A classic. I totally get this video now. I saw it a year ago at the WACK! exhibit and was like "what is up with that lady banging pans?" It's such a complex video first about how the domestic world is constructed and the tools of women's (generally) labor. In viewing it again it takes on an aspect of violence in how she presents each of these implements. Even the ladle is used violently (if you consider standing next to her over a pot of hot soup). So her use of the tools - without food - brings me to thinking about Louis Althusser and the ways in which violence (or the threat of violence) are used to control people, in this case women. There's an ambiguity in Rosler's video as to whether she (as Woman) is an object of the violence or a subject-agent of the violence. That ambiguity keeps this piece relevant and gripping to me. There is more to say on this video, but that is for my research paper.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Obama Supporter Thwarted: YouTube Project
So I am experimenting with life on YouTube as part of my Election Diary Project. View and comment please (it's part of the art project!)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Crushing on Shep Smith of Fox News. Yes, Fox News.
Since I've been doing all this political work, I've been watching scores of hours of political punditry. Well, with all that face time, I confess I've got harmless crushes on some of these guys. Recent favorites have included: Joe Scarborough, Chris Matthews, Chris Cillizza, even Rachel Maddow. And of course David Gregory and Anderson Cooper, but they're more on the obvious side. I love their quest for the truth, their bulldog questions and frequent pop culture references. All of them (save David Gregory who was quieter on the matter) shared vocal disdain at Sarah Palin, not for being a woman but for her incuriosity and I share that with them (which leads to a whole other post on my conflicted feelings about the Guvna). And all these crushes started with a crush I had on Tim Russert (RIP) - it was great to watch him roll out those quotes and catch those politicians flat-footed and back pedalling their double-talk.
Well, now I add Shep Smith of Fox News to the list. Yes, Fox News. He gave context to the diatribe of Joe the Plumber in the election run up. And then came this...
Well, now I add Shep Smith of Fox News to the list. Yes, Fox News. He gave context to the diatribe of Joe the Plumber in the election run up. And then came this...
Guest Blogger Sonia Bayne on Election Day
It is with pleasure I introduce my guest blogger for today, Sonia Bayne, reflecting on Election Day 2008 (reprinted with permission of the author).
Tuesday, November 4th 5:18 pm
I need to write it all down. It's a momentous day, whichever way it goes.
The voting energy starts last night when Sarah calls, on her way to the Obama rally in Manassas. She's running late, sounding anxious, and trying hard not to miss it. We can't find a news network to tell us what is happening at that moment, but -- no surprise -- it turns out that the whole event is running late. I check the Obama website (which I have been totally impressed with) -- and lo, they are streaming the event live. We turn off the SNL Presidential Bash to watch the Real Deal. Obama finishes up with: "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" -- by which time, so are we.
That's probably why I wake before the alarm at 5:30. We are out of the house by 5:45, and at Latimer Lane school before the polls open, in time to find parking right in the school lot. We are the last couple to fit on the end of the line inside the doors, out of the pre-dawn coolness. By the time the gym doors open, the line is out the door and across the parking lot. Lots of parents are delivering their baked goodies for the PTO, and coffee is being set up. Business will be brisk for sure, and there's a friendly buzz of anticipation in the air.
I'm pleased to see that they have set up a TV screen showing the ballot process, and a list of our rights as voters is clearly posted at the front of the gym. We are quickly inside and checked in, and handed our ballot sheets. As I pick up the pen, I take a moment to reflect before filling in the circles -- I'm thrilled that this time, the choice is, for me, very straightforward. It really does feel like a landmark event.
All too soon, it's done. We collect our "I Voted Today!" stickers, stop to buy a scone, and head out past the waiting line. It's a longer line now, and cars are parked all up and down the street (though there are spaces in the lot). We're still fired up and ready to go as we head to Starbucks for our cups of free voter coffee. It's still only 6:30.
And now -- all we can do is wait, and pray that the results are clear and unequivocal.
This reader comment in the NY Times today sums it up well for me:
"May we all be wise in our voting. May our country be humble and caring of "the least of these." May our world, finally, come to the realization that we accomplish more together than apart. God bless us, every one."
M/S
Tuesday, November 4th 5:18 pm
I need to write it all down. It's a momentous day, whichever way it goes.
