People who are merely agitated are more productive than people who are ANGRY (thanks Dr. Deb!), which might be one of the reasons there's an extreme lack of grassroots political movements in this country. The people who are inclined to enact political change are on average much too angry to be productive. I saw Blog Wars on the Sundance channel yesterday and watched what can happen in political campaigns with people power, and it made me wonder why we're not all involved in this. We should all be picking our favorite (or least favorite) candidate and posting as much information (positive AND negative) about them on our sites as possible. Even if it doesn't sway people to vote for our guy and finally, OUR GIRL (not a plug for the candidate, but the gender), it can start some interesting debate and keep us informed about the people we're supposed to be voting for (find out which candidate fits you best by visiting this site).
Here's what I'm proposing:
We start a new blog in which we post as often as possible about our political candidate and discuss what's happening in the campaigns. Information and analysis is what we're focusing on, but if people want to go to an appearance, ask the candidate questions, and post it on the blog, more power to them! I would really like to have Republican candidates represented as well. Maybe we should all choose an issue that's really important to us and analyze each candidate's position on it. What do you think? And what should we name it? Can we really afford NOT to do this?
Showing posts with label Presidential campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Presidential campaign. Show all posts
Monday, July 09, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
You Tube Debates
This would be a great idea if there were no media filter, but at least CNN and YouTube are taking submissions from the "Average American" and putting them to the candidates. One of the things I would like to see as the Presidential race continues is the "Average American" talking about why they would vote for a certain candidate and debating people who want to vote for someone else. It could open up the potential for political discussion all over the country, especially if those engaging in debate have gained as much information about their candidate as possible. The possibilities for this medium of communication are endless, and I don't think we're making proper use of the technology. What CNN is doing is a start, but we could be doing MUCH better.
3,582 US Soldiers killed in Iraq
26,350 US Soldiers wounded in Iraq
3,582 US Soldiers killed in Iraq
26,350 US Soldiers wounded in Iraq
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Worth Reposting
Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos slogans symbols, songs and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos slogans symbols, songs and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Something to Live For
Last night on 60 Minutes John Edwards and his wife were interviewed about their decision to stay in the Presidential race despite Elizabeth's ongoing battle with cancer. The questions were difficult. It almost seemed like the interviewer was trying to convince them to drop out of the race, but they handled each question beautifully - the way any Presidential candidate should. Last night's interview showed that John Edwards can be diplomatic and Presidential, which was no doubt part of the goal, and I applaud Elizabeth for choosing to deal with her disease based on what she feels is best for herself, her family, and her country.
Make no mistake, this is not a post about John Edwards. This is about the choice one woman has made to continue to battle an awful disease by choosing to live her life. It's true that a political campaign is hard on the body and mind, but after the interview I saw last night, I have no doubt that Elizabeth can handle it. I also have no doubt that it was HER decision that kept John in the race. She believes in her husband and she believes that his Presidency would be what's best for America. While that remains to be seen, she has done what all cancer patients are told to do - find something to live for. I hope that her very public battle will serve as inspiration for anyone living with terminal disease such as cancer. I wish her good luck and good health.
Make no mistake, this is not a post about John Edwards. This is about the choice one woman has made to continue to battle an awful disease by choosing to live her life. It's true that a political campaign is hard on the body and mind, but after the interview I saw last night, I have no doubt that Elizabeth can handle it. I also have no doubt that it was HER decision that kept John in the race. She believes in her husband and she believes that his Presidency would be what's best for America. While that remains to be seen, she has done what all cancer patients are told to do - find something to live for. I hope that her very public battle will serve as inspiration for anyone living with terminal disease such as cancer. I wish her good luck and good health.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Politicians Need to Shmooze
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been asking Washington politicians to act more like those in his own state, namely to put aside partisan politics and shmooze. He simply means that politicians socialize more with each other, regardless of party, and I agree. It is difficult to look at someone as your enemy when you know them on a personal level. It is even more difficult when you know that their goals are much more similar to yours than party lines would suggest.
I've been saying for quite some time the Republicans and Democrats are really no different from each other. At this point politics are all about corporate interests. Third parties will be our salvation, assuming that campaign reform is ever an option in Washington. Until then, we'll just have to pressure our politicians to try and get along. My preschoolers do a better job than they do.
3,188 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq
23,785 US soldiers have been wounded in Iraq
I've been saying for quite some time the Republicans and Democrats are really no different from each other. At this point politics are all about corporate interests. Third parties will be our salvation, assuming that campaign reform is ever an option in Washington. Until then, we'll just have to pressure our politicians to try and get along. My preschoolers do a better job than they do.
3,188 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq
23,785 US soldiers have been wounded in Iraq
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