Archive for 'Political Slants'
voting psa
November 3, 2008 by the.muse, under Political Slants.
Remember… unless you vote, you can't complain for another four years.
Don't forget to take whatever precautions you need to take in order to get to the polls… and no matter what, your employer CANNOT keep you from the polls! Take up your civic duty and vote! Only 537 votes determined the 2000 election in the last remaining state to be called: Florida… so, every vote counts… INCLUDING YOURS! So, no matter how long the lines may be or how long it may take, go vote! Or keep your mouth shut for the next four years.
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civic participation
October 29, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Voices of the Past.
There is nothing that I love more than to see the message of civic participation spread to people of all ages, including students in middle and high school. The students in the following video are in 7th grade at Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, and were featured on CNN. They had a classroom debate on the presidential candidates and conducted extensive research on each party. The end result was a rap song in the style of TI's "Whatever You Like." Instead, the class presented, "You Can Vote However You Like" on television to mass audiences, and have encouraged people by their intelligence on the issues. Man, even I'M impressed by these students!
Check it out:
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get out the vote
October 29, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants.
Just in case you were wondering if you should or shouldn't vote, you should. I'm sure you have an issue that will make you lean one way or the other, and you have the right to vote whatever way you choose. But, no matter what, practice your civic duty and VOTE on November 4. If you don't, then remember to keep your mouth shut for the next for the next four years. Of course, I say that with all love and kindness… sort of.
Here's a little voting video encouragement:
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snarks galore
October 15, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants.
So last week, I spent time at Chez Sassy to livesnark the Presidential Debate. And, oh wow, was it so much fun. DP, Mr. Sassy, and AL joined in with Sassy and I, and will be joining in tonight as well. Homemade ice cream will be a part of the fun, as we watch the Current channel and see what other tweets come across the television. So, join in the fun, and follow along on Twitter!
Join the live snark and follow in or friend us on Twitter!
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master debaters?
October 7, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants.
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choosing a governor
June 30, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants.
I've decided that it would really be a great thing if we could choose our states of residence based on the governor of the state and whether we like him/her or not. I mean, I know that makes things much more complex and probably requires the implementation of term extensions, blah, blah, blah. But, humor me.
I was watching 'Meet the Press' today. First of all, it's just strange… Tim Russert is gone, and it's just not the same. However, I will say that Tom Brokaw is asking tough questions. But, I've gotten off my point. Today, it was based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the Western Governors Association recently held their annual meeting. Brokaw had two democratic governors on the show, and questioned them about Obama's candidacy for President. On board were Gov. Dave Freudenthal (WY) and Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr. (CO). During the show, I decided that I really, really liked Gov. Ritter. No offense Freudenthal. I mean, you said that you sort of liked McCain. But, Ritter, you're cool, man. So cool.
After watching the show, I'd like to share my current list of states that I'd like to live in based on governors currently in office:
- Maryland: Gov. Martin O'Malley – He has a band, good looks, and some great political moves. And, he's moving Maryland in great ways. I'm impressed. Plus, I lived there before, and I'm homesick like crazy, and I want to come back. Will you stay in office until I get there and then stay a little longer? OK, thanks.
- New Mexico: Bill Richardson – He was my first pick for President when the contest first heated up before he dropped out of the race, and he's still my hope for Obama's VP. And, I think he's such a fantastic and experienced public figure.
- Colorado: Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr. – While he may have the highest evangelical haven in Colorado Springs, he's hosting the greenest Democratic convention in U.S. history, and he's very excited about his state. Plus, he's the first Colorado-born governor in something like 35 years. Go Ritter. If I liked the mountains, I'd be headed your way.
- Alabama: Gov. Bob Riley – Strangely enough, as much as I have a love/hate relationship with Alabama and Birmingham, I really like Bob Riley, even though he wears cowboy boots with his suits. And even stranger… he's a friggin' republican! But, you know what? He's the best dad'gum governor that Alabama has had since James E. "Big Jim" Folsom, and has brought so many jobs to the state. Sadly, this is his last term, but my only hope is that the guy who will follow him will be current U.S. Representative Artur Davis.
It's probably sad that I've thought so much about this. But, wouldn't it be nice if we could make our decisions based on this instead of property values and schools and economics? The world would be such a simpler place.
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seriously?
June 30, 2008 by the.muse, under Leg-Slappin' Fun, Political Slants.
OK… this story was absolutely too hilarious NOT to share. How could anyone be THIS out of touch in society, especially when you LIVE in Washington, D.C., the city of politics…
Who’s that man?: Obama asked for ID at gym
By Kris Kitto Posted: 06/27/08 02:13 PM [ET]Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) may have one of the best-known faces in the world, but that doesn’t mean he is recognized everywhere, even in Washington.
Washington Sports Club employee Takehia Wheeler was manning the front desk to scan members’ identification cards Friday morning when the presidential candidate walked in with his entourage. The gym opened a month ago in the Columbia Heights district.
“He came in and walked past me,” Wheeler told In The Know. “I was like, ‘Sir, you need to come back.’ ”
Wheeler said Obama looked familiar, but she didn’t recognize him. So she asked for his ID card.
