Recount/Memorial Day

For years I have been a sucker for anything from HBO. Some of my favorite all-time TV shows and some of the greatest mini-series that I have enjoyed. Whether it be The Sopranos or Entourage on the TV side or recently John Adams and of course the epic Band of Brothers.

Recently HBO has struggled in my opinion. They have missed the boat on a number of series from the weird Tell Me You Love Me to the utterly bizarre John From Cincinnati. In fact I would argue the station that has become the new source for great original programming is Showtime, who has hit home runs with comedies Weeds and Californication, and dramas Dexter, Brotherhood, and one of my new favorite shows, The Tudors.

This brings me to my political point of the day. A movie review of HBO's Recount based on the 2000 recount in Florida. It indeed was told from the Democratic camp, but overall I felt showed the Republican operation in a fairly positive light. Would strongly recommend this movie to anyone interested in politics as the acting is good and while much of the writing is clearly contrived, think it will make everyone think about how 2000 went down.

Tom Wilkinson who seems to be in everything lately with regards to HBO play former Secretary of State Jim Baker and I think represents him well. Even Democrats I feel have a hard time not respecting Jim Baker for being an American Statesman and for the way he kicked the Dems ass during the recount of 2000. He aggravated us, but think we all wish he was on our side as opposed to against us.

As a side note to my Republican readers and friends. Baker likes the film so much he is having a private viewing party of the film at his home.

The usual suspects take a beating in the film. Katherine Harris (played by Laura Dern) looks and acts like the idiot she was and is. The dialogue of George W. Bush makes him sound like a country bumpkin. Yet the person who got the worst image from the movie was former Secretary of State Warren Christopher who was portrayed as an appeaser whose lack of fight really set the Gore strategy back.

Christopher has gone on record saying his portrayal was wholly inaccurate.

Personally I was reminded of two things while watching the movie. First, how poorly the Democrats spun their side of the argument and allowed Baker and the RNC to win the PR game. 2nd, and more aggravating, how angry and screwed I felt when the election was decided in the courts.

I don't really know if anyone will ever be able to 100% determine that Gore would or would not have won, but if all Democrats watch this movie think they will be more determined and motivated to elect either Obama or Clinton this November.

MEMORIAL DAY:

This Memorial Day, want to take a moment and thank all of the men and women who have ever or are currently serving our country in the armed forces.

This country owes it's freedom and way of life to those that have worn the uniform of our country from the beginning of our Republic to the men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world today.

For those that have given their lives or as President Lincoln called it, "The Last Full Measure of Devotion", to those that have been injured, or any that have ever served you have my total admiration and gratitude.