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More politics. (Sorry, but...)
First of all
The Top Ten Reasons Conservatives Should Vote For Obama. (This was written by a conservative, someone deeply disappointed with his party, who (apart from thinking that Obama is the right person at the right time), hopes that a Republican loss will get the party to examine itself and begin to care about the policies they're supposed to care about.) Pass it on.
And then this:
Maybe this had an especially deep impact on me since I'd read this story shortly before. This election really is between hope and fear.
From a British POV, I'll quote (from memory) two comedy quiz programmes that talked about the US election recently (very flip, don't be offended anyone). Firstly there was Ian Hislop's comment (on HIGNFY) on McCain's campaign attacking Obama: "Well 'Barack' sounds a bit like 'Iraq' and 'Obama' sounds like 'Osama'... and that's pretty much all he's got!" Then there was a radio show (The News Quiz), where the host, Sandi Toksvik, talked about Palin, and what a gift she was to comedians: "Of course we don't want her to be elected [/become president], because it'd be the end of the world... but on the other hand think just how hilarious those last 5 minutes would be!" (Which reminds me of an article: Sarah Palin: The Ice Queen. The reporter spent a lot of time in Wasilla talking to family & friends etc.)
Also, go watch this: Les Misbarack, rec'd in The Sunday Times: If only all political campaigning were this much fun. Barack Obama's camp has come up with a lipsynch-perfect rendition of One Day More, from Les Misérables, set at campaign HQ on November 3, 2008. A welcome sign of mischief in a grey world.
Finally, the climate of the campaigns made one passage of 'Dreams From My Father' stand out especially.
This is from when Obama was a student at Occidental, in his second year I think, when he was around 20 and still very much trying to work out who he was. He'd met his father only once, when he was 10, and, having been brought up by his white mother and her parents, he was wondering what it meant to be black [in a white world]. One of his friends chided him for reading 'Heart of Darkness', saying that it was racist, and another (soon-to-be) friend asked why *was* he reading it:
"Because it's assigned." I paused, not sure if I should go on. "And because-"
"Because..."
"And because the book teaches me things," I said. "About white people I mean. See this book's not really about Africa. Or black people. It's about the man who wrote it. The European. The American. A particular way of looking at the world. If you can keep your distance, it's all there, in what's said and what's left unsaid. So I read the book to help me understand just what it is that makes white people so afraid. Their demons. The way ideas get twisted around. It helps me understand how people learn to hate."
"And that's important to you."
My life depends on it, I thought to myself. Bit I didn't tell Regina that. I just smiled and said, "That's the only way to cure an illness, right? Diagnose it."
I don't think Obama is a saint, I don't think he has all the answers. I think he'll probably make mistakes. But - I think he has an understanding of the problems inherent in American society and culture and history that is invaluable at this point in time.
I'm not sure I'm putting this very well, because I've never actually talked about politics before, but I think that watching the way McCain/Palin are attacking him, the whole tone of their campaigning, Obama understands the feelings and subconscious fears they're pushing better than they themselves.
And now I shall gowrite fic do housework! *sigh*
The Top Ten Reasons Conservatives Should Vote For Obama. (This was written by a conservative, someone deeply disappointed with his party, who (apart from thinking that Obama is the right person at the right time), hopes that a Republican loss will get the party to examine itself and begin to care about the policies they're supposed to care about.) Pass it on.
And then this:
Maybe this had an especially deep impact on me since I'd read this story shortly before. This election really is between hope and fear.
From a British POV, I'll quote (from memory) two comedy quiz programmes that talked about the US election recently (very flip, don't be offended anyone). Firstly there was Ian Hislop's comment (on HIGNFY) on McCain's campaign attacking Obama: "Well 'Barack' sounds a bit like 'Iraq' and 'Obama' sounds like 'Osama'... and that's pretty much all he's got!" Then there was a radio show (The News Quiz), where the host, Sandi Toksvik, talked about Palin, and what a gift she was to comedians: "Of course we don't want her to be elected [/become president], because it'd be the end of the world... but on the other hand think just how hilarious those last 5 minutes would be!" (Which reminds me of an article: Sarah Palin: The Ice Queen. The reporter spent a lot of time in Wasilla talking to family & friends etc.)
