NO VOTE? NO WAY?

I of course find it extremely important to vote. The most common saying is this, "if you don't vote, shut up!" or something like that. Either way you say it, it means the same. I find it annoying that people do not take the time to vote and then find the time to be opinionated and rude with their political views. Obviously.

This year I was extra observant on those who did not go out and vote.  It wasn't as if my intention is to call those people out, or be angry with them, but to observe how many people that I know who don't act on their right to vote. A majority of people that I found to not participate were women. This was the most interesting, of course because it took so long for us to become voters to begin with. In this day and age are a lot of women not voting?

Women for Obama

The Washington Post had an article on women in the election on November 6. The link is above.

Although the women did not have the deciding factor in Obamas win this election, the overall support from women this election adds to the support Obama has gained from women since his first term. He exceeds Bush and Clinton.
Michele has a lot to do with all of this. That's a different subject.

As far as the others who did not vote, it seemed to me as though those people were also among many who were unfazed by the event as it is historically marked in our country. In the end, it does seem to be those who care little about what is going on politically that do not in fact vote.

Election Coverage

The Media

Social media was probably the best way of keeping current, and yes, televisions definitely had its thorough coverage, but groups of people were again another addition to election night that is discussed very rarely. The people are of course a HUGE part of all of this.

President Obama said it too. The people who went out and supported (regardless of their political views) made the difference in this election, as well as the ones before and after. The livingroomcanidate website shows us a multitude of commercials as well as speeches, and there we can see how many people find importance in the attendance of these certain events in history. The livingroomcandidate is successful because these videos show us documents of people going out and not only interacting, but finding commonality as they stand in HUGE groups to listen to ONE man (and in election nights, the winner and the loser).

It reminds of me popular events like concerts or big athletic events, but it's politics. As I was watching TV I kept noticing SO MANY PEOPLE as they scanned the cameras around, and the videos that others were taking as they stood amongst the groups. Instead of feeling like there had to be a specific side, there was a feeling of national pride just for being able to pick a side to begin with. The feeling of feeling a part of these groups whether physically there amongst them or not.

Election Coverage

Election Night

I have to say it was quite eventful. Although I was not at a huge party, or an "event" whatsoever, I was with friends enjoying the results night to the end. I found it interesting how lively the night seemed even though I was sitting in front of a television most of the time. There is something about elections and televisions that go hand in hand so well. It isn't in the way that the media projects everything, but in the way that people come together to congregate in front of these gateways to the world. I began to observe the people in the room where I sat, and there was much notice to who was sitting back ignoring the screen, and who was inching towards it and actually reacting to the screen. I'm not sure if it was just an observation, but in a room full of both Democrats and Republicans, it was just interesting nonetheless. Although this observation may or may not reflect some truths, there was an obvious enthusiasm in the Democrats and less of a reaction in the Republicans, but as the Democrats aimed to pay attention the Republicans aimed for more interaction among everyone. I found it funny that as some upsets were being created, those that found distaste in the results also  wanted nothing more than to keep people interested in conversation and drinks than what we were all actually there for. As long as we are all communicating!

Presidential Emails

I noticed something a long time ago, but now I suppose it's interesting enough to discuss considering it has to do with President Obama. So, I decided to subscribe to the Obama campaign way back when and after doing so I started to receive all of these emails from... well someone, but certainly not Barack Obama himself. Anyway, the emails have subject lines that say "hey" or "I hear you" and other similar phrases like that. It's interesting to me that when I open them, they are usually in regards to a current event that has happened (debates, conflicts, etc) and it's always a message ending with a donation plea, of course. However, it's the simple things like the subject lines which start to trigger a personal connection with not only President Obama, or the campaign in general, but to a "side" of the rope in a sense. It is wise of whoever is actually running the networking portion of this campaign to be so lighthearted and free about what they are saying to the subscribers, not only in the message but simply the very beginning to the email.

Complete Vice Presidential Debate 2012: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan - Oct 11...

Centre Celebrates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j3roG09O6T4

The Vice Presidential debate held at Centre College is being tagged as "flawless" by the media.  This was the second time that Centre hosted a debate, the first being held in 2000. After watching the debate I realized that this debate went by flawlessly not only because of the venue, but the overall passion towards the purpose of the debate was much greater than that of the Presidential debate. I felt as though both Joe Biden and Paul Ryan contributed to the event in respectably but also allowed for comic relief and relentlessness on their parties position. It was almost as if Joe was making up for President Obamas exhaust and Paul Ryan was making up for Mitt Romneys arrogance.

 It is always interesting to me that the Vice Presidential debates are held in settings much more calm and relaxed but almost seem to be the more dynamic of the debates. What I mean is that the settings are intimate and almost seem as though the two men are simply conversing at a business table. Which brings up another point... the settings to me do feel as if the two men are in a business meeting, and I find that much more inviting in a sense. There just seems to be a motive to get things figured out, and to share instead of attack. 

