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I think that McCain gave the best speech he could have. Bravo!

Too bad his audience couldn't get behind him.

I'm naive enough to hope that Obama actually does solicit McCain's help in a substantive way ... and that McCain offers it. McCain's speech was extraordinary, I thought -- and I agree that his audience contained churls. It was interesting to hear the commentators say that when McCain's speech was broadcast to Grant Park, that huge crowd fell completely silent, except for smatterings of applause. Obama's subsequent speech was also stirring, though I would have liked a bit more emphasis on outreach to the Republicans. But the entire evening moved me, rather to my surprise. May Obama's administration be blessed with great wisdom -- it will need every bit it can get. "Yes, we can!" Really? I sure hope so... but we shall see.

May the healing begin. With McCain's speech as a starting point I really believe it can.

Let's hear it for Democracy!

What a gracious and heartfelt speech McCain gave. It was a McCain I had not witnessed the entire campaign. He showed a really class side of himself and for that I truly respect him.
America has spoken -- let's listen!

L’Obama, ossia L’Avvento del Messia
Opera in Tre Atti

Personaggi:

Barracco Obama, Il Messia, Redentore del Mondo.....................................Tenore Miracoloso
Santa Micaela della Revoluzione, sua sposa............................................Soprano Amaro
Giovanni Maccheno, Senatore, Avversario dello Obama..............................Basso Buffo
Sara Palino, Governatrice del Alaska e Reginetta di Bellezza........................Coloratura Buffa
Guglielmo Priapo, Ex-Presidente........................................................Tenore Mentitore
Hillaria, sua Sposa, altra Avversaria dello Obama....................................Soprano Ambizioso
Elena Tomasso, una strega..............................................................Contralto Venenoso
Giuseppe Bideno, “Piedimbocca”......................................................Tenore Buffo
Il Spirito di Giorgio Secondo, L‘Abominazione........................................Baritono Cattivo
Il Spirito di Ruscio Limbago, Bocca Grande............................................Basso Noioso
Jeremia Ritto, un uomo pazzo, pastore dello Obama.................................Basso Demagogico
Guglielmo Ayers, terroristo Americano, amico dello Obama.........................Tenore Anarchico
Un Sempliciotto...........................................................................Tenore Profetica

Il Popolo, La Media Elite, Il Mondo, Il Congresso, Terroristi.

ATTO PRIMO
La Piazza del Cattedrale di Washington.

It is the day after the election. Outside the Washington Cathedral, the People and La Media Elite celebrate the victory of Barracco Obama over his adversary, Giovanni Maccheno (Coro: “Esultate! Il Messia è venuto!”). The World enters and joins The People in their celebration, singing their own chorus rejoicing in the fact that Obama’s election will hasten the demise of American power and influence (“America è in debolezza, evviva!”) The two choruses swell and merge in a powerful contrapuntal choral episode. As the chorus reaches its climax, trumpets herald the arrival of Lord Obama the Most Merciful, who enters with his wife, Santa Micaela della Revoluzione and his retinue. The crowd becomes frenzied, with some falling in a swoon (“Obama! Obama! Redentore del Mondo! Io manco!”). Obama heals two lepers and resurrects the dead daughter of a Washington policeman. He then addresses the crowd (“Nel posar sul mio capo la corona”). At the sound of his voice, the crowd falls silent, gazing up at him with adoring, vacant expressions. In an eloquent aria, Obama promises that the dark days of the Tyrant, Giorgio Secondo, are over (“Dopo si lunga notte”) and a new Golden Age will dawn for the world under his rule (“Un siglo d’oro è venuto”): the economy shall heal, America’s enemies shall beat their bomb jackets into plowshares, the lame shall walk, there will be a chicken in every pot, the whole world shall have universal health care, all the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay will be released, and planes shall arrive and take off on schedule. Each stanza of this great aria is punctuated by the chorus (“Ohmmm! Salvatore!”) At its conclusion, Obama invites The People and The World to a celebration at which he will personally change the water into wine and feed the guests with seven croissants and five grande lattes. He enters the cathedral for his coronation, followed by the crowd.