The voting energy starts last night when Sarah calls, on her way to the Obama rally in Manassas. She's running late, sounding anxious, and trying hard not to miss it. We can't find a news network to tell us what is happening at that moment, but -- no surprise -- it turns out that the whole event is running late. I check the Obama website (which I have been totally impressed with) -- and lo, they are streaming the event live. We turn off the SNL Presidential Bash to watch the Real Deal. Obama finishes up with: "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" -- by which time, so are we.
That's probably why I wake before the alarm at 5:30. We are out of the house by 5:45, and at Latimer Lane school before the polls open, in time to find parking right in the school lot. We are the last couple to fit on the end of the line inside the doors, out of the pre-dawn coolness. By the time the gym doors open, the line is out the door and across the parking lot. Lots of parents are delivering their baked goodies for the PTO, and coffee is being set up. Business will be brisk for sure, and there's a friendly buzz of anticipation in the air.
I'm pleased to see that they have set up a TV screen showing the ballot process, and a list of our rights as voters is clearly posted at the front of the gym. We are quickly inside and checked in, and handed our ballot sheets. As I pick up the pen, I take a moment to reflect before filling in the circles -- I'm thrilled that this time, the choice is, for me, very straightforward. It really does feel like a landmark event.
All too soon, it's done. We collect our "I Voted Today!" stickers, stop to buy a scone, and head out past the waiting line. It's a longer line now, and cars are parked all up and down the street (though there are spaces in the lot). We're still fired up and ready to go as we head to Starbucks for our cups of free voter coffee. It's still only 6:30.
And now -- all we can do is wait, and pray that the results are clear and unequivocal.
This reader comment in the NY Times today sums it up well for me:
"May we all be wise in our voting. May our country be humble and caring of "the least of these." May our world, finally, come to the realization that we accomplish more together than apart. God bless us, every one."
M/S
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Word Is...
Virginia looks like it is going for Obama. Having stood in a cold field with 90,000 others last night, I'm not so surprised. The ground game in Virginia was amazing.
My evidence? Me. I got out there on a cold Sunday afternoon when I had other things to do and went door to door making sure people knew where to vote. If you know me, you know that is so not like me. And yet I went.
That is telling.
My evidence? Me. I got out there on a cold Sunday afternoon when I had other things to do and went door to door making sure people knew where to vote. If you know me, you know that is so not like me. And yet I went.
That is telling.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Reporting from McCain HQ Arlington, Election Eve
It's curious the difficulties this reporter from WTOP - a local all-news radio station with the highest radio ratings in the area - had trying to find out what the McCain campaign was doing to get out the vote today, the eve of the election. Hang on to the end of the video when you finally see the reporter.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Are We There Yet?
Wyatt sums it up for me at this point. I am so tired of the election process. The rhetoric, the over-analysis, the flip-flopping, the lies, blah blah blah blah! I am in total media overload. My eyeballs are now rectangular. I see in HD. I am just plum worn out. (Language is bleeped, but clip is not for NSFkids.)
Okay. I feel better now that is out of my system. Everybody vote!
And yes, I did choose this election process as the subject of my art this semester at school. So I have no one to blame but myself. And I will very likely go through major withdrawal starting next Thursday.
Okay. I feel better now that is out of my system. Everybody vote!
And yes, I did choose this election process as the subject of my art this semester at school. So I have no one to blame but myself. And I will very likely go through major withdrawal starting next Thursday.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Why Us Magazine Doesn't Interest Me Anymore
Yes. Vote. If only so that we don't have to see more celebrities telling us to vote.
I get the sense that people do not follow celebrities in the same way they did a few months ago. For me, I don't really care anymore that they are "just like us." I don't really care who they wore the latest party - I can't afford it and I know they didn't have to pay for it. I don't care that they are breaking up or getting back together. Like so many others I am working hard, trying to contribute to my community and - these days - getting excited about thrift store shopping.
So vote. Please. Not because they said to do it, but because it's the right thing to do as a citizen of this country.
H/T Momocrats
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bizzaro World: Joe the Plumber Edition
In Superman's universe, there is Bizzaro world. As we all (should) know from either the original source text or Seinfeld, Bizzaro world is the world where everything essentially is opposite. Good is evil, you know, that kind of stuff. It's the shadow world to what we know.
