....Imitating Life

- A young minority democratic nominee for president emerged after a long intensely heated democratic primary.

- Said candidate called on a more experienced long time politician to bolster his foreign policy credentials.

-The republican nominee for president was a longtime senate stalwart looking for one last chance at the Oval Office after years and years of service in representing his western state. 

-Said nominee was known as a maverick amongst his peers for reaching across the aisle on many controversial votes and legislation.

- The outgoing administration was on the verge of a possible millitary engagement with a bullying Russia over the sovereignty and fate of a smaller country in the region desirous of membership to NATO.

- A female candidate was on the short list for VP consideration on the republican side.

I am not reviewing the highlights of this political year, rather I am recapping the plot points of the final season of the West Wing.

The West Wing wasn't just a show, it was an intense political drama, it was an exercise in political education and it was a window into the daily legislative maelstroms that result in the negotiating and framing of international and domestic policy.

With just 42 days left until we elect the next President of the United States, I am always struck at just how ahead of its time it was in foreshadowing the current political climate we find ourselves in today.

Thank you Aaron Sorkin for some of the most memorable dialogue and story lines in television history.

Thank you Tommy Schlomme for the vision to put Aarons words into cinematic acton.

Thank you John Wells for giving the red light on one of the most memorable Series of all time.

Thank you Snuffy Walden for some of the most moving music which contributed greatly to the thematic cohesiveness of the show.

I am a more educated person for having watched the show, and I am a more politically conscious person for having learned from the show.

.....As A gift to my readers and an example of the shows powerful imagery and emotional dialogue, I will conclude this entry with a small portion of a speech given by President Josiah Bartlet, which hppens to be especially pertinent this time of year.   This speech was given just hours after a pipe bomb had gone off at a university killing 44 people.  

"...We did not seak nor did we provoke an assault on our freedom and our way of life.  We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil.  Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arive.  44 people were killed a couple hours ago at Kennison State University.  Three swimmers from the mens team were killed and two others are in critical condition.  When, after having heard of the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out.  Ran into the fire.  The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight.  They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends.  The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless.  This is  time for American heroes.  We will do what is hard, we will achieve what is great.  this is  time for Americn heroes and we reach for the stars."