Monday, September 28, 2009

Can tech personalities break into politics?

Hall, Linda. "Can Tech Personalities break into politics?". CNN. http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3628008386551780171

Recently we've movie stars, astronauts, and basketball players get involved in politics. Now ebay CEO Meg Whitman is looking to do the same. She wants to prove that the tech-savvy can be trusted enough in politics. This isn't the first time a high-tech person has got involved in politics, there are many minor positions filled but whitman is running for governor in California. The article also talks about how its becoming more and more important for the contestants to show skills in this new technological world. President Obama could use a blackberry like there was no tomorrow while John McCain didn't even have email, he now uses twitter. "Technology and innovation have improved every business and saved millions and millions of dollars," Meg Whitman said, promising to do the same for California.

I love the fact that the media world is becoming mixed in with the political world. Its Just like my first blog post on Obama trying to "make it cool again". This is a new generation, one where trying to function without an email is nearly impossible. Ebay is definitely one of the biggest markets online and I think if Meg Whitman can oversee ebay with all of its success then she is clearly going to be a big competitor in this next California governor election. Even in slightly smaller, yet still very important, elections like the mayoral election in provo the candidates have facebook pages, blog sights, and websites you can visit to get all sorts of information. The media is everywhere. Having a tech-savvy person in politics would be great!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

"Stay in school, study, and do your homework"

"Obama urges students to work hard, stay in school" CNN. http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3628008386551780171

The President of the United States delivered a speech to students k-12 on Tuesday morning during school. The President was able to do this through the media. It is amazing how the whole nation has the ability to tune into the same channel at once. Many Parents didn't want their kids being "brainwashed" by the president into his political views. They had little do fear. The president addressed the importance of staying in school and getting an education. He expressed that sometimes its hard depending on the circumstances to get good grades, but it is possible. Although this was the case and no politics were involved many parents still checked their kids out of school for the twenty minutes the speech was delivered. This was not the first time the President of the United States has chosen to speak to the kids in school. In 1991 George Bush the first gave a speech to kids in a Washington school telling them to say no to drugs and stay in school. Some of the controversy originated when the first draft of the speech seemed to be about how we can do more to help our president. But after some more analyzing they decided that was not the right angle to go at it.

I would understand some of the controversy if the speech
had been about "serving Obama" but, um...that wasn't the speech! They changed it because obviously they knew it was not the right thing to talk about. So why are we worrying here? The final draft wasn't anything more than we hear our teachers tell us everyday. I think its crazy that parents wouldn't want their kids listening to Obama. Come on America, this is our president! He is the man we elected to lead our country and make important decisions. I think its important that, although we may not always agree wish his choices, we at least give him the respect he deserves. Personally, I thought the speech was inspiring. He made me feel important knowing that we are the future generation. One day some kid my age will be leading this country while today's leaders sit back having already done their job.

p.s. sorry my font is always so messed up,I get really confused on blogs sometimes