Well tonight I experienced Bizzaro world in my own living room watching this clip from Fox News.
For me, this interview is Bizzaro in many ways:-
- A Fox anchor asked probing questions, with multiple follow-ups, of a McCain camp "representative"
- Joe the Plumber is now a McCain camp "representative"
- The McCain camp, we learn in the interview, has sent Joe to campaign events and allowed him to be interviewed on Fox about foreign policy
- Joe the Plumber now speaks for the McCain camp on foreign policy
- Foreign policy was one of the areas McCain thought himself solid, unlike economics.
- Joe the Plumber also represents McCain on economics, specifically his view of Obama's tax plan. He called it, incorrectly, Socialism.
- Fox anchor, Shep Smith, defends Obama's record on Israel multiple times, even taking time at the end once Joe is off the phone to tell the viewing audience what Obama's position is. In the closing moments, he said this was "scary."
It runs just a bit over 5 minutes. Hang on to the end. It is extraordinary. And Bizzaro.
Thank you, Shep. You demonstrated refreshing integrity in this long election season.
H/T to Andrew Sullivan The Daily Dish
Well tonight I experienced Bizzaro world in my own living room watching this clip from Fox News.
For me, this interview is Bizzaro in many ways:-
- A Fox anchor asked probing questions, with multiple follow-ups, of a McCain camp "representative"
- Joe the Plumber is now a McCain camp "representative"
- The McCain camp, we learn in the interview, has sent Joe to campaign events and allowed him to be interviewed on Fox about foreign policy
- Joe the Plumber now speaks for the McCain camp on foreign policy
- Foreign policy was one of the areas McCain thought himself solid, unlike economics.
- Joe the Plumber also represents McCain on economics, specifically his view of Obama's tax plan. He called it, incorrectly, Socialism.
- Fox anchor, Shep Smith, defends Obama's record on Israel multiple times, even taking time at the end once Joe is off the phone to tell the viewing audience what Obama's position is. In the closing moments, he said this was "scary."
It runs just a bit over 5 minutes. Hang on to the end. It is extraordinary. And Bizzaro.
Thank you, Shep. You demonstrated refreshing integrity in this long election season.
H/T to Andrew Sullivan The Daily Dish
Friday, October 24, 2008
Why I Voted for Barack Obama
As I work outside of Arlington, Virginia, I had the option to vote early this year. I am grateful for this option. In the last two Presidential elections I stood in line for upwards of 2 hours. I can only imagine how long the lines will be this year.
So how did I get to my decision? Listening and thinking critically. I have a master's degree in literature and wrote my thesis on Toni Morrison's novels. I used the theories of French psychoanalytic theorist Jacques Lacan. In particular, I studied how Morrison's language was intentionally designed to evoke metanarratives of the construction of racial identity in America. The desire to be loved drove Pecola to desire the bluest eye and ultimately into madness.
I share that so you know whence I come.
Last night, I was at the Reston Arts for Obama Art Auction. I donated a painting and was invited to attend the event. At the auction, the attendees were diverse and friendly art lovers. My kind of people. My piece did really well at auction and the event raised over $20,000. One of the auction pieces, by my friend P. Delia Chisholm, was a fun and inspired image that captured the sense of hope and community I've heard again and again in Obama campaign and in his autobiography. I hear talk of responsibility, of accountability, of coming together and solving problems. This rhetoric is a welcome relief. An oasis in the desert of the divisive language of the last 8 years.
And then. Oh. And then. I took my car into the shop. In the waiting room, they had Fox & Friends on a jumbo flat screen television. The volume was at 11. I sat with my earplugs and tried to read but was oft thwarted. Even through the earplugs, I heard them report that police in Oakland and Detroit were preparing for riots if Obama loses. That report was followed by details of the story of a woman who alleged she had been beaten up and a letter "B" cut on her face. It was a frightening scary picture. And it was reported that the perpetrator did this to her when he found out she was a McCain supporter.
And it was a hoax.
I am not focused on this woman who clearly needs help. My focus is on the news networks that featured prominently a story that had not been fact-checked and verified.
After being in the room with Fox & Friends for two hours, even I felt (a little) that the election was really close, that trouble and chaos could be coming, and concerned about voter fraud. I know how the stories are constructed. I understand the metanarratives at work. I can see the desire of the powerful to hold onto control. I can feel their fear. It is all constructed in the language. The subtle and not-so subtle choice of words. The juxtaposition of images.
