Ventura returns to celebrity roots
Commentary by Pat Murphy
Grunt-and-groan wrestler Jesse Ventura began his political
career as Minnesota governor as a dedicated champion bucking the
Establishment and daring to try novel approaches to governing.
But not long into his duties, Ventura began seeing himself
not as a public servant leading a crusade for change, but a celebrity icon
to be revered and deserving of privileged conduct.
He also revealed a thin hide over that bulky torso, unable
to endure mockery or criticism.
Now the governor’s job has become a pedestal for his
theatrics.
When critics questioned his moonlighting as a wrestling
referee and now as a regular commentator on the road for XFL football,
Ventura simply snapped that what he does "on his own time" is
his business.
"His own time"?
Being governor is not an 8-to-5 job, no more than the
president of the United States could declare time out to moonlight at
other jobs, or members of Congress or any other such public official.
Maybe the Minnesota Legislature could cure Ventura’s
smugness: It could enact a special law charging Ventura for use of the
governor’s mansion during nighttime hours that he presumably considers
"his own time." The mansion, incidentally, is undergoing a $4
million facelift.
A rate of about $200 per night for Ventura and his wife
would be fair for digs this large and exclusive.
At 365 nights a year, Ventura’s use of the governor’s
mansion "on his own time" would cost him $73,000 a year, and
perhaps even cost him some of the populist following.
#
What’s in a name?
Over the past several months, two articles have appeared
in The New York Times Sunday Magazine under the by-line of Amy Spindler.
Jeepers, I thought: one of the Idaho Mountain Express’
onetime young reporters, Amy Spindler, had made it big with one of the
world’s most respected newspapers.
Alas, while hiking Adams Gulch the other day, I
encountered Amy’s sister, Stephanie, who informed me with a robust laugh
that the Amy Spindler by-lined in The New York Times is the newspaper’s
fashion editor and no relation to the Express’ Amy, who now is
working for a dot.com company.
#
Those who share a profound love affair with dogs¾ which
in so many ways are far superior in their loyalty, affection, friendship
and companionship and good humor¾ look forward to Saturday with relish.
Saturday’s annual Paw ‘n’ Pole ski and snowshoe
event at the Sun Valley Gun Club is not only a major fund-raiser for the
Animal Shelter, but the year’s biggest fun day for dogs and their owners
and spectators.
This year art is the theme. Owners and dogs will dress in
costumes of artists, an unforgettable sight that’ll leave entrants and
sideline spectators amused by the good humor of our town’s mutts.
