Divisive Politics in US

In a perfect blog, there would be something for everybody-a community where everyone is welcome, from the sports freaks and NASCAR dads to the news junkies and soccer moms. But, we live in an increasingly sectarian society with political parties split down the middle, where one side cannot really even understand the other. Perhaps this is what our Founding Fathers feared when they warned that the most dangerous element in a 'free' society is the prevalence of factions. Now, politicians are using these factions to their own political advantage, and dividing the people along the way. Perhaps the notion of community itself is an illusion in a 'free society.'

I'd like to think that my blog is open to anyone out there with a web browser and a little time on his or her hands. But, I know that's not exactly realistic considering the tastes of people out there. Part of what's exciting about following the political race or being a part of one is seeing which candidate can attract the greatest cross section of society into his camp. The politician who uses this factor to unite people from different sections of society wins my vote, but mostly politicians use this to divide people and turn them against each other.

Our culture is geared towards hooking and maintaining an audience. Television, radio, and print media know how to create communities of viewers, listeners, and readers and market their product to gain customer loyalty. Our viewing, listening, and reading habits dictate who we are, and most of these habits are shaped by our age, education level, and geography. We are becoming so polarized as a nation that someone who grew up in one of George W. Bush's "Red" states probably cannot understsand or relate to someone who spent much time listening to NPR or does much reading on thenation.com website. For those people, the right has done a pretty good job portraying these "liberals" as absent any deep moral convictions and "traitors" to our country's values. By comparison, we are used to reading that all Republicans and "right-wingers" are religious nuts and extremists. I am almost certain that this is not true, but it helps the dominant voice in one particular market to brand its name apart from the other. Grouping one group against the other is good advertising.

Is it too much to expect that we can all meet on a blog and share different opinions and ideas without casting ourselves all in the same cloth? The media spin on politics ranging from the occupation of Iraq to the 2004 election campaign is so fixed and frozen in one place. Only through dialogue can we share ideas and create new and fresh perspectives on the world and perhaps create a new political party outside the mainstream Dems and Republicans. Just a thought, but we have to start getting smarter as a nation and stop letting the media define the issues for us. We need to come together as a people and demand that leaders represent us instead of divide us.

I would love to talk or share ideas with a "Republican" not to change his or her ideas but to understand where they are coming from. It's not the politicians that will improve our lives, they are used to using politics to divide us. It's we the people that have to overcome our differences and create a better society.

Please feel free to comment.

prison torture

The prison torture cases being reported around the world strikes at the heart of what it means to be an American. We celebrate the warrior accomplishments of the men and women of this country from WWII to the present day on Memorial Day. Those men and women who died for our country and those who lived believed and still believe that America stands for protection from this kind of treatment. We dishonor the service of those Americans and ourselves when we allow this kind of injustice to represent America in the eyes of the world.

First posting-Why Blog? 30th birthday and other matters

'A blog is just one's thoughts written daily into a public forum' But, who's gonna read this stuff anyway? I thought to myself as I surmised the first line of my new blog. Hey, I can do this. I've written a journal most of my life, but as I've grown more accustomed to the digital world and less inclined towards pen and paper, I figured that writing a blog would be a better use of time than surfing the net and reading other people's blogs. It's the practical, but also soul-saving, thing to do. Also, it's my 30th birthday today, and to ensure my life's adventures are recorded for posterity...no, nothing that serious.

There's something about turning thirty that I haven't felt at other birthdays, maybe expectations are increasing and i know that i cannot sit around and be lazy. As my 35 year-old not so much older brother, writer, and fellow Mariner supporter said to me, 'you've gotta use every minute of the day Jeff' and I responded with the usual twenties era defensiveness. But, he's right. Soon, it's gonna happen-I will reach the half-way point of this life's journey (about 35 by Dante's standards)translated into modern English as the 'productive years of my life' and I wanna be ready.

It's kind of my baby, because while anyone can and will become a parent, it's the same with blogging...anyone can and will start a blog. I just want to do it well and maybe someday get noticed. No, I don't expect any awards like 'Blogger of the Year' or any crap like that. What parent rears his child with expectations for others to congratulate him on a 'job well done?' It's a pretty thankless job, but then again, so are most jobs of any value in our society.

So, please be patient Dear Reader, as I develop my style and confidence on this forum. I promise to pursue quality of writing above all and work towards improvement every day if possible. Of course, your happiness and occasional acknowledgement of my work, whether it be critical, praising, or suggestive does matter to me and I would like to hear your comments. Please feel free to drop me a line when you feel so inclined. Thanks. Jeff