Tomorrow night we'll have a Coffee and Bagels study break at our usual meeting time (6:30 pm) in 320 Gore Hall. In addition we will be watching the movie Bobby about the excitement and people around the presidential run of Sen. Robert Kennedy 1968. It's one of my favorite movies, so you should DEFINATELY come! Here's the trailer:
See you tomorrow night!
The Media Sucks
By Paul Ruiz
“New Race Problem”
That was the bold headline on a brightly lit television screen behind Anderson Cooper tonight on CNN. It was about Barack Obama’s recent comments to a reporter discussing his white grandmother’s reaction to African Americans in her time:
“The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn’t. But she’s a typical white person who — if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn’t know — there’s a reaction that’s been bred into our experiences that don’t go away, and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that’s just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it. And what makes me optimistic is you see each generation feeling a little less like that.”
Here is my problem: does anyone really believe that Barack Obama is a racist? Because if you believe that, you’re simply ridiculous. It astounds me that people are incapable of looking at things in a broader context; how can we ignore that there still are racial biases in our society? And what harm does it do for a presidential candidate to not only be cognizant of those biases but raise the dialogue? Obama’s comments addressed his own grandmother’s attitudes, and though they were untactful, they were just. The fact that so many bloggers and talk show hosts can’t grapple with this reality suggests to me that they are either childish or possess ulterior motives to derail the Obama campaign.
But worse to me is the media coverage on the 24 hour news networks. CNN, MSNBC and Fox (<-to the LARGEST extent) have used the Rev. Wright story, and subsequent remarks by Senator Obama as fodder for either promoting a conservative agenda (in the case of Fox) or continuing controversy for the sake of politics (CNN, MSNBC).
This kind of baiting is wrong in an election where we should be discussing the issues. Networks want to discuss the horse race and we want to discuss the problems we face as a nation.
Had Sen. Obama explicitly said, ‘I am a racist’ then certainly the discussion should be about his personal moral character. But to run continuous loops of Rev. Wright’s sermons, gaffes, and “analysis” from otherwise biased persons does not serve journalistic integrity. The media is a self-fulfilling prophecy in this regard; they ask, ‘how will the media cover this story and what impact will it have on the campaign?’… well you tell me.
Honesty is dead; it’s all about reporting stories first, and obtaining the highest viewership. If you’re enlightened enough to realize this congratulations, you’re among the few who aren’t complacent to the dictates of the 24 hour news media nor their corporate masters.
Know that I’m not anti-media, I’m anti-constant punditry and horse-race coverage.
One final interesting note about the media and it's coverage of Obama, check out this video of Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, talking about FOX’s “Obama bashing” this morning:
I think I respect Chris Wallace... wow, this feels weird.
Our Political Pop Culture
I'm trying to decide if it's a good thing. I really don't know.
If anything, it moves people to become more informed about candidates. And often, simple videos on YouTube are created out of reverence and passion for a particular person. I think it's great that we live in a society where we can express ourselves creatively and share our passionate feelings about another candidate to the world.
Here are some examples of what I'm talking about... mostly Obama btw... (I haven't really seen much from Clinton supporters.) That's perhaps because part of Obama's coalition is the youth vote, and they're the ones who know know about accessing, creating and/or posting viral videos.
I'll put up links so you can view ones maybe you missed:
Yes We Can by will.i.am, Feb. 2008 (4:30)
We are the Ones by will.i.am, March 2008 (3:00)- New
I Got a Crush on Obama by Obama Girl, July 2007 (3:18)
Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl by Obama Girl, August 2007 (3:07)
Vote Different by unknown, March 2007 (1:14)
Hott4Hill by Taryn Southern, July 2007 (2:44)
A lot of our pop culture has even slipped into the way candidates approach their campaigning styles. Check out this Hillary Clinton video that was a parody of the Sopranos series finale. Or how about Barack Obama on Monday Night Football in January 2007 (before his announcement)... it was a teaser.
2008 is going to be an election like none other. We've got the internet, mass communication and scores of young people interested and engaged in this election. I'm just a little nervous about this election becoming too much about our pop culture, and too little about the issues.
But what is Democracy except for entertainment.
If anything, it moves people to become more informed about candidates. And often, simple videos on YouTube are created out of reverence and passion for a particular person. I think it's great that we live in a society where we can express ourselves creatively and share our passionate feelings about another candidate to the world.
Here are some examples of what I'm talking about... mostly Obama btw... (I haven't really seen much from Clinton supporters.) That's perhaps because part of Obama's coalition is the youth vote, and they're the ones who know know about accessing, creating and/or posting viral videos.
I'll put up links so you can view ones maybe you missed:
Yes We Can by will.i.am, Feb. 2008 (4:30)
We are the Ones by will.i.am, March 2008 (3:00)- New
I Got a Crush on Obama by Obama Girl, July 2007 (3:18)
Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl by Obama Girl, August 2007 (3:07)
Vote Different by unknown, March 2007 (1:14)
Hott4Hill by Taryn Southern, July 2007 (2:44)
A lot of our pop culture has even slipped into the way candidates approach their campaigning styles. Check out this Hillary Clinton video that was a parody of the Sopranos series finale. Or how about Barack Obama on Monday Night Football in January 2007 (before his announcement)... it was a teaser.
2008 is going to be an election like none other. We've got the internet, mass communication and scores of young people interested and engaged in this election. I'm just a little nervous about this election becoming too much about our pop culture, and too little about the issues.
But what is Democracy except for entertainment.
