I thought I'd get ready for the fourth by posting a couple of snarky projects from my site. I've got some love up and down the ticket for Nebraska's candidates.
Now, before I post these, a disclaimer. I have a nasty streak. It's more fun for me to blast the opponent than to extoll the virtues of my own candidates. Besides, we all know Barack, Scott and Jim kick butt.
And now, the snark, starting with the Indistinguishable Gentleman from the Second Congressional District:
Today I attended the Nebraska Douglas County Democratic Convention, and I got FIRED UP AND READY TO GO.
I was elected an Obama Alternate Delegate for Legislative District 09 to the state convention later this month, and was also elected to the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee for LD 09.
We just finished paying off both cars (neither a hybrid, but both high mpg compacts) and decided to celebrate with a round of donations.
I'd love to see anyone match me for these great candidates!
I never cease to be amazed at how overtly racist Fox News folks can get. Gibson and O'Reilly are at best, incredibly racially insensitive, and at worst - flat out crackers.
Here's my latest from The OH REALLY? Factor. All abstracted symbols are totally intentional.
First a little background: I'm working on a sabbatical project this semester that allows me to create as many snarky political videos as my little heart desires. I do take requests, as well. With that out of the way, here's my initial entry...
I'm no mathematician (as anyone who has read my previous diaries can attest) but can someone explain to me how a 5 dollar jump in crude oil prices brings about a 50 cent to 1 dollar jump in the price of a gallon of gasoline?
A quick Google search reveals that a barrel of crude on average produces 19.5 gallons of gasoline.
I know there are other costs involved in the process, but someone is getting rich as hell off these profits, and consumers on the edge of making ends meet are getting screwed.
Nebraska is a little bit goofy from an electoral standpoint, and as a die-hard liberal living in red state central, I want to post some stats and observations about Nebraska for folks from the coasts, and more importantly - dense population areas.
First, the disclaimer. I'm a graphic designer, not a social scientist - so I look at things from a target audience point of view. I'm used to seeing a large group of folks, and trying to find the best way to visually communicate with them. My conclusions are just my opinion, and are likely skewed because of my political and social leanings. That being said, I'm pretty damn good at empathizing with folks - or I'd be dead professionally. And, I have friends and family out-state in those rural areas. They aren't clueless, evil or stupid. They are just insulated from diverse opinions.
So, on to the Extended for some facts and observations.
There have been lots of diaries and theories about how the Democrats lost the election. Personally, I think the recent statements from James Carville are dead-on accurate - you need a narrative to effectively communicate a message.
However, the visual communcation (graphic design) of that message is extremely important, and the DNC completely blew it in 2004.
That's right. The visuals that accompanied the Kerry campaign actually reflected the Bush criticisms about Kerry, effectively reinforcing the Republican narrative.
As we learned in 2000 with flawed ballot designs - design matters. Read on in the extended entry to see some examples of what I'm talking about.