“I said, ‘What’s your last name?’ He said ‘Obama,’ ” Wheeler explained. “I said, ‘So what’s your first name?”
Then she laughed because it was at that point that Wheeler realized who she was talking to. How did she make amends? By saying, “Sorry, Mr. Future President!”
She wasn’t alone in not recognizing Obama. Trainer Drew McNeil wasn’t sure either.
“I was training right next to him, and I was like, ‘That looks like Obama,’ ” he said.
Obama brought his security detail along. Gym staff said Obama stayed for 20 minutes.
They said he has a membership to the citywide gym network, with his home gym at the Gallery Place/Chinatown location.
Wow… just wow. There are no words that can really… yeah. I'm done.
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the district & handguns
June 27, 2008 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court announced that the Second Amendment applies to Washington, D.C., concluding that residents of the district have the right to bear arms and to carry their own handguns. Tonight on The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert's take was:
Woo! Finally, the residents of Washington, D.C. have the right to defend themselves… from each other, one can assume… This is great news for some, folks. This means CNN can bring back 'Crossfire' with actual crossfire.
Of course, it's not all fun and games everywhere. It is a little scary considering that we were always told that the courthouse planters were checked and cleaned out every month because people planted their guns and knives before going through the metal detectors and forgot exactly where they put them.
The WaPo suggests that it will only increase individual and gang violence. This is probably true… although, I must say the title, "The Thugs Win the Case," is quite offensive and harsh. Not everyone who owns or wants to own a handgun for protection is a thug. According to the Supreme Court, D.C. is accorded the same rights that every other state of the country has been given according to the Constitution by the Second Amendment. Withholding that right is unlawful, regardless of the author's opinion. And, as much as I hate to admit that it might allow more violence, the Second Amendment is still the Constitution. While I may not agree with it, it's still legal precedent. And if one state is allowed, they all should be deemed the same opportunity. Now that the handgun ban has been ruled unconstitutional, it is the district's responsibility to step up its police protection (which it should have been doing anyway) to reduce violence with handguns.
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politicization
June 25, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.
So, there are a few political moments that have been awe-inspiring lately… some funny, some serious. But, definitely things that have been making me think.
First of all, I'm still a little upset about Tim Russert being gone. However, his son is mega-impressive. At the funeral, he pleaded for both McCain and Obama to sit together and speak. He's supposed to be on Larry King Live tomorrow night, and I'm super-stoked. I'm excited to see what he will do with his life since he has always been in the light with his father.
Tom Brokaw is slated to host 'Meet the Press' through the election. I'm fairly OK with that decision. I wouldn't mind seeing Brian Williams in that slot in a permanent basis, but he still has a media slant, one which Russert never really had. While I love Chris Matthews, I am glad that he wasn't put in the position. He's still a little hard and edgy, and too rough at times. On "Hardball," he takes on a character too much like Bill O'Reilly, which I don't like. However, I love the Chris Matthews that shows up during election shows on MSNBC and on his regular Sunday show "The Chris Matthews Show." But, he's still not the right pick for "Meet." I am curious to see who will fill the position after November. It could completely change the show. It's a big decision… It could change my viewing habits.
One of Barack Obama's national ad's targeting specific states showed up, and it's pretty impressive.
Watching his press conferences and his campaigning, he seems stronger and stronger. I'm ready to know what his thoughts are on his veep selection. Again, I'm completely pushing an Obama/Richardson ticket. But, I will be fine with whomever he chooses.
On the other side, John McCain is killing me. He's flip-flopping on his energy policy and oil drilling. And, Stephen Colbert has jumped in to help McCain find a new buzzword for his campaign, since he's using and reusing the same phrases. Check out "Lexicon Artist."
And finally, this was too funny not to share since we're on politics. It's dated, but it's still so funny. And, since we're on the final countdown to the end of an error (1/20/2009), I figured why not provide a video clip of Frank Caliendo's Bush & Clinton impressions. Enjoy!
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gonzo journalism
June 19, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Voices of the Past.
Hunter S Thompson once said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." And that's exactly what he did. He took his brand of journalism, with his eccentric nature and took to the campaign trail of 1972, documenting every bit that he could. In "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72," he took no prisoners, and branded the new form of gonzo journalism, which, in addition to news stories, also referenced his cynical opinions, as well as references to drug and alcohol use. It was a new concept to journalism, and Thompson never cared whether people liked it or not.
Tonight, in Washington, D.C., as part of the SILVERDOCS Festival, "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S Thompson" premiered. The documentary, narrated by Johnny Depp, has been hailed by critics and was praised at the Sundance Festival. I can only hope that it will reach the depths of the dirty south, and show up somewhere close to Birmingham so I can see it. Here's the trailer:
It's a shame that he decided to put an end to his life in February 2005. He spoke what the world was always afraid to say. He feared no one… no association… and no press. I can't wait to see the movie. That is, of course, if it ever makes it down this way. Of course, if it doesn't, there's always the DVD.
Update: The DCist ran a fantastic article on the SILVERDOCS screening and what to expect from the documentary. I can only say that I'm even more excited now. The film drops nationwide on July 4.