Since I work at a non-profit devoted to youth civic engagement, I always find narratives about voting experiences interesting. Sometimes they are even entertaining. Such is the case with Professor Nokes' account of his first voting experience.
His narrative masterfully displays both what is right and what is wrong with modern electoral practices. What is right is that precincts are local and run by volunteers. You will often find that the old women (it is usually old women) who work at the polling centers are people you know, especially if you grew up in the neighborhood. If you are 18, and thus it is your first time voting, they are usually thrilled to see you and smile as you sign into the register. In fact, when I was a volunteer at a precinct (the one male and only person under 30) the only time the women I was working with didn't kibitz about what party the person was registered in was when the voter was a young whipper-snapper. The Republican woman who scowled at all the Yuppie Democrats who came in beamed when the pierced and tatooed gothic teen Democrat signed in, and the Democrat woman who murmered curses at all the suit wearing "Banker" Republicans was downright giddy when the chino wearing College Republican signed in. It was endearing to see that the health of our republic was more important to my co-volunteers than partisan politics. Partisan politics were important, but the regime moreso. The local volunteer aspect of voting is a joy to watch.
The Bureaucratic process, on the other hand, can be a nightmare. There are so many genuine concerns Clerks and Registrars need to address that the regulations often become cumbersome, or even an obstacle. In fact, since the New Millenium Young Voters Project found that potential young voters found the process of voting itself to be intimidating, I would posit that a good reason for this intimidation is the bureaucratic, solemn, and sterile feeling that has come into being. Sometimes our voting process is too much about the rules and not enough about the joy of both "ruling and being ruled in turn." Professor Nokes account of the County Clerk who states boldly that it is possible that the precinct line bisected the young Professor's house horizontally is a perfect example of the overly bureaucratic mindset.
We need rules to ensure fair elections, but we also need to remember that when we are voting we are "ruling" by selecting those who will make the rules, or in California by sometimes actually voting laws into existance.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Monday, June 05, 2006
I Must Be In The Front Row...Too
It appears that Bob Uecker has a stalker. Studies have yet to determine if his stalker selected him because he tastes great or if it is because he is less filling.
Baseball Musings, June 5th
Although it is still early by baseball standards some interesting things happened this weekend on the diamonds.
Albert Pujols - As I previously mentioned, Albert was on his way to the best baseball season of all time for a hitter, a projected 79 homeruns and 202 rbi's, this would have broken both single season records. However, today Albert is undergoing an MRI on his right oblique for an injury sustained this weekend. It seems that Albert will miss 6 weeks or more with the injury based on the talking heads of ESPN. As a baseball fan I was looking forward to Albert chasing down both the RBI and Homerun records. It is a bit of let down, injuries happen but it is a shame.
Detroit Tigers - A comment to my post last week indicated that the Tigers hadn't played anyone and I should hold up a bit. They were a good story with the best record in baseball but I was premature in my elation for their play. They were knocked around in their own house by the Yankees and Redsox over their last two series. The Beast in the East still lives in the American League East. As a Red Sox fan I like to see them do well but I did want the Tigers to be legitimate just to mix things up a bit. I remember when the Angels won the World Series, they were a great team, lots of energy and just the feeling that they were never out of it even though they did not have the murderer's row of the Yankees. Just an all around great team. I though the Tigers could be a similar team - they have some good energy guys like Pudge Rodriguez. However, like origami they folded under pressure. Sad really.
Arizona Diamondbacks - The number one team in the National League West, currently the best division in baseball based on combined records of the teams, was remarkable this weekend. The D' backs went into Atlanta and swept the Braves in their own building. Atlanta is a good team, a top 10 team according to ESPN, and I respect them, pulling of division wins for the past 14 years running is good evidence of their quality. However, the Diamondbacks beat them every way possible this weekend. They won a 2-1 pitchers duel on Thursday, won a doubleheader on a 4-2 early game and a ball smashing 13-9 affair in game 2. Finally on Sunday, the Braves were embarrassed with a 9-3 loss. Besides having the best pitcher in the National League in Brandon Webb, it is hard a first glance to tell why they win. But they score runs and lots of them, they are the second highest scoring team in the National League and are third in runs allowed. I suppose this is simple, they score and they don't allow others to score. In the National League the D'backs are in the top 4 in batting average, runs scored, slugging, ERA, K's per 9 innings, and walks to strikeout ratio all in a tough division. All in all a pretty tough team, the only question being is if they are peaking or performing. The Rockies supersonic plummet gives pause for caution, but right now they are are fun team to watch play. Go, D'backs.
