Ventura Substance

Recently, I purchased the book “Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me” written by Jesse Ventura because I’m always looking for new ways to spark alternative thought processes. I happened to see Jesse’s appearance on the Tonight Show promoting his latest book and I thought it would be something of substance. Jesse has long been known to be an independent politician and he has a wide array of alternative viewpoints when compared to his Republican and Democratic counterparts. This is his fourth book since he improbably won the election for Governor of Minnesota back in 1998. I have not read his previous 3 books so this was my first taste of Jesse “The Mind” Ventura. The book is categorized as a “Political & Government” title as Jesse has utilized his celebrity status to promote an independent point of view our established political parties do not subscribe to.

Up until this point, I was fully expecting a book from Jesse explaining his stances on issues and how our current political system could be corrected by injecting some new free thinking and alternative viewpoints into the mix. Larry King has a statement on the cover, “If you’re talking outspoken, unconventional, and no-holds-barred, you’re talking Jesse Ventura.” From the interview on the Tonight Show, to the product placement of his book in the bookstore, and from the promotional material for the book, I was expecting an insightful book about how to change politics from the inside. Jesse is a very forthright individual and he speaks his mind. I was expecting a book giving solutions from his point of view. I was expecting a book explaining why the independent party should be taken seriously and worthy of society’s vote. I was expecting, well, a political book. Halfway through the book, it’s not.

While Jesse does have his moments in the book so far, overall, it’s basically a “memoirish” type book with some anecdotes about the political system. He devotes the majority of text to remembrances of his days as Governor of Minnesota and different situations that arose from his “out of nowhere” victory. The subject fodder for the first 150 pages of 300 is what I would expect in his first book. His life and where he came from and “all that jazz” is rudimentary information reserved for your first time readers who need to figure out who the individual is. This is the 4^th book, not the 1^st. I will continue to read the book in hopes that the remaining 150 pages offer what I was looking for as far as political viewpoints, but I’m not going to hold my breath. However, I have run across a few tidbits of information that I want to write about today.

First off, Jesse mentions on more than a couple of occasions his past experience with the military and his membership in the Navy SEALs. We learn that Jesse is a formidable man both physically and mentally. He has the tools necessary to accomplish what he sets his mind to. He likes people to know about his past as a “feared” man. On this particular topic, he openly threatens the CIA who he believes were “tailing” him during a trip to Cuba. He said the next time people were following him without advance knowledge they would be “floating in the river.” This occurred during his service as Governor. He was a public official threatening the lives of government employees. Is that acceptable? As an individual, we protect our self interests and if our health or family is in danger, we have the right to protect ourselves. However, a simple “tail” does not warrant a threat against the lives of others when there was no direct danger. Jesse utilized his physical and past stature to “scare” people because everyone knew he was capable with his training. Are public officials supposed to be people we are scared of?

Another topic of discussion he mentions is his deep rooted respect for Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. Che was a devout supporter of the Marxist doctrine and guerilla leader during the 50’s and 60’s. He was also part of the overthrow of Cuba which allowed Fidel Castro to assume power. Che was eventually caught while trying to instigate a revolution in Bolivia and executed. Yes, many people view Che as someone to be respected. Nelson Mandela even says Che is “an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom.” While I have great respect for Nelson Mandela and his undying support for his beliefs, I’m not quite sure we can respect Guevara for his love of “freedom.” Show me the concept of freedom within the Marxist/Communist doctrine. The type of leadership Guevara supported was not of the freedom kind. Dictatorship and tyrants are the results of Che’s support. It is ok to respect someone for giving their life completely for what they believe in, but it is not ok to romanticize someone completely against what the United States stands for.

If Jesse is looking for a hero who was willing to give his life for what he believed in, there are many within our own country. To name a few: Washington, Lincoln, Martin Luther King, JFK, and also every single military man and woman who have given their lives to protect our freedom. Jesse states he has a mirror in his bathroom with Che’s image in it. Every day he gets up, he faces the mirror with his image within. Personally, that doesn’t sit well with me. While I agree that Che gave everything he had in his support of what he believed was right, it is not the doctrine of the United States of America. We are the land of the free and we are not supporters of the Marxist doctrine. If Jesse supported such a doctrine, he would have never been “elected” in the first place. Our public officials showing support for guerilla leaders supporting Communism is not the best choice.

“Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me” leaves me feeling unsatisfied at this point. While I believe our nation is in dire need of a political revolution, Jesse has not offered any substantial solution. He offers us one off solutions even he knows are not practical or realistic answers. One such answer was his recommendation to President Clinton on how to force peace between Israel and Palestine. He recommended to Clinton that we should just have a computer “glitch” which happens to drop a few bombs on the “hill” they are fighting over and destroy it. He puts forth the analogy that if you remove the toy from two kids fighting over it, they will not be fighting anymore. The “hill” Jesse is speaking of is rooted in religious ideology since the dawn of time. It is not an object or a trinket or toy that can be easily removed. This “hill” the Israelis and Palestinians are fighting over has such meaning in their lives they will readily give their lives for its protection.

Once again, Jesse was an elected official offering this “solution” to our President. Is that ok? Absolutely no it is not ok. Jesse does have valid and rational arguments for some issues our society faces, but overall, he is very much an “independent.” Jesse is a breath of fresh air, but he is not the wave of political change we need. We need change from people with rational viewpoints that will help society. We do not need elected officials who willingly threaten people, support Communist guerilla leaders, and who believes “inadvertently” blowing up a hill can solve an issue. Our nation needs a third party to run against our two incumbent parties. Competition always creates a better product. The political parties are no different. However, that third party has to be a viable option and Jesse and his independent party is not that.