politics

wassup? voting

As an instructor, I told the students in class today that I wanted them to vote tomorrow. I told them that I didn’t care who they voted for (because that’s not my job as their instructor), but that I wanted them to exercise the privilege of voting. I actually got some applause from some of the students for saying that. I also got some cheers.

They are smart people, those students.

I do care who wins, of course. But it’s not my job as an instructor to influence students who take my class to vote one way or the other. It is my job to encourage them to be good citizens.

My job as a good blogger, a good online friend, is to encourage those of you who are U.S. citizens and registered to vote to do so. So get out there. Stand in that long line, make your voice heard. It matters. Don’t think it doesn’t. Too many recent elections have been lost because people have forgotten how much their voice matters.

Vote. Please. It’s not a privilege everyone has and we’re fortunate to have it.

minnesota nice?


Ever since I’ve gotten here, I’ve been hearing about this phenomenon called “Minnesota Nice.” According to Wikipedia:

Minnesota nice is the stereotypical behavior of Minnesota residents described as hospitality and courtesy to others. The term is also sometimes used in a derogatory way, to connote a sort of smiling stubbornness, forced politeness, false humility or passive aggressive hostility.

I was speaking to some of my students, asking them about this behavior. They laughed. They said that the Twin Cities area is not renowned for its Minnesota Nice behavior.

This behavior does not translate into Minnesota politics either. Not at all. I’ve seen some aggregious political ads having lived in California (Arizona politics doesn’t come close to these levels of aggressiveness), but I’ve never seen such mean-spirited attack ads, especially in the Senate race.

Here in Minnesota, there are several candidates (Charles Aldrich (L), Dean Barkley (IP), Norm Coleman (R), Al Franken (DFL), and James Niemackl (C)) running for the U.S. Senate seat that is currently held by first-term Senator Norm Coleman (who replaced Dean Barkley, who replaced the late Paul Wellstone). While Barkley has been a part of the debates, it is really the race between Coleman and Franken (yes, that Al Franken) that has been the worst. This summer, the first ad that I remember seeing was against Franken and included accusations of being involved in pornography. While Coleman has suspended his attack ads and has tried to portray a compassionate, family man who understands our hardships, the ads have not stopped (fueled by money from the Republican National Committee, the National Chamber of Commerce, and others). Coleman has also been attacked with low-blows (but by most accounts, not nearly as often, as harshly, or as personally as Franken).

So imagine my concern when John McCain visited the Twin Cities a few weeks ago and the people attending this rally talked about “being scared” and Obama being “an Arab.” McCain’s response wasn’t much better. He states, “No ma’am. No ma’am. He’s a decent family man citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with.” Ummm..those of Arab decent can’t be decent family men and citizens (of somewhere)?

I actually respect Senator McCain. I wouldn’t ever vote for him because our belief systems are not compatible at all, but I do think that he believes that he can give this country what it needs and that he does care about what happens to the people of this country. However, when a major political candidate makes a statement like that, it makes me wonder what he really believes.

All of this in Minnesota, where Minnesota Nice is supposed to be the acceptable behavior (the positive Minnesota Nice, not the derogatory aspect of it).

Where is the nice?

the way I see it


Let me preface by stating that I did not vote for either Clinton or Obama in the primaries, and I think that there are faults with both of them in terms of who should be President of the United States (but their faults, from my perspective, are far less than those of McCain).

This primary season has killed all joy and hope in terms of a great political race for me. I’m exhausted by it (and I can only imagine how the candidates feel). The racial and misogynistic outcries from people in and out of the campaigns have really made this a difficult race to support.

All of this being said, I was dismayed by the responses of so many people last night, including candidates.

As the countdown of the primaries concluded yesterday evening, Obama’s campaign was counting down how many super delegates had pledged their support. I watched the countdown via both Twitter and FriendFeed. I watched people cheer Obama on. I watched as it got closer and closer to the final number of delegates needed (this was really counted down, one by one).

I’m all for cheering your candidate on. I think it’s great that so many people are so passionate about this race, and that so many people are interested in politics. All I have to say to that is that it’s about time. Where have you all been?

Ahem. Anyway…what bothered me were the comments about Clinton during this. These same people could not resist making digs at Clinton. Fine, that might be the fun of politics for them. But some of them were personal and misogynistic and were troubling. Then, I was confused by the vehemence of responses when Clinton didn’t concede the race immediately.

There are a few things that bother me about this. First, just because delegates have pledged their vote, doesn’t mean they *will* vote that way. Second, Obama declared himself the winner when the race has been so close, a bit presumptuous I think. Third, Obama and McCain have pretty much excluded Clinton for a few months, battling one another (smacks of a boy’s club). Fourth, if another candidate had decided that it was prudent to wait a few hours to make a decision, I’m sure that some latitude would be given to that person.

Frankly, that Clinton said that she didn’t want to make any snap decisions, that she wanted to think about this, made me respect her more. It tells me that she’s thoughtful, careful, and considerate about her actions. We know she can make snap decisions because she has. But she has now shown us that she is also a very considerate person in her actions.

And what is that old cliche? Actions speak louder than words. In this case, it really was a good decision.

