Armageddon Outta Here
by Cody Keenan on April 30, 2008 in Opinion
As I sit in a Starbucks on Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House, I watch a steady line of staffers clad in Brooks Brothers and clutching BlackBerries march by.
As they obsessively scroll through their inboxes, their bosses do little to prevent our problems from steadily growing worse. I’m halfway tempted to stand in their way with a hastily-painted cardboard sign declaring “THE END IS NEAR.”
I’ve got that uneasy feeling I haven’t had since my mother used to yell at me using my middle name. I’m not much for the evangelical movement that fervently hopes the Rapture is upon us, but I’m beginning to understand their penchant for fitting the Book of Revelation to their needs. Fires. Floods. Earthquakes. Famine. Chaos. Read more
No Country for White Men
by Cody Keenan on February 26, 2008 in Opinion
If only Al Gore had won over a few more values voters. If only John Kerry had picked off a few more NASCAR dads. Right? Wrong.
Every four years, as Democrats rush to court the new hot demographic, they consistently ignore that most secretive and elusive of species: the white male. Since 1980, no Democratic nominee has won more than 38 percent of the white male vote. Al Gore and John Kerry each lost it by 26 points. Had either peeled off just a percentage point or two, Gore might be a lame duck today or Kerry might be up for re-election. Read more
Live Free, Vote Hard!
by Cody Keenan on February 12, 2008 in Opinion
Better luck next time, sucker!
By now, you’ve learned two things: 1) We’re witnessing the Most. Important. Election. Of. All. Time. and 2) America doesn’t make mistakes. Read more
Barack Obama: The MOveMENT
by Cody Keenan on December 5, 2007 in Features
November 3, 2004, was a tough morning to wake up a Democrat in Washington. Sixteen hours earlier, we rejoiced at exit polls, expecting a change in the White House. At the time, I worked in the Senate, and the accompanying drubbing we received left me slouched at my desk like so many Democrats – hapless, helpless…hopeless.
The G-Faux-P
by Cody Keenan on November 14, 2007 in Opinion
Somewhere, John Kerry sits, frustrated he ran four years too early. Appearing to be on both sides of the issues did him in during the last election. This time around, it’s in vogue.
…Wife Wanted?
by Cody Keenan on October 31, 2007 in Opinion
nooooooooooo!!!
Two weeks ago, I visited Chicago for my five-year college reunion and twenty-seventh birthday – two reasons for a reality check. I was ready to celebrate with old friends, but also prepared to deal with awkward conversations and old nemeses now making six figures.
But I was unprepared when an old flame sidled up to say hi.
Sacrifice Lost
by Cody Keenan on October 3, 2007 in Opinion
As another anniversary of 9/11 passes, we’re reminded of the bittersweet hope in those early dark days that Americans of all walks of life might unite and join in their nation’s efforts as we had in previous times of war. That notion of shared sacrifice is absent today – and it’s a failure of presidential leadership.
Back To School
by Cody Keenan on September 19, 2007 in Opinion
No, probably not.
Seeing Past the Scars
by Cody Keenan on April 18, 2007 in Opinion
The morning of St. Patrick’s Day 2004, I looked up from my desk in the U.S Capitol and my heart skipped a fearful beat. Not ten feet away stood Gerry Adams, in town for annual meetings with American politicians. The leader of Sinn Féin, the Irish nationalist party and the Irish Republican Army’s longtime political front, he cut a quietly imposing figure, hands clasped behind his back, signature beard flecked with gray.
Get Up Off Your Knees
by Cody Keenan on March 4, 2007 in Opinion
Anyone who’s known me for much of the past decade would be surprised to find that I was a devout Christian in high school. One night a week and five weekends a year, I joined my peers in lifting hands and eyes heavenward in praise and song. I tried to bring in as many classmates as I could. I taught church school, I read the Bible cover to cover, and I twice delivered the sermon at my church preaching the message of spreading Jesus’ love.
But somewhere along the way, I got lost. Or rather, religion lost me.
