Politics in History

Well, the mid-term elections are finally over and all I can say is that I'm relieved. All the mud slinging and name calling just bores me, and frankly, obscures the real issues. But, I am very glad to have contributed to the historical power switch in this country.

Don't worry, this isn't going to be a soapbox for my political views. I'd need to start a whole new blog for that...

But there are some fascinating things about voting and politics that have occurred in world history, which is really why I'm writing this entry.

Take Rome for instance, and you'll see that political advertising is not a 'modern' thing. Scribbled on a Pompeiian wall around 79 A.D. were the words "I ask you to elect Gaius Julius Polybius... he gets good bread." Now, that is a platform I can support!

Unlike primogeniture (when the title of King is passed through inheritance) there was another way of choosing the King, called an 'elective monarchy.' One of the most well of these is during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, when in 1573, Henri of Valois became the elected King. After serving for only four months, he left for France (where his brother had just died) and assumed that throne as Henry III.

Other historical examples of elective monarchy include Ireland, Anglo-Saxon England, Visigothic Spain and medieval Scandinavia.

In United States history, an attempt was made by Alexander Hamilton to convince the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that the President should be an elected monarch, with a life term unless he was impeached for bad behavior.

Can you imagine how different US history would be if Hamilton's idea were favored instead of the four year term? And it's really too bad none of our founding fathers wanted this country to have a Thing instead of our current judicial system.

And last but not least, there's the Politics of Dancing....



Huzzah for roller skates and mullets!! Now THAT is a good political slogan! Oh, pardon me. My 80's are showing again...

Rumor mongering!

Let's just say that when you get more than three people in a room together, you get politics and rumors. If you think the SCA is free of politics and rumors, I've got a nice piece of beachfront property to sell you.

In my 10+ years of time spent in the SCA, I've had all kinds of accusations leveled at me. I will not go into the gruesome list of charges, but if anyone out there would like to get a little clarity on what they've 'heard' about me, I will answer all requests. Remember that I make it a point not to name names on this blog, so I'll be coming up with code names. Some of the rumors I've heard have a grain of truth, but like that game called 'telephone' by the time it goes through three people it's an entirely different story. I will admit to a few indiscretions, but nothing like what is apparently believed to be true about me.

I think it's about time the truth was told. Especially about a certain Count. Or is he a Duke now? No matter.

Bring it on.

The Outlands has a new Sultan and Sultana!

Congratulations to their Majesties of the Outlands, Sultan Ibrahim and Sultana Ileana. I read the accounts of the tournament and wish greatly that I could have seen it with my own eyes.

Yay! I just love it when we get a good middle eastern court! I have it on VERY good authority that there will be fine middle eastern music to accompany these courts as well.

Better than the "Jeopardy" theme everyone hums during the great basket exchanges...

Election Day

Wouldn't it be nice if we could determine our presidents with a trial by combat, just like SCA crown tourneys? I'm pretty sure Kerry would kick Bush's ass. Can't you just imagine them all decked out in plate (or plastic if that's your preference) banging away at each other with fat rattan longswords? I'm betting Bush would be a sword-and-board kind of guy, but Kerry might be good with a great sword or maybe even spear.

And if you don't like the regime, wait six months.