Just sittin' at home... might as well...
More curious to see how the tone of the campaign changes now.
I'm looking forward to it. It's been a pretty great convention so far, in my opinion.
Al Gore found his pulse and it was awesome.
Anyone worried about security? Looks pretty vulnerable up there at the podium.
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I definately will. You really should watch both acceptance speeches. THIS is how the candidates choose to portray themselves. Too much of the media gives you the facts and then tells you what to think about them. find out on your own and make up your own mind.
I actually watch the conventions on a live feed from my satellite provider. there is absolutely no commentary telling me how i should feel about what i am hearing. Its actually pretty sweet.
btw, houstonderek, I probably shouldn't say this but... I hope you're not going to watch McCain's speech since you're skipping Obama's. The MSM will be just as fawning over McCain's speech (past history has shown this in 2000, and 04). It'd be a shame if your 'facts' all came from one side
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Nope I am voting for the ONLY party that stands for real American values... Libertarians... My vote and support goes to Bob Barr!
Screw politics. Screw television. Screw the government, screw the news media, and screw the party system.
Sorry. Me posting early on a thread is a very bad sign.
Okay, I usually keep a rein on my political postings because it gets heated, I have very little patience these days and I like having friends around here. But I have to tell you that the "I'm too real to vote" b!!%~&+@ isn't cool, isn't effective and isn't sticking it to anyone. I promised myself that I seriously would ride you on that and I'm going to.
By not voting, by not caring and by not taking part in the process (no matter how flawed it is) all you'll ever have is impotent grumbling and ineffectual whining. Voters get that too, but at the very least they can say,"I told you so" when the guy they voted against makes a disaster for the country. At least I and the rest of the people that voted were active participants; you're choosing to sit on the sidelines when all we want is to put you in.
I can certainly see not liking the news media, especially after it's become such a huge industry, but you can look at alternatives. I find that the BBC and the Financial Times usually have some strong reporting. To some it may seem that I'm showing my college educated liberal stripes (tattoo it to my chest; I have opinions and I'm proud) but I find that National Public Radio offers a view on things you just don't get on 24 hour news networks. They won't talk to the left without talking to the right and vice versa. Time Warner, NewsCorp and similar media giants don't own it and don't get a say; most of their money comes from donors. So, as far as I can possibly see as a member of the general public without any professional credentials to hold up to back my opinion: they're as independent as you can get.
I'm not an "if you don't love it, leave it" kind of guy, but consider this: from birth, you have been promised the right to vote once you reach legal adult status. We've reached a point where EVERYONE regardless of race, gender or creed enjoys that right without facing harassment or intimidation. People faced violence, intimidation and death to vote as little as 40 years ago. But now, all you have to do is fill out a form two weeks before the election, send it in and then stand in line on a Tuesday in November. In other nations, people are beaten, mutilated and killed for not voting for the reigning dictator. All you have to do is fill out a form and stand in line. Is that really too much to ask?
Does it guarantee that your vote will be counted? Let's hope so. It's a flawed process, but it's what we have. The electoral college is antiquated and unwieldy, sure, but it's hard to redesign the whole thing without someone trying to get an advantage so it's what we have for the forseeable future and in its own fashion, it works. The party system isn't that great either, but how many individuals can run a national campaign out of their garage? To me, it seems to be the only way to get a real national consensus. Don't like them? Vote for a third party candidate. Your vote does count and if enough people express dissatisfaction with the big two or approval for the little guy, that third party may gain enough ground to gain more representation, more funding and a realistic chance at leadership positions representing you.
Screw the government? How are you planning to change it grumbling in your basement (or wherever), assuming you want to change it? Or maybe you enjoy complaining about it because it gives you something to do? Even if you don't like either party, what better way to express your dissatisfaction with the people running the place than by voting for their opposition? No matter how many marches are held, documentaries are made and sandwich boards are painted, votes are how we speak to our representatives. Protests, messageboards and political cartoons are likely to provoke nothing but a little "who gives a s%!!?" party among those in charge, but a close election or a major change in representation can light a fire under their asses.
So, please. Take your fingers out of your ears and open your eyes. Come out of that cave on Mars and join us here in America. You have a right to voice your opinions; why not exercise it?
Not buying that? Then I f$%&ing dare you to pick someone and vote and prove that you're smarter than everyone else that sits on their hands and complains. Because as it stands, you're choosing noise over action and it's pretty lame.
I watched my hometown college football team get its ass kicked 2500 miles from home. On TV. Then I started working on a new character sheet.
By not voting, by not caring and by not taking part in the process (no matter how flawed it is) all you'll ever have is impotent grumbling and ineffectual whining.
Hear, hear!
I'm watching it. I love a good convention speech. Canada hasn't had a decent public speaker for PM since Trudeau - some have been good with a quip, but nothing great to rally the electorate.
I just assumed that, unless we were playing D&D, we were watching. Hey, maybe some are somehow doing both?
(See Goldfarb? I'm watching while browsing the Paizo boards...)
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btw, houstonderek, I probably shouldn't say this but... I hope you're not going to watch McCain's speech since you're skipping Obama's. The MSM will be just as fawning over McCain's speech (past history has shown this in 2000, and 04). It'd be a shame if your 'facts' all came from one side
don't worry, i think i have to clip my toenails that night.
seriously, i think BOTH parties are so full of s#!t that i can't stand watching either of them put on the smile they use before they screw you.
*houstonderek, committedly independent and proud of it* :)
(quick aside: underling, don't ever worry about asking me stuff like that on a political thread, i'll always give you a straight answer. and, frankly, i usually watch cnn and fox, read the WSJ and the times, and figure out the truth somewhere in between...)
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a really long rant
i don't waste my vote. if you ask me to chose between and empty suit and an empty head, i'll sit it out.
give me something to vote FOR and not something to vote AGAINST and i might be interested. politics as usual? i'll pass...
krome: i've voted libertarian in every election from '88 to 2000 (paul, marou, brown, brown). i've donated to libertarians, canvassed for libertarians, got involved locally. bob barr is the same far right wing drug warrior, pro-life, social conservative he's always been. the libertarians made a mistake by buying his false conversion...
keegan, so, to sum it up, i have nothing to vote FOR this time around, as my default vote (libertarian) is occupied by someone whose politics i have abhorred for years...
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btw, houstonderek, I probably shouldn't say this but... I hope you're not going to watch McCain's speech since you're skipping Obama's. The MSM will be just as fawning over McCain's speech (past history has shown this in 2000, and 04). It'd be a shame if your 'facts' all came from one sidedon't worry, i think i have to clip my toenails that night.
seriously, i think BOTH parties are so full of s#!t that i can't stand watching either of them put on the smile they use before they screw you.
*houstonderek, committedly independent and proud of it* :)
(quick aside: underling, don't ever worry about asking me stuff like that on a political thread, i'll always give you a straight answer. and, frankly, i usually watch cnn and fox, read the WSJ and the times, and figure out the truth somewhere in between...)
Good to know :) As to your choice in news, that's a heartening list. But i gotta warn you, Fox and CNN will rot your brain.
I guess I'm not quite as cynical about the parties. Yes I teach history and know about all the corruption and malfeasance the 2 party system engenders. I guess to me, that makes it more important to listen. I edit out the BS and try to guess the real deal they plan to deliver. When there are two guys looking to screw me, I want to find the one who will make it hurt less.
Just finished watching the speech. Good speech. Very crunchy.