Whatever she chooses to do, that one statement made me respect her. It would be our loss to not have her as an advocate for the citizens of the US in one capacity or another.

superwoman

In the interest of fairness (and isn’t cool that states who haven’t participated in a caucus or primary yet REALLY do matter this election season???), I want to share this response to Obama’s Yes, We Can video. I think this is a beautiful tribute to Clinton and her dedication to healthcare for all Americans, something we desperately need.

This is another fine piece of visual rhetoric. I want to believe it can happen. I want to believe that the person we elect CAN bring us quality healthcare, a better environment, college tuition subsidies, and so much more. I want to believe.

Song was taken from the 2007 Alicia Keys album “As I Am”

Everywhere I’m turning
Nothing seems complete
I stand up and I’m searching
For the better part of me
I hang my head from sorrow
Slave to humanity
I wear it on my shoulders
Gotta find the strength in me

Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I’m a Superwoman

For all the mothers fighting
For better days to come
And all my women, all my women sitting here trying
To come home before the sun
And all my sisters
Coming together
Say yes I will
Yes I can

Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I’m a Superwoman

When I’m breaking down
And I can’t be found
And I start to get weak
Cause no one knows
Me underneath these clothes
But I can fly
We can fly, Oooohh

Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I’m a Superwoman

aligned

These kinds of things are a bit silly, but this one does tell you the candidate’s stand on the issues after you’ve chosen your person.

Since today is “Super Tuesday,” (and what is so super about so many states voting in an archaic system on the same day anyway), I thought it might be fun to see who is most closely aligned with your ideals.

votechooser

yes we can

While I voted early (and the person I voted for has already dropped out), this would make me want to vote for Obama. Does that sound silly or misinformed? I read all of their websites and checked out all of their policies. They were too close to call on most issues. I’m way too liberal for mainstream. But man, oh man, this makes me want to believe (which tells me that it has GREAT rhetorical value).

Song & video, featuring a star cast, by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. Inspired by Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ speech.

http://www.yeswecansong.com

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ……….. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea —

Yes. We. Can.

colors, fonts, and styles

political logosWhat do colors, fonts, and styles say to us? In politics, as well as on our blogs, in our photography, and in our presentatio at work (or school), these elements matter a great deal. If they matter so much, why do so few of us give them the respect they deserve?

The New York Times has a GREAT editorial about the differences and impacts in fonts, colors, and styles in the U.S. Presidential race.

found via .viz

telling

Yesterday I wrote about a woman being branded by a group of people for calling CPS to protect children.

Today, I’m going to write about the way a female candidate is treated by a certain male journalist.

But first, confirm this for me. We are in the year 2007, right? And people keep saying we’ve reached the threshold of equality, right? I mean, I keep hearing younger people saying that we have complete equality between the sexes.

But…the disparity between us is still huge. Take, for instance, the election for President of the United States.

MediaMatters reports that on the Chris Matthews Show, this took place:

Asked by Time managing editor Richard Stengel, “What are you suggesting by asking does this diminish her as a commander in chief by being surrounded by women?,” Matthews replied: “No, the idea that it — well, let me just get historic. We’ve never had a woman commander in chief.”

Right…historic. Because everything should be based on what has happened in the past. As if going with the status quo — John Wayne and General Patton — has been so great for us.

What really gets me, though, is that people are actually discussing the fact that Clinton has other women surrounding her. That’s a bad thing? And then discussing their hair color. WTF?!?

“It makes a case with a certain demographic, and I noticed the picture on the front of The Washington Post the other day showed her with all these women and her crew, and did you notice, there was only one blonde out of about 15 women, so it sort of — I thought that was very telling.”

Women with needs, Matthews says. Yeah…because, really, we’re either needy, maladjusted women or supposed to be beautiful, barefoot, and in the kitchen waitin’ for our man. We’re not supposed to be ambitious, intelligent, or fraternizing with other ambitious, intelligent women. Cardinal sins, those are.

Be a good girl. Shut your mouth. Don’t try to work outside the box.

one giant step


I am thrilled that a woman has finally been elected as Speaker of the House. This powerful position is in the number 3 spot for the Presidency of the United States (behind the President, himself, of course, and the Vice President).

What I’m not so thrilled about is that it is Pelosi. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s a decent representative. However, I think she plays favorites (as witnessed with her earlier nomination of a friend who had ethics issues) and this whole thing about being the mother is really starting to irk me.

I think that her play on “mothering five children so I can handle the House” is silly. Really. It belittles the members of Congress. They are not children (although, on occasion, some members have acted more like children than most of the kids I know). I think it also reinforces this whole attitude of women being mothers first.

We’re not all mothers. Some of us don’t ever want to be. Some of us will never get the chance. That doesn’t mean, however, that we, too, couldn’t make good leaders in government, commerce, or otherwise. Being a mother doesn’t mean you can be, either.

Yes, it’s an admirable job. In fact, I’ll be the first to say that I think parenting is the hardest job people have and those that do it well should be commended and looked up to for what they do. I admire good parenting. I admire the kids that come from good parenting. I don’t think parents get enough credit for what they do.

What bothers me, however, is that this theme keeps coming up with Pelosi. Great, she’s been a mom to five. Great, she’s a grandmother. That’s awesome. But what will she do for this country? And how will she do it without looking at all of us like we’re her children? We’re not. We are the people who pay her salary and we deserve to be treated as such, not patronized or condescended to.

That’s not good parenting.