VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2  JANUARY 12, 2006

The Essence of Manliness
Ben Westlund gives his two cents

By Erik Kancler

We've compiled a list of questions to determine how manly the State Senator from Tumalo, The Source Weekly's runner-up for man of the year, really is. Judge for yourself, but from where we sit, he's doing just fine.

The Source Weekly: In your opinion, what is the essence of manliness, or put another way, what qualities personify true manliness?

Ben Westlund: Kindness, compassion, and understanding.

That being said, what is the antithesis of manliness?

Deceit.

Simple as that?

Yup.

Who is more manly, Dirty Harry or Frank Bullit and why?

I like Dirty Harry's BIG gun, but Frank Bullit drove a cooler car. However, both of those male symbolisms are dwarfed by John Wayne's swagger.

Who is more manly, Simon or Garfunkel?

Garfunkel, because he was one of the first to be open about his sexuality.

More related to the previous question, does the number 427 mean anything to you?

I'm thinkin' cubic inches. It means, my car is better than your car.

Chevy or Ford?

Gotta go with Chevy.

Right answer. On another matter... I like taking pictures of flowers sometimes, does that mean that I'm a sissy?

Well, you are but not because you like to take pictures of flowers... But no, absolutely not. One of my first memories as a child was taking pictures of what is still one of my favorite flowers, the wisteria, with an old brownie box camera in my backyard.

Let's speak politically: is there any room for manliness in politics these days?

In today's political world--and both of these are characteristics of manliness--there's way too much deceit, and not enough real leadership.

We noticed that you don't wear any facial hair, and that you seem to shave regularly; Do you think that this should be a strike against you in the manliness category?

That's a serious question. One of the great things about the human revolution that was started with Locke and Rousseau and carried on through Adam Smith and the founding of the United States is that the expression of the individual over the divine right of kings is a founding principle of this country. So whether I choose to wear facial hair or not, the choice is a simple expression of human dignity. Either choice should be equally acceptable to everyone.

Speaking gubernatorially, if I might, and this is a serious political question: is Arnold Schwarzenegger manly, or do the muscles and tough-talk distract from an inner girly-man?

When I see Arnold Schwarzenegger in tights, I'm thinkin' girly-man.

I'm gonna quote you on that...

Great.

We think our next Governor should be able to kick some serious ass. If indeed you are interested in running for Oregon's Governorship, are you up to the task?

I wouldn't run if I didn't think I was. And I'll let my record speak for itself.