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Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Two Nations Under...
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The pundits like to say that Minnesota is a "purple state." We blend progressive and conservative values like few others in the nation. Yesterday President George W. Bush attended a fund raiser at the San Francisco International Airport. For those of you that don't know, SFO is not located in San Francisco -- just as the Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport is not located in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.
While SFO is a short drive from San Francisco, it might as well be a whole 'nother world for Mr. Bush. This might sound strange since most of America looks at San Francisco as a hub for the arts, culture and music, but Mr. Bush has never stepped foot in the city of San Francisco.
How is that possible, you ask?
Well, half of this country has ignored, despised, ridiculed, and shunned the other half for the last seven years, while the other half has thumbed their noses at the their "red neck" cousins who put us in this mess. Never been has it been more bluntly stated than Mr. Bush's appearance yesterday.
We are two nations that long ago forgot what it was like to walk in the shoes of the other. Never in my lifetime has it been more important to become involved politically. Disillusioned as we may be, we do have some power.
Tuesday is the caucus in Minnesota. I believe our best chance to bring back these two nations back together is to elect Senator Barack Obama president of the United States of America. I've been semi-active in his Minneapolis campaign. Not nearly as much as I'd like to be, but as much as I can be under the current situation. As a precinct captain, I will be at our precinct's caucus Tuesday evening helping our supporters bring Mr. Obama to office. You can find your caucus at the secretary of state's website. The grass roots energy in Mr. Obama's campaign is inspiring. It brings me back to AP Government and Civics class my senior year of high school.
Our generation was challenged to be active citizens and somewhere along the way we went off that track. This is our opportunity to make a difference, to create change with our bear hands. Saturday afternoon Minnesotans get the opportunity to hear Mr. Obama speak at the Target Center. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets were free, but over 20 K have been given out.The event is "sold out."
Hopefully if some of you haven't decided yet who you'll be supporting Tuesday, you'll attend the rally with an open mind and open heart, with an opportunity to become proactive citizens in mind. Never before have I been as emotionally involved with a candidate, but for anyone that knows me, they understand that morals, my word and my ideals are things that I hold dear. Mr. Obama shares those ideals, and he is our best opportunity to turn our country around and into a "purple nation."
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Taking Issue With Pioneer Press
I should first say that I rarely read the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. I scan the headlines for anything that catches my eye. Yesterday's Pioneer Press article, "Do redistricting right, coalition of Minnesota political all-stars tells Legislature" did just that. I'm huge opponent of gerrymandering. I'd go as far as saying that it's one of the biggest faults of our current electoral system.
For those of you that don't know, gerrymandering is the reestablishing of electoral districts in favor of gaining seats for political power. Former U.S Representative Tom Delay was one of the worst at this in the late 1990s, and this helped multiple Republicans get elected in Texas and disenfranchised thousands of African-Americans who now found themselves living in Republican dominated districts.
So as you can imagine, I was thrilled to see a bipartisan effort to design electoral districts fairly. However, further down in the article the journalist paraphrases a University of Minnesota study, "That fuels political polarization, a study by the U's center said."
While I know that the "U's center" is making reference to the "University of Minnesota's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance," mentioned earlier in the article. This is not an obvious connection for someone outside of Minnesota. For one of only two major newspapers in the state to write for an audience of a few is disheartening. Yes, Minnesota is a few when we're talking about a much larger scale of the United States political system.
The subject matter at hand is larger and more serious than just a Minnesota issue. I can see college students researching a paper and coming across and wanting to cite this article. The reporter makes no reference to the term "gerrymandering" or that this is a problem that does occur across the country. By giving the audience no context to the problem, the reporter's minimizing the issue and selling the reader short.
The Star Tribune does a much better job at covering the same story, "Reformers want politics out of political mapping." At least they provide historical context to why this is important in Minnesota and how it's affected the constituency in the past. But again, there's a term for what they are describing, there's a larger context to the issue that both reporters ignore. We should know that the "reformers," as the Star Tribune calls them, are taking an even more impressive stand in the larger context of national politics. Limiting our World view helps no one, especially the reformers at hand.
For those of you that don't know, gerrymandering is the reestablishing of electoral districts in favor of gaining seats for political power. Former U.S Representative Tom Delay was one of the worst at this in the late 1990s, and this helped multiple Republicans get elected in Texas and disenfranchised thousands of African-Americans who now found themselves living in Republican dominated districts.
So as you can imagine, I was thrilled to see a bipartisan effort to design electoral districts fairly. However, further down in the article the journalist paraphrases a University of Minnesota study, "That fuels political polarization, a study by the U's center said."
While I know that the "U's center" is making reference to the "University of Minnesota's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance," mentioned earlier in the article. This is not an obvious connection for someone outside of Minnesota. For one of only two major newspapers in the state to write for an audience of a few is disheartening. Yes, Minnesota is a few when we're talking about a much larger scale of the United States political system.
The subject matter at hand is larger and more serious than just a Minnesota issue. I can see college students researching a paper and coming across and wanting to cite this article. The reporter makes no reference to the term "gerrymandering" or that this is a problem that does occur across the country. By giving the audience no context to the problem, the reporter's minimizing the issue and selling the reader short.
The Star Tribune does a much better job at covering the same story, "Reformers want politics out of political mapping." At least they provide historical context to why this is important in Minnesota and how it's affected the constituency in the past. But again, there's a term for what they are describing, there's a larger context to the issue that both reporters ignore. We should know that the "reformers," as the Star Tribune calls them, are taking an even more impressive stand in the larger context of national politics. Limiting our World view helps no one, especially the reformers at hand.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Introduction and Al Franken in NYTimes.
