White Paper
I'm working on a white paper for community infrastructure co-ops.
My intent is to get fed funding for building a prototype.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why He Won
I don't see how Bush fucking up has anything to do, per se with Obama getting elected.
In my mind, Obama got elected by running a near-flawless campaign. He leveraged Howard Dean's groundbreaking work in terms of organizing and fund raising. He recognized that in genuinely troubled times, overt and reactive partisanship wasn't the right prescription. Overall, he had a winning strategy from the outset, and stuck to it. One of the bobbleheads I heard last night coughed up a truism: most battles are over before the first shot is fired.
Obama's victory is akin to Bill Clinton jumping into the fray in 1991, when all the Democrat bigshots were bailing -- refusing to be cannon fodder before an a triumphant GHW Bush's inevitable landslide. Clinton (and his team) sensed something different and developed the plan to capitalize on it, and it worked. In the face of obstacles and stupidity, their hand stayed firm. It was the plan that won.
I don't see how Bush fucking up has anything to do, per se with Obama getting elected.
In my mind, Obama got elected by running a near-flawless campaign. He leveraged Howard Dean's groundbreaking work in terms of organizing and fund raising. He recognized that in genuinely troubled times, overt and reactive partisanship wasn't the right prescription. Overall, he had a winning strategy from the outset, and stuck to it. One of the bobbleheads I heard last night coughed up a truism: most battles are over before the first shot is fired.
Obama's victory is akin to Bill Clinton jumping into the fray in 1991, when all the Democrat bigshots were bailing -- refusing to be cannon fodder before an a triumphant GHW Bush's inevitable landslide. Clinton (and his team) sensed something different and developed the plan to capitalize on it, and it worked. In the face of obstacles and stupidity, their hand stayed firm. It was the plan that won.
Echoing Atrios' assessment of Tom Brokaw as "blithering idiot of the day", Brokaw should have been with me yesterday, canvassing in 1 square mile in New Jersey, We were tasked to knock on over 800 doors. Half of them turned out to be in retirement/nursing homes (Apt. 2D on the sheet turned out to be bed 2D in some cases.). So there you have large, concentrated populations in the Jewish and Catholic centers. Additionally, in the same square mile we hit million dollar McMansions, a neighborhood of tiny bungalows, as well as property backing on to a farm. Probably 2500 people living in that square mile, with ethnic, age, and income diversity matching the whole country.
That's 21st century America, dimwit.
That's 21st century America, dimwit.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I just voted.
I had to vote by provisional ballet. I moved in mid-July. I sent in a re-registration/change of address (moved within the county)before the deadline. I don't know why they didn't register me. My wife's change was on the books; mine wasn't.
SOOO, I had to fill out a provisional ballet.
To compound the minor frustration (I live in Deep Blue Jersey, so I'm not too concerned about the timeliness of the vote count. New Jersey will be called for Obama at 8:00 and thirty seconds tonight.)I left my reading glasses at home.
Let's just say that ballet I had to fill out wasn't exactly ADA compliant. The more I struggled with holding the thing out in front of me, the older I felt.
Of course the fact that I went to the poll with my son who voted for the first time was also a reminder of my age, but in a positive way.
No lines at 7 a.m. in my district; steady traffic. The poll worker said there was a sizable line at the door at 6 a.m.
Felt kind of misty reflecting on the day as I walked home. Recalling 4 years ago, after watching the Emminem Mosh video, I wore black hoodie to the polling place that day. Pissed off then; more settled today.
It's a good thing.
I had to vote by provisional ballet. I moved in mid-July. I sent in a re-registration/change of address (moved within the county)before the deadline. I don't know why they didn't register me. My wife's change was on the books; mine wasn't.
SOOO, I had to fill out a provisional ballet.
To compound the minor frustration (I live in Deep Blue Jersey, so I'm not too concerned about the timeliness of the vote count. New Jersey will be called for Obama at 8:00 and thirty seconds tonight.)I left my reading glasses at home.
