Mainstreaming The Absurd
by One Angry Blonde / September 2004

Mainstreaming the Absurd--A 2004 Election Report
By Velvet Elvis - via LifeFlight from Atlantic City - September 25, 2004

    Of special interest to the Dada-Anarchist community has been the degree to which absurdism has been co-opted by the so-called "527" organizations, such as the Swift Boat gang and other similar voices, and even by the official campaigns themselves.
    Just the other day, President Bush argued that he "wanted to work together to pursue court action to shut down all the ads and activity by these shadowy 527 groups."

    It was alleged that Barbara Bush was on hand with flash cards with the number "527" circled in red.

    Absurdist-friendly organizations were quick to respond. "As performance art, the President's policies have provided valuable exposure to the struggling absurdist community, as well as a public platform for our views," says Nathan Bongwater. "However, we are concerned that with this constant exposure, behavior that was once regarded as absurd is becoming dangerously mainstream."

    Witness the recent hullabaloo over Cindy Crawford's donning of a chinchilla coat purchased on layaway at Wal-Mart. "This is absurd," argued PETA. "Just ten years ago, she took her clothes off for us. We have only the President to blame for this."

    Colin Powell was in Key West and was unavailable for comment.

    Dick Cheney, in a speech before the Wrestlers Convention in Pughkeepsie, sought to appease absurdists by arguing that "there is more than enough absurdity" to fill another four years, and pointed to an increase in ozone levels over the Antarctic as proof that the President's policies were working.

    Senator Kerry, also seeking to align himself with the absurdist community, quickly responded by arguing that "another four years" of the Bush administration would result in the "death of Dada. There will simply be nothing left to ridicule."