A friend of mine attends Centre and was one of the lucky students selected to sit in on the debate. I spoke to her about the experience and she explained that she sat relatively far away, but was still able to focus on the event just fine. She explained that it was indeed a calm environment but that the "moments" that is, the more emotionally charged moments were not so much awkward (as it was in the presidential debate) but enlightening, even if they could have been awkward. She also stated that she felt as though she obtained more information from the VP candidates than she did from the Presidential candidates (which I may just have to agree). I don't know if it was because she was able to attend this debate, but she feels as though she felt more centered with her political position for this election because she had the opportunity to experience a sort of "meeting" that is of the upmost importance in our current nation. I am just jealous of her in the end :)

"Eye Of The Sparrow" — A Bad Lip Reading of the First 2012 Presidential ...

Yet another funny video found.

This one is just hilarious, but there is a  very interesting dialogue made in this video with race, religion, and the puppet and robot comments made by Romney, plus more. The entire video does have an intellectual quality to it and more so in my opinion represents a carefree way of thinking about the debate. Some of the events that take place in the video correspond to some of the events that took place in the actual debate, but transforms it into a funny way of looking at what people came away from with the actual event. I believe that this video would also make for an interesting discussion in class because it touches on the imagery made during the debate and that imagery as it is viewed by others. Playing off of the discussions in class about the ability for us to have visual representation on what is going on, and the way in which we can skew and rearrange certain aspects of these abilities to create the lip reading effect. I think that the current media in our lives give freedom to manipulate and express alternative perspectives, which ultimately give us the ability to "give back" to what we are being fed everyday.

Mitt Romney Style

This week I was introduced to a new Mitt Romney parody and I have to say, it's the funniest parody on a politician I've seen. It amazes me that people spend the time and money to create parodies, but what I've come to find is that there is something very special about there impact, especially come election time! I think that with parodies it's all about the catchiness of it all, and this parody is as catchy as they come.

I think it would be interesting to discuss the position of parodies in our class, considering the fact that these types of videos seem to reach college students more readily than some of the actual events taking place. I find it really funny that this particular parody mimics that of rap videos and deals primarily with that of wealth and fortune. It makes me feel a separation to Mitt even more so, but in turn makes him a certain figure in my life, regardless of whether he ends up becoming one to "make fun of".

There are also a wide range of interest when it comes to the comments that other viewers make. I almost find it more interesting to read what others say about the video, and also simply what they have to say.  Some people go off topic and discuss their opinions while others just comment on the hilarity of it. There is something to say for the reactions of others, because those reactions lay out a discussion about how media can trigger our emotions, even if the emotions are intended to be a simple way of playing the political game.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Clip

It's getting hot... and I don't care for the heat.

I've been recently trying to catch up on all of the madness lately. I feel as though my last post was a bit of an impulsive attack on Romney and his robotic characteristics. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh on him I mean who doesn't have robotic characteristics these days! No... it's totally different and Romney serves as a wonderful robot today. I had to love this bit from Thurston Howell:

"Personally, I think he’s a kind, decent man who says stupid things because he is pretending to be something he is not — some sort of cartoonish government-hater. But it scarcely matters. He’s running a depressingly inept presidential campaign. Mr. Romney, your entitlement reform ideas are essential, but when will the incompetence stop?"

This helped remind me that Romney was a real person,
because sometimes political figures don't seem so real
do they?

I reread this article today and had some thoughts about some of the more recent hoopla going around the internet and television. I don't know, I mean I'm just thoroughly disgusted and I would truly rather turn every thing off and work on my art rather than be infested with this junk.

There I just went on a Romney tangent again. 
Shew.

I'm losing what I need to be saying because I can not intelligently describe what is really making me TICK. I find that once I am content with a certain group of information, all of these new revelations on certain topics surface and it's like... what a trick! 

I'm ticked that I'm getting tricked. 
Sad state of mind in this time.  

Perhaps I will find something more intellectual to blog about once I can find something that doesn't call for avoidance anymore. 

Where is my mind?

There has been a lot of talk on any given politics broadcast station (take your pick!) about how Romney is too vague with his plans for our nation.  All I have to say is...

Duh. This fact has been going on since Romney existed (over-exaggeration). He's a face for a purpose, and that purpose has had many names, but this time it is named The Termination of Obama, and it's as simple as that. He is a puppet.

See? I told you.


Moving on, I have to say that I am getting EXTREMELY frustrated with all of this hoopla. I honestly feel as though I am losing brain cells this election. I feel as though last election served a more intellectual purpose for me. This time I REALLY feel like I'm being tricked. Is this a big joke?

"Obama stay, Romney leave.
Why are we still fighting this?
Ah, because people actually like Romney.
Why?
Probably because they hate Obama.
Why?
Probably because they hate all that Hope and Change nonsense all the time.
Why would they hate all those positive attributes?
Probably because they fear they will lose their tradition of wealth... or something like that, you know,
people fear change."

This is from a conversation I overheard today...

I'm thinking...
Gosh... it's sometimes really just as simple as that.

I feel like someone is taking my intelligence and distorting it's potential. I feel like I am being lied to about EVERYTHING constantly and I feel insecure about my future in this world. I'm certain a large number of people feel this way too. The description of my feelings mean little when it comes to the feelings of the overall majority, but it certainly means the world in contradictory fashion.

