The Sunshine Empire

I have a knack for lamenting for the loss of things, and then they come to fruition.  In 1998 as a student at the University of Florida completing a degree in history, I lamented that it seemed that I was living through a non-time.  None of the earth shattering things that I studied were common in the fruitful and glorious nineties.  Yet the day that I graduated from UF, only the second President in American history was impeached.  Then came the trial, then came the 2000 election, then came 9/11, and the history keeps coming.

I am a self avowed political junkie. The game amazes me and I have as much passion as the fantasy football loser that calls the local sports radio station and asks about who to start as their backup quarterback.  I was raised nailing yard signs together for my father’s campaigns for local office.  As Dr. Thompson is my literary hero, over the summer on my trips to Portland and Cleveland I read his seminal classic Fear And Loathing On The Campaign Trail ’72 that details the nomination process of the 1972 Democratic campaign.  I live for that kind of political drama, then kinds of which we have not truly seen since the days of the early 20th century.  I never would have imagined with the extreme front loading of the calender that we would have ever seen such a hard fought election.  The history books keep getting written as we speak.

Tomorrow we will begin an occasional Point-Counterpoint segment with two of our most loyal readers.  They have so graciously agreed to contribute to our ongoing political debate.  Our first match-up will feature Crustle vs. Biggus Rickus on the subject of wiretapping and the fight against terrorism.  If you would like to contribute to our ongoing series please contact us at dutch@thesunshineempire.com.