From the monthly archives: October 2008
Protect the Vote is looking for teams of videographers to go to New Hampshire on Election Day. If you are interested, contact Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) member Matt Fullerton. Eye on Democracy is holding a video contest – submit a three minute video reflecting the voting experiences, positive or negative, of people in Massachusetts on Election Day – cash prizes (courtesy of CCTV).
While I’ll be going MIA for the next few days, thanks in part to my finance midterm, I simply couldn’t resist a short blip on the Alaskan drama that’s unfolding around Palin. My biggest question is whether voters will shun Palin for her actions or rally around her in support?
The BBC reports, the running mate of US Republican presidential candidate John McCain has been found guilty of an abuse of power, according to a state legislature probe.
The US presidential race has now become so polarised both Republicans and Democrats will likely see the report’s findings as vindication for their own trenchant views about Mrs Palin, says the BBC’s Richard Lister in Washington.
Alaska’s governor will either be seen as the victim of a Democratic party hatchet job, or a hypocrite.
Most voters, for now at least, seem more concerned about who will extract them from the current economic crisis, rather than any questions about political infighting in far-off Alaska, our correspondent adds.
Read more about “Troopergate”, Palin and the election at the Huffington Post.
Doyle of smartMeme offers an insightful and thought-provoking reflection on the recent bailout. She sheds light on a challenging topic and makes the case for why things are never going to be the same.
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like this economic meltdown moment is a game-changer. The recent firestorm over the “bailout” is the beginning of a whole new conversation about our economic system, the role of the state, and extreme wealth and inequality. It is also clearly not the end of our economic woes, and things are likely going to get worse before they get better (excerpt from Battle of the (Bailout) Story).
Be sure to learn more about Doyle and smartMeme:
SmartMeme builds movements and amplifies the impact of grassroots organizing with new strategy and training resources, values based communications, collaborations, and meme campaigning. SmartMeme uses the power of narrative to advance a holistic vision of grassroots social change that connects struggles for democracy, peace, justice, and ecological sanity.
For those of you who know me, my obsession is not only for technology, media…um, and wine, but also for handmade goods and lovely creative things. I was lucky enough to stumble upon two such finds this afternoon during lunch thanks to Etsy: Creature Comforts and Melissa Loves.
Both blogs are full of wonderfully satisfying creative and stylish goodies. I particularly love Creative Comforts’ “CHIC FOR CHEAP” segment – and Melissa has one too! I’m hooked, as I’m always trying to remain pulled together on a dime, and am eager for the next post in this series. In the meantime, I’m off to track down that eye catching blue top and the Converse jacket. Thanks ladies!
The Pew Internet & American Life Project (an initiative of the Pew Research Center with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) recently released, ” Teens, Video Games and Civics: Teens’ gaming experiences are diverse and include significant social interaction and civic engagement“. This one of a kind report reveals the political implications, potential gains and social impact of this digitally driven gaming culture.
The first national survey of its kind finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or cell phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social interaction and potential for civic engagement (courtesy of Pew Internet).
Read full report and check out Henry Jenkins response.
I stumbled upon MagCloud this morning while visiting one of my favorite Indie artist/design blogs, Design For Mankind. What makes this even more exciting is that the third issue of mankind mag is available! What pulls this all together is when I went to purchase a copy of the issue – and was pleasantly introduced to MagCloud.
MagCloud enables you to publish your own magazines. All you have to do is upload a PDF and we’ll take care of the rest: printing, mailing, subscription management, and more.
How cool is that? It enables anyone with the creative urge to develop, publish and sell their own publications with access to a broad audience and super easy resources.
Rock on!
One debate will not erase doubts that have been building about Palin’s capacity to serve as vice president, but the effect of the encounter may shift the focus away from the sideshow that Palin has become and put it back on the two presidential nominees and what they would do for the country. Thursday’s debate adds to the importance of the two remaining presidential debates, the first of which will be held Tuesday (courtesy of Palin Delivers, But Doubts Linger, Washington Post).
Last night’s debate was nothing more than milk toast. The behind the scene teams, on both camps, get an A+ in preparation – and Sarah Palin passes the test in memorization. It was all so scripted and safe. No doubt this was what the McCain camp needed in lieu of recent speaking bumbles on Palin’s part, i.e. the still recent Katie Couric interview. For me, it was anticlimactic, but I give Biden credit. He too gave an award winning, and tepid, performance and further solidified his place as a valuable, reputable and intelligent Vice President candidate.
For more reactions visit the Huffington Post.
The result – misrepresentation, misinformation and general confusion regarding a myriad of news items, from the financial crisis to the upcoming election.
“Media Play Catch-Up To Lightning Pace Of News” is a great, Morning Edition piece, by David Folkenflik that sheds light on the challenges and shortcomings of the media in these “not normal times.”
In normal times, you’d see unrelenting media scrutiny of John McCain campaign manager Rick Davis’ work for mortgage companies caught up in the market meltdown. And there would be even more ferocious attention paid to each new gaffe served up by both major parties’ vice presidential candidates.
But these are not normal times. A careening presidential race has collided with an accelerating financial collapse.
Listen here.
I’ve been trying to remain neutral when it comes to any posts about the upcoming election, but this was simply too good to pass up. With the debates only a night away and the election just around the corner, even if you gave Palin the benefit of the doubt one has to wonder “what were [...]
I’ve been trying to remain neutral when it comes to any posts about the upcoming election, but this was simply too good to pass up. With the debates only a night away and the election just around the corner, even if you gave Palin the benefit of the doubt one has to wonder “what were they thinking?” It’s clear that some of Palin’s media sparkle has become muted – and the media (from NPR to NBC) has shifted their perspectives. This may or may not shift the greater public, but regardless, take a moment, watch and get ready for an interesting (and most likely memorable) debate tomorrow night.
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