Political Rallies

[jonka]

Just wondering.

[Attila the Fun!]

It's a good question, but I think we could add, "Have you ever been convinced to go out and vote because of a political rally?," and perhaps we'd see more balanced results. Or maybe not, since people are too proud to actually say, "I'm voting for him because I saw him speak."

I think the simple act of seeing a candidate in the flesh, in your own high school or community center, affects turnout rates (I think all those politicians on cross-country tours agree). In some instances, it may even affect who you vote for, but again, who would admit that?

Seeing famous people in person really does affect TV-viewers. Just think of all those giggly high school girls whose favorite band is always the last one they saw in concert, but who they never talked about before. A lot of people never get beyond that stage.

[jonka]

good point

[Titanic]

I've never been to a political rally, so I can't answer either way, but don't most people who attend the political rallies already have their viewpoint decided?

[stahrgazer]

I'll fess up. The "rally" I attended wasn't in person, and it wasn't just one, but it was a series of rallies on tv.

Seeing now-President Obama speak, listening carefully to the thought process he used, convinced me he's a critical thinker, which also convinced this "never gonna vote for another Dem again" Republican that Obama's the one to vote for.

Admittedly, tho, disgust with Bush-wacker and crew made me willing to at least listen to the Dem speeches.

After that, while helping the Obama campaign here in PSL, I got the chance to attend the rally where former (and man, I loathed him!) pres. Clinton spoke. Hearing him speak in person made me almost like him.

[thegreekdog]

I have only been to political rallies that involved sides of issues I already agreed with.

That being said, I think political rallies that I have seen (on television) have alerted me to a particular issue. I can't think of one off the top of my head, but it has happened, especially when I was in college.

[Nobunaga]

... The one I went to recently brought up the "Apollo Alliance" and their ties to the Stimulus Bill.

... I had no idea these freaks were so tight with Congress. I was pissed (I'd never heard of them).

...

[Attila the Fun!]

The stated goals of the Apollo Alliance are:

1. Promote advanced technology and hybrid electric cars.
2. Invest in more efficient factories.
3. Encourage high-performance building.
4. Increase use of energy efficient appliances.
5. Modernize electrical infrastructure (smart grid).
6. Expand renewable energy development.
7. Improve transportation options.
8. Reinvest in smart urban growth.
9. Plan for a hydrogen future.
10. Preserve regulatory protections.

Doesn't sound so bad...except maybe to Glen Beck.

[thegreekdog]

The stated goals of the Apollo Alliance are:

1. Promote advanced technology and hybrid electric cars.
2. Invest in more efficient factories.
3. Encourage high-performance building.
4. Increase use of energy efficient appliances.
5. Modernize electrical infrastructure (smart grid).
6. Expand renewable energy development.
7. Improve transportation options.
8. Reinvest in smart urban growth.
9. Plan for a hydrogen future.
10. Preserve regulatory protections.

Doesn't sound so bad...except maybe to Glen Beck.

I like it too. Except, I wonder what the subject for all those verbs is?

[Nobunaga]

The stated goals of the Apollo Alliance are:

1. Promote advanced technology and hybrid electric cars.
2. Invest in more efficient factories.
3. Encourage high-performance building.
4. Increase use of energy efficient appliances.
5. Modernize electrical infrastructure (smart grid).
6. Expand renewable energy development.
7. Improve transportation options.
8. Reinvest in smart urban growth.
9. Plan for a hydrogen future.
10. Preserve regulatory protections.

Doesn't sound so bad...except maybe to Glen Beck.

... Look at their board members and tell me they have our best interests at heart. ACORN founder, SEIU VP, and Weather Underground co-founder.

... Hmmmmm .... This doesn't seem suspicious to you? I have no problem with their right to exist, it's their ties to congress and the role they seem to have played in creating the stimulus bill that pisses me off.

...

[Neoteny]

The stated goals of the Apollo Alliance are:

1. Promote advanced technology and hybrid electric cars.
2. Invest in more efficient factories.
3. Encourage high-performance building.
4. Increase use of energy efficient appliances.
5. Modernize electrical infrastructure (smart grid).
6. Expand renewable energy development.
7. Improve transportation options.
8. Reinvest in smart urban growth.
9. Plan for a hydrogen future.
10. Preserve regulatory protections.