Also, go watch this: Les Misbarack, rec'd in The Sunday Times: If only all political campaigning were this much fun. Barack Obama's camp has come up with a lipsynch-perfect rendition of One Day More, from Les Misérables, set at campaign HQ on November 3, 2008. A welcome sign of mischief in a grey world.
Finally, the climate of the campaigns made one passage of 'Dreams From My Father' stand out especially.
This is from when Obama was a student at Occidental, in his second year I think, when he was around 20 and still very much trying to work out who he was. He'd met his father only once, when he was 10, and, having been brought up by his white mother and her parents, he was wondering what it meant to be black [in a white world]. One of his friends chided him for reading 'Heart of Darkness', saying that it was racist, and another (soon-to-be) friend asked why *was* he reading it:
"Because it's assigned." I paused, not sure if I should go on. "And because-"
"Because..."
"And because the book teaches me things," I said. "About white people I mean. See this book's not really about Africa. Or black people. It's about the man who wrote it. The European. The American. A particular way of looking at the world. If you can keep your distance, it's all there, in what's said and what's left unsaid. So I read the book to help me understand just what it is that makes white people so afraid. Their demons. The way ideas get twisted around. It helps me understand how people learn to hate."
"And that's important to you."
My life depends on it, I thought to myself. Bit I didn't tell Regina that. I just smiled and said, "That's the only way to cure an illness, right? Diagnose it."
I don't think Obama is a saint, I don't think he has all the answers. I think he'll probably make mistakes. But - I think he has an understanding of the problems inherent in American society and culture and history that is invaluable at this point in time.
I'm not sure I'm putting this very well, because I've never actually talked about politics before, but I think that watching the way McCain/Palin are attacking him, the whole tone of their campaigning, Obama understands the feelings and subconscious fears they're pushing better than they themselves.
And now I shall go
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He also made me laugh - recently said "contrary to popular belief, i was not born in a manger" I am always reassured to hear politicians mock themselves.
This guy has me wearing my heart on my sleeve and hoping for real leadership.
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That is good to hear, since I have done my best to *avoid* politics all my life... *g*
I really think he will win by a landslide.
::crosses fingers::
He also made me laugh - recently said "contrary to popular belief, i was not born in a manger" I am always reassured to hear politicians mock themselves.
Oh I watched that. Twas brilliant! :)
This guy has me wearing my heart on my sleeve and hoping for real leadership.
*nods* Did you read this?
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My slogan has been "Stop the Drama - Vote Obama"
As much as I have liked and respected McCain over the duration of his career, I do not think he has conducted himself becomingly over the campaign. Still, all in all, we have had a much better quality of candidate from both parties this election cycle. It has been refreshing to say the least.
7 more days and the political adds are off the air. Whoo Hoo!!
I find it extremely interesting how much attention our election has generated worldwide. It seems everyone not American is wearing an Obama t shirt.
btw - you are the best. Just sayin...
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I do love The News Quiz.
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It made me realize the biggest difference between him and McCain, Obama's a true leader and he doesn't need fear or hate to get people to follow him
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Even *I* felt like waving a flag... One week left! *bites nails some more*
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::cheers::
And yes, you're right. Obama (as this speech shows especially well) is incredibly inclusive, whereas the McCain camp are very much about 'us' and 'them', and how some Americans are better than others...
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Same here. It shows especially clearly that Obama thinks deeply about things, and - whilst possibly making the wrong calls sometimes - will always be able to explain *what* he thought, and take responsibility.
My slogan has been "Stop the Drama - Vote Obama"
Word.
