I’m sure you remember former Navy Seal and Professional Wrestler Jesse Ventura, who was elected Governor of Minnesota and served in that capacity from January of 1999 to January of 2003. He was the highest rated Governor in Minnesota history.
He was neither Republican nor Democrat, but was instead a member of the Reform Party (and eventually, simply “Independent”). I just finished watching an interview with him, conducted last month, where he shares some of his thoughts on our Government.
In some places, I found myself saying, “That was a good point!” In other places I thought, “Well, that seems a little paranoid.” But overall, I think it is interesting enough to share with you. There are two parts… some of the “juicy” stuff comes in part 2, so be sure to watch both.
My favorite quote: “War is the complete failure of politics”
I have to admit, my second favorite “quote” would have to be his ending thoughts on George Bush at the conclusion of the second video, out on his boat dock.
PART ONE:
PART TWO:
In your opinion, does he make any good points, or is he over paranoid?
September 15, 2008 at 6:48 pm
heh..
Skullet.
September 15, 2008 at 11:48 am
heh..
Skullet.
September 15, 2008 at 10:51 pm
who knows?
im really surprised at how unsophisticated jesse is… even though i probably wouldnt agree with alot of what he says, he does seem to be a “real” person not a politician. i think you could count on him to be honest and genuine.
sometimes though id say politics will fail and war is inevitable. take WW2 for instance.
September 15, 2008 at 3:51 pm
who knows?
im really surprised at how unsophisticated jesse is… even though i probably wouldnt agree with alot of what he says, he does seem to be a “real” person not a politician. i think you could count on him to be honest and genuine.
sometimes though id say politics will fail and war is inevitable. take WW2 for instance.
September 16, 2008 at 6:24 am
I can’t watch the videos right now because I’ll wake up my husband. I’m actually surfing the net on my laptop in bed. How crazy is that? Glaring at a bright laptop screen right before bed is probably equal to downing a cup of coffee before bed…very wrong. But one thing I can tell about Jesse Venture without clicking play on the videos is that he needs a haircut. Or a ponytail. I’m just sayin’.
September 15, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I can’t watch the videos right now because I’ll wake up my husband. I’m actually surfing the net on my laptop in bed. How crazy is that? Glaring at a bright laptop screen right before bed is probably equal to downing a cup of coffee before bed…very wrong. But one thing I can tell about Jesse Venture without clicking play on the videos is that he needs a haircut. Or a ponytail. I’m just sayin’.
September 16, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Jesse quotes the founding fathers when he speaks about political parties. For what it’s worth here is what George Washington said:
“There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.”
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm
Washington despised political parties. In those enlightened times the “tyranny of the masses” was feared nearly as much as a king’s tyranny.
September 16, 2008 at 10:24 am
Jesse quotes the founding fathers when he speaks about political parties. For what it’s worth here is what George Washington said:
“There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.”
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm
Washington despised political parties. In those enlightened times the “tyranny of the masses” was feared nearly as much as a king’s tyranny.
September 18, 2008 at 6:01 am
Why is he blaming George Bush for every evil known to mankind? It takes more than one person, and all that’s wrong with our country today didn’t just happen within the last eight years. I do sympathize with some of what he says about immigration, although I don’t know what the best answer would be on that subject.
September 17, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Why is he blaming George Bush for every evil known to mankind? It takes more than one person, and all that’s wrong with our country today didn’t just happen within the last eight years. I do sympathize with some of what he says about immigration, although I don’t know what the best answer would be on that subject.
September 18, 2008 at 7:59 am
First Jesse now Al Franken. Anybody paying attention in Minnesota???
September 18, 2008 at 12:59 am
First Jesse now Al Franken. Anybody paying attention in Minnesota???
September 19, 2008 at 6:37 am
Tes,
Yes, folks in MN are paying attention. That spans everything from the ice/snow in early May when I really wanted Al Gore to shovel my driveway to putting Tim Pawlenty in after Jesse, “The Body” Ventura. Jesse’s appeal was that he came from outside of politics and was able to relate well with average folks. He ran against two guys who from the good ole’ boy politics and proved to be smarter than he looks. From a policy standpoint, he did a decent job of what he said he’d do and was predictably libertarian. For the nuts and bolts of being governor, he did reasonably well especially when the Dems and Repubs each had a majority in a chamber of the legislature (3 parties in power, yikes!). However, his refreshing change quickly withered as he continually made an absolute fool out of himself. “Politics as usual” and less crazy news didn’t seem so bad after Jesse. He didn’t do great, but he surprisingly wasn’t that bad. What Jesse says is almost always more extreme than what Jesse does; he figured out how to compromise. As for Franken, he’s taking a beating in the polls which is unusual for a state this liberal.
September 18, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Tes,
Yes, folks in MN are paying attention. That spans everything from the ice/snow in early May when I really wanted Al Gore to shovel my driveway to putting Tim Pawlenty in after Jesse, “The Body” Ventura. Jesse’s appeal was that he came from outside of politics and was able to relate well with average folks. He ran against two guys who from the good ole’ boy politics and proved to be smarter than he looks. From a policy standpoint, he did a decent job of what he said he’d do and was predictably libertarian. For the nuts and bolts of being governor, he did reasonably well especially when the Dems and Repubs each had a majority in a chamber of the legislature (3 parties in power, yikes!). However, his refreshing change quickly withered as he continually made an absolute fool out of himself. “Politics as usual” and less crazy news didn’t seem so bad after Jesse. He didn’t do great, but he surprisingly wasn’t that bad. What Jesse says is almost always more extreme than what Jesse does; he figured out how to compromise. As for Franken, he’s taking a beating in the polls which is unusual for a state this liberal.
September 22, 2008 at 12:09 am
I can’t stand the host, Avi Lewis. He’s a Canadian, and so left-leaning he simply cannot be objective even though he pretends. Anything that does not fit into his frame of mind, he can’t deal with, whether it be conservative values or conservative voters. It’s like he has never met one in person. He is almost as unthinking as those he dislikes. He used to run a couple of shows on the CBC up here in Canada, and would not give equal time to those who were centrist and conservative.
September 21, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I can’t stand the host, Avi Lewis. He’s a Canadian, and so left-leaning he simply cannot be objective even though he pretends. Anything that does not fit into his frame of mind, he can’t deal with, whether it be conservative values or conservative voters. It’s like he has never met one in person. He is almost as unthinking as those he dislikes. He used to run a couple of shows on the CBC up here in Canada, and would not give equal time to those who were centrist and conservative.
September 22, 2008 at 5:43 am
Thanks, Jeremy. Very interesting and enlightening comments.
September 21, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Thanks, Jeremy. Very interesting and enlightening comments.