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It is reasonable that, upon further inspection of the
two men, one could probably throw together an academically
scented treatise (is there any other kind?) comparing
and ultimately illuminating what would only be disturbingly
accurate similarities. Consider The Facts:
1) Both men continue to successfully walk the fine line
between clever and stupid with equivalent and astounding
rates of improbability and skill.
2) Both have consciously eschewed decidedly privileged
(though to vastly different degrees) upbringings in
an effort to become (subjective to their own egos) figures
more genuine and representative of the American proletariat
… so much so as to have adopted profoundly blue-collar
accents not native to their heritage.
3) There is a profound lack of room for dissent in
their rhetoric. With Bush’s language this is as
evident as the goddamned sun: “By the way, we
rank 10th amongst the industrialized world in broadband
technology and its availability. That's not good enough
for America. Tenth is 10 spots too low as far as I'm
concerned." (Minneapolis, Minn., April 26, 2004)
or “As you know, these are open forums …
you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.”
(Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2003).
4) Bush and Dylan have been profoundly and publicly
affected by the acceptance into their lives of long-dead
Jesus (of Nazareth) as their personal lord and savior.
Both frequently allude to biblical passages when the
rhetorical chips are down.
5) The non-fans of each absolutely cannot believe there
is a devoted fan base greedily gulping down his (seemingly
uncompelling) message
Is Bob Dylan George W. Bush?
No. They are not the same person. But please take note
of how easily any two seemingly unallied entities can
be made to sound like old amigos. PLEASE take this awareness
into the election year. And please hold out this awareness
for all to see when the 30-second ads start airing in
primetime in your local programming grid.
Remember: when the Right Wing Media Weather Makers breathlessly
tell you John Kerry actually interned for Satan, remember
how Bob Dylan can be made to sound like George W. Bush.
When Dick Cheney starts using words like “liberation,”
“freedom” and “hope,” be aware
it’s easier than one thinks to sound like something
one isn’t.
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