The pdf of a talk I've given a couple of times, based on discussions, readings and work at the Cooperative Ministries in McMinnville and at Linfield College. You don't get the lecture (good for you), but you can get the general ideas I discuss in the presentation: Environmental Decision-making
26 April 2009
19 April 2009
Photo-op over substance
For the past 30 years, since the Reagan administration, style and the photo-op have ruled over substance. Senator Ensign's (R. Nevada) criticism of President Obama's picture with Hugo Chávez is a case in point. Republicans and Democrats alike have, over the past 3 decades, focused more on the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words than on actual policy and diplomacy. Reagan's use of the photo-op was masterful, as was Bill Clinton's. The idea of "spin," now so common it just passes for politics, elevates the momentary illusion over the complex understanding of reality. Presidents and presidential candidacies have been made and unmade based on spin and photo-ops (Dukakis in the military tank is one great example), and even during presidencies, it seems that great care is taken not to appear with the wrong person.
During the Bush II administration this was very much the case, with carefully orchestrated attempts at making sure that the president was not placed in a situation where he had to do anything more but be in the same room with someone like Chávez. This has also been one of our chief exports; several years ago, during a IMF summit in Mexico, then Mexican President Vicente Fox did everything he could to avoid even being in the same part of the country as Fidel Castro. This begs the question; "If the picture is the thing, how do our politicians resolve our differences?" The issue isn't the picture or the presence in the same room, but rather, shouldn't we be encouraged when our presidents take a nuanced, complex view of the world and the politics it takes to run it. Instead, we have become captive to the idea that a picture substitutes for policy.
This also is a means to increase the partisan divisiveness. We now need not wait for, listen to, or even differ on our opinions regarding policy. All we need is a picture, which in turn becomes proof a policy shift, proof of betrayal of a principle, and of course, proof of betrayal of the American people. Such continues to be the case with this particular instance; one that has been perpetuated by Democrats and Republicans and democrats and republicans alike for over thirty years; pictures simplify and words overly complicate.
The upside of this is, of course, convenience. Being able to rely on a picture upon which to base our opinions means not having to take the time to understand the world in a more complex way. It also makes the job easier for people like Sen. Ensign, since he doesn't have to think very hard either...
09 April 2009
Yes. No. What?
+YES+
+Closing CIA "black sites" where U.S. agents and contractors tortured our opponents. Hard to have any moral high ground on torture, when you also do it. Kudos to CIA Director Leon Panetta for closing them. Plus, we still have many other lovely and covert ways to screw up the world without torture.
-NO-
-The unending election battle between Coleman and Franken. Wow, let the people speak, indeed. It doesn't matter which side you are on, it needs to end.
+Closing CIA "black sites" where U.S. agents and contractors tortured our opponents. Hard to have any moral high ground on torture, when you also do it. Kudos to CIA Director Leon Panetta for closing them. Plus, we still have many other lovely and covert ways to screw up the world without torture.
+Getting in touch via FaceBook with Alison McManus, who went with me to Nicaragua in 1996. She literally went with me on a whim, boarding the plane on the same day in which I asked her jokingly if she wanted to fill a space and go to Nicaragua. She went on to grad school in sociology and did work on women in social movements in Nicaragua. Now teaches sociology in Great Britain. For a kid about whom I once said, "I hope you don't turn to a life of crime," it is amazing that she now teaches sociology. It either speaks to the life-changing nature of travel, OR to how closely related crime and sociology are!
-NO-
-The unending election battle between Coleman and Franken. Wow, let the people speak, indeed. It doesn't matter which side you are on, it needs to end.
-I first saw this on FaceBook, posted by a Linfield sociology alumna (and professor of sociology at UC-Santa Clara now) about Texas legislator Betty Brown calling for Asian-Americans to simplify their names on Matthew Yglesias Blog. No, it's her brain that has been oversimplified already. Wow.
?What?
?The head of Great Britain's top anti-terrorism unit, Bob Quick, having to resign after arriving at 10 Downing Street with top secret document in full view. Probably only slightly more embarrassing than former CIA Director Stansfield Turner's appearance on Da Ali G. show, where he seemed to not know that the show was a put-on, given that they had to run out and then arrest people before the picture got out for this blooper.
?What?
?The head of Great Britain's top anti-terrorism unit, Bob Quick, having to resign after arriving at 10 Downing Street with top secret document in full view. Probably only slightly more embarrassing than former CIA Director Stansfield Turner's appearance on Da Ali G. show, where he seemed to not know that the show was a put-on, given that they had to run out and then arrest people before the picture got out for this blooper.
?Did Levi move in with the Palins? Did the practice safe sex "most of the time?" Is Levi trying to make money off of poor Bristol and Sarah? Who cares?!?!?!?!? Can they just go away?
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