The Cynic in Me

As I dressed this morning, MS-NBC was on in the background - and by the time I finished pulling up my socks, I was ready for Imus to return. Why?

The anchors were blowing a huge volume of smoke up George Bush’s skirt, simply because he’s traveling to Virginia Tech today for a memorial service. “Mourner-in-Chief”. “Represents all of us.” “Has a lot of experience dealing with grieving families.” “Brings out his greatest stregths.”

Listen, I think the President of the United States should be in Blacksburg, Virginia today. But then, I think he should have been in New Orleans the day after Katrina hit, too, rather than strumming a guitar in San Diego. What really bothers me is how this event will be ultimately politicized, and the media will be looking breathlessly for a poll bounce next week.

Why does there have to be a political angle to absolutely everything? Why do I even have to consider that there might be an ulterior motive for his trip today, and that maybe he wouldn’t be making this trip if Cheney or Rove didn’t goad him into it?

I hate that I even think this way sometimes, and that I’m so cynical. Why can’t I just believe that he would be making this trip out of true sympathy and to represent the nation in this time of tragedy?