6 foot hail drifts? In England!
Missed this last week.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
The last few days I've been like lots of people around the world, enjoying the afterglow of last Tuesday and wondering whether and why this is meaningful to me as it seems.
Particularly strange from myself, I guess, as I'm opposed to the idea of representative democracy, and have basically no time for politicians. So why 'that one', why now? Even I'm a little puzzled.
Well, first and foremost, I've been following this guy closely for over four years, and so far I'm still impressed and haven't seen him sell out to any real degree.
"I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.' Instead of being appropriately [the tape is garbled]. So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], and I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I fucking changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'."
Now the old familiar thing on the left is to hope that a politician once elected will actually start to rollout a more left policy than he'd promised during the desperate dance to get elected. And everytime there's disappointment and usually the elected official tacks even further to the right to ensure his part in the hegemony and reelection in term.
Obama though never really tacked to the centre, for all that he sometimes shimmied and gave the illusion of doing so. The 'Apollo Project' for renewable energy is still at the heart of the policy. The withdrawal from Iraq is still essential. And most importantly, the understanding of the bottom-up approach is still central. Hilary Clinton, early in the primaries, was advised that her options were limited. She wasn't running against a candidate, she was "running against a movement". The footage of young students in Texas marching down a highway to demand their right to vote in a Democratic primary should speak volumes.
Obama was a community organizer, and he apparently is an admirer of the influential Chicago organizer Saul Alinsky. And in this quote from Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals' is a big hint that the fantasies of the left may be not entirely groundless:
"taking a new step is what people fear most. Any revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the mass of our people. They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future. This acceptance is the reformation essential to any revolution."
Now if Obama's followed that precept in his campaign, and I have no reason to think not, then the phrase that's been bandied about this week, the 'Obama Revolution'. may be nearer the mark than intended.
One of the reasons that Obama's difficult to portray as left or liberal or conservative, as one wing or the other, is because his politics clearly come primarily from the Black Civil Rights and Black Power tradition. In those scenes, a polticial theory that was individual of the dominant "White" didacticism was created. Instead it was a more liberationist theory, not surprisingly, and maybe that's why it can also be recognised by the white right. The prime driving principles were - and are - freedom, community, peace, self-reliance and equality.
Look at this and what would you bet he's also read Ralph Ellison widely:
"America is woven of many strands. I would recognize them and let it so remain. Our fate is to become one, and yet many. This is not prophecy, but description."
more later...
Particularly strange from myself, I guess, as I'm opposed to the idea of representative democracy, and have basically no time for politicians. So why 'that one', why now? Even I'm a little puzzled.
Well, first and foremost, I've been following this guy closely for over four years, and so far I'm still impressed and haven't seen him sell out to any real degree.
"I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.' Instead of being appropriately [the tape is garbled]. So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], and I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I fucking changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'."
Now the old familiar thing on the left is to hope that a politician once elected will actually start to rollout a more left policy than he'd promised during the desperate dance to get elected. And everytime there's disappointment and usually the elected official tacks even further to the right to ensure his part in the hegemony and reelection in term.
Obama though never really tacked to the centre, for all that he sometimes shimmied and gave the illusion of doing so. The 'Apollo Project' for renewable energy is still at the heart of the policy. The withdrawal from Iraq is still essential. And most importantly, the understanding of the bottom-up approach is still central. Hilary Clinton, early in the primaries, was advised that her options were limited. She wasn't running against a candidate, she was "running against a movement". The footage of young students in Texas marching down a highway to demand their right to vote in a Democratic primary should speak volumes.
Obama was a community organizer, and he apparently is an admirer of the influential Chicago organizer Saul Alinsky. And in this quote from Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals' is a big hint that the fantasies of the left may be not entirely groundless:
"taking a new step is what people fear most. Any revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the mass of our people. They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future. This acceptance is the reformation essential to any revolution."
Now if Obama's followed that precept in his campaign, and I have no reason to think not, then the phrase that's been bandied about this week, the 'Obama Revolution'. may be nearer the mark than intended.
One of the reasons that Obama's difficult to portray as left or liberal or conservative, as one wing or the other, is because his politics clearly come primarily from the Black Civil Rights and Black Power tradition. In those scenes, a polticial theory that was individual of the dominant "White" didacticism was created. Instead it was a more liberationist theory, not surprisingly, and maybe that's why it can also be recognised by the white right. The prime driving principles were - and are - freedom, community, peace, self-reliance and equality.
Look at this and what would you bet he's also read Ralph Ellison widely:
"America is woven of many strands. I would recognize them and let it so remain. Our fate is to become one, and yet many. This is not prophecy, but description."
more later...
