bslev,

Good point. We have to avoid having the internet isolate us. I'm hoping that the internet, instead, becomes a catalyst for bringing folks together to work on shared goals.

And now I must go. I'm off for a day of local Democratic Party meetings!

Cheers!

Posted at May 17, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Obama and the Internet May Change American Politics FOREVER.

Thanks, Elisabeth.

Yeah, go for it! Don't discount the kids! They're savvy--they're tuned in to tech innovations and are the quickest to adapt to and exploit them. I'm impressed with them. They make me feel very hopeful about the world's future.

You know, I think a huge reason for the incredible support Obama's campaign has gotten from young people (under 25) is due to the fact that they've been on the leading edge of utilizing the internet's resources. Makes the other campaigns and candidates look like dinosaurs!

Posted at May 16, 2008 10:24 PM in response to Obama and the Internet May Change American Politics FOREVER.

Thanks, DF.

Any differences I might have with Obama on policy pale when I consider the revolutionary potential of Obama's vision. Quibbling over minor policy differences, to me, is small thinking; but Obama's broad vision for changing the power relationships in governing and politics is the kind of big thinking we've needed for a long time.

Posted at May 16, 2008 10:12 PM in response to Obama and the Internet May Change American Politics FOREVER.

Ah, rabbit! You have a paisan!

Posted at May 16, 2008 9:52 PM in response to The Hillary Team's Reasons for Failure... and Mine

Excellent post, Genghis. I'm sorry I didn't get around to reading and commenting sooner--there are already so many good comments on this thread, I feel silly posting yet another.

But in case you're interested, here's my feeling about perception and power: I hate being manipulated. That's why I have generally hated politics and avoided paying attention to it for most of my adult life. Spin is nauseating and I have very little patience for sitting through it on the off chance that I might glean a little useful information. Spin is insulting and a collossal waste of my time.

Politicians fail to realize how much voters value authenticity and honesty. That's why I feel respected by Obama--it's his political style. He presents his positions and I'm free to agree or disagree with them. And I do disagree with him on a few things, actually. But I know where he stands, and that's what makes me feel confident about him. I don't mind disagreeing with a politician--that doesn't necessarily determine whether or not I'll support him/her. Here's my attitude: if you want to persuade me, fine. Appeal to me with reasoned positions. Appeal to me with sincere emotions. But if you attempt to manipulate (or deceive) me, you try to take away my ability to reason and judge for myself. And I resent it.

It's been fascinating to watch the Bush/Rove Administration these last 7+ years. I think they started to believe they could actually control reality. That's crazy. One of my favorite lyrics from the band Rush is the line, "You can twist perceptions, but reality won't budge." It eventually became much too obvious to everyone that the Bush Administration's "version of reality" didn't match reality. That's why the public's approval level of Bush has steadily declined for the last 3 years. It has become impossible for the Bush Administration to continue to twist the public's perception of reality.

Posted at May 16, 2008 9:23 PM in response to American Politics and Nietzsche's Will To Power

Excellent post, Genghis. I'm sorry I didn't get around to reading and commenting sooner--there are already so many good comments on this thread, I feel silly posting yet another.

But in case you're interested, here's my feeling about perception and power: I hate being manipulated. That's why I have generally hated politics and avoided paying attention to it for most of my adult life. Spin is nauseating and I have very little patience for sitting through it on the off chance that I might glean a little useful information. Spin is insulting and a collossal waste of my time.

Politicians fail to realize how much voters value authenticity and honesty. That's why I feel respected by Obama--it's his political style. He presents his positions and I'm free to agree or disagree with them. And I do disagree with him on a few things, actually. But I know where he stands, and that's what makes me feel confident about him. I don't mind disagreeing with a politician--that doesn't necessarily determine whether or not I'll support him/her. Here's my attitude: if you want to persuade me, fine. Appeal to me with reasoned positions. Appeal to me with sincere emotions. But if you attempt to manipulate (or deceive) me, you try to take away my ability to reason and judge for myself. And I resent it.

It's been fascinating to watch the Bush/Rove Administration these last 7+ years. I think they started to believe they could actually control reality. That's crazy. One of my favorite lyrics from the band Rush is the line, "You can twist perceptions, but reality won't budge." It eventually became much too obvious to everyone that the Bush Administration's "version of reality" didn't match reality. That's why the public's approval level of Bush has steadily declined for the last 3 years. It has become impossible for the Bush Administration to continue to twist the public's perception of reality.

Posted at May 16, 2008 9:22 PM in response to American Politics and Nietzsche's Will To Power

I think very soon we're going to have to take the lead in trying to convince other countries (developing regions in India and Asia, Central and South America, and eventually Africa) to bring their population rates down too. I don't know if that will even be possible.

Posted at May 16, 2008 8:37 PM in response to Over a Barrel

Indeed. Population growth is what really bothers me.

It surprises me to no end that so many people (especially those in positions of setting public policy) choose to avoid acknowledging the problem of max-ing out Earth's carrying capacity--it's bearing down on us oh, so rapidly! It shocks me to no end that there can still be so many people who are still skeptical about the various threats to our environment, not limited to climate change. Duh!! Look at population growth rates! One doesn't have to be a f*cking genius to understand that we humans are going to have to change our lifestyles, use resources much more frugally, quit destroying the resources we'll need in the future (air/water pollution, soil erosion, etc.), and--sorry to say it--quit making so many babies.

And the Bush Administration has wasted precious time with its stupid energy policy, foreign policy, regressive environmental policy, and moronic 'abstinence-only' programs.

Posted at May 16, 2008 8:31 PM in response to Over a Barrel

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't see it exactly the same way you do, but I share many of your thoughts and opinions on the subject.

This part, in particular, stands out in my mind as the real shame of the 2008 Democratic primaries:

That she thought she had to be anything but her authentic self to win over Democrats was, in my opinion, her most visible blunder. So many of us wanted to like her, but as she continued to shapeshift, laugh inappropriately, and pander shamelessly, she lost those of us who just wanted Hillary.

I agree. It's presumptuous for me to try psychoanalyzing Hillary, but I can't stop myself after watching her during the primaries. (I get sick of hearing the pundits opine on what makes Hillary tick--as if they really know!) She seems so much more appealing and trustworthy when she is just being herself. I wonder if, after watching Bill for so many years, she has just come to assume that she has to use the same ol' typical-politician-type approach to campaigning. If so, I hope she eventually learns from this experience that she's much better off just being herself when she campaigns. Being herself is good enough. Maybe even great. She needn't embellish or hide behind facades.

Posted at May 16, 2008 8:06 PM in response to The Hillary Team's Reasons for Failure... and Mine

You don't have to worry, 'cause takin' care o' business is his game.

Posted at May 16, 2008 7:35 PM in response to Hillary denied her victory lap