Doesn't sound so bad...except maybe to Glen Beck.

I like it too. Except, I wonder what the subject for all those verbs is?

China, obv.

[Attila the Fun!]

Look at their board members and tell me they have our best interests at heart. ACORN founder, SEIU VP, and Weather Underground co-founder.

It's only an opinion, but I'd say those groups do have our best interests at heart, perhaps with the exception of the defunct revolutionary group from 40 years ago. I always laugh when I hear about yet another "co-founder" of the Weather Underground. (Seriously, how did an underground group chased by the FBI manage to have 4 million founders? Did the FBI miss the giant Weather Underground convention?). Why do people always try to wave around the Weather Underground like it's something to be ashamed of, anyway? We have a system of laws in place that convicts and imprisons criminals. It doesn't always work on the powerful (see: George W. Bush), but it certainly nabs regular guys like Bill Ayers and Jeff Jones all the time. If they really did so many terrible things, why aren't they in jail? I'm pretty sure that the tribe has spoken on the Weather Underground, and it's said "Let it go."

[thegreekdog]

The stated goals of the Apollo Alliance are:

1. Promote advanced technology and hybrid electric cars.
2. Invest in more efficient factories.
3. Encourage high-performance building.
4. Increase use of energy efficient appliances.
5. Modernize electrical infrastructure (smart grid).
6. Expand renewable energy development.
7. Improve transportation options.
8. Reinvest in smart urban growth.
9. Plan for a hydrogen future.
10. Preserve regulatory protections.

Doesn't sound so bad...except maybe to Glen Beck.

I like it too. Except, I wonder what the subject for all those verbs is?

China, obv.

Well, no. What I was looking for is "US federal government" or "people" or "corporations" or something of that nature. If the US federal government is doing this stuff, for the most part, I don't agree with the list.

[Nobunaga]

Look at their board members and tell me they have our best interests at heart. ACORN founder, SEIU VP, and Weather Underground co-founder.

It's only an opinion, but I'd say those groups do have our best interests at heart, perhaps with the exception of the defunct revolutionary group from 40 years ago. I always laugh when I hear about yet another "co-founder" of the Weather Underground. (Seriously, how did an underground group chased by the FBI manage to have 4 million founders? Did the FBI miss the giant Weather Underground convention?). Why do people always try to wave around the Weather Underground like it's something to be ashamed of, anyway? We have a system of laws in place that convicts and imprisons criminals. It doesn't always work on the powerful (see: George W. Bush), but it certainly nabs regular guys like Bill Ayers and Jeff Jones all the time. If they really did so many terrible things, why aren't they in jail? I'm pretty sure that the tribe has spoken on the Weather Underground, and it's said "Let it go."

... A total rationalization.

... Too bad Charles Manson's not around, he'd fit right in.

...

[Attila the Fun!]

So enlighten me: What did the Weather Underground do that was so wicked, and why aren't they in jail?

[Nobunaga]

So enlighten me: What did the Weather Underground do that was so wicked, and why aren't they in jail?

... Hmmm... bombings might be a good reason. They bombed government buildings mostly, and banks.

... Why they aren't in jail is very much beside the point, and an obvious attempt to dodge the subject.

... So, you're on board with the Weather Underground assisting congress in drafting legislation?

... That's interesting.

...

[Baron Von PWN]

So enlighten me: What did the Weather Underground do that was so wicked, and why aren't they in jail?

... Hmmm... bombings might be a good reason. They bombed government buildings mostly, and banks.

... Why they aren't in jail is very much beside the point, and an obvious attempt to dodge the subject.

... So, you're on board with the Weather Underground assisting congress in drafting legislation?

... That's interesting.

...

Taking a page from Glenn beck are we?

You don't think that maybe he has'nt heard of them? I know I haven't. I don't think its so outrages for a lobby group to have ties to congress, thats what they do after all create ties to congress so they enact legislation they like.

[thegreekdog]

I heard there's some pending legislation supported by the Montana militias. Hope it passes.

[Nobunaga]

So enlighten me: What did the Weather Underground do that was so wicked, and why aren't they in jail?

... Hmmm... bombings might be a good reason. They bombed government buildings mostly, and banks.

... Why they aren't in jail is very much beside the point, and an obvious attempt to dodge the subject.

