As children I suspect many of us engaged in a naughty game called Ding Dong Ditch.’The premise was to knock on the door or ring the bell of the victim and then scamper away before the homeowner opened the door.’No harm was done other than an exasperated person who grew weary of coming to the door.
A more modern version of this game is currently being played by several politicians in our country.? Absent the knock on the door,’this updated prank is called ‘Ditch The Ding Dong.? This is where individuals, in order to protect their reputation, refuse to be seen or photographed in the presence of people who may be injurious to their reputation.’Several instances have already been recorded, and as campaigning heats up I’m sure many more will surface.
The first occurred when presumed presidential candidate Barack Obama decided not to be seen in the presence of the embattled mayor of Detroit, namely Kwame Kilpatrick.?
Kilpatrick has been indicted on numerous criminal charges including obstruction of justice, misconduct in office and perjury, to name just a few.’Kilpatrick claims that it was his decision not to attend the Obama rally, but pundits speculated that a picture of the two of them together would not play well with the electorate.’It might just demonstrate that young, inexperienced politicians are more prone to mistakes or even malfeasance, and thus Obama avoided the Kilpatrick albatross on this occasion.
Incidentally, at that very Detroit rally a young Muslim woman said she and another woman were refused seats directly behind Obama and in front of television cameras because they were wearing their traditional headdress.’So Obama’s visit to Detroit evidently resulted in his playing Ditch the Ding Dong twice, although in this instance due to the discourtesy shown to the two women, Obama earns the dubious Ding Dong title!
And then of course we have John McCain, who while he wants the support of President George W. Bush, considers him radioactive.’Thus their joint appearances are short-lived, lest McCain becomes infected with the stigma of a president whose approval ratings are abysmal.’Could it be that McCain is playing Ditch the Ding Dong?
Currently and throughout history there are other instances of people becoming engaged in Ditch the Ding Dong.’Here is just an improbable sampling:
+? Al Gore not wanting to be seen with Hillary Clinton (difficult to determine, though, the rightful owner of the Ding Dong moniker)
+? Rush Limbaugh in the presence of his critic and arch enemy Al Franken (remember Franken’s book ? Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot)
+? Abraham Lincoln, while announcing the abolition of slavery standing shoulder to shoulder with Ku Klux Klan Leader David Duke or even former Alabama Governor George Wallace.’No problem here identifying the Ding Dongs!
+? And is there a picture of John Wayne and Richard Simmons shaking hands ? I think not.’Can’t imagine the Duke ‘Sweating To The Oldies!?
+? How about renowned atheist Madeline Murray O’Hare sitting next to Christ at the Last Supper? I’m sure our Maker would be the perfect host, but on the other hand this might just have been the first instance of a dinner guest contracting salmonella poisoning.
And in so far as myself, you will not see me in the presence of the Pillsbury Doughboy (I don’t need any more carbohydrates!),’Pee Wee Herman (bow ties are too hokey),’Bill Gates (I am technically inept), Superman (I, too, am allergic to Kryptonite), and several Ding Dongs I worked with over the years who shall remain nameless.
Well, time to go.’A friend of mine just called claiming he just saw Hillary Clinton in the same venue with Bill Clinton. And all along I thought the premise was for just one Ding Dong in a picture at the same time.’As such,’maybe it’s just a matter of time before Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neil appear together.’Naw!