From the right, Giovanni Maccheno and Sara Palino enter the deserted piazza. Giovanni laments his loss of the election to Barracco Obama (“O mia vergogna!”). In a rambling, boring monologue sung in a monotone, he recites his brave history on the battlefield (“Si, fui soldato!”) and wonders why this was not enough to get him elected 30 years later. In a lilting refrain (“Tu sei troppo vecchio”), Sara Palino suggests that it might be because he’s a worn-out old has-been with the excitement level of a rusty AAA battery. She reminds him of her own qualifications for Vice-President (“Può vedere Russia dalla mia casa”) and what a help she has been to him. To cheer him up, the perky Sara launches into one of the best known arias in the score, the brilliant coloratura Polonaise “Io son Regina di Bellezza,” in which she sings of her experience as a beauty pageant contestant. But Giovanni is inconsolable: in a touching duet, he and Sara lament how they will now have to go wandering across the country, begging for speaking engagements (“Andrem raminghi è poveri”). Suddenly Giovanni hears someone approaching (“Ohimé, s’appressa alcun!”) and he and Sara hide behind a column.

From the left enter former President Guglielmo Priapo and his termagant wife, Hillaria. Hillaria is furious over her defeat at the hands of L’Obama in the primaries. In a passionate outburst ranging up to a shrill, wobbly high C, she rages that the Prize was within her grasp (“È mio! È tutto mio!”), but she was betrayed by La Media Elite who abandoned her for un altro amore. Must she live to see this upstart novice on the throne while she languishes in boring Senate committee meetings? Is it for this that she has suffered public humiliation and eaten shit sandwiches served by her husband for the past 35 years? No, it is too much! (È troppo! non reggo! soffoco!”) Gugliemo counsels patience: her day will come, and L’Obama will overreach himself. He tells Hillaria that he has a plan to get them both back in la Casa Bianca, where she can rule while he chases interns. Just then he spots Guglielmo and Sara off to the side, and he begins to make a move on Sara. He tells her she is a real babe, and this develops into the famous Quartet, “Bella figlia dell’Alaska:” Guglielmo tries to grope Sara; Sara tells him a joke about lipstick on pitbulls; Hillaria sings that her day of vengeance will come; and Guglielmo stutters, in repetitive phrases, how Obama will raise everyone’s taxes and endanger national security.

When the Quartet ends, the crowd surges out of the cathedral, proclaiming the new Messiah, followed by L’Obama in full regalia. A powerful concluding ensemble ensues: The People, the World and La Media Elite acclaim L’Obama; Barracco heals a lame man and exults in his new power; Giovanni Maccheno whines about the ingratitude of the American People while Sara Palino practices her baton twirling; Guglielmo plans that evening’s rendezvous with his new cutie, while Hillaria plots her comeback. Unnoticed in the background, a small group of Islamic terrorists rejoice in Obama’s election. Everyone then exits to follow Obama to the Reflecting Pool which he will walk on down the Mall to meet Il Congresso at Il Capitole.

The piazza is deserted and silent once more. Now enters the Simpleton, a crazy homeless man pushing a shopping cart filled with old newspapers. He sings a keening lament, weeping for the Motherland and the bitter years that lie ahead.

Cada il sipario lentamente.


ATTO SECONDO
Scena Primo: L’Offizia di Hillaria nel Capitole.