I am ranting.
But I truly feel as though this time it's the biggest political joke I've ever been a part of.

How'd You Say That?

Blithe Riley's insightful lecture was wednesday night in the Briggs Theater. I am so glad that I was able to thoroughly listen and examine the perspectives of her activism. The lecture did a lot for me as far as curiosity in the area of activism and what goes along with the intent to voice and reveal certain issues that many hide from the surface.
What was most interesting to me was the topic on social media and its roll in activism today. Before the lecture I was having an in depth conversation with friends on the way our generation chooses to voice their opinions.  Something interesting we discussed was the fact that people (and not only just "our generation") were finding the confidence in their awareness, but in turn losing the "act" in activism.  There seems to be a boost of individuals who find it easier to voice their views (sometimes completely uncensored and inappropriately) through multimedia situations as opposed to physically standing up among others despite their vulnerabilities. I wanted to share a viewpoint on this however it was difficult to get the attention back on this topic after a few other questions lead elsewhere. This is something I'd like to discuss in the classroom because it is something that impacts the way we live today. The use of alternative voice methods such as the usual Facebook and Twitter really bring up important issues on HOW we will stand up for what we feel is wrong or right, good or bad, etc.
The issue of alternative ways of activism leads to the questions, how many people stand up for issues ONLINE and how many people physically STAND UP where ever they may be? These are two basic questions that may never be statistically answered, but I think what I was aiming at during the discussion with my friends was that ultimately people are fearful of their physical presence on an issue.  It is easy to type out what you think through whatever means you feel necessary, but ask someone to possibly get arrested or be affiliated with a group that may become a too noticeable, seems too risky for many.
I understand the fear of risks, and I feel conflicted.  The fact is that our government can sometimes scare us (well, lets face it...) ultimately brings a restraint on our freedom of speech whether we have something profound to say or not. The fact is, people DO feel more comfortable speaking their minds through their keyboards and find too many risks in the physical involvement of activism.  There are too many things to lose and not enough to gain in a sense, even though there is ALL to gain and ALL to lose.

On Politics. I'm Thinking Uhhh?

In general, my vision of politics means power.  It is the power that hovers over every individual whether it is wanted or needed, helpful, or destructive.  The political world we live in controls a majority of life outcomes people face every day.  The control is set through policies (politics=policy) which are enforced by specific groups of people globally.  These specific groups of people refer to as the "government officials" or those involved in the process. They make up the system and the system makes up the entire basis of rules that must be followed by the citizens of whatever country, city or state. 

Of course, a definition means little to me.  It is a definition which I feel is simple, and that leans closer to my own political opinions.  I personally feel as though I relate to the ideals of anti-establishmentarianism.  What I find most interesting about anti-establishmentarianism is that the same attitude it conveys has been practiced by people for over a large period of time.  The term made it's way in the 1960s due to the complete frustration of war and the control over the people, but was found much earlier history for many of the same reasons (holocaust as an example).  The idea is that no matter what historical period, and to no matter what similarities and differences these periods produced, the political system has obviously failed its people in one way or another.  Otherwise, why would there be the development of anti-establishmentarianism to begin with? (by the way, anti-establishmentarianism happens to be one of the longest words in the dictionary... if you didn't already notice. Also, I only truly added this last bit to use the word anti establishmentarianism a couple more times.) 

What baffles me about politics is the way in which it aims to create conflict.  As if we don't have enough conflict to begin with, we decide to create competition between parties which we see as a conflict almost daily.  The problem is that with political competition comes pride and with pride comes stubbornness. So now we have a load of stubborn people walking around the world. No one can figure out how to agree to reasonable and compassionate resolves about important issues in our shared lives. 

It's the "shared lives" that really triggers the insanity in politics for me. I can't seem to realize why we place divide both locally and globally when we all have to ultimately deal with the consequences our world faces.  I feel it has a lot to do with the competition but more closely it has to do with the attitudes that have been ingrained in people overtime.  I believe we are all people of power in our own right, and we feel strong about what we individually want and need.  However we lose focus with the fact that if we create one solution, it ends up a problem somewhere else, regardless of whether we attained what we wanted and/or needed. WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST LIVE WITH THE BASICS? GROW A BIT SLOWER, AND MAYBE PICK UP THE FALLEN? Ah, but those questions will always remain just "those kinda questions" ya know? 

As hippie as most of this may sound, I am not trying to entirely set myself apart from reality.  As things are currently, I am always willing to let my mind open up to the positive outcomes that politics can create.  I do not completely hate the system and feel like it should be terminated, because that would destruct more than it would improve anything. What is done has been done over a long period of time and can only introduce a complete change once the world is ready and willing. So, for now I will ride the wave and actively share the ideas and opinions I have when appropriate. I'll vote for who I feel is the best bet (because let's face it, if we have to live by these rules than I might as well vote for who may make my life better or worse) and watch them turn the tables and flip the political world upside down. I'll experience how it feels to have inconvenience and stress in my life due to their policies, and then I'll watch them move on along so someone else can come and turn everything over... again.