November 29, 2007
Clinton Plants Question at GOP YouTube Debate?
More controversy swirls around the Clinton campaign as yet another accusation of planting questions has arisen – this time at the CNN /YouTube Republican Debate.
Retired Brig. Gen. Keith H. Kerr, an openly gay man, not only asked a question regarding gays in the military via video clip, but was also present at the debate to further interrogate the candidates. After the debate concluded, rumors began circulating that Kerr is an avid endorser for Hillary Clinton; rumors that turned out to be true. According to the nonpartisan magazine Campaigns & Elections, Kerr is a co-chair of “Veterans and Military Retirees for Hillary,” as well as a member of Clinton’s “LGBT Americans for Hillary Steering Committee.”
Since pieces of this story are still surfacing, it’s difficult to assess exactly how this happened and if there actually is a correlation between Kerr and Clinton’s campaign. There is considerable uproar from numerous media outlets, especially CNN rival MSNBC, as to how CNN could fail to recognize such a blatant Clinton supporter asking questions at such a ballyhooed event. Regardless of political affiliations or biases, one can’t help but question the authenticity of CNN’s motives in hosting a republican debate. With an ever-constant label of pushing the democratic agenda, it doesn’t help CNN’s cause to provide a a Clinton supporter a medium to challenge the right.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 03:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 28, 2007
Annapolis Peace Summit Ripples Across the Web
The Annapolis Summit will bring together Israelis, Palestinians and Arab nations to relaunch the peace process.
The respecitive leaders will discuss the most sensitive matters: the issue of borders, Palestinians refugees … and the status of Jerusalem. People on both sides of this issue are expressing their hopes and fears all over the web including YouTube, Facebook, and many different Blogs.
While the Peace conference organizers and the participants seem to be very determined to solve the situation, people around the world demonstrate their anxiety towards their political representatives’ moves. YouTube shows videos in which Jews in Israel explain their concerns facing others citizens who support Olmert in this step for peace. In another video, they claim they would protest against him if it fails. Also, YouTube shows videos in which Palestinians protest against the Annapolis conference and leave little room for compromise. Indeed, most of compromises are expected from the Israeli side. YouTube also puts forward the pro-Israeli discontent around the world. A video illustrates American Jewish citizens’ worries about the consequence of the summit.
The Facebook shows similar discontent from Jewish and Palestinians’ supporters towards the Annapolis conference from around the world. The Group “Supporting the Peace Summit in Annapolis”, created by Dotan Harpak (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Ron Alter (New York, NY), has 422 members. The group “Anti Annapolis Autumn Conference” has 351 members. Many others Facebook groups have been created including “Giving away Jerusalem? Over my dead body!” Blogs are also a channel where people actively demonstrate their opinion on this very divisive issue.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 09:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 27, 2007
Democratic Candidates Ignore Tech and Communications Security
Obama and Edwards have both laid out impressive innovation agendas involving considerable investment in America's technology sector.
These investments include raising American broadband standards to match the speed of other nations including Japan, and also spreading broadband technology to rural communities across the nation.On the Democratic side of the aisle, these two presidential contenders are leading on technology issues, while the others either remain in 1st gear or are ignoring the importance of these issues.
Technology and Communications should be at the forefront of the policy debate considering the times we live in. The political leaders who are making a bid to lead the free world have lived through Hurricane Katrina and the September 11th Attacks just like all of us. Securing the nations strategic communications infrastructure seems to be imperative when we know all to well the threats of terrorism and natural disasters.
A major attack on the nation’s communications infrastructure could paralyze the government's response to events domestic or international.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 19, 2007
The 'Net Promotes Democracy in Kenya
The Internet is improving the young democracy in Kenya. The Website Mzalendo, which means “Patriot” in English, co-founded by Ory Okolloh, reports on the Parliament’s work.
It publishes Hansard, the official record of the goings-on in the Parliament. Mzalendo provides information about how the Members of Parliament fulfill their mission. Because Kenya is still a closed society, it introduces Kenyan politicians to transparency.
