Part of growing up in the South is a healthy respect for politics and religion. Two topics that might be more taboo in other areas of the country, they fit together here like fish and grits. But I’ve learned over the years that there’s more to life than my way, then my belief, then my voting bent.
[Politics past from rickstilwell.wordpress.com]
Sitting here in the kitchen on 01/21/2012, South Carolina is holding a primary for the Republican candidate for President. I find that most of my Facebook feed is posting “get out the vote” and “doing my duty” status updates, while Twitter so far locally has a few folks post lots more than normal and others just enjoying the day and not voting.
What’s cool to me this afternoon is that I’m at home blogging on my CR48 Google chromebook, tweeting and facebooking with friends on my iPhone, and streaming CNN on their iPad app. I’m more connected now then I was just two years ago. If not actually more connected, I’ve at least got more viable channels to bring in information and to send out information, to learn from and to converse with.
[Current political/everything philosophical bent]
Regardless of your own political persuasion, there’s something to be said for the availability of information and of conversation channels open to just about all of us. With that in mind, THERE’S NO REASON TO NOT KNOW WHO’S RUNNING AND WHAT THEY’RE RUNNING ON. In a world that still relies way too heavily on soundbites, on network talking heads, on quips and pithy negativity to make up its mind, it’s wonderful that there is NO EXCUSE to not be a knowledgeable voter.
I don’t use all caps very often.
It behooves us as citizens to know what we believe, to know why we believe it, and to question the stories and soundbites to get after the truth. With all the information at our disposal and all the tools available, it’s easier than ever to make good choices. We might still disagree, but your ability to do the right thing by your conscience has greatly improved. And that’s always going to be a good thing.
Agreed.
Today, outside my polling place, two guys in their twenties asked if they could give me some information on Ron Paul. I resisted the temptation to say it to them, but I thought to myself, “If I still needed information on ANY candidate I might be considering, I wouldn’t be walking into the polling place without already having obtained it first.
The fact that there are apparently people who might make up their mind in that last-minute nature for something this important ought yo scare the daylights out of everybody.
By the way, +1 on the design from my iPhone.
Agreed, Patrick – gotta be smarter with the right to vote, I think. Thanks for the feedback.
The mobile site looks good, Rick.
Thanks for checking in with your device, Chipster.
Looks nice, sir. And very poignant post as well.
Thanks on both counts. What were you looking at the post with? PC, phone, other?
The site looks good, and is very user-friendly. I’m on using my Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0.
I also agree with you on the point that there is no excuse to be uninformed. There are too many devices and resources available.
Thanks for the feedback on both counts.
Sir Caffeinated,
Well said. “At least make an informed choice” is a thing we talk about a fair amount, in my household.
I am using an LG Ally, Android version 2.2.2, kernel 26.32.9, build FRG83G (froyo) native browser loaded the mobile template quickly. What I think should be a +1 button, maybe (it’s at the end of the text, but there is a +1 and fb button at the top of the post), says “Buffer”. The share bar is right justified, ends with @, but the buttons are halved (bottoms not showing) by the tags content area.
Thanks for he details. Really appreciate the breakdown. Am cutting some of the extra share buttons back, I think, and we’ll see if I can’t get something more palatable across the different screens.
Re: share bar – that comment was viewing landscape. Portrait, only the red text and first two buttons show, halved, and the rest are hidden.