Top Performers over the Last Week
Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh, 2B) 8 runs, 4 homeruns, 15 rbis and a .478 batting average
Corey Patterson (Baltimore, OF) 7 runs, 2 home runs and 8 stolen bases
Jacque Jones (Chicago Cubs, OF) 6 runs, 3 homeruns, 8 rbis and a .458 batting average
Damion Easley (D'Backs, INF) 4 runs, 4 homeruns, 10 rbis and a .538 batting average
Chris Young (San Diego, SP) 2 wins, 12 k's, no earned runs and 3 hits and 3 walks over two games
Trevor Hoffman (San Diego, RP) 3 innings pitched, 3 saves, no runs, a 0.33 whip and 2 k's
John Rheinecker (Texas, SP) 2 wins, 1.10 era over two games, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts
Those are my baseball thoughts for the week ending June 4, 2006.
Albert Pujols - As I previously mentioned, Albert was on his way to the best baseball season of all time for a hitter, a projected 79 homeruns and 202 rbi's, this would have broken both single season records. However, today Albert is undergoing an MRI on his right oblique for an injury sustained this weekend. It seems that Albert will miss 6 weeks or more with the injury based on the talking heads of ESPN. As a baseball fan I was looking forward to Albert chasing down both the RBI and Homerun records. It is a bit of let down, injuries happen but it is a shame.
Detroit Tigers - A comment to my post last week indicated that the Tigers hadn't played anyone and I should hold up a bit. They were a good story with the best record in baseball but I was premature in my elation for their play. They were knocked around in their own house by the Yankees and Redsox over their last two series. The Beast in the East still lives in the American League East. As a Red Sox fan I like to see them do well but I did want the Tigers to be legitimate just to mix things up a bit. I remember when the Angels won the World Series, they were a great team, lots of energy and just the feeling that they were never out of it even though they did not have the murderer's row of the Yankees. Just an all around great team. I though the Tigers could be a similar team - they have some good energy guys like Pudge Rodriguez. However, like origami they folded under pressure. Sad really.
Arizona Diamondbacks - The number one team in the National League West, currently the best division in baseball based on combined records of the teams, was remarkable this weekend. The D' backs went into Atlanta and swept the Braves in their own building. Atlanta is a good team, a top 10 team according to ESPN, and I respect them, pulling of division wins for the past 14 years running is good evidence of their quality. However, the Diamondbacks beat them every way possible this weekend. They won a 2-1 pitchers duel on Thursday, won a doubleheader on a 4-2 early game and a ball smashing 13-9 affair in game 2. Finally on Sunday, the Braves were embarrassed with a 9-3 loss. Besides having the best pitcher in the National League in Brandon Webb, it is hard a first glance to tell why they win. But they score runs and lots of them, they are the second highest scoring team in the National League and are third in runs allowed. I suppose this is simple, they score and they don't allow others to score. In the National League the D'backs are in the top 4 in batting average, runs scored, slugging, ERA, K's per 9 innings, and walks to strikeout ratio all in a tough division. All in all a pretty tough team, the only question being is if they are peaking or performing. The Rockies supersonic plummet gives pause for caution, but right now they are are fun team to watch play. Go, D'backs.
