad media, there really is no liberal/conservative dichotomy. Author and film maker Michael Moore (“Stupid White Men” and “Dude, Where’s My Country”) does not speak for all liberals any more than Rush Limbaugh speaks for all conservatives. There really is a choice between liberal and conservative, and it is called “rational.” Moore has some good points, but he lost my liberal vote when he went on for a page and half about people swimming, boating and fishing in the New York City water supply, which comes from a reservoir. I’d hate to see his reaction if he knew what fish, beavers and otters do in the water. It is OK to rant, but check your facts.
Speaking of false dichotomies, if the Democrats keep kicking themselves in the teeth like they have recently, Bush won’t even have to show up for the election. If Joe Lieberman is a Democrat and Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Republican, then I might as well call myself the National Minister of Sarcasm because titles obviously don’t mean much anymore. People in Utah who are laughing at California for electing Arnold governor should take a deep look into their own souls and ask “What would happened if Robert Redford ran for governor of Utah?”
Speaking of elections that won’t happen, the most articulate, educated candidate out there is Carol Moseley Braun. She has about as much chance of getting elected as Ralph Nader.
Speaking of being articulate, the good news is that words still mean something. The bad news is that the words depend on your income. Poor people who take advantage of unrest are called “looters.” Rich people who take advantage of unrest are called Enron and Halliburton. Poor people commit crimes; rich people are “accused of wrongdoing.”
Speaking of stupid rich people, Madonna kissing Britney Spears: eeeeeeww wwwww; Affleck and Lo-Jo: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Michael Jackson gave a couple interviews that only proved that he is even weirder than we thought. Was anybody surprised?
Speaking of surprises, this just in from The Journal of Duh! “Obesity is becoming the number one health problem in the U.S.”
Speaking of trimming the fat, United States diplomats got countries all over the world to forgive billions of dollars in Iraqi debt and we wonder why savings is at an all-time low in this country.
Speaking of the buy-stuff-for-the-good-of-economy mentality, I guess it is good for the economy, but Saddam Hussein proved to the most expensive, divisive, violent gift ever given to a father from his son.
Speaking of end times, it’s time to end 2003.
Dennis Hinkamp is an employee in the Extension office. Comments can be sent to dennish@ext.usu.edu.