17 September 2006

Tarred And Feathered


Paved With Good Intentions

Politics is interesting. Media approach can be interesting in politics, much more so during an election period. The problem can sometimes be that people do not care about what politicians have to say. Voting turnout records tend to back that up.

The question is, how do you get out a message that matters and is persuasive enough to create an increased response from the people needed to hear the message? Tv, radio, newspapers, press conferences, rallies and townhalls are the logical and traditional ways to set the 'winning' platform.

With new media the internet and all that it provides has turned into a growing grindmill for distributing the thoughtflow of parties involve. Unquestionably the internet has shifted the way politicians market themselves with many more 'grassroots people' becoming involved in the democratic process. Blogs, podcasts, videotubes, and other sites make it easier for everyone to be involved in one form or another. Of course not all the people are genuine in what they are trying to accomplish as you have people who work for the politicians directly marketing through the internet as if they are grassroot people.

An underused form of media that didn't seem to get overlooked in this particular election is attack ads by way of outdoor billboard advertising. I love billboard advertising. Quick, clever (sometimes) and to the point. This is the first time that I have seen political billboard ads depart from the usual standard and boring picture of the guy running with a stiff smile and party colours saying who he is and what party he represents. And I love it. Two excellent points made by two opponents on the one topic that is of interest to the voting area. If an election is decided on one message this would be it for this area.

If only this idea stays on in future elections. If only.

11 September 2006

I Am The Disappointment

It seems to haunt me where ever I go in life. Disappointment. Always because of me. It is said that Technology and Innovations makes everything better, easier and all of that. The strong reality is that for me it has made everything worse, harder and all of that.

I cannot blame anyone else. Nor do I want to. As this guy, I will take the responsibility. I am human and as such I have failed, again. Weak, pathetic and disgusting all in one fell swoop. I don't know the solution--- aside from moving to a hermit state. There is little comfort in knowing that I am not alone in my err (millions and millions in jail for various troubles). The Bible is equally full of thorns... some larger than others. It is a bit confusing sometimes as to how some are overlooked. Some got past the troubles and continued on to the great things. Some just got swallowed up in their circumstances.

Choices have to be made.

Apologies are never enough. Words even less.

My consolation is this:

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-21)

Sinner saved by grace. Jesus is my cornerstone and I am being built to become the dwelling I should be that God might live by His Spirit in me. I still need lots of construction as my walls have fallen. Working for a large building construction retailer I know that this kind of project cannot be completely finished by myself (I can only draw a crooked-straight lines). Building projects take time, have cost overruns, and sometimes are scrapped to be started all over again. Know any plumbers?



31.4% of Americans don't have internet access. I do (hate to be Captain Obvious, but it's true). Some days I wish I didn't. Today is one.