Top Performers over the Last Week
Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh, 2B) 8 runs, 4 homeruns, 15 rbis and a .478 batting average
Corey Patterson (Baltimore, OF) 7 runs, 2 home runs and 8 stolen bases
Jacque Jones (Chicago Cubs, OF) 6 runs, 3 homeruns, 8 rbis and a .458 batting average
Damion Easley (D'Backs, INF) 4 runs, 4 homeruns, 10 rbis and a .538 batting average
Chris Young (San Diego, SP) 2 wins, 12 k's, no earned runs and 3 hits and 3 walks over two games
Trevor Hoffman (San Diego, RP) 3 innings pitched, 3 saves, no runs, a 0.33 whip and 2 k's
John Rheinecker (Texas, SP) 2 wins, 1.10 era over two games, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts
Those are my baseball thoughts for the week ending June 4, 2006.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Marvel Loses Avi Arad and Media Obsess About Superman's Sexuality
Avi Arad has left Marvel Comics to start up his own film production company. Arad was one of the key figures in Marvels recovery from bankruptcy and helped move the company away from comic books as a primary product and into a multimedia conglomerate. Arad's vision seemed finalized when Marvel opened their own production studios for films, an act Arad deemed necessary after conflict with Sony over Spider-man revenues.
The split, and subsequent creation of a company that will make Marvel licensed films, seems odd. Especially when you take into account that Arad has recently sold off $60 million in Marvel shares, 2/3 of his holdings in Marvel. The combination of Arad's apparent ability to convince Marvel to once again license their films out, in this case to him, with his own huge divestiture in Marvel interest leave the future of Marvel open in my mind.
In other news, it seems that the Los Angeles Times and everyone else can't stop talking about how "gay" Superman is going to be as a film. Personally, Superman is one of my favorite characters, Singer is one of my favorite directors, and I think the film will be great. Besides, I saw Christopher Reeve kiss Michael Caine in Deathtrap and you don't get any more homoerotic than that. Oh wait, sure you do, "Kneel before Bernadette." I mean Zod. Look at how fetish-wear the Zod getup looks? It looks like Zod is getting ready to molest Kal-El.
I don't know what the big deal is. I don't know why everyone is trying to politicize/tank what looks to be a fun movie.
I will be waiting in line to see Superman Returns and if I hear too much snickering in the line, I just may go Doomsday on their asses.
The split, and subsequent creation of a company that will make Marvel licensed films, seems odd. Especially when you take into account that Arad has recently sold off $60 million in Marvel shares, 2/3 of his holdings in Marvel. The combination of Arad's apparent ability to convince Marvel to once again license their films out, in this case to him, with his own huge divestiture in Marvel interest leave the future of Marvel open in my mind.
In other news, it seems that the Los Angeles Times and everyone else can't stop talking about how "gay" Superman is going to be as a film. Personally, Superman is one of my favorite characters, Singer is one of my favorite directors, and I think the film will be great. Besides, I saw Christopher Reeve kiss Michael Caine in Deathtrap and you don't get any more homoerotic than that. Oh wait, sure you do, "Kneel before Bernadette." I mean Zod. Look at how fetish-wear the Zod getup looks? It looks like Zod is getting ready to molest Kal-El.
I don't know what the big deal is. I don't know why everyone is trying to politicize/tank what looks to be a fun movie.
I will be waiting in line to see Superman Returns and if I hear too much snickering in the line, I just may go Doomsday on their asses.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Food For Thought
So, I was watching Heavy: The History of Metal and The VH1 Rock Honors the other day. Yeah, I know...metal bah.
Heavy was a pretty good set of documentarys if you like the subject matter. But don't even get me going on the use of the term Glam to describe 80's "hair metal." Everybody, okay well at least Nick Hornby, knows that Glam is T-Rex, David Bowie, and the New York Dolls (Robert Palmer and Roxy Music too) and not Poison, but that is another story (you can always watch Velvet Goldmine for a fictional version). To make a long story short, I enjoyed the show, but what really capped it off for me was last night's Rock Honors. The highlight for me was Godsmack doing a Judas Priest medley. I normally hate medley's but Godsmack really adapted the music of Priest well. Their medley made a great opener for the Priest themselves.
On the weak side was the All American Rejects version of Def Leppard's "Photograph." To be honest the whole Leppard segment was pretty weak.