I voted for Barack Obama because I heard something different from him. No cheap shots. A man who learns from his mistakes. A man who is not afraid of a strong woman. I could go on. The difference in these two recent events is what is at stake - are we coming together and learning to deal with our differences or are we grabbing for power at any cost? To me, that was the choice.
So how did I get to my decision? Listening and thinking critically. I have a master's degree in literature and wrote my thesis on Toni Morrison's novels. I used the theories of French psychoanalytic theorist Jacques Lacan. In particular, I studied how Morrison's language was intentionally designed to evoke metanarratives of the construction of racial identity in America. The desire to be loved drove Pecola to desire the bluest eye and ultimately into madness.
I share that so you know whence I come.
Last night, I was at the Reston Arts for Obama Art Auction. I donated a painting and was invited to attend the event. At the auction, the attendees were diverse and friendly art lovers. My kind of people. My piece did really well at auction and the event raised over $20,000. One of the auction pieces, by my friend P. Delia Chisholm, was a fun and inspired image that captured the sense of hope and community I've heard again and again in Obama campaign and in his autobiography. I hear talk of responsibility, of accountability, of coming together and solving problems. This rhetoric is a welcome relief. An oasis in the desert of the divisive language of the last 8 years.
And then. Oh. And then. I took my car into the shop. In the waiting room, they had Fox & Friends on a jumbo flat screen television. The volume was at 11. I sat with my earplugs and tried to read but was oft thwarted. Even through the earplugs, I heard them report that police in Oakland and Detroit were preparing for riots if Obama loses. That report was followed by details of the story of a woman who alleged she had been beaten up and a letter "B" cut on her face. It was a frightening scary picture. And it was reported that the perpetrator did this to her when he found out she was a McCain supporter.
And it was a hoax.
I am not focused on this woman who clearly needs help. My focus is on the news networks that featured prominently a story that had not been fact-checked and verified.
After being in the room with Fox & Friends for two hours, even I felt (a little) that the election was really close, that trouble and chaos could be coming, and concerned about voter fraud. I know how the stories are constructed. I understand the metanarratives at work. I can see the desire of the powerful to hold onto control. I can feel their fear. It is all constructed in the language. The subtle and not-so subtle choice of words. The juxtaposition of images.
I voted for Barack Obama because I heard something different from him. No cheap shots. A man who learns from his mistakes. A man who is not afraid of a strong woman. I could go on. The difference in these two recent events is what is at stake - are we coming together and learning to deal with our differences or are we grabbing for power at any cost? To me, that was the choice.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Real Virginia, An Immigrant's Perspective
So a bit about me. I am an immigrant. My mother and I came from England on a cargo ship with our 2-year old Lab, Ross. My Dad had come stateside a few weeks before to set up house. I've spent most of my life here. As so often happens with first generation immigrant children, I feel multiple allegiances as I belong to and am a citizen of two countries.
When I heard the recent rhetoric of "real America" versus...what - fake America - I thought, that language is coded. Implied is that we are supposed to 'know' what Real America is. What its population is like. How it contributes to the country.
Recently, they used the term "real Virginia" to describe non-Northern Virginia. So you know, I am not in the "real Virginia" as I live in Arlington.
Arlington is a lovely community. We are both the smallest and most densely-populated county in America. We are diverse. We believe in and practice Smart Growth. We are loaded with military, defense contractors, and government employees. Arlington was directly hit on 9/11 as the Pentagon is in Arlington, not Washington DC. My LOCAL fire station sent its trucks and fire-fighters to the Pentagon. Even Senator McCain has one of his seven homes in Arlington. We are probably wealthier than the national average, although the economic crash is taking care of some of that. Yet somehow, none of this is Real. Somehow we are terrorist-loving, anti-American, lazy and goodness knows what else.
It is an insult. No question. So does having a different opinion mean that you are a terrorist? This divisive language is destructive. Being able to hold your point of view with someone who does not agree with you is essential to freedom. Making an enemy of the Other because they don't agree with you is a prison.
For relief, I turn to Dana Millbank's work- a brilliant satirical look at the artifice that is Real America.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Custom Fake News
Grandma! How could you say such things about me?
