Why US politics is like a fandom...
This article pretty much nails it:
American Horror Story
I went backstage at the biggest political show on earth- and found America telling stories about itself.
Which ties in beautifully with this, shown before Hillary's entrance (her life & work, narrated by Morgan Freeman):
ETA: And then - an endorsement like this, which reminds us that it's about people's actual lives; and although the spectacle is nice, this is what matters:
ETA2: OK, so one more thing. I've been meaning to link to this for ages, so apologies for the delay.
‘My Country Accepts Me as a Woman’
Hillary Clinton was the force behind a little-known breakthrough in transgender rights. So why doesn’t she talk about it?
Yet another example of Hillary getting stuff done and making a significant and measurable positive impact on people's lives. Trans people in this case. And as far as I can tell she does it quite simply because it's the right thing to do, and she *can*. Whatever her flaws (which I won't point out, people are far too eager to list them), I believe her when she says that she adheres to what her Methodist faith has taught her:
“Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.”
American Horror Story
I went backstage at the biggest political show on earth- and found America telling stories about itself.
Which ties in beautifully with this, shown before Hillary's entrance (her life & work, narrated by Morgan Freeman):
Best analysis of the campaign - Heathers screenwriter Daniel Waters on Hillary, Bernie, Donald, and the Horror: pic.twitter.com/HIGu14QL47
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) 29 July 2016
ETA: And then - an endorsement like this, which reminds us that it's about people's actual lives; and although the spectacle is nice, this is what matters:
This is an extraordinary endorsement https://t.co/UUG3OYVDce pic.twitter.com/9cYZmD5Oqc
— Erin Ruberry (@erinruberry) 30 July 2016
ETA2: OK, so one more thing. I've been meaning to link to this for ages, so apologies for the delay.
‘My Country Accepts Me as a Woman’
Hillary Clinton was the force behind a little-known breakthrough in transgender rights. So why doesn’t she talk about it?
Yet another example of Hillary getting stuff done and making a significant and measurable positive impact on people's lives. Trans people in this case. And as far as I can tell she does it quite simply because it's the right thing to do, and she *can*. Whatever her flaws (which I won't point out, people are far too eager to list them), I believe her when she says that she adheres to what her Methodist faith has taught her:
“Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.”

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This, so much. The election is show horse vs work horse.
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And yeah, it looked familiar... Here's another oldie (text: 'they felt like they'd lived a long, long time.')
Also added another link. Which damn near made me cry when I first read it.
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And ok, I will check out the link!
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And enjoy. <3
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It’s real. But it’s obviously not the storybook America Laurie must have thought it was. Yes, the convention is a carefully choreographed show. We brought you Hollywood, after all. (We’re good at this.) But the ideals expressed on the stage are fundamental and deeply personal. I’m glad I’m not too cynical to be inspired.
One of the comments to this article I think speaks volumes:
“Does anyone else find that iconic image of the first black President embracing the white female candidate to be strangely beautiful and mesmerizing?”
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This. I am deeply cynical about our [British] politics. But somehow American politics cuts through that... (And I posted that picture the other day. Just gorgeous.)
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Stacey
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That is an awesome icon you're using! :)
Stacey
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Stacey
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Yes, this is what I was talking about when I said I wondered how Wednesday night's speeches would be perceived by foreigners, thank you. Excellent article. And I do agree with it, albeit much less cynically. America is a nation built entirely on rhetoric. Stories are what we have instead of a shared ethnic identity. Of course we know it's not real; doesn't mean it's not true, yadda, yadda, you know the drill ; -)
And this year seems to be a crucible test of whether shared ethnic identity or shared idealism is the stronger force. No, it's not going to magically fix the world overnight, but it's our collective lie, dammit, and we're not going to let a bully kill it.
I think Friday morning I started looking forward to the think pieces comparing the DNC to Hamilton, and lo and behold: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/30/arts/television/hillary-clinton-speech-democratic-national-convention-hamilton.html?_r=0
In other news, we knew it was coming, but who wrote it better?: http://qz.com/743526/hillary-clintons-husband-wore-a-fetching-pantsuit-to-honor-her-nomination-for-us-president/ Pantsuit!
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I think the thing that rang the truest was when she said how Obama made her proud to be American - before remembering that she wasn't of course. That's his magic. (/the magic of your politics)
Stories are what we have instead of a shared ethnic identity. Of course we know it's not real; doesn't mean it's not true, yadda, yadda, you know the drill ; -)
Aye. *sits at the edge of the universe twiddling thumbs*
And this year seems to be a crucible test of whether shared ethnic identity or shared idealism is the stronger force. No, it's not going to magically fix the world overnight, but it's our collective lie, dammit, and we're not going to let a bully kill it.
*cheers* The rest of the world is with you!
I think Friday morning I started looking forward to the think pieces comparing the DNC to Hamilton, and lo and behold
Thank you, that's very good!
And the pantsuit one was fabulous. More plz!