The irony of watching bands like Priest (Breakin' the Law and Hell Bent for Leather) hobble around on stage like geezers isn't lost on me, but Priest let the music do the talking and focused their performance on the music and it worked. The band's proficiency carried them through, they seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves, and they rocked. Leppard on the other hand seemed lathargic and lazy when performing their own music. Their notes were flat and the guitar work harried. When Brian May, of Queen, came out with Leppard for their cover of T-Rex's "Twentieth Century Boy" they did liven up and appear to enjoy themselves. Kinda sad that they are more excited about other people's music than their own, though they were still overselling it. I don't know how you oversell a Glam tune, but they managed.
Back to Priest/Godsmack. A part of the Godsmack medley was the classic Electric Eye, which regardless of where you stand in today's political climate provides food for thought.
Heavy was a pretty good set of documentarys if you like the subject matter. But don't even get me going on the use of the term Glam to describe 80's "hair metal." Everybody, okay well at least Nick Hornby, knows that Glam is T-Rex, David Bowie, and the New York Dolls (Robert Palmer and Roxy Music too) and not Poison, but that is another story (you can always watch Velvet Goldmine for a fictional version). To make a long story short, I enjoyed the show, but what really capped it off for me was last night's Rock Honors. The highlight for me was Godsmack doing a Judas Priest medley. I normally hate medley's but Godsmack really adapted the music of Priest well. Their medley made a great opener for the Priest themselves.
On the weak side was the All American Rejects version of Def Leppard's "Photograph." To be honest the whole Leppard segment was pretty weak.
The irony of watching bands like Priest (Breakin' the Law and Hell Bent for Leather) hobble around on stage like geezers isn't lost on me, but Priest let the music do the talking and focused their performance on the music and it worked. The band's proficiency carried them through, they seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves, and they rocked. Leppard on the other hand seemed lathargic and lazy when performing their own music. Their notes were flat and the guitar work harried. When Brian May, of Queen, came out with Leppard for their cover of T-Rex's "Twentieth Century Boy" they did liven up and appear to enjoy themselves. Kinda sad that they are more excited about other people's music than their own, though they were still overselling it. I don't know how you oversell a Glam tune, but they managed.
Back to Priest/Godsmack. A part of the Godsmack medley was the classic Electric Eye, which regardless of where you stand in today's political climate provides food for thought.
Up here in space
Im looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do
You think youve private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
Im watching all the time
Im made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
Im elected electric spy
Im protected electric eye
Always in focus
You cant feel my stare
I zoom into you
You dont know Im there
I take a pride in probing all your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove
Im made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
Im elected electric spy
Im protected electric eye
Electric eye, in the sky
Feel my stare, always there
Theres nothing you can do about it
Develop and expose
I feed upon your every thought
And so my power grows
Im made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
Im elected electric spy
Im protected electric eye
Protected. detective. electric eye
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Christian Johnson in Print Again
In my ever expanding quest to become a game designer, I have become an editor on the staff of the unofficial Savage Worlds Fanzine Sharkbytes. I am the 50 Fathoms editor. 50 Fathoms is Savage Worlds' piratical setting and I have had fun as the editor.
Long story short, my first edited article is in the newest issue (Volume 2, Issue 1).
If you have any interest...my first published article was in the February '05 Nibbles issue. It was an article on how to incorporate introduction, cutscenes, and flashbacks into game sessions.
After its long hiatus, it is good to see Sharkbytes back in print and I have already gone hard to work editing the next 50 Fathoms article. I am even writing a few, though not 50 Fathoms, of my own.
Long story short, my first edited article is in the newest issue (Volume 2, Issue 1).
If you have any interest...my first published article was in the February '05 Nibbles issue. It was an article on how to incorporate introduction, cutscenes, and flashbacks into game sessions.
After its long hiatus, it is good to see Sharkbytes back in print and I have already gone hard to work editing the next 50 Fathoms article. I am even writing a few, though not 50 Fathoms, of my own.