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
one more
The difference with Obama is that he's shaping, creating, driving ideas and opinions. He's putting radical ideas into the homespun package that even an Utah voter could go for.
Which is the most radical of all. Us anarchists pushed this - that what people want is quite extreme at heart.
Pissed and tired now. Obama's stood accepting the thanks of the crowd, with family, friends, et al. and ignoring the4 bullet proof screens.
I'm looking forward to this. Representative democracy sucks, and just because once it has turned up a potentially great person, does not discount the obselescence of the model.
Which is the most radical of all. Us anarchists pushed this - that what people want is quite extreme at heart.
Pissed and tired now. Obama's stood accepting the thanks of the crowd, with family, friends, et al. and ignoring the4 bullet proof screens.
I'm looking forward to this. Representative democracy sucks, and just because once it has turned up a potentially great person, does not discount the obselescence of the model.
All over the place
All the news has got the President Obama news everywhere. He's about to speak in Chicago.
Then I shall go to bed & see if I can get enough sleep before work.
Awesome stuff. Awesome.
Apparently the Chief of Staff and others will already be named tomorrow.
I guess I like his organising sense because it's the way I'd do things myself given tghe run of that. David Axelrod really - I don't know why he wouldn't be Chief of Staff.
Then I shall go to bed & see if I can get enough sleep before work.
Awesome stuff. Awesome.
Apparently the Chief of Staff and others will already be named tomorrow.
I guess I like his organising sense because it's the way I'd do things myself given tghe run of that. David Axelrod really - I don't know why he wouldn't be Chief of Staff.
McCain
Just conceded. And made the best speech I've heard from him in years. Dwelled on the "African-Amrican" bit, but seemed already reconciled to defeat.
Crowd booed, and even he didn't seem to like that.
Crowd booed, and even he didn't seem to like that.
wolf teases but...
obama president
My greatest influences politically were Malcolm X, Huey, Invisible Man. What this means to Black America is almost impossible to encapsulate.
I wish I could be in Washington for his Inaugauration speech. I think you'll see millions there for that.
Even CNN is getting lyrical.
The Promised Land.
Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.
A more perfect union.
And *now* we talk about race openly.
obama president
My greatest influences politically were Malcolm X, Huey, Invisible Man. What this means to Black America is almost impossible to encapsulate.
I wish I could be in Washington for his Inaugauration speech. I think you'll see millions there for that.
Even CNN is getting lyrical.
The Promised Land.
Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.
A more perfect union.
And *now* we talk about race openly.
Shift
Things start getting a little strange now. 4:30 in the morning and it's all getting unreal - me, the net, Wolf Blitzer & Anderson Cooper. In about half an hour Obama will be called as the new President, but I'm getting a bit too tired and drunk to know id that's in the same world that everyone else inhabits...
I think McCain's going to concede first, then Obama will speak to a million people. The big, big, thing that is not, of course, on CNN, is how the movemeent that Obama has unleashed will be part of the governing process. It's a grassroots organised movement, Obama knows how organising works, and that movement can work two ways: to own Obama, or for him to use against the established order - when, for example, the senate gives him grief. I think that's his nuclear option, but that he will use it to keep people involved, and can maybe even make a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Now we're waiting on the call
It's not a total landslide then it seems, but near as damnit. Probably the first Democrat since Carter to get over 50% (and remember, he was running against a crook's deputy).
The comparisons - Kennedy, FDR, Lincoln - are all obvious and appropriate. Now let's see what happens. And let's also hope this doesn't end like 2 of those 3.
The comparisons - Kennedy, FDR, Lincoln - are all obvious and appropriate. Now let's see what happens. And let's also hope this doesn't end like 2 of those 3.
Ohio
CNN projects Ohio for Obama - by a large margin.
Obama's President; just waiting for the formalities now. I wanna see the speech!
Obama's President; just waiting for the formalities now. I wanna see the speech!
McCain?
CNN woman just started discussing when McCain would come out to concede.
And why? This comment from Indecision 2008:
"Fucking Alabama is too close to fucking call???
And 62% for Obama to 38% for McCain in North Carolina. Holy Shit!"
And why? This comment from Indecision 2008:
"Fucking Alabama is too close to fucking call???
And 62% for Obama to 38% for McCain in North Carolina. Holy Shit!"
holograms
we haven't seen much more of cnn's hologram or its 3D congress (sounds like dodgy porn) but here's Comedy Central's photoshopping on the immediately obvious meme:
trends
CNN are now comparing current numbers of votes coming it to 2004. The swing to Obama is enormous 10-20% depending on the place, but across the country.
This is a landslide. Woo-hoo!
dodgy florida
Strange numbers coming in from Florida. Obama's taken a huge lead. But the NY Times site gives a detailed breakdown by county, and apparently Pasco county, with 0% reporting, has Obama leading 54,433 to 6.
