I’ve been stumbling upon a lot of great political articles lately, but I haven’t wanted to “share” them out in my Google Reader because then they show up on my sidebar and I didn’t want to alienate any of my more conservative readers. Because, if it wasn’t an election year? I wouldn’t even be talking politics at all.
Yesterday I found two I really liked, so I tagged them using del.icio.us so that I could maybe round them up into one political post a week. I totally forgot that I had set up del.icio.us a long time ago to publish links at the end of the day – so last night my political links showed up in their OWN entry! BAH! Abort!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I attended last week’s political function. That I’m not talking about the election near as much either (a) on my blog or (b) to people around me as I am actually thinking about it. If you read my blog you probably don’t realize how obsessed I am with reading political pundits. I just don’t talk about it that much. But if you live with me? You probably know even less. I do periodically bring it up with LilZ, but he gets a lot of political talk from his Dad’s side of the family (where they tend to argue as they vote for different candidates) and I don’t want to make him any more disgruntled. I keep my political talks short and to the point.
And MrZ? Last night was the first time I think he’s ever heard me go on a rant about this election. While he will vote for Obama this year, he has absolutely NO passion for the election because he has become bitter with politics in general in his adult years. He has a hard time getting behind a candidate because they all are, in general, politicians. So – I just watch the coverage when he’s not around because his commentary isn’t usually supportive of either candidate.
But I think about it ALL THE TIME.
It occurred to me this morning as I deleted that del.icio.us entry from last night – that maybe I’m being a little fake to please the masses. The masses on my blog and in my family. And that’s probably not very fair to anyone. Including myself.
I have never found myself more emotionally invested in an election in my entire life. I’m not sure if it’s my strong belief in Obama or my extreme irritation with Bush – but the two together? Have turned me into a passionate Democrat this year. I found myself on the verge of tears several times yesterday as I read woman after woman discuss why they wouldn’t vote for Sarah Palin. I’m so proud that we have come so far as women that we not only have a female VP candidate, but we can actually choose not to vote for her. We’ve come so far as a nation that – in my opinion – it’s actually the all-male ticket that I feel will fight for the women’s issues I care about most.
But do I write about it? No. Do I talk about it? No. Because – before this year – I didn’t. So, I feel awkward doing it now.
I guess I’ve always been a political infant. I vote Democrat, always have. But that’s about it. There have been periodic moments where I’ve jumped into political discussions because I feel outraged, but overall? In the last 15 years that I’ve been old enough to vote? Not so much.
But this year? It’s all I freakin’ think about.
How do I make that transition?
So – I have decided I will start sharing my links on the sidebar under it’s own heading. I have never wanted someone elected so badly in my entire life. Maybe there are a few undecideds who read this blog and the links will help them decide. I feel hypocritical by pretending this is not important, that I’m not angered by some of the things I hear/see/read, but I am also not a political pundit. I don’t write about politics well, not like others do. I feel it passionately, but it comes out sounding like a preschool playground, “McCain threw dirt in my hair! He’s a poo poo head!” So, I’ll link to the ones that say what I feel in a way that sounds eloquent and passionate and educated – and less like it’s coming from my preschool daughter.
I’m with you on this one Zoot. I had sworn that I wasn’t going to vote this year, then I heard Obama and what he believes in – I listened to his words and suddenly felt hope again. Hope is a powerful thing, and even if all he can do is bring hope, it is something we desperately need.
Good for you. You should be able to share things on your blog that you are passionate about. I hope people don’t give you too much grief! I know I will be reading some of the side bars!!
Like you I’ve always been into politics but this I am especially passionate about the election. I’ve never donated to a campaign and I’ve donated to the Obama campaign multiple times.
Coupled with the hope of change the way he has been running his campaign speaks volumes, this country has been damaged enough with the us vs. them mentality. I don’t think he is a perfect candidate but are there any that will speak to us and match our wants or needs 100%?
Thank you for your posts! I look forward to your links!
“I’m so proud that we have come so far as women that we not only have a female VP candidate, but we can actually choose not to vote for her. We’ve come so far as a nation that – in my opinion – it’s actually the all-male ticket that I feel will fight for the women’s issues I care about most.”
Perfectly said Zoot! I whole heartedly agree and it moves me to the verge of tears too!