The organization’s goal is to encourage the Kenyan people to demand accountability from public institutions. The Website helps to improve political education by making citizens aware they have the right to know what their government is doing. Rather than ethnicity and personality considerations, this site focuses on the important issues that affect the daily lives of all Kenyans.
This Website also aims at promoting the future of the Kenyan democracy. The Internet tends to attract the young people in Kenya, who represent future voters. The more active people become in Kenya’s young democracy the more political leaders will feel accountable to the people.
The Mzalendo project envisions a future where the Internet will be an integral part in Kenya’s democratic process. This project along with other Kenyan Web sites will sponsor online interactive discussions with MPs. In addition, it will also include individual constituency blogs and will help to point out representatives’ excesses and omissions. Mzalendo website is definitely an efficient tool to keep an eye on the Kenyan democracy. Similar Web sites could become a strong force to spread democracy across the African continent.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 15, 2007
Rudy's "not so glamorous" Youtube Video
The internet allows candidates to campaign in increasingly creative ways. For months presidential nominees have been speaking to individuals through the web i.e. e-mails and videos.
Some of these videos are official and serious while others are well, not. It all began with the infamous “Obama Girl” video and its subsequent responses.
Recently a California based public relations firm has released their latest “Glamorous” video in support of Rudy Giuliani. Spoofing Fergie’s hit song, the video attempts to relay a serious political message through a comical means. The key schism between the Obama and Giuliani videos is the message.
One is meant to attract interest and entertain while the other clearly tries to communicate the candidate’s platform. Should candidates be trying to convey a central political message through a superficial spoof? It is almost insulting to contort a fear based political message meant to strength support for strict national security policy into a Top 40 parody. It undermines the candidate, the message and potentially the candidate. So candidates, by all means be creative, but don’t be naïve in thinking that a bad effort at a comical stunt will truly advance your cause.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 13, 2007
Guatemala: The Revolution Grows
Internet based campaign methods are spreading all around the world.
Alvaro Colom, the social-democrat candidate, is the newly elected President of Guatemala. His main adversary was Otto Perez Molina. The Colom campaign used the Web as a new political communication channel. They broadcasted their presidential ambitions and programs through videos, interviews, and reports. Political parties of each candidate also used the Web to inform their supporters of any political events across the county.
However, the use of the Web is still at a very early stage. On Facebook, three groups have been created to support Alvaro Colom and five groups have been created to support Otto Perez Molina. On YouTube, 216 videos show Alvaro Colom’s campaign.
The style in which these videos are made up is very different from Guatemala to the US. American online efforts can be very serious. They portray the differences between the candidates. The candidates make the case for voters to support theirs ideas. The Internet is another place in the political battle field. Guatemala candidates broadcasting seem to be more likely an advert. They discuss their ideas in a few minutes. A traditional Guatemalan song makes the spot more attractive. The candidates are not engaged in an aggressive discussion, but the revolution is just beginning in this small central American nation.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 07, 2007
The Ron Paul Money Bomb
Setting records must be fun, especially when it involves 4.2 million dollars.
Ron Paul went from long shot to hot shot in a mere 24 hours by setting a new record for online single-day pre- primary fundraising. While the number itself is impressive let’s not forget what this is really about, attention, attention, attention. What is being called a “money bomb” is simply Paul’s way to attract interest to his campaign, and what better way than money and Guy Fawkes videos. Wait, Guy Fawkes? Yea, you know, the heroin V, from V for Vendetta, “Remember, remember the Fifth of November.” Paul and supporters have been reciting this for weeks in speeches and YouTube videos in preparation for this historical demonstration of support. Over 37,000 participated on November 5th, 2007, a day Paul and supporters will not soon forget, and hopes no one else will. This vast amount of financial intake is in ignorable by fellow Republican and Democratic challengers. It is also a demonstration in how the internet has simplified the donating process making minute to minute calculations possible to provide notable results. A strategy that is now seemingly irreversible in campaign finance.
Paul hopes to raise 12 million this quarter. With 4.2 in one day this seems a reachable goal. Will fresh attention make it even easier with new individuals donating, or will the enthusiasm bubbles fizzle out? Ron Paul is a serious candidate. He was before November the 5th and his priorities don’t seem to be changing anytime soon.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