Let's just say that ballet I had to fill out wasn't exactly ADA compliant. The more I struggled with holding the thing out in front of me, the older I felt.
Of course the fact that I went to the poll with my son who voted for the first time was also a reminder of my age, but in a positive way.
No lines at 7 a.m. in my district; steady traffic. The poll worker said there was a sizable line at the door at 6 a.m.
Felt kind of misty reflecting on the day as I walked home. Recalling 4 years ago, after watching the Emminem Mosh video, I wore black hoodie to the polling place that day. Pissed off then; more settled today.
It's a good thing.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
I nominate Barney Frank to be the Speaker of The House for the 11th Congress, and Russ Feingold as Senate Majority Leaders,.
I think the Democratic leadership needs to change because the dynamics of governing have changed so much. And certainly they will change much more so once Obama takes office. Nancy and Harry landed in their spots looking like a 16 year old who just got the green light to "go all the way". Great enthusiasm but not much of an appreciation of the task hand, ummm, at hand. They didn't have much of a plan or agenda beyond gainsay and potshots (IMHO).
We need a congressional leadership that can forge a rapid, progressive-acting partnership to amplify the uplift that Obama will bring. An adult in the White House again will be unleash great energy -- on both sides -- and there must be a corresponding adult legislative infrastructure in place to cause some uplift.
I think the Democratic leadership needs to change because the dynamics of governing have changed so much. And certainly they will change much more so once Obama takes office. Nancy and Harry landed in their spots looking like a 16 year old who just got the green light to "go all the way". Great enthusiasm but not much of an appreciation of the task hand, ummm, at hand. They didn't have much of a plan or agenda beyond gainsay and potshots (IMHO).
We need a congressional leadership that can forge a rapid, progressive-acting partnership to amplify the uplift that Obama will bring. An adult in the White House again will be unleash great energy -- on both sides -- and there must be a corresponding adult legislative infrastructure in place to cause some uplift.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Idiots Who Rule America
Journalist Chris Hedges writes what's been in my head lately.
All the rhetoric and activity around the recent "crisis" has centered on fixing the system.
The immediate outcome of the "crisis" demonstrates that the system is beyond fixing.
I think that high Priest Greenspan -- vicar of the Church of Selfishness known as Objectivism -- which has dug its fangs into the neck of modern society -- nneds to be seen for the corrupt, corrosive force that he and his kind represent. Teaching Ayn Rand as some sort of modern bible deserves to be recgonized for what it is -- once of the root causes of the modern calamity we face. To para-quote Joseph Conrad "we live as we dream...alone." Indeed!
All the rhetoric and activity around the recent "crisis" has centered on fixing the system.
The immediate outcome of the "crisis" demonstrates that the system is beyond fixing.
I think that high Priest Greenspan -- vicar of the Church of Selfishness known as Objectivism -- which has dug its fangs into the neck of modern society -- nneds to be seen for the corrupt, corrosive force that he and his kind represent. Teaching Ayn Rand as some sort of modern bible deserves to be recgonized for what it is -- once of the root causes of the modern calamity we face. To para-quote Joseph Conrad "we live as we dream...alone." Indeed!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Das Neues Media
Obama winning the Presidency means that the traditional media has been enveloped by the internet. They are no longer the out-front player in the game of filtering information. They are part of the mosaic, but not the whole game, Not the way they think they are or expect to be treated. The popular perspective has been diffused into too many directions.
They will push their narrative, but there will be a growing counter-narrative. To the extent tat they are as yet incapable of understanding this new media environment, their utility will increasingly diminish.
Low information people who hang on the Fox and Rush, etc., will become increasingly isolated and paralyzed. Some may strike out, but their ability to adapt as a permanent and shrinking minority will force a crisis of faith.
They will push their narrative, but there will be a growing counter-narrative. To the extent tat they are as yet incapable of understanding this new media environment, their utility will increasingly diminish.
Low information people who hang on the Fox and Rush, etc., will become increasingly isolated and paralyzed. Some may strike out, but their ability to adapt as a permanent and shrinking minority will force a crisis of faith.
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