Hillaria is meeting with Guglielmo Priapo. She berates him for avoiding her and doing nothing to bring her any closer to la Casa Bianca (“Perché mi sfuggi?”) Two years have past, and she is still sitting in interminable committee meetings and having to pretend that she wants Obama to succeed! When is Guglielmo going to stop porking her pages and do something? Guglielmo replies that the two years have not exactly been wasted (“Deh, pensate!”): the hated, deposed Giorgio Secondo is dead, having been torn limb from limb by grieving war widows, mothers and children while he was giving a speech to a veteran’s organization. Things have been going badly for Lord Obama as well, and Il Popolo are getting restless. The opportunity is ripening. And as an additional bonus, Ruscio Limbago has been driven from the airwaves by the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, which Obama has used to silence all effective opposition to him on radio and television. With no outlet for his hot air, Limbago floated off somewhere like an untethered balloon into the ether, presumably to his death. But Hillaria is not to be deterred: when is Guglielmo going to do something? (“Basta di parlare! Azione io voglio!”) Guglielmo responds that he has done something: since Hillaria wants to know the future, he has arranged for the ancient Washington hag, Elena Tomasso, to visit Hillaria that very afternoon and tell her the future. Just at that moment, there is a knock on the door. Guglielmo leaves and Elena Tomasso enters, a hideous old woman with a tongue that drips poison.

Hillaria demands to know what the future holds for her (“Parlami dal futuro!”). In the impressive aria, “Re dell’abisso,” Tomasso summons the spirit of Giorgio Secondo. His horrible visage rises from the floor, with bloody hands holding his very small brain. Giorgio demands to know who has summoned him and bemoans his fate in the afterlife (“Mal per me!”): condemned to be waterboarded enternally while his entrails are unwound and used to re-fence the ranch in Crawford. Hillaria demands to know her future (“Dimmi, o spirito!”). Giorgio replies in sepulchral tones that she has to ask one more powerful than him. To her horror, he summons the spirit of Ruscio Limbago, a disembodied fat head with a mouth twice normal size. In an eerie prophecy (“O Hillaria, Hillaria, Hillaria!”) Limbago tells Hillaria that she will be L’Obama’s successor, and that his days are numbered. But her reign will be as scandal-plagued as was her husband’s, she will accomplish nothing of note, and she will die the same frustrated, bitter woman that she is. With a final cry of "Dittos!", the head of Limbago disappears in thunder and lightening. Hillaria, elated by the first part of the prophecy (“O lieto augurio!”), fails to hear the second part. Elena gives Hillaria a magic dagger, which she is to plunge into Obama’s back when the opportunity presents itself. In an exultant cabaletta, Hillaria rejoices with the dagger (“O, acciar!”), while in pertichini Elena Tomasso mutters that this woman is nuts (“È una pazzarella!”) and that she wants to stay as far away from her as possible.

Scena Secondo: L’Offiza Ovale nella Casa Bianca.

The Secretary of Education, Guglielmo Ayers, and Jeremia Ritto, the Commissar of Culture and Obama’s spiritual advisor, are discussing the state of the administration. Ayers asks where Lord Obama is (“Obama d’ové?). Ritto replies that he is returning from his daily walk on the Potomac but that he has been delayed by having to drive some demons out of a herd of swine. Ayers notes that conditions in the country have been worsening and the people will soon be ready for The Revolution. In a buffo duet (“Un segreto d’importanza”), Ayers sings of his secret plan to radicalize kindergartners, while Ritto keeps up a steady contrapuntal patter (“God Damn America! God Damn America”)

Lord Obama enters and after kissing his ring, Ritto and Ayers leave. Obama is in a foul mood, and he curses a rubber plant which promptly withers. Obama slumps at his desk and in the powerful monologue, “I have attained supreme power,” he laments the how his dreams and hopes have turned sour. The economy has worsened, and famine stalks the land. A new terrorist attack has killed thousands, led by a jihadist Obama ordered released from Gitmo because his constitutional rights were being violated. The disillusioned, disappointed People are starting to curse his name, and lewd graffiti about Micaela has started to appear in the subways. He starts to pray for guidance (“Gran Dio, soccorrimi!”) but stops when he remembers that religious activity of any kind on Federal property is now a criminal offense. He launches into a tuneful arietta about the futility of life (“Ho bastante di niente”). Micaela enters and begins to nag Obama about his failure to turn American into a Worker’s Paradise (“La revoluzione dov’é?”) Seeing his glum mood, she tries to cheer him up (“Mio caro sposino”) and urges him to announce a new initiative at the upcoming State of the Union address. Encouraged by Micaela’s words, Obama joins her in an exultant duet (“Ora di gloria s’appressa!) as the curtain falls.


