One of the neat things about deciding last year to name my blog “The Living Room Times,” and link it to my middle- and high-school newspaper of that name from 1993 through 1999, is that it effectively extended the institutional memory of this enterprise back more than an extra decade-and-a-half, allowing me to occasionally draw from some really old archives. I haven’t done that as often as I’d like, but current events present a good opportunity. As such, here’s the November 10, 1994 issue of The Living Room Times — I was in eighth grade, people, so be gentle — covering that year’s Republican midterm landslide:
The coverage is mostly AP copy (see the later quote from AP spokeswoman Tori Smith about that), but here’s my article on reaction at Martin Kellogg Middle School:
The final results of Tuesday’s elections did not come anywhere near to matching up with a poll taken of the students at Kellogg about who they support for Governor. In that poll, Governor-elect John Rowland finished fifth, with only 4 votes. It is no surprise, therefore, that reaction to Rowland’s win was mostly negative at Kellogg today.
“Can you believe Rowland won?” exclaimed Kim Pina in Mr. V’s History class. “My parents were so mad!”
“I wanted Groark but Rowland won,” said Sean Vivier. “Ooooowuuuuu.”
Some students were not quite as upset. Dan Seremet, who had supported Rowland, said “I told you so.”
But most were disappointed about Rowland’s victory.
“Rowland shouldn’t have won,” said Mark Almeida.
“No Democrats won!” complained Bryan Rudolph. “Screw the Republicans!”
“Republicans suck!” commented Ian Drayton.
“If it wasn’t for Groark, Curry would’ve won,” predicted Mr. V.
“All conservatives must die. Die, conservatives! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!” exclaimed Tim Stevens.
“It was cool,” remarked Billy Gray, “because Bill Curry’s a loser!”
“Rowland was the last person I wanted,” said Beth Milewski, “except for that spongecake guy. I really don’t want Rowland, ’cause even though he’s a Republican, he acts like a Democrat. And, I don’t like him.” (When Beth said “that spongecake guy” she was talking about Concerned Citizens candidate Joesph Zdoncyzk.)
“I didn’t want Rowland to win, I wanted Bill Curry to win,” commented Jaimie Kwassman.
“Tom Scott should’ve won,” whispered Tina Lentini. “He was the best candidate for the job.”
Brendan Loy commented on the Congressional takeover of the House and Senate by the Republicans. “The Republicans control the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House. It’s gonna be utter chaos.”
“I have a question, Brendan,” said Brian Newbold. “Did you cry yourself to sleep last night?”
“No, I did not cry,” Brendan responded.
Ah, the brilliant eighth-grade journalism! Also note my already-evident obsession with #CHAOS! It’s a shame I didn’t add, “PANIC!”
Alas, despite quoting myself, I failed to quote my greatest insight of that day, which I distinctly remember articulating aloud (for some reason, I think I did so in the men’s room), which was that Bill Clinton would probably be re-elected in 1996, because the Republicans had peaked too early and now they’d have to share in the blame if the voters remained angry at the government. I reiterate a similar prediction today!
By the way, if you’re wondering who the Living Room Times endorsed in 1994… my special Election Day Edition answers that question: Joe Lieberman for U.S. Senate and the Democrat, Bill Curry, for governor. I know you’re shocked, SHOCKED!
Two things: is the alarmingly violent Tim Stevens the same one who writes a weekly column here once a month? 😉 I take it that this was tongue in cheek. Certainly, we have not heard of Tim’s arrest for an anti conservative rampage.
Second, I think you suffered from something all high schoolers who like writing suffered from: not liking to use the word “said”. I suffered from the same ailment. I was unwilling to use the word “whispered”, but I think I used all the other terms in my own writing.
Heh. Yes, it’s the same Tim Stevens, and yes, it was tongue-in-cheek. Funny; today, that published comment probably would have gotten Tim in trouble at school, given heightened sensitivities about such things.
As for a pathological fear of “said,” that’s true, but in my defense, Tina Lentini sat directly in front of me in Mrs. DeFault’s algebra class, and Mrs. DeFault, in addition to being a great teacher, was also a much-feared titan of discipline, so it’s quite likely that Tina did, in fact, whisper her reaction to me, in order to avoid Mrs. DeFault’s wrath if she were to notice that we were talking politics during class!
A fine piece of journalism, as always ;}, but the Best parts of the edition are the campaign ads for Birdy-Bird and Cachou. Peep vs Woof. :>
Now as regards the reportorial aversion to “said,” your DeFault position is all very well but WE know the REAL reason why Tina was whispering in your ear. 🙂
I see the kids in your Middle School class were trained early to be mindless Democrats. Your NEA teachers must have been very proud of the job that they did.
Hi everyone, this is my site vimax 3-4 Dot Com. I appreciate any advises to improve my content and sells. This site about vimax and penis enlargement pills products. Thank you in advance! Any suggestions or marketing help is appreciated.