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I'm a democrat. I believe that the market is not the answer to society's ills- it doesn't have a conscience. I believe that government should be a place where individuals can come together and craft intelligent policy. I believe in choice. I believe moral questions are best left for people to solve and not politicians in washington. I believe in active engagement internationally. So now I need to choose a candidate...
Barack Obama. He's smart, media savvy, and folksy. He talks about things like "hope" and "faith in government," I like that. I've read his book and I find it pretty convincing. But I am not sure how this junior senator from illinois is going to get it all done. He's been criticized by the pundits for lacking substance, he's responded that he doesn't want the campaign to lose sight of the big picture. All this talk of hope is exciting. For a bunch of us in our 20s we see the guy as the new messiah. He's out there talking about the big issues-energy policy, health care, race, and the war. He even talks about religion! Amazing! I want to believe the guy. I wonder if this is how our parents felt when the likes of JFK and RFK were running for office. His campaign strategy is brilliant-focused at the grass roots. His office is planning a "Walk For Change" event nationwide, where they'll send you a bunch of fliers to pass out to your friends in your neighborhood. Awesome. really.
But as much as I like the guy, he still makes me nervous. During the debate he talked about issues on which dems and republicans could come together..and while the details elude me now (bc i think there weren't any)..it all seemed so easy. All is well in washington...just change things up...focus on what we agree and we can get things done. I study politics and I intend to make a career out of it and in all the articles, papers, and books I've read...none suggest that policy making is easy. There are "talks about talks" even when people do agree on things. We all agree that no child should be left behind...the key is...who's job is it ? the government? local school boards? the state? teacher's unions? Vested interests threaten at every turn. Hilary Clinton...Billary...to be more exact seems to be the safer bet. She's equally brilliant. She's had her hand in health policy, failed miserably, and seems determined to try again. Her "lefty" lightning rod persona has been tempered by her time in the Senate. She knows the washington establishment and understands its keystone. She certainly does not inspire, but she's competent...very competent. Every day she sounds more and more "presidential" (whatever the hell that means).
Barack inspires. I buy into the audacity of hope. I think he could represent the beginning of a new washington revolution. But he could fail miserably. It could turn out to be all hype. We'd be left with a newb president running a tough war in iraq and huge huge problems domestically to solve.
But "Hope" changes people. A famous christian apologist once wrote that, "he who has the why, need not bother with the how." But she was speaking about faith...this is politics... In the political world, hope without substance is simply folly. I'd love to chat. I'll be watching the candidates very closely in the weeks to come. I am waiting for Barack to convince me he is the candidate to vote for. At least, I hope he will.
Barack Obama. He's smart, media savvy, and folksy. He talks about things like "hope" and "faith in government," I like that. I've read his book and I find it pretty convincing. But I am not sure how this junior senator from illinois is going to get it all done. He's been criticized by the pundits for lacking substance, he's responded that he doesn't want the campaign to lose sight of the big picture. All this talk of hope is exciting. For a bunch of us in our 20s we see the guy as the new messiah. He's out there talking about the big issues-energy policy, health care, race, and the war. He even talks about religion! Amazing! I want to believe the guy. I wonder if this is how our parents felt when the likes of JFK and RFK were running for office. His campaign strategy is brilliant-focused at the grass roots. His office is planning a "Walk For Change" event nationwide, where they'll send you a bunch of fliers to pass out to your friends in your neighborhood. Awesome. really.
But as much as I like the guy, he still makes me nervous. During the debate he talked about issues on which dems and republicans could come together..and while the details elude me now (bc i think there weren't any)..it all seemed so easy. All is well in washington...just change things up...focus on what we agree and we can get things done. I study politics and I intend to make a career out of it and in all the articles, papers, and books I've read...none suggest that policy making is easy. There are "talks about talks" even when people do agree on things. We all agree that no child should be left behind...the key is...who's job is it ? the government? local school boards? the state? teacher's unions? Vested interests threaten at every turn. Hilary Clinton...Billary...to be more exact seems to be the safer bet. She's equally brilliant. She's had her hand in health policy, failed miserably, and seems determined to try again. Her "lefty" lightning rod persona has been tempered by her time in the Senate. She knows the washington establishment and understands its keystone. She certainly does not inspire, but she's competent...very competent. Every day she sounds more and more "presidential" (whatever the hell that means).
Barack inspires. I buy into the audacity of hope. I think he could represent the beginning of a new washington revolution. But he could fail miserably. It could turn out to be all hype. We'd be left with a newb president running a tough war in iraq and huge huge problems domestically to solve.
But "Hope" changes people. A famous christian apologist once wrote that, "he who has the why, need not bother with the how." But she was speaking about faith...this is politics... In the political world, hope without substance is simply folly. I'd love to chat. I'll be watching the candidates very closely in the weeks to come. I am waiting for Barack to convince me he is the candidate to vote for. At least, I hope he will.
I'm surprised. I've been checking through the reviews and there isn't one nasty comment. Everyone seems to love everybody else's music. I am not a tastemaker like the guys at Pitchfork, so I'd appreciate it if someone would go out on a limb and help me sort out who's great listening and who isn't. I think Fuzz needs a designated "asshole" to go and make the tough reviews. I mean every great rating system needs the "asshole" to go out there and say what everyone else wants to say, but can't. There have been a few songs that make me want to go jump out a window and eat children-yeah, that bad. I'm not advocating for people to be outright irrational, but a little blood needs to be spilled. It's a tough choice, I guess. Artists and fans come out here to take part in a movement, therefore, we don't want to kill the mood. However, there is a real possibility that the site gets swamped with really really crappy music. Thoughts?
Jay Leno and Simon seem to have what it takes...
Jay Leno and Simon seem to have what it takes...
Real honest music. It's been a while since I've enjoyed the lyrics and the music to a tune. 20,000 seconds was fantastic-vocals haunting, nothing over wrought, and very very...human. The track is contemplative. Beneath the love theme is a deeper and more poignant commentary on the busyness of life.
I should be getting paid for each beta comment I write....
I am getting pretty excited. I can't wait to see what's coming up next.