Ripple of Hope

I had forgotten again to do this blog thing but what I was going to blog seems so small compared to what I experienced last night. My wife and I went to see the premiere of "Ripple of Hope" a documentary on the speech that RFK gave in Indianapolis the day MLK was killed. It was 40 years to the day yesterday "when a shot rang out in the Memphis sky" I had no expectations going in to the Madam Walker Theater last night, all I knew was that this film was a production of Covenant Productions in partnership with Anderson Univ. What I came out of there with was overwhelmingly enlightening experience.

I knew about the speech and I knew some of its historical significance, but I did not have the understanding of the event as I have now. Bobby Kennedy gave one of the best non political-political speeches in American politics history. After everyone including the police, Washington DNC leaders, the Mayor of Indianapolis, and his top aids told him not to go to this black part of town where he was scheduled to speak he went anyway. While many cities in the US burned that night, many historians attribute the peace in Indianapolis to the RFK speech. The documentary is not a film about a speech, its not about the Presidential campaign of 1968, its about peace and understanding. We have come a long way since 1968, but there is still work to be done. Who will be the next JFK, RFK, or MLK in our generation?

After the film was done there was a panel discussion with the film maker and leaders in Indianapolis. A great dialog went on for 2 hours after the film was over. And the amazing thing about that 2 hours was how positive the discussion was. People were talking about awareness and about positive change. The theater was half white half black and we were all there in dialog because of a "digital storyteller".

To make some connections to 2008, this year is the first time since 1968 that the Indiana Primary has been influential. Obama was to make the same trip that RFK made on April 4th 1968, but at the last minute canceled that trip. Also during the panel discussion after the film a very well dressed man walked up to the stage to thank the film maker before he had to leave. We all felt it was a little odd and when he turned he looked a little familiar. It was in fact Max Kennedy the son of Bobby Kennedy. He was in town campaigning for Obama when he heard about this film. No one knew he was there, not even the film maker. After some prodding by the crowd he got up on stage and said a few words. He tried not to campaign, but he did say that there is a candidate in this election that shares the views and vision for America that his dad did.

I hope everyone has a chance to see this documentary for perspective, and to affect a ripple of hope in their own community.

www.rippleofhopemovie.com

Timeline for 1/2 hours show

:10 – Open
:30 – Welcome/explainer from host
8:00 - Religion & Politics – Brian
1:00 – Bumper 1 (Number of people covering Super Tuesday)
:30 – Host ramblings
5:30 (15:40)- Chelsea at BSU - Marty
1:00 – Bumper 2 (Leher)
:30 – Host ramblings
5:00 (20:40) - Earlham – Brian
1:00 – Bumper 3 (Best political teams)
:30 (22:10) – Host ramblings
3:30 (25:40) - Hilbama
:30 (26:10) - Host close
:?? - Closing Credits
TOTAL: ??:??

Intro Graphics Idea...

Here's what I've been working on for the intro graphic... Let me know what you think!!!!

http://seanderson.iweb.bsu.edu/graphicsdemo.swf

Cut the crap

Seriously, if these candidates send anymore actors to our college...

Look, I'm sure Sean Astin and Kal Penn are probably alright guys and they're not terrible actors. You know, they're not as bad as a Tom Cruise or a Nicholas Cage. But what exactly do they have to do with politics?

Sean Astin wasn't even that bad. He's a child actor who managed to avoid the typical child actor pitfalls and remain relatively successful.



But Kal Penn? He's famous for being in two Van Wilder movies and a movie about potheads who like White Castle.


How exactly does that fit in with the Obama campaign's message?

Oh, I know how. We're just a bunch of dumb, drunk college students who get all kinds of excited when we see a real life celebrity! Gee, candidates, thanks for pandering to us! Don't worry about gracing us with your actual presence. Just send some more C-listers to entertain us. Clearly that's what we want.

Obama in Muncie FRIDAY

I'm so excited that I just pee'd my pants...who's going with me?!?!


I'm going to be a raving lunatic if I don't get in!

Hillary Announces Runningmate!

I guess Obama's rejection affected her a bit more than we thought...

CUPERTINO, California (April 1st, 2008) - Hillary Clinton took a break from her campaign to make a major announcement in her run for President. She was in California at Apple's national headquarters to announce her new choice for her Vice-President, Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

On the steps of the Cupertino offices, Jobs stood with Clinton as she made her announcement. "Today begins the next step for the White House." Clinton continues, "Steve has brought advancements to both society and to technology for Americans as well as the world. I believe that he can also help advance this nation where it needs to go."