This video is a remarkable use of technology. And raises some questions about what we know to be 'true' and 'false' especially as seen through the internet.
I've already voted (or at least I think so - Arlington doesn't have a paper trail on its electronic voting). For those of you who haven't voted, please do. Or goodness knows how much of your tax dollars will end up in Palin's closet.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Why It Is Important to Understand the Meaning of Words Like Satire
Um. I don't think Sarah Lou understands satire. (Psst - they're not laughing with you, Guvna.)
She also doesn't understand the Constitution either.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
3d Presidential Debate (CNN) Live Blog
10:36 pm End scene. Everybody vote!
10:31 pm Bob Schieffer the best moderator of the bunch this year. Of course it's always easier when you go last and learn from your predecessor's mistakes, missteps and missed opportunities.
10:27 pm Who are McCain's friends anyway? I don't think I am in his clique.
10:20 pm McCain's solution to college education funding is more student loans? How about doing something that doesn't graduate an entire generation into debt? (Check out Davidson College, my alma mater - no student loans)
10:20 pm Obama said he was pro-charter schools at the top of the debate. Was McCain not listening?
10:18 pm I love the parent responsibility points. Yes, put away the television. Set aside the spectacle.
10:11 pm How about a not-so young woman facing that difficult decision? It's not just teenagers who are confronted by an unexpected pregnancy.
10:10 pm Yay! Lily Ledbetter mention. Totally bogus court decision by the way to deny her. Of course she is due back pay for doing the same job.
10:10 pm Yay! Obama trusts me to make decisions about my health and life. Senator McCain? Governor Palin?
10:09 pm McCain looks furious.
10:07 pm I think Roe v Wade was a great decision. A tough decision, for sure.
10:05 pm Senator Government? That is classic Freudian slip on McCain's part. What's the meta-narrative there?
10:04 pm That is true. Buying insurance on the open market costs a family $12,000/yr. If you're a single payer with a health issue: $10,000 at least. If you can get coverage that will also cover your pre-existing condition.
10:01 pm Is McCain making notes to his campaign staff chastising them for going after the made-up Obama health insurance fine on small businesses?
10:00 Zero? Zero!
10:00 Most employers do have wellness plans now. There is a huge micro-industry of HR education seminars on the topic.
9:58 pm I want a health plan like AARP Medigap but have to wait at least 25 years until I am eligible. No copays. No deductibles. Choice of doctors.
9:55 pm Last I checked Colombia was not a particularly wealthy country. They're supposed to balance our trade deficits???
9:52 pm Nice linguistic deconstruction by McCain - have to give that to him - "look at drilling" is not the same as drilling. Nor is it the same as drilling, baby, drilling. (Thank heavens BTW).
9:51 pm Who does McCain keep looking at off-camera?
9:46 pm Ugh. Energy. How many "Palin is an expert" type comments will McCain make?
9:42 pm INSERT EXPLETIVE! Palin is no role model for me! INSERT ANOTHER EXPLETIVE!
9:40 pm Oh snap! The battle of the running mate credentials is on!
9:31 pm Obama calls McCain out on Palin's non-silencing of her rally crowds shouting "Terrorist" and "Kill him" about Obama. Senator McCain?
9:29 pm Can we get a fact check on 100% negative ads from the McCain campaign? Is that so? Will have to research my campaign ad archives.
9:28 pm McCain passed. Senator Obama?
9:25 pm Bob Scheiffer invites them to sling the mud direct into each other's face. Hmm...I'm thinking they'll pass.
9:19 pm Talked to a top economist today. He was alarmed that McCain and Palin were talking about balancing the budget. Essentially he said a drive to balance the budget in this kind of fiscal climate drove us into the Great Depression. Not sure I understand the mechanics of that.
9:11 pm Honestly right now I think I'd trust Obama to spread the wealth around more than some unknown, unvetted Joe the Plumber.
9:09 pm Is Joe the Plumber aka Joe Sixpack?
9:05 pm Yes what about me? My house has lost value but apparently I will not be getting a check from the government for it. (Personally that's okay - that's what I signed up for in buying a home - taking on risk.) But I wouldn't turn away a check for $40,000.