Still, all in all, we have had a much better quality of candidate from both parties this election cycle. It has been refreshing to say the least.
Apart from Palin of course...
7 more days and the political adds are off the air. Whoo Hoo!!
I am extremely happy that we don't get those, I have to say!
It seems everyone not American is wearing an Obama t shirt.
Indeed. I'd love one. :)
btw - you are the best. Just sayin...
Really? *perks up* Thank you! :D
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And thank you! :)
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It really is.
He's one of the handful of conservative columnists I regularly read.
He writes for The Sunday Times which was how I found him - as the race got more intense I began reading him more carefully. Also he has lots of great links!
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I think that watching the way McCain/Palin are attacking him, the whole tone of their campaigning, Obama understands the feelings and subconscious fears they're pushing better than they themselves
I know that negative campaigning and attack ads are a staple of US politics, but it really seems that over the past few months the McCain/Palin camp have completely abandoned the attempt to convince people on matters of policy, or even character, and they're simply throwing around ever-more-ridiculous rumours and scare stories - Obama is a friend of terrorists, he's a revolutionary Marxist, his cousin is a wannabe genocidal dictator, he's not even a US citizen... And the worst of it is that a lot of otherwise sensible people start to believe at least some of the rumours, on the "no smoke without fire" principle, and then you get the kind of fanatics that believe that nothing is unjustifiable if you're fighting to defend your way of life against someone so obviously evil.
I mean, you get personal insults thrown around in British politics too, but they're usually at least related to the person's policies or stated beliefs...
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Heh. Same here. :)
And the worst of it is that a lot of otherwise sensible people start to believe at least some of the rumours, on the "no smoke without fire" principle, and then you get the kind of fanatics that believe that nothing is unjustifiable if you're fighting to defend your way of life against someone so obviously evil.
*nods* It's propaganda, plain and simple. Although there is (if you squint) a silver lining of sorts.
I mean, you get personal insults thrown around in British politics too, but they're usually at least related to the person's policies or stated beliefs...
Very true. There is also the fact that we vote for party, not leader, which I think makes a great difference. The 'cult of personality' really doesn't work here in the same way.
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There are Conservative Democrats. All Republicans are not Conservatives.
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See this is where my (US) political knowledge falls down completely, since I'm not familiar with the terminology and what it all means specifically.
The author claims to be Conservative, so I'm taking his word on it - he's even written a book, but reading through reviews is a tad confusing. (As I said, politics aren't my thing.)
Anyway, sorry about spamming - I do hope you don't mind too much.
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www.yeswecanholdbabies.wordpress.com
Warning: May contain extreme cuteness. Also, good use of hover text.
Today, one of my friends told me she couldn't wait to vote. For a people who like to wave their democracy around like we do, Americans are often notorious for seeing voting as a chore. Even after 2000, when less than a 1000 votes decided the election, people still gave the old 'my vote doesn't really count' speech. But this year Obama has managed to inspire people to believe their votes do matter. It's so nice to see people excited about voting and about politics in general. People are beginning to try and get involved with how the country is run again. All because some one came along and made them believe they actually mattered.
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I keep forgetting to post that link - saw it weeks ago, and am still melting.
People are beginning to try and get involved with how the country is run again. All because some one came along and made them believe they actually mattered.
*nods* We don't really get politicians like that here...
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You must read this essay - I think you will really enjoy it and find it educational as well:
A Conservative For Obama, by Wick Allison (very much a conservative!).
"Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. [...] Obama offers [...] a deeply conservative view of the world. Nobody can read Obama’s books [...] or listen to him speak without realizing that this is a thoughtful, pragmatic, and prudent man. It gives me comfort just to think that after eight years of George W. Bush we will have a president who has actually read the Federalist Papers."
Do read the whole (short) piece! :-)
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Having read pieces all around (including the one you linked to, thank you), that seems a fair assessment. Also, I don't understand people.