Herman Melville resonates even into Current events

Not terribly comforting when realizing that Ahab (and Khan) said this when kicking the bucket. Modern politics as a Leviathan while whale? Perhaps.

Thanks Ken, you helped me crystallize the idea in my mind and I'll submit a variation on that theme. :) maybe it will get featured. imgflip.com/i/16koq9

Actually I was thinking more of Al Gore's political demise after his court battles to keep manufacturing hanging chads on ballot cards in Florida after the 2000 election.