9:04 pm I'll also be Twittering with The Fix on washingtonpost.com
9:03 pm Table format. Apparently there were complaints from McCain's campaign about McCain's camera angle. Thank goodness we're focused on the big issues.
10:31 pm Bob Schieffer the best moderator of the bunch this year. Of course it's always easier when you go last and learn from your predecessor's mistakes, missteps and missed opportunities.
10:27 pm Who are McCain's friends anyway? I don't think I am in his clique.
10:20 pm McCain's solution to college education funding is more student loans? How about doing something that doesn't graduate an entire generation into debt? (Check out Davidson College, my alma mater - no student loans)
10:20 pm Obama said he was pro-charter schools at the top of the debate. Was McCain not listening?
10:18 pm I love the parent responsibility points. Yes, put away the television. Set aside the spectacle.
10:11 pm How about a not-so young woman facing that difficult decision? It's not just teenagers who are confronted by an unexpected pregnancy.
10:10 pm Yay! Lily Ledbetter mention. Totally bogus court decision by the way to deny her. Of course she is due back pay for doing the same job.
10:10 pm Yay! Obama trusts me to make decisions about my health and life. Senator McCain? Governor Palin?
10:09 pm McCain looks furious.
10:07 pm I think Roe v Wade was a great decision. A tough decision, for sure.
10:05 pm Senator Government? That is classic Freudian slip on McCain's part. What's the meta-narrative there?
10:04 pm That is true. Buying insurance on the open market costs a family $12,000/yr. If you're a single payer with a health issue: $10,000 at least. If you can get coverage that will also cover your pre-existing condition.
10:01 pm Is McCain making notes to his campaign staff chastising them for going after the made-up Obama health insurance fine on small businesses?
10:00 Zero? Zero!
10:00 Most employers do have wellness plans now. There is a huge micro-industry of HR education seminars on the topic.
9:58 pm I want a health plan like AARP Medigap but have to wait at least 25 years until I am eligible. No copays. No deductibles. Choice of doctors.
9:55 pm Last I checked Colombia was not a particularly wealthy country. They're supposed to balance our trade deficits???
9:52 pm Nice linguistic deconstruction by McCain - have to give that to him - "look at drilling" is not the same as drilling. Nor is it the same as drilling, baby, drilling. (Thank heavens BTW).
9:51 pm Who does McCain keep looking at off-camera?
9:46 pm Ugh. Energy. How many "Palin is an expert" type comments will McCain make?
9:42 pm INSERT EXPLETIVE! Palin is no role model for me! INSERT ANOTHER EXPLETIVE!
9:40 pm Oh snap! The battle of the running mate credentials is on!
9:31 pm Obama calls McCain out on Palin's non-silencing of her rally crowds shouting "Terrorist" and "Kill him" about Obama. Senator McCain?
9:29 pm Can we get a fact check on 100% negative ads from the McCain campaign? Is that so? Will have to research my campaign ad archives.
9:28 pm McCain passed. Senator Obama?
9:25 pm Bob Scheiffer invites them to sling the mud direct into each other's face. Hmm...I'm thinking they'll pass.
9:19 pm Talked to a top economist today. He was alarmed that McCain and Palin were talking about balancing the budget. Essentially he said a drive to balance the budget in this kind of fiscal climate drove us into the Great Depression. Not sure I understand the mechanics of that.
9:11 pm Honestly right now I think I'd trust Obama to spread the wealth around more than some unknown, unvetted Joe the Plumber.
9:09 pm Is Joe the Plumber aka Joe Sixpack?
9:05 pm Yes what about me? My house has lost value but apparently I will not be getting a check from the government for it. (Personally that's okay - that's what I signed up for in buying a home - taking on risk.) But I wouldn't turn away a check for $40,000.
9:04 pm I'll also be Twittering with The Fix on washingtonpost.com
9:03 pm Table format. Apparently there were complaints from McCain's campaign about McCain's camera angle. Thank goodness we're focused on the big issues.
Live Blogging the 3d Presidential Debate
I will be live blogging the third presidential debate tonight. Still figuring out the technology so we'll see how this goes!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Moment For Country First
I have such mixed feelings about these video clips. McCain has for a moment done the right thing - finally - in saying that Obama is not an Arab and is not someone of whom Americans need be afraid. The problem is that McCain created this situation with his campaign ads, rallies, and the talking points of his campaign staff and surrogates.