ATTO TERZO
Il Capitole: la Camera della Casa dei Rappresentativi.

The Chamber is divided into two groups: I Repubblicani on one side, and I Democrati on the other. This is the famous “Coro dei Partisani” - the Repubblicani sing how, after four years in the minority, they are nothing but a bunch of impotent weasels (“Sono donnole impotente). The Democrati mock the Repubblicani for not even being able to sustain a filibuster (“Ha! Ha! Ha! Non hanno di 40!”) Up on the dais, the Parlatrice della Casa dei Rappresentativi, Nana Pelosi, and the Vice-President, Giovanni Bideno sit on their thrones. Nana Pelosi trills happily, while Giovanni Biden can only grunt (“Hmpf! Hmpf! Hmpf!”) because after two years of progressively embarrassing gaffes, his foot is by now permanently implanted in his mouth. Giovanni Maccheno enters and sits with I Repubblicani, immediately putting the Senators on either side of him to sleep. Sara Palino sits in the balcony, primping for the cameras and doing her nails.

Lord Obama enters the chamber and the politicians crowd around him sycophantically. A woman touches the hem of his robe and is healed of an issue of blood. He progresses solemnly to the dais and begins his speech (“Ascoltami, Congresso!”). But no sooner has he begun to speak than the distant angry murmur of a crowd is heard approaching. The members of Congress all start in alarm (“Quai gridi!”). One of the Capitol police enters and announces, in frightened tones, that Il Popolo are approaching in an angry mob with scythes and pitchforks. L’Obama orders them to be admitted, and the mob rushes in (“Vendetta! Strage! Sterminio!”). They’ve had enough of two years of disappointment, failure and betrayal, and they want Real Change (“Vero cangia vogliamo!”) Jeremia Ritto rushes around crazily, shouting “God Damn America!” L’Obama rebukes the crowd for its behaviour (“Quest’è dunque del Popolo la voce?”): didn’t they just acclaim him as their Salvatore two years before? Fistfights break out between the Repubblicani and the Democrati.

In an impassioned plea, Obama calls for peace (“Plebe! Patrizi! Popolo!”) Moved by his appeal, Il Popolo and Il Congresso quiet down. But just as L’Obama resumes his speech, a cry is heard (“Guarda nel balcone!”): Sara Palino has begun twirling flaming batons in the Gallery while singing an inane coloratura ditty (“Belle fiamme”). While all attention is focused on Sara, Hillaria dashes up to the dais and plunges the dagger into Obama’s back (“Quest’è il bacio di Hillaria”). When attention returns to the front, everyone sees Hillaria standing where L’Obama was, rejoicing in her new-found power (“Salgo giä nel Presidencia aurata!”) As everyone proclaims the new queen (“Regina tu sei!”), Sara Palino remarks on how her and Hillaria’s plan worked after all, and announces that her agreed-upon reward is that in the new administration, she will be Secretary of State so that she can get some foreign policy experience for her Presidential run in 2012. The crowd reacts ("Orror! Orror! Orror!").

Cada il sipario rapidamente.

I cannot believe I have had to wait 8 whole years for another of these brilliant operas by Il Talente Gurusky, Jamietto.
My favorite name by far, that had me on the floor, was that of our previous Democratic Prez. How hysterically fitting!
It pains me to think I need to wait yet another 8 years for another unique gem from the pen of Il Talente Gurusky.
Grazie tanto, signor.

Jamie..

What a marvelous creation ! I'd love to post it on a few other music websites, for everyone's enjoyment but will await your official permission to do so.

Thank you for the gem.

I can't remember the last time I roared with laughter like I did reading this synopsis. Cleverer and cleverer. Evviva!

Jamie:

I take it your opera is the long-awaited sequel to Goetterdaemmerung?

Very funny piece!