Frost-Bite is a long time coming. I've been in Minneapolis for sometime now, and my keen observation skills are best served with a forum to explore them in. Frost-Bite will allow me an opportunity to share what exactly it is I see around me: my frustrations and my appreciation of MN culture. I carry my BlackBerry Pearl everywhere I go, and with it I'm a equipped with a perfect camera phone to chronicle the World around me.
In Frost-Bite you'll find photos taken with Pearl - who has taken on an identity of herself, and at times, I'll probably refer to her as such - and a PowerShot a95. Frost-bite will also include video-blogs and short videos that should candidly capture some highlights. I plan on profiling and featuring some of my current favorite and newly discovered jewels of the Midwest. My writings won't be strictly limited to, but will emphasize Twin Cities culture. I know I spend far too much time in the Cities and not enough time exploring what else is offered out in Minnesota and the Midwest.
Frost-Bite will also include concert and music reviews of local artists and visiting musicians to the Twin Cities. Minnesotans love all aspects of the arts. My biggest joy in the Twin Cities is the fine art scene: newly released independent films or re-released classics, all genres of music performed, and theater. Although I do enjoy visual arts and museums, I'm not very educated in the subject. Basically, I know what I do and don't like.
People are really my thing, so a lot of my commentary will be made regarding interpersonal and larger social interactions. Some will be vents. Please don't take offense to these. Most will be thought out political and sociological commentary on my experience and observations. I may juxtapose article from afar and the many quality local publications.
Now that we know a little more about what to expect, I hope what I enjoy what I have to say, at the very least it will make you think, and what better way to start than my thoughts on the NYTimes article on Al Franken's candidacy for the Norm Coleman's United States Senate seat.
Al Franken's candidacy has been intriguing to me since he first announced last February. Beyond his obvious progressive-bent politics, I just don't know what he stands for, and I'm not sure most Minnesotans do, either and that is why he's spent so much time introducing himself to Minnesota this year. Franken is still viewed as a Minnesotan, more brash than most, but he is still one of their own. I know from experience this means a lot to people here. Just bring up the Coen Brothers, Bob Dylan or F. Scott Fitzgerald and you can't help but be inundated with the résumé of the local hero. Never mind that both Fitzgerald and Dylan hit the road and rarely looked back.
Norm Coleman will never seem to be viewed as a Minnesotan by the masses, but his formally centrist leading Republican politics plays well with the middle of the road state political spectrum. Now that Coleman's politics have become synonymous with George Bush's failed politics he is more than ever vulnerable to more left leaning politicians. If Franken is able to connect with Minnesotans as a true down home Minnesotan and not a Hollywood Big Shot, I think he has a great chance. His brashness is a bit extreme and outside the norms here, but his passion for helping the common man finds a home in the hearts of most everyone I've met in Minnesota. As I said, I'm still not sure what I think about what the details of how he is going to help the common man, but I look forward to learning more in the coming months. I do know I enjoyed Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. I'm keeping an eye on the other candidates and will be sure to have later entries exploring them.
Welcome!
In Frost-Bite you'll find photos taken with Pearl - who has taken on an identity of herself, and at times, I'll probably refer to her as such - and a PowerShot a95. Frost-bite will also include video-blogs and short videos that should candidly capture some highlights. I plan on profiling and featuring some of my current favorite and newly discovered jewels of the Midwest. My writings won't be strictly limited to, but will emphasize Twin Cities culture. I know I spend far too much time in the Cities and not enough time exploring what else is offered out in Minnesota and the Midwest.
Frost-Bite will also include concert and music reviews of local artists and visiting musicians to the Twin Cities. Minnesotans love all aspects of the arts. My biggest joy in the Twin Cities is the fine art scene: newly released independent films or re-released classics, all genres of music performed, and theater. Although I do enjoy visual arts and museums, I'm not very educated in the subject. Basically, I know what I do and don't like.
People are really my thing, so a lot of my commentary will be made regarding interpersonal and larger social interactions. Some will be vents. Please don't take offense to these. Most will be thought out political and sociological commentary on my experience and observations. I may juxtapose article from afar and the many quality local publications.
Now that we know a little more about what to expect, I hope what I enjoy what I have to say, at the very least it will make you think, and what better way to start than my thoughts on the NYTimes article on Al Franken's candidacy for the Norm Coleman's United States Senate seat.
Al Franken's candidacy has been intriguing to me since he first announced last February. Beyond his obvious progressive-bent politics, I just don't know what he stands for, and I'm not sure most Minnesotans do, either and that is why he's spent so much time introducing himself to Minnesota this year. Franken is still viewed as a Minnesotan, more brash than most, but he is still one of their own. I know from experience this means a lot to people here. Just bring up the Coen Brothers, Bob Dylan or F. Scott Fitzgerald and you can't help but be inundated with the résumé of the local hero. Never mind that both Fitzgerald and Dylan hit the road and rarely looked back.
Norm Coleman will never seem to be viewed as a Minnesotan by the masses, but his formally centrist leading Republican politics plays well with the middle of the road state political spectrum. Now that Coleman's politics have become synonymous with George Bush's failed politics he is more than ever vulnerable to more left leaning politicians. If Franken is able to connect with Minnesotans as a true down home Minnesotan and not a Hollywood Big Shot, I think he has a great chance. His brashness is a bit extreme and outside the norms here, but his passion for helping the common man finds a home in the hearts of most everyone I've met in Minnesota. As I said, I'm still not sure what I think about what the details of how he is going to help the common man, but I look forward to learning more in the coming months. I do know I enjoyed Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. I'm keeping an eye on the other candidates and will be sure to have later entries exploring them.
Welcome!
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