Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The Intersection of Politics and The Real World

While The Real World DC films all over our nation’s capital, I wanted to quickly point out that not one, but two, former Real World cast members are trying to reach Washington, and not for a cameo on the show. Berg reported on Friday that Sean Duffy, the Ashland County, WI District Attorney and Real World: Boston alum, has decided to take on one of my favorite, and one of the most powerful members of Congress, Rep. Dave Obey.


I don’t think this guy stands much of a chance, but I’ll tell you he’s pretty credible, maybe even moreso than Kevin Powell, the other former cast member running (more on him later). Kevin’s run brings up an interesting question, “Can you run a credible campaign for high office after being on a reality tv show?” Kevin has clearly made a good career for himself. I’ve even heard from some friends that his wife is an occasional Conservative commentator on Fox News. But, see, here is the rub. An extremely emotionally charged, crazy and sometimes out-of-control portion of your life is in full view and sold, on DVD at any Best Buy in the country. I’m looking at you Ashley, remember that.


The other guy has some solid credentials as an anti-domestic violence advocate, which is awesome. That being said, his website may be the single most douche filled thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Kevin Powell is running for Congress in my family’s ancestral homeland of Brooklyn, NY. The VERY first sentence of Mr. Powell’s website reads, and holy shit I’m not making this up. “Kevin Powell is widely considered one of America’s most important voices in these early years of the 21st century.”


WHAT THE FUCK!?! Did he just call himself one of America’s most important voices? Yeaaaaah buddy you are right up there with Barack Fucking Obama. You personally went from The Real World to Socrates in a moment so important to the history of the world and pop culture that Bob Dylan going electric looks like open mic night at a bar in Muskogee, Oklahoma. That being said, he has appeared on Oprah for his work on ending violence, which brings me to my closing point.


It seems that no matter how douchey Kevin is, he found meaning in his life after Real World by channeling his experiences towards a really important and solid goal. This is someone who transcended their experience; much like Sean Duffy did, and actually made something more out of themselves than a two bit reality media whore destined to do endless Real-World/Road Rules challenges until they age out to VH1 or Bravo. Both of them should be commended and serve as role models for the kids coming up behind them. That being said, hey Kevin, there are 11 political activists over here who’d love to give your website a makeover, Bravo style.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

http://borderstan.com/2009/07/07/ny-post-real-pains-dc-already-fed-up-with-mtv-filming/#comments

Well said, Borderstanians!

kindalikepuck said...

Oh, that was the most deliberate thing I've done all day. You clicked I assume :)

Unknown said...

here is an idea – instead of endlessly bitching about the RW – mentor a kid, feed the homeless. DC has a lot bigger issues to deal with. wait….those actually take thought and something more than mindless blog bitching!

suckas!

Tanya said...

@ice we (the contributors) all actually do that - volunteer in soup kitchens, mentors kids. You forgot raising money for rescued pets, protecting and escorting people at health clinics, helping kids and adults learn how to read, and raising thousands of dollars for the enviroment, helping domestic violence survivors, running to fight cancer, and cycling for the homeless.we also work to allow everyone to marry whomever they love, and one of the contributors to this blog is a first responder and pulls people out of burning buldings.

You know what else we all do, @ice? We pay city taxes, we live, commute and work in DC. And the internet is vast enough so that if you don't want to read a bunch of friends bloviating and letting off steam because some jackass producers and light-weight reality teevee dbags are adding some unnecessary congestion and irritation to our lives, here's an idea: go take your click traffic somewhere else.

Have a pleasant evening, and please repost lame ass comments from other blogs somewhere else.

kindalikepuck said...

@nerdette why are you so much more articulate than me? :)

Tanya said...

Pshhhh! It's the whiskey :)

ilovewintour said...

But why do you guys have to sound SO bitter? Oh, DC people...

ilovewintour said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tanya said...

@katrina see that's the problem with text. You see it and read 'bitter'. We write it and laugh our heads off. We're not bitter, we just call it like we see it.

Me thinks Katrina projects too much? Eh?

Berg said...

@kindalikepuck it's because she thinks before she speaks :)

j9 said...

Kevin Powell is a well known and extremely respected writer on race and politics. He has had a long career before and after the real world. Its kindof lame to dis such and accomplished person just because he spent a few months of his life on the first ever real world. I dont think that line in his website is a stretch at all. Maybe you should look up and read all the things hes written and all the amazing things hes taken part in before you open your mouth