Usually all I glance at on the sidebar is the flickr section. You are a great photographer and I LOVE looking at your photos! Thanks to you, I now take pictures of everything when we go on vacations. My husband thinks I’m nuts, I believe.
The ability to choose who we think is the best person for the office is what makes the good ole USA a great country. I’m one of your conservative readers, but like I said, that’s what makes us a free country when we can express our views.
Long time reader, never commented, but this one requires an unbuttoning of my lip.
I too have never been in people’s faces about politics, but this year for some reason, all I want to to talk about it politics, and especially Sarah Palin. I’m dying to know what people’s perceptions of her are, and if they match my own. I want to debate the various platforms of each candidate in comparison with the other one. I am so pumped to vote this year!
And I think everyone who knows me knows that. I bring up anything about the elections, and they all change the subject. I think that’s a sign from the electoral process gods that I’ve worn out my welcome.
Love this! I almost always read your sidebar stuff because you link to some mad-cool and mad-funny blogs and articles, so I’m stoked that you now link to political ones! Woot!
I think Obama’s number one accomplishment so far is getting people to care and involved in politics. Actually, that is Bush’s number one accomplishment, too. We all hate him so much we’re motivated to defeat.
Yes, share away. I have decided to discuss politics a little more on my own space as well (as evidenced by my post earlier this week). I think as long as discussion is not full of hate and allows the reader to think and ponder, then you will not offend folks.
I agree with you – this year is more important than EVER. We all need to vote, we all need to think, we all need to discuss. There is so much at stake.
Just to let you know — I read your blog everyday (but rarely comment) and am among one of your conservative readers and I promise that I won’t get scared and run away.
Even though we are miles apart politically — I love you to death. SERIOUSLY.
Plus, I think you are pretty good about expressing your viewpoint without putting other people down who happen to think/view things differently.
And — it runs both ways. I’m scared to death to comment on anyone’s blog (especially this time of year) because I’m afraid everyone will think I’m lame because I’m not a cool, hip democratic like the rest of you in the gang.
This is a big deal. You should share what you think. If one person becomes motivated to vote b/c of you then you’ve made a difference.
This, too, is the first year I’ve felt invested in Politics….it’s also the first year I’ve been a registered Democrat (what can I say, I was raised to think Democrat was the same thing as Puppy Eating Witch). I don’t blog about it as much as I think about it because, well, I don’t want to be devisive with my few readers, and also because I’m pretty sure that not everyone even CARES as much as I do, and I don’t want to be boring. But in my mind? It’s a 24-7 loop (well, maybe not quite that much. I have to sleep. And obsess over Tivo).
Hi Zoot! First time commenter, though I’ve been reading you forever. Though politics (and this campaign) is my obsession and pretty much all I’ve wanted to talk about, I’ve avoided it on my blog until really recently for the same reasons. I felt like people were being “preached to” from a lot of angles and would be annoyed if I discussed it on my blog. But then I realized that I was absolutely eating up the blogged reactions during this campaign (on both sides) precisely because it isn’t spin – it’s regular people discussing our thoughts and impressions and what matters to us. If I’m getting so much of the dialogue, perhaps I should also commit to contributing to it? I’m so looking forward to the sidebar links and thanks for contributing.
I, too, am one of your *eek* Republican readers who love you and your writing and have so for years. I completely respect each and every person’s political opinion and only wish everyone else were the same – is this not what this country is all about?
It took a VERY long time for me to actually say the words “I am a Republican” – being from we-only-bleed-blue Massachusetts – to those who I feel might immediately judge me and my values. I believe in many things (um, I have more than one ‘belief’ about Bush…) as a conservative that most Democrats would find surprising to learn. Anyway, all this to say that I, too, have sudenly become incredibly passionate about this election and all that is at stake, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read all the various debates and issues on all sides of the “fence.” I think the fact that you are so passionate and care so much is a great thing! I wish everyone – Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian… – cared so much – that’s what makes politics in this country especially so awesome!
Wow, total apologies on the novel of a comment. I just wanted to say that I look forward to reading everything you post on your sidebar – I gobble up anything and everything to remain as informed as I can – and I especially respect and ADMIRE your willingness to share your beliefs, opinions and passions with all of us readers (and I happen to think you express yourself wonderfully in your writing)!