... So, you're on board with the Weather Underground assisting congress in drafting legislation?

... That's interesting.

...

Taking a page from Glenn beck are we?

You don't think that maybe he has'nt heard of them? I know I haven't. I don't think its so outrages for a lobby group to have ties to congress, thats what they do after all create ties to congress so they enact legislation they like.

... What page is this I'm taking from Beck? You're obvisouly too new here to know what you're talking about yet, so we'll just let that one slide on by.

... But you're right. Lobbyists should write our legislation. I don't know what I was thinking. My bad.

...

[PLAYER57832]

I have only been to political rallies that involved sides of issues I already agreed with.

That being said, I think political rallies that I have seen (on television) have alerted me to a particular issue. I can't think of one off the top of my head, but it has happened, especially when I was in college.

The only time I truly "attended" political rallys was when I was in College. Rallies were frequenly held in the center of campus and in the local park, both places I passed through often. Sometimes I would stop long enough to hear the basic of what people were saying. It is hard to say if my opinion changed on anything, I think it was more as others have said, a matter of becoming aware that a particular cause was an "issue" right then.

The exception was during the first Iraq war. There was a small peace protest, but they took pains to include veterans along with every single "pro-peace" speaker. They all took the time to praise the soldiers, pray for them (in all religious traditions) at the same time as they voiced opposition to the politics of the situation. It brought tears to my eyes to hear some of the Vietnahm Veterans talk about how they had been treated, how they felt and how they managed to heal afterward (some not so well, of course). I am old enough to remember the soldiers returning. When a Veteran spoke, we ALL stood still and listened... sometimes even if we were going to be late for class (and, even on that semi-radical campus, many a professor "excused" such lateness .. provided it was not repeated)

Other than that, I see them on TV. Right now, it would take a lot of effort for me to attend any rally. I would only do that if I already firmly believed in a cause.

[thegreekdog]

When I was in college (pimpdave might remember this), the university administrators decided that they would outlaw drinking on campus (regardless of whether the drinkers were 21 and over or not). The biggest protest I was ever involved in occurred when the students got together to protest this decision. I believe the administration changed their policy because of that "demonstration." Sadly, it did not involve any particularly important issues, but, well, I was there.

[Attila the Fun!]

... Hmmm... bombings might be a good reason. They bombed government buildings mostly, and banks.

... Why they aren't in jail is very much beside the point, and an obvious attempt to dodge the subject.

... So, you're on board with the Weather Underground assisting congress in drafting legislation?

... That's interesting.

...

I don't think it's beside the point at all.

The government isn't one to forgive and forget. Just ask Roman Polanski (and he wasn't even targeting the government). You'd think that if the Weather Underground actually bombed government buildings, they'd be pretty high up on the wanted list. Why is it, then, that so many Weather Underground members are walking around today, some even sharing milkshakes with the head honcho?

For all the hype about Bill Ayers and Jeff Jones, no one seems to want to answer this question. Most people are content to equate the Weather Underground with criminals/terrorists/whatever, when our own legal system has barely managed to do so. Is it possible that the folks at the Justice Department know something we don't? Perhaps that the Weather Underground wasn't so much a radical terrorist organization as it was a radical extracurricular activity?

That's why I think the question of conviction and guilt matters.

[Nobunaga]

... Hmmm... bombings might be a good reason. They bombed government buildings mostly, and banks.

... Why they aren't in jail is very much beside the point, and an obvious attempt to dodge the subject.

... So, you're on board with the Weather Underground assisting congress in drafting legislation?

... That's interesting.

...

I don't think it's beside the point at all.

The government isn't one to forgive and forget. Just ask Roman Polanski (and he wasn't even targeting the government). You'd think that if the Weather Underground actually bombed government buildings, they'd be pretty high up on the wanted list. Why is it, then, that so many Weather Underground members are walking around today, some even sharing milkshakes with the head honcho?

For all the hype about Bill Ayers and Jeff Jones, no one seems to want to answer this question. Most people are content to equate the Weather Underground with criminals/terrorists/whatever, when our own legal system has barely managed to do so. Is it possible that the folks at the Justice Department know something we don't? Perhaps that the Weather Underground wasn't so much a radical terrorist organization as it was a radical extracurricular activity?

That's why I think the question of conviction and guilt matters.

... You make a compelling argument.

...