It would seem that in his mind he constructed Obama as enemy so much that he went unconscious. McCain's expression betrays his shame. In this moment, he was confronted by the paradoxic desires of his personal and political aspirations.
Where has the McCain who will stand up to such vitriol been for the last few days, weeks and months?
Curiously his own crowd boos him when he calls for people to be respectful. This emotionality and irrational rhetoric makes me angry at the irresponsibility of this campaign and terrified at the state of our country.
It would seem that in his mind he constructed Obama as enemy so much that he went unconscious. McCain's expression betrays his shame. In this moment, he was confronted by the paradoxic desires of his personal and political aspirations.
Where has the McCain who will stand up to such vitriol been for the last few days, weeks and months?
Curiously his own crowd boos him when he calls for people to be respectful. This emotionality and irrational rhetoric makes me angry at the irresponsibility of this campaign and terrified at the state of our country.
David Gergin on McCain Campaign Anger
David Gergin is well respected by people on both sides of the aisle - he worked for Republican and Democratic presidents. He speaks to a growing concern about these emotionally keyed up McCain rallies this week.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Bipartisan? Try Collaboration. Seriously. (Please!)
So I promised to say more about Congress actually having to work together. At the time I wrote that Sunday evening I was hopeful that Monday would see passage of a bill that would help our country recover economically. And then Monday came. The bill was voted down and the stock market reported its largest one day loss in value.
Last week, a tagline in The Trail column of The Washington Post aptly read: "Obama urges calm | McCain blames Dems."
In all this economic bailout rescue mess, the word "bipartisan" has been ballyhooed as the only way to resolve this crisis. Curiously, there was bipartisan agreement between the most liberal and most conservative wings of the house as they voted down the bailout bill earlier this week. There was also bipartisan agreement between the moderates on both sides in voting for the bill - only not enough of them.
I would like to request a change of language. I do not like the word bipartisan. It's a false word. The "bi" of bipartisan means two. As in there are two options; yes/no; up/down; republican/democrat; liberal/conservative, etc. The truth is that as humans we are more complex than these binaries.
What is needed is not bipartisanship, which implies taking a bit from one side and a bit from the other and cobbling together a patchwork, but collaboration. Collaboration is something wholly other.
So for those members of Congress and the administration, here's a briefing on Collaboration. A person who acts collaboratively will typically behave in these ways:-
Soliciting input
Soliciting input occurs when you ask people for their points of view. Please note that this behavior takes both time and humility. It implies you do not have all the answers and are open to other people's wisdom.
Giving credit
This step is essentially reinforcing the self-esteem of the Other by acknowledging their point of view, actions, or wisdom. This step requires both the ability to think critically and humility.
Finding areas of agreement
This behavior was modeled by Obama in Friday's debate. Please note that his finding areas of agreement between his point of view and McCain's was seen and advertised by the McCain camp as a weakness on Obama's part. It is a key component of collaboration because if you are only oppositional, you cannot collaborate.
Identifying and pushing for solutions
This behavior means working to find the right outcome that best serves the majority or the situation, rather than being attached to your own point of view. This step also requires humility.
Showing fairness
Being fair requires integrity and accountability. To me, it means that you are empathic enough to see perspectives from other sides and are humble enough to act ethically to put what's right ahead of your own agenda. Please note that this is not the same as standing on principle nor being a maverick (aka loose cannon).
Keeping people informed
In order to collaborate, your view must be known. To persuade people, you must tell them what you are up to and be honest. The secretive Treasury Secretary Paulson issued a 3-page ransom note to the public two weeks ago demanding $700,000,000,000 or else. Else what? No one knew for sure except that it would be really bad. Really very bad. Double plus ungood. The public was confused. The Congress was confused. The administration failed to keep people informed and the bail out bill failed (that is, until $110,000,000,000 of other spending was added by the Senate).
Building consensus
To create consensus, you must demonstrate many of the behaviors already discussed: keeping people informed, showing fairness, and finding areas of agreement. You cannot build consensus through bullying and threats -- or $700,000,000,000 ransom notes. You have to maintain the self-esteem of the Other while bringing the Other into the conversation to gain their buy-in. It requires self-confidence and desire to find a solution.
Listening to all points of view
You cannot build consensus in a vacuum (cf. Keeping People Informed).
