Essay rough draft
3 The internet has taken over. There is no way to hide the fact that children are getting smarter then their parents in the tech savvy computer world of unexplored ones and zeros. The odds are greater now that the next great on sight journalist may be a twelve year old reporting in his parents basement on their newest blog, posting pictures and videos documenting turning events because they were there first. The age of digital journalism has arrived in the hands of all in the form of cell phones with cameras and instant Internet satellite link up. If an event happens – whether it be as small and petty as a high school cat fight or as epic as a terrorist attack, it will be documented and discussed by the masses. Educated or dimwitted everyone now has a digital pedestal to stand on and declare themselves worth comment. It is the closest thing to a true democracy in the communication of thought and global ideas. The Internet is the perfect platform for the 21st century politicians who are trying to “reach the people.” Running candidates can now purchase web domain spaces for their homepage to help represent themselves, spread their ideologies and allow people to ask questions, post comments, open discussion forums, and even donate money. Candidates can even link their pages to other pages that praise their success and support their struggles to help add legitimacy. And yet the politician’s page, like a myspace page which only pumps up the individual’s ego and positive polished attributes, may disregard controversial ideas and intentions that some may find questionable. Enter the bloggers. Individuals all over the world who are compelled to let their voices and opinions be heard. There are hundreds of thousands of blogs postings regarding politics and exposing their shady dealings and impolite practices but how does one distinguish a blogger of worth from a blogger of dirt? Since it is the word that will set the world on fire, the only way a blogger can be judge is by the merit of their facts, insightfulness of their opinions, inspiration of their ideas, and text personality. A twelve-year-old blogger may have just as much to add to an eyewitness account as a veteran CNN news correspondent and during a political election it is anyone’s game. The line of journalism is being blurred and I intend to help obscure the field by following and adding my own ramblings about the joys and pitfalls of being an observer and voter in the 2008 Presidential Elections.
1 Arianna Huffington is a prestigious journalist turned blogger. Updated fairly daily on her websight www.huffingtonpost, Arianna Huffington present political news in an enlightening and analytical manner sprinkling bits of wit and humorous observations. Once a right-wing conservative, Arianna started shifting towards the democratic party through the years when she realized that the republican party cared little for the less fortunate. The shift towards the democratic party turned more into a more liberal political standpoint. This is what makes her blog so interesting and engaging, she has seen both sides of the political fence. Her blog persona is not cocky or self-righteous but handles itself in a professional tone with a fun flair for wit making her political blogs highly regarded and entertaining for both their frank analysis and amusing quips. The Huffington blog report has been posted and running since May 2005. The post have several topics that generally revolve around politics and world influence; from elections, energy crisis, laws, political scandals, and art that contain a political slant. Perhaps it is Arianna’s past involvements with both journalism and the entertainment industry that give her blogs an easy read. Blogs are a very impersonal and can be passive reads most of the time if the writer is not sparking any thought or emotional connotation with it’s reader. Arianna has an ear for good stories and how to tell them. When reading any blog there are always concerns about the legitimacy of facts in the digital post; a wonder about whether or not the sources are reliable do cross the readers mind while reading a Huffington post. Yet, Arianna Huffington’s blogs are just as good as any political analysis on the news if not better. Since Arianna’s posts are on her own private webpage and does not require any support from an outside source she has the independence to be completely honest in her political critiques without having to worry about answering any editors or sponsors; something that feels lacking on today’s news channels. We wonder “are they telling us what they really think?” Arianna Huffington, tells it like it is and with her sense of political grace and comedy that makes the reader feel more like a friends then a blank consumer. She does carry fan base from her work with comedian Al Franklen and Bill Mayer on “Politically Incorrect” and along with NPR radio “Right, Left, and Center,” which maybe be responsible for the large click rate on her web sight. She has a strong sense of self-identity that makes her opinions worth reading, discussing and taking seriously.
3 There are endless web pages of bloggers commenting their two cents about candidates and the election. As boring and mind numbing as it can be reading and listening to these ramblings by bloggers about political issues it is so important to find that persona and writing style that will suck the reader in and not make them want to click for more. A unique and fresh method of delivery critique and attacks is sought after. I recently found a page that illuminated a fun and fresh manner of political rhetoric. Political limericks. That’s right, political poetry. Not like there is any poetry in the actually primaries and candidacy but in expressing political frustration and ideas through poetry is something like finding a jewel in a bite of chocolate mouse cake (alarming at first but charming in observation.)Limerick Savant at: http://limericksavant.blogspot.com/ is a political blog site devoted to the authors humorous limericks aimed to inform and mock the political situation.Who is this author…? well, they were nameless (as far as I could find) and only referred to themselves as “The Jester” and they reside in Cleveland, Oh. This mysterious nameless Jester quips about their purpose in their profile: My aim is to needle and pester ’Til puns I inflict start to fester.And now it appears I have four more years, Self-elected, to serve as court jester. Since there is a joke of a president in the white house it be suiting that a jester be the leader in political observation. Yet, this isn’t any ordinary jestering, this is witty and playful. It goes in circles around it’s prey (Bush) and mock it’s subject with intellectual superiority using puns, rhymes, and subtle grace of opinion. Unlike most liberal political blogs this sight has a warm fresh feel unlike anything I can find online. How frustrating it is to find only angry banter and frustrating opinions where the discussion and blogs seem like a place just to let off steam instead of artistic influence. It is always one thing to attack with angry prose but to attack with poetry is something enlightening.The Jester has been “jesting” poetry for almost 4 years which is impressive because all of the limericks are unique compared to one another. The posts are fairly consistent and only add to the admiration of the author.Such a playful idea. It would be nice if these poems could be emailed to you everyday… if they were to be read to me I would imagine that the poems should be recited by an old mac robot voice… I don’t know why but I think the words and limerick would have a more devastating feel coming from an artificial voice. In my quest to find an interesting and entertaining manner to express political thought and news this web page opens some ideas for me about how I could present my thoughts. If this author wanted to they could connect some of these limericks and compose a song out of some of them. The addition of musical notes would stress the message further… dissonance and organized chaos in treble cleffs and flat notes. Make a republican shudder with the blue note on poetry.I wonder how many republicans read poetry… let alone write it? Maybe during their prepubescent stage to get their angst out. I wonder what Condoleeza Rice poetry would sound like… probably very angry and sexually frustrated. George Bush poetry???? Probably about a pet goat.Such a refreshing political blog. I hope that more post come out as the election evolves. I would love to post some poems (with the authors permission of course) on some topics if they relate. How I would love to see some of this poetry graffitied on walls all around cities. Get the message out in interesting manner. Jester author… how do i find you? Keep writing! I will try too. Now where did I leave my old blog?