Baseball stories not currently being covered
With the Barry Bonds saga dragging on the national media seems to be mostly ignoring some of the better baseball stories going on throughout the league. This is not to say they are not being covered but not being given their due. The following list is in no particular order:
Albert Pujols: Now he is being covered but not to the degree that McGuire or Bonds were when they were on their record setting pace. Currently, he has 25 homeruns and 64 rbis at the end of May, if Albert keeps it up he will hit 79 home runs and have 202 rbi's by the end of the season. A mind boogling season - perhaps the best of all time.
Brandon Webb: Quietly leads the league with 8 wins. He has been dominant throughout the season and should start for the National League in the all star game. His ground ball to flyball ratio has been disgusting. His 2.18 ERA and 1.08 whip are nothing to sneeze at.
The Detroit Tigers: They have been in a word awesome. Jim Leyland has turned around a franchise in desperate need of a new direction. The pitching is good and their lineup produces runs. They are a nice change to the teams normally associated with the elite of the sport.
Nomar Garciaparra: After a couple of years of injury he has made a smooth transition to first base and is hitting lights out in Los Angeles. Nomar hasn't been playing as long as everyone else but he is hitting over .360 and has favorable rbi's with the league even with his time off for injury.
Johnathan Papelbon: The Boston rookie has moved into the closer's role and has given up one earned run all year. His microscopic whip and era (0.35 era and 0.58 whip) have helped Boston stay at or near the top of the AL East
Ryan Howard: This second year first baseman from Philadelphia is tearing up the National League with 18 homeruns and 47 RBI's through May. He simply crushes the ball - get used to the name it will be around awhile.
Hanley Ramierez: Rookie starting shortstop for the Florida Marlins is hitting .315 with 43 runs and 16 stolen bases in his debut season. He runs and scores, just what you want out of a lead off hitter. Additionally, he is a legitimate threat on the bases, rivaling Carl Crawford, Jose Reyes and Scott Posednick for steals. A true consideration for rookie of the year.
the National League West: After a season where only one team was above .500 for the year, after two months every team is .500 or better. Thats what I call a turn around.
Whatever your take on Bonds, he looks old these days and in my humble opinion now that he has taken the next hurdle lets see more of some other stories.
Albert Pujols: Now he is being covered but not to the degree that McGuire or Bonds were when they were on their record setting pace. Currently, he has 25 homeruns and 64 rbis at the end of May, if Albert keeps it up he will hit 79 home runs and have 202 rbi's by the end of the season. A mind boogling season - perhaps the best of all time.
Brandon Webb: Quietly leads the league with 8 wins. He has been dominant throughout the season and should start for the National League in the all star game. His ground ball to flyball ratio has been disgusting. His 2.18 ERA and 1.08 whip are nothing to sneeze at.
The Detroit Tigers: They have been in a word awesome. Jim Leyland has turned around a franchise in desperate need of a new direction. The pitching is good and their lineup produces runs. They are a nice change to the teams normally associated with the elite of the sport.
Nomar Garciaparra: After a couple of years of injury he has made a smooth transition to first base and is hitting lights out in Los Angeles. Nomar hasn't been playing as long as everyone else but he is hitting over .360 and has favorable rbi's with the league even with his time off for injury.
Johnathan Papelbon: The Boston rookie has moved into the closer's role and has given up one earned run all year. His microscopic whip and era (0.35 era and 0.58 whip) have helped Boston stay at or near the top of the AL East
Ryan Howard: This second year first baseman from Philadelphia is tearing up the National League with 18 homeruns and 47 RBI's through May. He simply crushes the ball - get used to the name it will be around awhile.
Hanley Ramierez: Rookie starting shortstop for the Florida Marlins is hitting .315 with 43 runs and 16 stolen bases in his debut season. He runs and scores, just what you want out of a lead off hitter. Additionally, he is a legitimate threat on the bases, rivaling Carl Crawford, Jose Reyes and Scott Posednick for steals. A true consideration for rookie of the year.
the National League West: After a season where only one team was above .500 for the year, after two months every team is .500 or better. Thats what I call a turn around.
Whatever your take on Bonds, he looks old these days and in my humble opinion now that he has taken the next hurdle lets see more of some other stories.
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