Meghan McCain and I disagree on about 99% of political issues but I have a lot of respect for her. I enjoyed reading her blog during the campaign and getting that behind the scenes perspective. I follow her on twitter and am bothered by the ridiculous attacks on her. But this column she wrote recently explains exactly why I like her so much:
Why I Hate the Politics of Hate
A few excerpts:
"Lately I’ve felt that the anger in politics is spilling over from the expected places—protests, partisan websites, talk radio—into everyday lives. The lines of social acceptability and just plain courteous behavior are becoming harder to define when it comes to politics, and for the first time in a long time I am truly concerned about where this fear and frustration in politics is taking us."
"I understand a certain amount of partisan pettiness, but what I don’t understand is why both politicians and pundits are not more vested in the next generation, in my generation, and the cultural and political climate they are leaving behind. It’s almost as if to be taken seriously in politics, a certain level of anger and incivility is required. I am not saying I am not angry about many things that are going on in this country, but I do believe we can discuss our differences with respect."
"This extremist shift is happening all over the country, and I can’t help think about the toll it is taking on the next generation of voters. For the first time in my life, I find myself disillusioned with the political process—something I always swore would never happen to me. And I am not ashamed to admit that this small feeling of disillusionment is scaring me. Because if this is how I feel from all of the rancor, I can only imagine how disconnected the rest of my generation must feel. If politicians aren’t inspiring people when they are young, what hope is there that they will care when they are older?"
Thank you Meghan McCain. Now if you could just convince your dad to change his positions on a few things....
I finished reading "You've Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary, and the Shaping of the New American Woman" today. I wrote a short review on GoodReads here.
This is pretty cool. These language courses were developed by the United States government and are now in the public domain. Great resource.
The First Lady's first tweet (via Ed Henry)
As always, my imaginary boyfriend Nick Kristof hits it out of the park again.
As I’ve noted before, there seem to be two Catholic Churches, the old boys’ club of the Vatican and the grass-roots network of humble priests, nuns and laity in places like Sudan. The Vatican certainly supports many charitable efforts, and some bishops and cardinals are exemplary, but overwhelmingly it’s at the grass roots that I find the great soul of the Catholic Church.
Transcript of Obama’s Remarks at U. Mich. Commencement
Another great speech from POTUS and Jon Favreau. My favorite parts:
The fact is, when you leave here today you will search for work in an economy that is still emerging from the worst crisis since the Great Depression. You live in a century where the speed with which jobs and industries move across the globe is forcing America to compete like never before. You will raise your children at a time when threats like terrorism and climate change aren’t confined within the borders of any one country. And as our world grows smaller and more connected, you will live and work with more people who don’t look like you or think like you or come from where you do.
On the fourth panel of the Jefferson Memorial is a quote I remember reading to my daughters during our first visit there. It says, “I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but…with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.
When our government is spoken of as some menacing, threatening foreign entity, it ignores the fact that in our democracy, government is us. We, the people — (applause.) We, the people, hold in our hands the power to choose our leaders and change our laws, and shape our own destiny.
Government is the police officers who are protecting our communities, and the servicemen and women who are defending us abroad. (Applause.) Government is the roads you drove in on and the speed limits that kept you safe. Government is what ensures that mines adhere to safety standards and that oil spills are cleaned up by the companies that caused them. (Applause.) Government is this extraordinary public university -– a place that’s doing lifesaving research, and catalyzing economic growth, and graduating students who will change the world around them in ways big and small. (Applause.)
...government shouldn’t try to dictate your lives. But it should give you the tools you need to succeed. Government shouldn’t try to guarantee results, but it should guarantee a shot at opportunity for every American who’s willing to work hard. (Applause.)
Don’t narrow that broad intellectual exposure just because you’re leaving here. Instead, seek to expand it. If you grew up in a big city, spend some time with somebody who grew up in a rural town. If you find yourself only hanging around with people of your own race or ethnicity or religion, include people in your circle who have different backgrounds and life experiences. You’ll learn what it’s like to walk in somebody else’s shoes, and in the process, you will help to make this democracy work. (Applause.)
Here’s the point. When we don’t pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders, when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day, when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that’s when democracy breaks down. That’s when power is abused. That’s when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That’s when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of power –- because none of us are there to speak up and stop them.
What is certain -– what has always been certain -– is the ability to shape that destiny. That is what makes us different. That is what sets us apart. That is what makes us Americans -– our ability at the end of the day to look past all of our differences and all of our disagreements and still forge a common future. That task is now in your hands, as is the answer to the question posed at this university half a century ago about whether a free society can still compete.
I've decided (in an effort to blog more) that I'm going to do posts like this regularly (thanks @katelinnea for the idea!). I figure I'll just post article/sites I've found interesting recently.
House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passes LRA/Uganda bill
Yay! The last step is a full vote of the House. I can't believe it's almost been a year since How It Ends.
"Make A Difference" flyer
I love this, such a great idea.
Nice article on the FL Senate race with the advantages and challenges for each candidate from the NY Times.
This site lets you pick a word or activity or whatever and makes a playlist according to it. I haven't used it extensively but I like the idea.
Nice list of spring cleaning tools for your twitter from Mashable. I found it very helpful although I need to find an efficient way to go through the ridiculous number of people I follow and clean it out.
"Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black" - Tim Wise Really interesting article, I just finished my racial and cultural minorities class and Tim Wise's articles actually helped me understand the concepts of the class better.
Online advocacy wilts into slacktivism: Experts Not much to say beyond the fact that I'm not surprised.
And a funny video that explains why I hate the news:
