Know the plumber
Written by Tom Pounds | President / Publisher | tpounds@toledofreepress.comYes, I know, his name is Sam, not Joe. I know a lot about Holland resident Wurzelbacher whom I did not know a week ago.
“Joe the Plumber” has become an international phenomenon, with references from nearly all corners of the media, including “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show.” The press is reporting brisk sales of Joe the Plumber Halloween costumes in England, catching up with Sarah Palin outfits. He is a continual reference point for the Democratic and Republican candidates, who are engaged in a tug of war over his economic future.
There has been an extraordinary amount of backlash aimed at Wurzelbacher, personal attacks and negative reports laced with inordinate strains of vitriol.
One has to wonder how the fame and infamy will affect other Americans who are contemplating speaking out. In an Internet-fueled culture of anonymity, Wurzelbacher is a reminder that when you put your name and face on your thoughts, you make yourself a target for those who disagree.
The general collapse of civil discourse in political discussion is not brand-new, but the downward trend is not encouraging and not healthy. When we look back on this final leg of Election 2008, it may be fitting that it took a plumber to help us realize how backed up and filthy the process has become.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.
Mr. Pounds:
On the driveway in front of his home last Friday October 17, Wurzelbacher told two dozen reporters that he had been approached by the McCain campaign several days before Obama’s appearance in Toledo, and asked to go to the rally and confront Obama. He was a plant.
Civil discourse in political discussion in this country will never happen, so long as in the struggle for power, some believe that the ends justify the means.
This comment was posted on October 24th, 2008 at 2:56 amYou’ve got to be joking….a plant. wow.
This comment was posted on October 24th, 2008 at 3:56 amWell yes, I’d say most of the country will target someone who knows they’re on TV spewing lies. He’s not a licensed plumber, didn’t even pay his taxes, he doesn’t make the money to buy the business from his boss, and the business only makes about 100 thousand, not 250! I am amazed that McCains camp is still even using this, because it has been shown when comparing the 2 candidates economic/tax plan, that “joe the pretend plumber” would actially do better under Obama’s plan than McCains.
This comment was posted on October 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pmJoe ask a question…..freedom of speech….Obama answered it …..spread the wealth….sounds like socialism…..Thank you …..Don the little guy !
This comment was posted on October 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pmWhat happened to Joe could happen to any of us. If the popular candidate is asked a question and, the candidate screws up the answer, we punish the asker?
The left has demostrated exactly how much they care for “the little guy” by their rabid attacks on JTP.
That same crap, public humiliation, job loss, and threats are the same tools that were used under the Soviet regimes to stifle dissent.
Keep a man in fear for his livlihood, his safety and, his privacy…and he’ll keep his mouth shut.
All Joe the plumber is now, is a shining example of what will happen to you should you fail to keep your mouth shut.
This comment was posted on October 27th, 2008 at 1:29 pm