Updates
Here are the events we're looking at for this week:
Tonight, Tuesday March 11, SIPI is hosting a presentation of Kellie Dupree, a representative of EMILY's List, at 7 pm in the Perkins Gallery. EMILY's List is the largest grassroots organization in the country and is committed to electing democratic, pro-choice women to public office. Kellie will be talking about the organization while also addressing how you can achieve your political goals. If you are a graduating senior (male or female), she will also be talking about Campaign Corps, an intense program that places recent grads on targeted, progressive Democratic campaigns for the last 3-months of a campaign.
Wednesday, we will forgo our normal meeting time and place to attend this week's Global Agenda speaker. Andrew Revkin, Environmental and Climate Coorespondent for the New York Times, will be discussing "The Media and Climate Change". This event starts at 7:30 in Mitchell Hall, and the College Dems will meet in the entrance no later that 7:20 so that we may all sit together.
As always, anyone is welcome to come, especially new members!
Tonight, Tuesday March 11, SIPI is hosting a presentation of Kellie Dupree, a representative of EMILY's List, at 7 pm in the Perkins Gallery. EMILY's List is the largest grassroots organization in the country and is committed to electing democratic, pro-choice women to public office. Kellie will be talking about the organization while also addressing how you can achieve your political goals. If you are a graduating senior (male or female), she will also be talking about Campaign Corps, an intense program that places recent grads on targeted, progressive Democratic campaigns for the last 3-months of a campaign.
Wednesday, we will forgo our normal meeting time and place to attend this week's Global Agenda speaker. Andrew Revkin, Environmental and Climate Coorespondent for the New York Times, will be discussing "The Media and Climate Change". This event starts at 7:30 in Mitchell Hall, and the College Dems will meet in the entrance no later that 7:20 so that we may all sit together.
As always, anyone is welcome to come, especially new members!
My personal opinion...
At the risk of sounding like I'm whining, I think it's time for Saturday Night Live to shut up.
No one laughed harder than me at the first skit, where Jorge Ramos et al brushed past Senator's Clinton's opinions in favor of cyclic, impressive sounding rhetoric from Senator Obama. It was honest, unexpected, and very funny. Last week still got me to smile with Tim Russert's quiz on hard-to-pronounce world leaders. It was less funny, and definately pushing the truth, but I thought Clinton's delivery of the show's famous "it's Saturday Night!" quip was a nice touch. Fast forward to last night, when a 3am phone call in Washington D.C. portrayed a harried, newly elected President Obama seeking help from Senator Clinton on international unrest. Fred Armisen plays Senator Obama as a fledgeling child who doesn't have the experience to turn on the heat in his own home, let alone deal with the responsiblities of his position. Could they really not have found ANY other way to mock the "3am Phone Call" ad?
Call me biased, but I found this most recent sketch as pretty far-fetched, and not at all funny. Maybe I'm being a sensitive Obama supporter, personally identifying with his campaign far more than I should. Or maybe I'm just unaware of SNL's past investment in presidential primaries. Either way, I think we get it, SNL. Move on.
Feel free to comment with your thoughts and outraged opposition...
No one laughed harder than me at the first skit, where Jorge Ramos et al brushed past Senator's Clinton's opinions in favor of cyclic, impressive sounding rhetoric from Senator Obama. It was honest, unexpected, and very funny. Last week still got me to smile with Tim Russert's quiz on hard-to-pronounce world leaders. It was less funny, and definately pushing the truth, but I thought Clinton's delivery of the show's famous "it's Saturday Night!" quip was a nice touch. Fast forward to last night, when a 3am phone call in Washington D.C. portrayed a harried, newly elected President Obama seeking help from Senator Clinton on international unrest. Fred Armisen plays Senator Obama as a fledgeling child who doesn't have the experience to turn on the heat in his own home, let alone deal with the responsiblities of his position. Could they really not have found ANY other way to mock the "3am Phone Call" ad?
Call me biased, but I found this most recent sketch as pretty far-fetched, and not at all funny. Maybe I'm being a sensitive Obama supporter, personally identifying with his campaign far more than I should. Or maybe I'm just unaware of SNL's past investment in presidential primaries. Either way, I think we get it, SNL. Move on.
Feel free to comment with your thoughts and outraged opposition...
Obama & Clinton beat McCain
In the first national poll of presidential preferences, SurveyUSA asked 30,000 respondents in all 50 states, if the election were held today, who would you vote for.
The Results:
Both Democrats Beat John McCain
Hillary Clinton 276
John McCain 262
States Democrats Pick Up:
West Virginia, Arkansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida
States Democrats Lose:
Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire
View Clinton/McCain Electoral Map
Barack Obama 280
John McCain 258
States Democrats Pick Up:
Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia
States Democrats Lose:
Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
View Obama/McCain Electoral Map
I'm always skeptical of national polls, but it's interesting that this is the first conducted in all 50 states for the general election.
The Results:
Both Democrats Beat John McCain
Hillary Clinton 276
John McCain 262
States Democrats Pick Up:
West Virginia, Arkansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida
States Democrats Lose:
Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire
View Clinton/McCain Electoral Map
Barack Obama 280
John McCain 258
States Democrats Pick Up:
Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia
States Democrats Lose:
Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
View Obama/McCain Electoral Map
I'm always skeptical of national polls, but it's interesting that this is the first conducted in all 50 states for the general election.
Updates and A Question
DON'T FORGET! Students in the Public Interest is holding the first "Politically Incorrect" of the semester this Tuesday March 4th at 8:00 pm in Trabant Multipurpose Room B. This is a good opportunity to discuss current events and listen to students with a whole range of political views. I know I'll be bringing my laptop in case any of you are the political junkie types than plan on sitting in front of CNN until the primary results come in. So get out of the dorms and spend some of that partisan energy!
Also, anybody care to guess how things will end Tuesday night? Comment with your predictions!
Also, anybody care to guess how things will end Tuesday night? Comment with your predictions!