Revenge of the chads?
CNN have weird hologram thing going on - and kind of breaking down. Which is probably better than all the heads talking at once.
Rumours that the leaked early exit polls are bad for Obama. Nobody really trusts that though.
Revenge of the chads?
CNN have weird hologram thing going on - and kind of breaking down. Which is probably better than all the heads talking at once.
Rumours that the leaked early exit polls are bad for Obama. Nobody really trusts that though.
So who to watch?
So much live coverage. I'm ignoring the NOS, as that's just pitched all wrong. And they're streaming CNN, MSNBC & Fox online - but with a half hour delay!
Popped onto BBC for now - shots of the crowd gathering at Grant Park, supervised by John Simpson. So expect some attack (posibly by the US military). But ehy're very background type.
For the numbers coming in live, which is what a geek wants, then CNN's the best option. Very annoying people (Blitzer especially) though not as bad as the unusual haircuts at MSNBC. WH\ho are supposed to be more left, but the screen's full of share prices numbers which just messes with my head. And Keith Halbermann's weird.
Sky look like they should stop standing next to bridges and get a studio.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Early voting
Sean Quinn over at 538 is summing up the early voting numbers. The total number of early votes isn't that remarkable really, except in a few states which he rightly points out. Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada.
All Bush states with Obama ahead in the polls (except for Georgia, which is being tipped by some as the big surprise). And *massive* early voting numbers.
The breakdown per state at the Early Voting Project site is very interesting. There, the per state variance with 2004 can be seen. Again, possible Obama states like Indiana and Montana show a large increase in turnout. (and it's still amazing that Montana might vote for Obama!) Arizona, in contrast, has a huge drop in numbers - which conversely might also help Obama, as this is America's second retirement state (after Florida) and the early vote there would traditionally be expected to be pro-McCain retirees.
Lastly here for the Early Voting polls. Suggests an absolute landslide. There might be only Kentucky and Idaho going for McCain! We'll see as the first results come ina few minutes...
Be afraid, be very afraid
Here's Jon Oliver talking about his excellent segment on The Daily Show about fear in rally-attendees. His last statement is basically "don't underestimate the stupidity of American voters".
Could McCain really win?
All this and more at Indecision 2008.
Monday, November 03, 2008
want to know...
What a train wreck of a campaign McCain has run. Here's a quote from the lead article on Yahoo right now:
“I’ve been saying for some time that from our polling I think it's much tighter, a 3-point national race on Friday,” said Ed Goes, a Republican pollster who consults with the McCain campaign. “I think this race is going to be extremely tight.”
Fine, but the election's on Tuesday, not Friday. And that's the best bullshit they could come up with?
“I’ve been saying for some time that from our polling I think it's much tighter, a 3-point national race on Friday,” said Ed Goes, a Republican pollster who consults with the McCain campaign. “I think this race is going to be extremely tight.”
Fine, but the election's on Tuesday, not Friday. And that's the best bullshit they could come up with?
help me obie 1...you're my only hope...
I can't deny that this is getting exciting now. Don't know if I've drunk the Kool Aid, and I still have the same opinion regarding representative democracy, but as a symbolic statement from a deeply conservative superpower, Obama's election is going to resonate hugely. No wonder that the most common comparisons are Roosevelt and Lincoln. In the time of crisis, a leader with intelligence and integrity, well that alone is unusual. But honestly, none of us thought that could ever happen again. The time for the Great Men theory of history was at an end.
Which I agree with. Obama will fuck up and disappoint, frequently and badly. But it will make a change knowing at least there's an intelligence there addressing the issue even if he gets it wrong. And most importantly, people might come to expect intelligence in leaders, and might come to understand that even a Great Man doesn't lead us the way we want and need to go.
Gonna be a long night tomorrow. And I'll write as I go - not for readers, but just that it's gonna be interesting to read in years to come what I thought then and what really happened.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
it's not fucking gauzy
Watched Obamaa's 30 minute ad yesterday & it's pretty classy. But the most annoying thing reading the journalism about it is that no-one has challenged McCain's comment. He called it "a gauzy, feel-good commercial".
Now fuck me, but calling it gauzy? What sort of idiot remark is that? OK, from a guy who the day before was asking 'Where's Joe?' - not real surprising. But surely the elite liberal media that is all over Obama should be at least mentioning that the word he's searching for would be "gaudy".
Calling somthing gauzy to me would suggest some kind of open wound. And if that's "feel-good" to you, you've got weird issues.
And today's image comes to you courtesy Yahoo Image search for the word "gauzy". Tomorrow might be brought to you by the letter "t".
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