Essenya Socialist ná

American Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Jaime Johnston) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:45:00 +0000

So I was in Washington on the 22nd, for the annual March for Life demonstration, passing out literature (okay, quietly hyperventilating at the huge crowds while my companions did most of the work), and it occurs to me--this crowd is really huge!

I am continuously wincing over left wing politics. So much of what is done is in the context of itsy-bitsy, out-of-the-way special interest groups. A sellable message is one that appeals to a broad audience. Sheesh! I'm no marketing consultant, but if you want to sell (and you're not) change your image. Get, for a moment, off of the self-righteous soapbox. Take time to wonder why a hundred thousand people would travel to the seat of government to protest abortion, but five people won't show up for your socialist meeting just down the block.

Apathy? I don't think so.

Change your message. Change your attitude. And, hey, if you want some issue-driven, action-focused friends, drop us a line.

--Sally McGee

'Beautiful Day'?

noreply@blogger.com (Jaime Johnston) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:40:00 +0000

So I just got back from an Obama rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where we watched Barack Obama give his acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention. Personally, I am very uncomfortable with these types of events (and had a horrific headache to boot) so I couldn't wait for it to be over. I do grant something, though. It is a historic moment. This is the first time in American history where a sort-of-black-looking man has a real chance for the presidency. Oh, and whoever they put in charge of the music picked U2's beautiful day to play as Obama took the stage. I love that band.

Anyway. . .

All props to the group of 'ordinary' citizens that spoke before him, but they drew only mild bemusement from the crowd. In the highlight of their performance, Barney Smith got the entire crowd laughing by saying government should put Barney Smith before Smith Barney. He even had to pause briefly while the crowd chanted "Barney Smith, Barney Smith. . ."

Obama's speech, when he actually got around to it, disappointed. Here one has this great historic moment and all he can talk about is "America deserves better, Americans deserve better, etc, ad nauseum". Here is what I wanted to see: history. Fact. Those huge video screens? The ones used to show his magnificent face in glorious detail? Yeah. Perfect place to pitch his budget promises in black and white. Instead, it sounded like so many other empty promises. An excellent place to tell a story in pictures, figures, motion and color, the history of America in commoners leading to this moment. He is already hailed as the rockstar candidate, why not borrow some lessons from the ultra-political, ultra-popular band playing before his speech?

What shall we call our new blog?

noreply@blogger.com (Jaime Johnston) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:44:00 +0000

Suggestions from members and non-members both welcome.

(The current title simply means 'My name is Socialist' in Quenya. :-\ )

just testing

noreply@blogger.com (Jaime Johnston) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:11:00 +0000

a few tweaks to the layout then we're all set