Guest Opinion - Aaron Sorkin Nailed It!


By Connie Conley | 

I do not know about you, but as an American, I am haunted by what occurred on January 6, 2021, at our Nation’s Capitol.  Just this week, after capitol police body camera videos were released, I cannot get the images out of my head.  I keep thinking about the insurgents, trying to define them.  The answer came to me, thanks to Aaron Sorkin, while watching an episode of Newsroom (circa 2012).

Now I will admit, I am a life-long Democrat, thanks mostly to my beloved late Father. I have only voted for Republicans three times in my lifetime, all of whom either served, or currently serve, on the Elk Grove City Council.  (No good deed goes unpunished!)

However, of late, because one of my best friends is a life-long Ronald Reagan, John McCain Republican, would do anything for me, and our discussions, trying to make sense of what is occurring in our Country, I have crossed party lines to defend the actions of Congresswoman Liz Cheney, Congressman Adam Kinzinger and Senator Mitt Romney.

So, I ask our city’s Republicans:  What has happened to your party?  Do you really want to turn your party’s power over to the likes of Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, and even worse, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. And do not get me started on fellow Californian, and House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy!

Back to the Republicans on the Elk Grove City Council:  Why haven’t you spoken up?  Do you condone the actions of your current party leaders? Your silence to date is deafening. Call on your inner Tip O'Neill and speak up!

During COVID-19, having been furloughed from the job that I love so much, like millions of others, I have been binge-watching shows.  Nevertheless, I put my binge-watching to good use watching movies and series created by Aaron Sorkin. 

In my opinion, Sorkin is a genius not only of his time, but before his time. If you Google “Adam Sorkin’s writing,” this definition pops up: “For the past 30 years, Aaron Sorkin has carved out space as perhaps our most renowned American screenwriter.  From A Few Good Men to The West Wing to The Social Network and on, he is proved himself to be the poet laureate of difficult men with soaring goals, shifting scruples, and varying degrees of self-awareness.”

Currently, after completing The West Wing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, I returned to watching Newsroom

The timing could not have been more perfect.  Last night, I watched the last episode of Season One.  Will McAvoy, played brilliantly by Jeff Daniels, answered the question for me.  I am now asking EGN readers to watch the following:


Those of us who pen Op-Eds now and again for Elk Grove News have learned our writings should not be more than 800 words. (Meaning if you haven’t gotten your point across in 600 to 800 words, you have missed the mark.)

Sidebar regarding The West Wing. I believe that former President Donald John Trump thinks that President Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet was a real-live president.  Several times I heard 45 twist Barlett’s very words to suit his own warped propaganda, including one whereby Barlett, along with others, marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol to “speak” to Congress.

Back on point: When McAvoy used the words “American Taliban,” the fictional repercussions were severe, and I am sure many believed his Tea Party label was un-American.

However, in closing, doesn’t McAvoy’s characterization define the terrorists who desecrated our Nation’s Capitol with their urine and feces, screamed in unison to hang former Vice President Mike Pence, and worse of all, trampled one of their own, crushed, beat and killed police officers?

And now on to Season Two!  640 Words!


Follow us on Twitter @ElkGroveNews
Copyright by Connie Conley © 2021. All right reserved.



 







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3 comments

Steve L said...

Pay attention! We're all watching the slow, steady downfall of the greatest Democracy the world has known, and we're part of it.

American Taliban. That's both sad and proper for today.

Wake up out there.

(35 words)

D.J. Blutarsky said...

Ms. Conley, I'm sorry your job has been a victim of COVID-19 too. I know one thing though, I wouldn't rely on any of our city or county leaders to offer anything more than sympathetic rhetoric for mass consumption purposes. But to your thoughts...

Our City Council have enough on their plates just trying to run the city. I could care less what their partisan opinions are of national politics. After all, it's difficult reading through that thick black binder every two weeks and saying "aye" to everything! Pledging allegiance to their respective Party is only nice at election time when voters are looking for a quick and dirty cheat sheet on how to vote. As for raising cash, other than the labor unions and those ubiquitous "pipefitters", it is the developers who pay the Council's freight.

So, unless the developer boys in Granite Bay want our Council to pop off on partisan issues, I would bet that it will be business as usual in Elk Grove. 5-0 the motion carries...

Connie said...

Thank you D.J. And true to form, you never disappoint with your commentary.

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