After her comments, Jobs stepped up to give his responce, a screen behind him displaying Hillary's campaign logo. "America is looking for change. A government that is accessable and able to respond to their very whims. I believe with the leadership of Hillary and the help of the Apple brand, we can do just that."

The announcement was brief, saying that more information could be found at both Hillary's website as well as Apple's. Both sites have been running slowly since the conference and thus the press has not been able to review the information. This story will be updated as the day goes on.

Watch out Ozzy, there's a new family in town

Isn't it so enriching to see such love between a family. Alright now honestly. Chelsea was asked about her Father's scandal for the second time while she was at UNC (the 1st time at Butler U.). Personally I think the student at UNC was just trying to get his 15 minutes of fame, but Chelsea, come on! Both times you have taken the question personally and got your panties in a bunch. These questions are fair game. Hey...if your mommy doesn't make it into office maybe your family should consider talking to MTV and getting your own show, "The Clintons".

Al Gore throws his hat into the ring!

Al Gore will run as Independent for president, Bloomberg tapped as veep

You might want to sit down for this: Al Gore has announced his candidacy for president. Wait, wait, don't get up yet: Gore, a lifelong Democrat, will run as an Independent. He's even announced his vice-prez pick: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who only last week dodged rumors that he'd be Barack Obama's second fiddle. But Bloomberg only has eyes for Dreamy Al. "This is a man who gets things done," Bloomberg said. "We're tired of waiting on Democrat and Republican bickering." In a speech in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday morning, Gore listed climate change, foreign policy, and getting the economy out of the dumps as his top priorities. And he minced no words in deflecting skepticism about his chances. "With all due respect to Senators Clinton, Obama, and McCain," he said, "what America needs is Al Gore."

The popularity of politics on YouTube

A NewsLink Indiana student crew did a story about Friday's visit to Muncie by Hillary Clinton. That story posted to You Tube, has gotten over 300 hits. There's plenty of other videos from the event online too. The Star Press carried the speech live on it's web site and the Indy stations were in attendance as well.
At least one of the viewers of the NLI story was really looking closely. The crew had exhausted it's good wide shots and took one from the feed to end the story on. The line was about continuing to campaign in Indiana and other states. The comment from the You Tube viewer called out the crew for using one shot that wasn't from Muncie.
I know You Tube has a lot of interest, but just didn't think people would be watching that critically!

Hillary in Muncie

....I could not help myself and had to go to see Hillary Clinton....I probably will never ever have that chance in my life (not that this bugs me, but....)

It was really an interesting experience, but honestly: I would have expected more people to come (even tough people had lined up at 4pm already)....maybe I have a wrong perception but she is running for to be the most powerful politician in the whole world (that's at least what they say over the big pond!)
It was funny, because the side I was sitting on had college students on the right side, older people in the middle and traditional democrats to the left....so whenever somebody tried to engage a "wave" for Hillary it would be strong to he right side, die right in the middle and ebb a little bit at the left side.
The only thing that spoiled it a little bit for me was that I was reading too much about American values lately, so whenever she said something about hard work and rolling up your sleeves and family&faith etc., the bells in my head started ringing...I could hardly concentrate with all that noise!
Overall I think it wasn't too bad, she tried to customize her speech to the situation in Indiana, added personal and individual stories, covered the most important political issues (sometimes lacking how she wants to achieve what she claims....but that's not unusual in a political rally)

For me as an international student it was definitely worth seeing.

Stick a fork in her, she's done...

So...she's taking it to Denver ehh? That's not going to happen, not by a long shot. I'm glad the media is writing her obituary - make it right there in the faces of everyone watching and most importantly those who are still to vote.

Let's be serious...she can't win a majority of electoral votes without winning about 60% in all remaining races (she's only hit those numbers in her home states of New York and Arkansas as well as Rhode Island) AND getting a recount in Michigan and Flordia (which isn't going to happen). So, say she SOMEHOW accomplishes 60% in all these states...she'll only lead 1,777 to 1,757.

Obviously, that's not going to happen. So she says she'll take it to the superdelegates. Ok so your campaign couldn't win the popular vote, the electoral votes, or number of states and you're going to overturn the will of the voters effectivly stealing a campaign away from a black man. Well just see how well that does her in the General Election. Everyone knows that would be disaster and now that the media are saying it nice and loud...well great.

Am I saying lets marginalize the remaining votes by having her drop out? Well, we do it every other year in the spirt of party unity...but no. She can stay in, she can lose real seriously in North Carolina and Oregon..maybe split Indiana...and then when all the Supers jump on the winning horse...she'll be dead in the water.

So - thanks Hillary for being such a decive pos. Go run for govenor of New York or something.