Personal About Politics: Political SPAM

                         
It all started innocently enough with my SPAM clock. That's right a SPAM clock. A clock made out of a SPAM can. Not one of the current cans that has a plastic cover around the can, no, mine is an old can where the design is imprinted on the aluminum. My friends Suzanne and Mike gave it to me, after I found out Mike had made some and I practically groveled to get one. Ok, I did grovel.

While discussing the marvels of my SPAM clock we began to wonder how the word SPAM, which had started out as processed meat, became a derogatory term. 

According to "The Amazing SPAM Homepage" touting "Ah, SPAM, that most inspiring of foods, nectar of the Gods, hero of the picnic table", it is a type of canned, processed pork luncheon meat made by Hormel.

Hormel Spiced Ham, SPAM, does have a long and distinguished history. First marketed in 1937 as a "the Miracle Meat" it was the first canned meat that did not need to be refrigerated. During World War II it was used by the American military, and Nikita Kruschev credits SPAM with the survival of the Russian army during WWII. Americans also ate it during WWII because it was not rationed beef.

Ahhh, but that was then…this is now.

Although the word SPAM is a legal trademark, the word spam has a new connotation, generally meaning something unwanted. In today's world it's electronic junk mail.

The website "Promote Responsible Net Commerce: Fight Spam!" gave this definition:

 "Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message, in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it." 

That being the case, we are constantly bombarded with spam in all aspects of our lives, particularly political spam.

Bush Spam: "The economy is strong."

            "The tax relief is working."
            
            "I urge the Congress to make the tax cuts permanent.

            "The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free."

            "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."
             "We're kicking ass." --George W. Bush, on the security situation in Iraq, to Australian Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile, Sydney, Australia, Sept. 5, 2007

 Senator Larry Craig Spam: "I am not gay."
                                            "I have a wide stance."
                                            "I am not gay."


Roger Clemens Spam: "I have never taken steroids or HGH."                 
                                                   
        "I think Andy has misheard. I think he misremembers." – Roger Clemens after being told that Andy Pettitte testified that Clemens told him he had used HGH.

29 GOP Senators & Congressmen: I am not seeking re-election. I want to spend more time with my family.

Federal Government Spam: "The check is in the mail."

Last month in "The Atlantic" magazine they had an article titled "Frankly."
It had a list of phrases that you might hear in Washington D.C. and what they really mean.

Potomac Spam:  "Frankly……"
                            The following statement is false.
                           
            "I hope we can work together in a bipartisan way."
             I need to pick off one senator from the other party to
             pass this bill.            

            "War is my last choice."
            The bombing begins in three weeks.

            "I will continue to do the people's business."
            I expect to be indicted.


So, when I asked Mike and Suzanne why an innocent name of a processed meat, "hero of the picnic table," had turned into a derogatory name for unwanted information, Suzanne said, "Because it's all @#&*!"

I think perhaps she's right.



Cheri Cabot, Politics Correspondent
Cheri's column, "Personal About Politics", published every week, will reflect on how the life of a 58 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation - a look at the personal aspects of politics. The articles will be posted to Politics.gather.com as part of Gather Essentials.

Cheri is a freelance writer, living in Southern California.  She has two grown children, one in Iowa and one at Columbia University, and is the proud grandmother of two. Cheri is also a purveyor of fine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.

You can find all of Cheri's columns on Personal About Politics at www.ccabot.gather.com.