Getting cooperation of others
Cooperation requires putting yourself on equal footing with the Other and wanting the Other to be successful with you. It's an interpersonal skill.
When the bill finally passed it passed in part because some of these indicators were demonstrated: more points of view were included, the public was better informed and the Congress played nice with each other in the sandbox.
Please note that in speeches given after the bill's passage, Congressional leaders praised each other for really working together as they had never seen before. That is both telling and terrifying. If our leadership (and I include the Administration) knew how to collaborate regularly without the house burning down maybe we could actually get somewhere as a country and a world.
For those of you who missed the mutual admiration society, I give you the Daily Show (see 6:00 minute point). (Some strong bleeped language.)
Last week, a tagline in The Trail column of The Washington Post aptly read: "Obama urges calm | McCain blames Dems."
In all this economic bailout rescue mess, the word "bipartisan" has been ballyhooed as the only way to resolve this crisis. Curiously, there was bipartisan agreement between the most liberal and most conservative wings of the house as they voted down the bailout bill earlier this week. There was also bipartisan agreement between the moderates on both sides in voting for the bill - only not enough of them.
I would like to request a change of language. I do not like the word bipartisan. It's a false word. The "bi" of bipartisan means two. As in there are two options; yes/no; up/down; republican/democrat; liberal/conservative, etc. The truth is that as humans we are more complex than these binaries.
What is needed is not bipartisanship, which implies taking a bit from one side and a bit from the other and cobbling together a patchwork, but collaboration. Collaboration is something wholly other.
So for those members of Congress and the administration, here's a briefing on Collaboration. A person who acts collaboratively will typically behave in these ways:-
Soliciting input
Soliciting input occurs when you ask people for their points of view. Please note that this behavior takes both time and humility. It implies you do not have all the answers and are open to other people's wisdom.
Giving credit
This step is essentially reinforcing the self-esteem of the Other by acknowledging their point of view, actions, or wisdom. This step requires both the ability to think critically and humility.
Finding areas of agreement
This behavior was modeled by Obama in Friday's debate. Please note that his finding areas of agreement between his point of view and McCain's was seen and advertised by the McCain camp as a weakness on Obama's part. It is a key component of collaboration because if you are only oppositional, you cannot collaborate.
Identifying and pushing for solutions
This behavior means working to find the right outcome that best serves the majority or the situation, rather than being attached to your own point of view. This step also requires humility.
Showing fairness
Being fair requires integrity and accountability. To me, it means that you are empathic enough to see perspectives from other sides and are humble enough to act ethically to put what's right ahead of your own agenda. Please note that this is not the same as standing on principle nor being a maverick (aka loose cannon).
Keeping people informed
In order to collaborate, your view must be known. To persuade people, you must tell them what you are up to and be honest. The secretive Treasury Secretary Paulson issued a 3-page ransom note to the public two weeks ago demanding $700,000,000,000 or else. Else what? No one knew for sure except that it would be really bad. Really very bad. Double plus ungood. The public was confused. The Congress was confused. The administration failed to keep people informed and the bail out bill failed (that is, until $110,000,000,000 of other spending was added by the Senate).
Building consensus
To create consensus, you must demonstrate many of the behaviors already discussed: keeping people informed, showing fairness, and finding areas of agreement. You cannot build consensus through bullying and threats -- or $700,000,000,000 ransom notes. You have to maintain the self-esteem of the Other while bringing the Other into the conversation to gain their buy-in. It requires self-confidence and desire to find a solution.
Listening to all points of view
You cannot build consensus in a vacuum (cf. Keeping People Informed).
Getting cooperation of others
Cooperation requires putting yourself on equal footing with the Other and wanting the Other to be successful with you. It's an interpersonal skill.
When the bill finally passed it passed in part because some of these indicators were demonstrated: more points of view were included, the public was better informed and the Congress played nice with each other in the sandbox.
Please note that in speeches given after the bill's passage, Congressional leaders praised each other for really working together as they had never seen before. That is both telling and terrifying. If our leadership (and I include the Administration) knew how to collaborate regularly without the house burning down maybe we could actually get somewhere as a country and a world.
For those of you who missed the mutual admiration society, I give you the Daily Show (see 6:00 minute point). (Some strong bleeped language.)
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