Category: Politics
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Got Democracy?
Why vote? Because it’s one of the few opportunities you have to shape your own reality. That’s the only reason I need. But also? If you vote, you get a sticker. And at some polls, candy. I myself have already voted, and at my voting place I got BOTH a sticker and candy. Also a…
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Out of Kinsman
Youngstown has certainly got a lot of attention in the media during the past year of political candidates running around the country, trying to make their case for why they should be president. I’ve seen articles from the New York Times to Japan’s version of the Wall Street Journal, and television reports from French and…
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Doing the math
Do you get sick and tired of hearing how Republicans apparently are better with the economy, with money, than Democrats, and how Democrats are perceived to be “spend, spend, spend”? Well, if so, you need to read the fabulous Scott Westerfeld’s (author of the Uglies series) blog post “Do the Math” on the website YA…
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Officially done
After watching tonight’s debate, I am officially done with the political race. I don’t feel like I’m getting any more information from either candidate. At this point, I just hear the same catch phrases over and over. And I’m discouraged by their choices to continue limiting the form of the debates. First, McCain’s campaign negotiates…
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Welcome to America
With a cold rain falling, the truck bangs along a gray road past weather-beaten houses raised on stilts. A few years ago, two-thirds of the village was finally connected to water and sewer lines; this is the one-third still waiting. Many residents, including Mr. Snyder, bathe with water retrieved from the Kuskokwim River and use…
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On any given day
I’m redistributing this link via Christopher Rowe, because it’s a really beautiful recommendation from Ralph Stanley, who I would listen to on any given day. Hearing it made me smile (non-ironically), which is a really nice thing to be able to do these days. If for some reason you don’t know who Ralph Stanley is,…
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Profiling
An interesting write-up in The Wall Street Journal today about the Youngstown area and how it plays a key part in whether or not Barack Obama will win Ohio. Better than the article, though, is the video that accompanies the article, which breaks down the worldview of many people from this region.
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What I heard
What I heard on a walk around my neighborhood tonight: “Bush said the entire economy’s in danger. He sayin’ it like it’s our fault.” “Brother still won’t own up to bein’ a straight-up mofo loser takin’ us down with him.” “Shit. We still ain’t ownin’ up to puttin’ the mofo in office either.” “I didn’t…
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Regular as heck
My Gal, by George Saunders, an amazing writer, in regards to why he loves Sarah Palin. Sort of.
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All that glitters…
What I would like to elucidate as the main difference between the vice-president selections from my last post is that Obama’s choice of running mate (a choice of someone he perceives will fill in gaps he himself may have as president, thus aiding him) is a decision made from wisdom and a genuine intention to…