Also, what Jen A said “…it runs both ways. I’m scared to death to comment on anyone’s blog… because I’m afraid everyone will think I’m lame because I’m not… like the rest of you in the gang.” !!!
If you feel passionately about it, I don’t think you should have to censor yourself on your own blog. I’d love to hear what you think. I fall into the same category as MrZ – I just can’t deal with it, because they’re ALL politicians and I don’t trust a one of them… but I still like hearing what other, more informed people think about the candidates and the issues.
(I used the exact same logic – if you feel passionate, you shouldn’t censor yourself on your own website – to justify the seven posts I wrote on the Twilight series.)
I’m one of those undecideds. I *think* I’m in the McCain camp but I’m waiting until the debates to make a decision. I will look at your stuff in the sidebar though because at this point I’m still open to changing my mind.
I really HATE war, but my brother (who retired from the Army about a year ago) explained to me why it’s important that we finish and that’s what keeps me in the McCain camp. HOWEVER, I despise the fact that that he (and Palin) are against same sex marriage and are not pro-choice. I’m super torn.
I think you are doing a good job, and I appreciate that you come across as concerned and not mean and judgmental.
I feel the same way about not voting for Obama. I will be passionately fighting for the McCain side.
Way to speak your mind. Seems like people are supercharged this year, and I think that when we really believe in something, we should speak up about it!
You should always speak your mind! This is YOUR blog so don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. I always look forward to your links both within posts and on the sidebar.
Like a couple of others who commented, I am worlds apart from you politically, but so what? I enjoy hearing others’ opinions and enjoy looking into someone elses world to see what they are reading.
I love that you are able to voice your passionate opinion without being a meany pants! You rock!
I am with MrZ, in that I think politicians are just politicians, but EVEN I had a political rant to Paul last night. It’s an exciting election year. I’ve chosen so far not to blog about it, not because I’m censoring myself but because I’m not interested in hearing some of the stuff I’ve seen people saying here and there. Like, if I bring it up, then I have to cope with the comments I was ranting about to Paul last night.
Another conservative reader here. Its very exciting that he chose Sarah. She is great. For one thing, Alaska governors (and citizens for that matter) really understand energy for obvious reasons. Her husband is a minority, she has a child in the military, another is special needs. She has a lot of life experience that we all can relate to. I feel badly because the media is so in the pocket of Obama. They are up here in droves trying to find something, anything. They’ve come up with all sorts of bizarre stories that are disproved (like she faked her pregnancy). Im sure they’ll find something to squeak a scandal out of. She is a really good person. I just wish they’d follow Obama’s lead and leave the children alone.
Anyway, just wanted to say, its your blog, of course you should post your opinions.
This is a great post.
I’ve been struggling with some things that I couldn’t quite put my finger on about this election; why I felt so strongly when I’m not overly political, why I felt guilty for NOT voting for Hillary & Palin because they were women, and why Obama and his campaign has effected me like it does… how it moves me to the point of how can I NOT get involved?
Thanks for managing to put my own feelings into words. It was simple but well crafted and sincere. It was also a risky thing to do, but you managed without seeming to alienate or offend. That’s tricky, and only those with great skill and true honesty can pull it off.
Here, here a good idea to put your political links on the side just incase you alienate soem readers. Mind you I will be dipping into your links as well. U.K. news has been full of the campaign for some time now. I’m rooting for Obama. I looked up Sarah Palin on Wikipedia the day she was announced as McCains running partner. There was some sort of weird Occult symbol hack going on which covered half the webpage. Very strange. Not there now though.
Thank you! I’ll use that political sidebar all the time. I’ve always been an Obama supporter, but until a libertarian friend subjected me the other day to a pro-McCain lecture, I honestly couldn’t tell you a thing about Obama’s policies. I just had to sit there and take it like a dumbass, so now I’m trying to read all I can to avoid being stuck in that situation again. I’m sitting here nursing my 4-month-old daughter and watching Palin tell a speech of lies on CNN. How is no one calling her on this BS? They’re trying but nothing is sticking. How is that even possible? Liberal media, my ass!
Anyway, I am incoherent. Thank you.