The ILL Docrtine

John Randolph, also known as Jay Smooth is a founder of New York's longest running hip-hop radio show, WBAI's Underground Railroad. He is also runs a video blog site called Jay Smooth’s Ill Doctrine, where he discusses issues and quirks about things from hip-hop to politics and political figures. Although seemingly brash and very irrational from his technique of sarcastically ranting and projecting his thoughts hilariously in his videos, Jay Smooth does point out very interesting outlooks and idea on certain subjects, especially in politics.

The Giant Word: Got-No-Sensitive

“Got-No-Sensitive - Adjective
     Pretending you agree with somebody even though you know they’re acting like they’ve got no damn sense.”

In this video, Jay Smooth explores the word sensitive. Jay Smooth states that the word, got-no-sensitive was invented in the 1950’s by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Senator Joseph McCarthy, at that time, noticed that United State’s people had very strong and irrational feelings about communism that were completely biased and mostly untrue. From the very unnecessary and misguided fear of the general public, Senator McCarthy decided to use them to his advantage. By completely agreeing with their fears, Senator McCarthy quickly became popular.

Jay Smooth argues that these kinds of people are not for your own good, for someone who agrees completely to whatever you say regardless of right or wrong will only make matters worse. A real friend is someone who will go against you when you are illogical.

In today’s world, this kind of technique is very popular in politics. Politicians are always acting on the ignorance of the people in order to get what they want. While President Bush was in office, he played with people’s fears to allow him to bring troops into the Middle East and start a war. This was possible because the public was fearful of Middle Eastern people, for they may be terrorists, regardless of the fact that the terrorist group themselves, is just a small number of people. The Got-No-Sensitive technique was also played by Politicians who would want to win office, where they would agree with whatever the majority of the public’s belief is, regardless of whatever he or she believes in. This was also especially true in the recent debate of the privilege of homosexuals to wed in last year’s presidential campaign. Neither Palin, nor McCain and not even Obama supported homosexuals’ privilege to get married. They know that it would be political suicide, for they would lose thousands of votes in many states. Now that Obama is president, there are signs that he may actually support gay marriage; however, he would not dare to say that he supports gay marriage while campaigning.

                How does this pose a problem?

I believe that what Jay Smooth is trying to say is that people are ignorant. Because of the ignorance, politicians and other people are finding that they are able to use this ignorance as a tool for them to succeeded, regardless if whether it is true or not. Why would we want someone running for office if they do not even care about what is right or wrong or even what they believe in, but only about using our feelings as a stepladder?

Why I'm Afraid of Christine O'Donnell

In this video blog, Jay Smooth rants about the qualifications that are needed for a job. Jay Smooth exclusively talks about a running candidate for senator named Christine O’Donnell. In her campaign advertisement, she states that she is the actual representation of us, or rather, you, and that she will go to office and do what you do. Jay Smooth is unsettled by her ridiculous campaign advertisement. Jay Smooth argues that her motto of her being you is a bad way to win votes. Jay Smooth does not want Jay Smooth to be in office, because he believes that he is not qualified for the job. 

                      Why is this important?

I believe that Jay Smooth wants people who are capable to do their job to be running for office, not someone who is just average. The economy and state of the US is bad and we need someone more than just qualified to better this country. And so, having a candidate that says she can be just like Jay Smooth, will not work for Jay Smooth.