SARAH GET YOUR GUN

I heard a news report in the night about the Alaska governor being chosen to run with John McCain. The report highlighted that she a former high school basketball point guard, a hockey mom, a member of the NRA and a moose hunter.

Besides that she was from Wasilla where Jean’s brother and family had lived for many years. We heard later that a nephew graduated with her and is one of the few in that class not appointed to some government job.

You know my first thought? It was “Annie Get Your Gun.”

The connection was so obvious that I expected to hear it mentioned the next morning. I’ve waited and waited.

I can’t remember when I first saw the movie. Probably in the late 40’s. I was impressed with Annie’s gun shooting abilities. She was, in fact, a historical legend. Boy, could she shoot. She beat everyone, including a man with whom she was falling in love. I loved her. How could you not love Annie Oakley? How could anyone not vote for her.

I still remember one song. “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun.” She could win fame and applause and medals with her gun, but some things could not be done with shooting. It was a moment of realization. She needed a strategy of “buttons and bows” to win the battle she wanted most to win.

I heard another bit of news that has not been widely broadcast. It came across the same night as that of the Vice Presidential nominee. The words were those of one of our chief Middle East military strategists. He said “We can’t kill our way to victory in Afghanistan.” It’s going to take another strategy. The gun toting, shock and awe heroics don’t win hearts. Ask Annie.

It’s a hard sell to shift away from the “Annie Get Your Gun” approach to understanding that we can’t kill our way to peace. Those who believe in continuing the guns first approach in foreign policy will doubtlessly be attracted to the gun-toting governor of Alaska.

Anyway, it’s an idea to talk about. It’s a question worth debate. Should Annie put down her gun and try a different strategy? Or should she go her lonesome way shooting bulls eyes with her trusty gun? ─ Art Morgan, Sept. 26, 2008