Bravo, Cal. Not only was it hilarious; it was also riveting. I can see Maria Ghuleghina as Hillaria already!

Thank you Calvert for supplying a moment of comic relief for an otherwise cheerless week.

While I voted the other way, I understand Obama’s appeal, but remain very concerned about the character traits that were exposed during the campaign:

1. Dishonesty. By first pledging to accept public financing and then reneging, and accepting money (estimates put it at one-third of his donations) from sources we cannot trace, Obama both proved himself to be a man without principles other than winning through any means, and having no problem destroying the idea of public financing of political campaigns, a long-standing Liberal cause, in his quest for power. I doubt any candidate will tie his hands again as did McCain, a man who displayed courage and character as he watched Obama out-spend him 4-to-1, and arguably "buying" several parentage points in "red" states by flooding the airwaves with ads. Don’t get me wrong, I have never supported McCain-Feingold – but what we saw in Obama’s campaign funding model was the worst of all worlds, no limits and no disclosure. We all should be concerned.

2. Need for popularity. Obama appears to be the kind of man who seeks approval, much like Bill Clinton, and seems to adjust his policies to suit his audience. One day, speaking to Jews he pledges his support for a undivided Jerusalem, the next, speaking to a different audience, he reverses himself. During a primary debate in Ohio he opposes NAFTA and pledges to pull out, in later interview after he has the nomination – well maybe the rhetoric was a bit overblown. One day, his tax increase is aimed at people making upwards of $250k, then it's $200k, someone from his campaign then signaled it's $150k, Bill Richardson speaking for Obama indicated it was $120k. Coupled with point #1, how can anyone put much stock in anything he pledged during the campaign?

3. Ideological radicalism. Obama speaks of wealth redistribution, economic justice, lasting change ... this language is socialist in origin. Viewing his decades long associations in the context of his rhetoric, Rev. Wright's Black Liberation Theology and anti-Americanism, William Ayers' & Frank Marshall Davis' Communism, and Saul Alinky's bare knuckled community organizing tactics and you have a recipe for someone who is of, from and for the Far Left. Why people seem to think that despite a voting record of unmitigated liberalism and no history of bi-partisanship, he will govern from the center is based on delusional hope, not his track-record. The only thing that will slow him down is the basic center-right orientation of this country. But Obama as is a master of incremental change he learned from community organizing, so if he is given 8 years, who knows what this country will look like after he is done.

The mainstream media, which did not live up to its role as the 4th Estate and actively shielded Obama from many uncomfortable truths, will have to find its spine and at least attempt to hold Obama to his promises. But I doubt it.

Liberals somehow abandon their most sacred principles when their leaders are found in compromising situations - it did not matter how many women Bill Clinton abused, the Left chose to turn on and smear the victims as they circled the wagons around the president perp.

I blame the Republicans for allowing all this to come about, for governing in horrible fashion, and for abandoning Conservative ideas. As in 1964, this setback will usher in a period of reflection and rededication to what Republicans are supposed to stand for.

Our country is strong - I only hope that people do not begin to expect "government" to solve all their problems and allow too much of their liberty to get swallowed up.

David

fradale1 wrote:The only thing that will slow him [Obama] down is the basic center-right orientation of this country. But Obama as is a master of incremental change he learned from community organizing, so if he is given 8 years, who knows what this country will look like after he is done.

There are no fortunetellers here. But one doesn't have to be a fortuneteller to know with absolute certainty that after eight years of Obama in the White House this country will look a damn sight better than it looks today after eight catastrophic and catastrophically neo-Conservative ideological years of what has been perhaps the most criminally shortsighted, inept, incompetent, and mendacious Administration in all of U.S. history.

ACD

Fradale:
Get OVER it!

Fradale..

Are you more upset by Clinton's lying about his sexual transgressions than you are about Bush's lying about his decision to invade Iraq?

Considering the impact on America of these Presidential blemishes, you seem to have a flaw or two in your thinking process.

Try to imagine Sarah Palin in the White House if your man had won and became unable to continue. Does that thought scare you or inspire you?