acamus's Blog

Come see the violence inherent in the system!

2009-10-15T03:16:14Z

Keith O had some of the Monty Python crew on his show to promote their documentary on the IFC celebrating the their 40th anniversary. (how time flys).

Today at work, some of us were talking fondly of our childhood experience with Where the Wild Things Are. I made the comment that it probably no small influence on why I am the diehard liberal that I am today.

And seeing Cleese, Gilliman and Jones reminded me of my teen encounters with Python and how it shaped my view of adults and their world of politics. I mean where else would I encounter something that would make me ponder ust what an anarcho-syndicalist commune was?

And it was the first election night special that I watched. (Maybe the Silly Party could get us real health care reform.)

And speaking of silly, it made me think for the first time that there might be a place in goverment for me.

On the economic front, moreover, they were the first to truly show what twits the rich elite really are (and why the recent meltdown should come as no surprise).

They showed me that I should have the right to have babies even though I can actually have babies. And that there was a difference between the People's Front of Judea and the Judea's People's Front.

And they showed me the historical connection between the Catholic Church and the rise of Gitmo.

In the end they showed me that we all should just look on the bright side of life. And when we can't do that, to just remember how amazingly unlikely your birth in this amazing universe.

And if all else fails, just hit 'em with a bigger fish.

Here's a big thanks of OY! to all the guys of Monty.

Bipartisanship - Peace is Every Step

2009-09-12T04:32:15Z

Alot has been put forth about Dem and Repubs working together, whether it is possible. Much have been said about how we talk to one another when we disagree. How do we move forward? I don't have the answers. But this video, Peace is Every Step, speaks to depth and breadth of what we fave, It is not as simple as getting people to understand some facts. (note: it is a long video)

testing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY&NR=1

Peace to all.

Michael Moore has found his groove

2008-09-06T01:18:25Z

Watching him on Larry King and he's so subtle and straight forward, and a great spokesperson for Obama.

toIs Campbell Brown the sign of things to come?

2008-09-06T00:00:15Z

Just watch Campbell Brown go at with Bay Buchanan over CNN's coverage of Sarah. Not to go into all the details but Bay was basically accusing Election Center of being the Bash Sarah Center and Campbell fought back, asserting the media's right to ask questions, especially after running a segment of over-the-top Sarah evangelical supporters in Florida. Campbell even made the quip to Bay that, given her response, she had received the talking points from the GOP. Bay was not happy. The bottom line was that Campbell was standing up for the "press" to ask questions for someone who is potentially the next VP.

There are many who are utterly cynical about the media, but, while I won't say they do their job well most of the time, I think McCain camp and the conservatives have overplayed their hand on this one. The media is, in the end, made up of human beings and they don't want to be humiliated in such an obvious manner. The key word here is "obvious." They will look for the opening and when it comes they will swarm on Palin.

The Bounce and Reality

2008-08-23T21:26:54Z

Was just checking out the 3-day gallup poll for today, which has Obama up by +2 and McCain stuck at 44%. This is the last of their polls that will not include Biden announcement. So it will be interesting to see if Obama starts to get any bounce from Biden, although it will be mixed with the convention which starts Monday.

What caught my eye was the their data on the bounce that conventions get. The average bounce is 5%, but last election Kerry got a -1% bounce and Bush only got a 2% bounce. I didn't know that Kerry actually lost traction as result of the convention,. Gallup predict a less than average bounce this year as well.

Because of the Democratic primary being so long and contentious, most people from both parties have already made up their minds, as opposed to the days past with no world wide web, 24 hour news cycles, etc and the conventions were people's first take on each of the candidates.

With the Gallup poll showing consistently nearly half of the undecideds volunteering a "neither" response, I would expect that the Obama/Biden will get a 3-4% bounce, and McCain, getting branded with the Republican brand a 1% bounce at best.

I just think it's important that the meme about the realistic bounce from the Dem Convention gets out there in the media. It's not a game-breaker, but if Obama has +5% or +6% lead after the convention than he has been successful (and this would mean that he is getting 49% to 50% as compared to McCain's 44%).

Saddleback Open Thread

2008-08-17T00:03:19Z

Don't know if I am breaking the rules here, but here is a place for people to discuss the interviews by Warren.