What liberals could learn from Bugs Bunny

[The Truffle]

When I was a little girl, watching cartoon reruns in the early morning hours before school, Bugs Bunny was my hero. Saturday morning was the time for "Yogi Bear's Laffalympics" and "Scooby-Doo" spinoffs, but Yogi and Scooby could never match Bugs for cleverness and cool.

In 2002, TV Guide ranked Bugs Bunny #1 on the list of the greatest cartoon characters of all time. How does one explain his appeal? You could say it's a combination of brilliant animation, clever catchphrases, smart writing, and cheerfully irreverent nods to high and popular culture. But it's also because Bugsy is a quintessentially American icon. He could've only been conceived, written, and drawn right here in the USA. He epitomizes street smarts and resourcefulness. He's unflappable and fearless. He makes mistakes, like that wrong turn en route to Pismo Beach, but he always bounces back. He's the cartoon icon for those who grew up believing in the American dream.

Watching those animation shorts, one realizes that Bugs never goes looking for trouble; trouble always comes to him. That's the difference between Bugs and, say, Daffy Duck. Like American liberals, Bugs is always underestimated by the enemy. And his enemies bear a strange resemblance to today's odious conservative archetypes. I'm not just talking about Cheney's likeness to Elmer Fudd here. There's short-tempered, unhinged, gun-crazy Yosemite Sam, fighting the Civil War 90 years after it ended. There's greedy, backstabbing Daffy Duck, who would've fit in perfectly at Enron. There's the Tasmanian Devil, as batshit crazy as anyone in Osama bin Laden's inner circle. And, of course, Wile E. Coyote, super genius. Can't you imagine Acme delivering crappy products in exchange for exclusive government contracts?

American liberals have plenty of righteous anger, but the trick is to respond with sass and irreverence as well as passion. Bugs Bunny would let his opponent foam and froth, keeping his wits about him, never losing his cool. And, in the end, you knew Bugs would get the upper hand...and he'd do it in style. Not unlike Keith Olbermann, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert today.

Today's liberals can find inspiration in Bugs as they respond to GOP mismanagement and right-wing lies. For starters, we can imagine what Bugs Bunny would say: "He don't know me very well, do he?"

[mac56]

1. K & R

LOL!

As the wascally wabbit would say:

"Of course you realize dis means WAR!"

[durrrty libby]

2. Hee K & R. Excellent n/t

[silverweb]

3. Brilliant!

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[thinksmart]

4. funny. hehe

[Graybeard]

5. Great post. Now I know...

...why I always empathized with that wascal. All of what you
observed plus the fact that the voice of Bugs,Mel Blanc, gave
him a Bronx/Brooklynese accent to go with the street-smart
self-confidence. Who will join me to name Bugs Bunny the
official mascot of DU? 

[mac56]

7. Second the motion

We just have to see if Time Warner will let us use the image.

[walldude]

6. K&R Great Post!

Bugs was always my favorite and you already gave all the reasons :toast:

[me b zola]

8. Great post and I like the way you think

I always thought that Bugs had a bit of Cagney in him ie Aww, ya yella.


Welcome to DU The Truffle :toast:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. Per my hubby, which he convinced me enough to post..."Bugs was a tamped

down bully."

And, I have to agree, he did mess with people's minds and he enjoyed it.


I've loved Bugs for years, yet, I'm only just finding out that my husband of 20 * years hasn't shared this opinion.

And, it makes sense.

I guess we have some "Marvin the Martian" discussions looming. MKJ

[The Truffle]

25. Bugs a bully? I don't think so!

He was originally created to be a character who did NOT seek out conflict. That's why he's never the original instigator in the vast majority of the toons. He's a character who RESPONDS to bullies, such as Elmer Fudd or Wile E. Coyote.

[woo me with science]

10. what a great post! nt

[Bosso 63]

11. I should have turned left at Albuquerque!

Someone had to say it.

[Canuckistanian]

12. I can well imagine Bug's opinion of Shrub

"What a maroon"

[Jack Rabbit]

13. Welcome to DU, Truffle

Bugs Bunny is my uncle, you know.

[KnaveRupe]

14. Welcome to DU!

Good comparison - Bugs does typify the best qualities of the American archetype.

This guy, OTOH, does not.

[banana republican]

15. You didn't include Marvin the Matrian..... I'm crushed...

[The Truffle]

16. Yup, loved Marvin the Martian

I can see Marvin seething, Cheney-style: "You're making me very angry!"

[Philosoraptor]

17. I agree, Bugs only puts up with so much crap, then, he kicks ass

[Jacobin]

18. Excellent post

I think Bill Clinton was a darned good Bugs Bunny

[zanne]

19. He's always been a hero of mine, too.

I named one of my cats after him (not "bunny", but "Bugs"). Welcome to DU. I thoroughly enjoyed your post. I hope you do it often.

[Blue_Tires]

20. welcome to the site!!

i see your point, but don't downplaying Wile E. and Daffy---they are my boys!

[Terri S]

21. LOL!!

Great Post!!!

:kick:

[shadowknows69]

22. All hail Bugs

n/t

[rosesaylavee]

23. "He don't know me very well, do he?"

Love it! Great way to start the day...

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Mad_Dem_X]

24. Great analogy!

I love me some Bugs. And, welcome to DU!