A question for Wire fans who are also Obama supporters: If you buy the the central theme of The Wire — that institutions will ruthlessly self-perpetuate and stymie even the best of intentions — then how does one ride for Barack Obama’s promises of changing the culture of Washington?
Yes! Because The Wire shows what happens when people, at all levels, for whatever reasons, dwell in fear and sameness. When we watch The Wire, we are rubberneckers. We already know what’s gonna happen. We just wanna see how it goes down.
So you think the same is going to happen to Obama?
So, this “The Wire” show… is it supposed to be good, or something?
“Cynicism is a sad kind of wisdom.” –Barack Obama
Louis: LOL. I love it!
Shani: I’m done with you.
As a wire fan and someone who is considering support for Obama, I have to say that the two ideas might actually go hand in hand. Obama is proposing changing the system: the government that spawns the institutions that stymie all good intentions. In some cases we have seen institutions play a role, to a degree, in positive change; many city police departments are credited with more effective policing in the 90s that helped lead to the drops in crime (although there were, of course, other factors.)
I’m also not sure I believe Obama can really bring ‘change.’ Some of his policies provide a concrete basis for a more open government, which I think would help. More than that, though I think he could at least alter things, which would help for at least some time. Lol. I know that doesn’t sound like ‘Hope.’
That’s a good damn question. I certainly think that there’s only so much one person can do even with the best intentions in the land of Politricks.
I know I’m late, but didn’t Obama himself say that ‘The Wire’ was one of his favorite TV Shows?
Rephrasing the question: Is Obama a strong enough institution to change the politics in Washington?
Somehow, I keep thinking he’s another real life counterpart to Carchetti in that he’s going to get sucked dry and lost once he gets to where he wants to go. Yet, get stifled byt the istitutions that make up DC political life.
[...] in fact, is what makes it so curious that Obama would gesture towards The Wire when he did, as a few people have noted: the most basic premise of the show, that institutional reform is impossible, [...]
[...] were beyond salvation. So can you buy that basic premise of the show and be an Obama supporter? We asked that way back in February back when our beloved show was ending, and it’s a question that’s still worth kicking [...]