Does this mean that politics.metafilter.com is imminent? May 26, 2004 6:07 PM   Subscribe

Awesome. Is this to mean that politics.metafilter.com is imminent?
posted by BlueTrain to MetaFilter-Related at 6:07 PM (64 comments total)

I think it's just encouraging people to register to vote, which is always a good idea. A little weirded out that Clear Channel is one of the sponsors, but whatever. All's fair in democracy.

Of course, since Metafilter and blog readership generally is, on the whole, older and well-educated (see the informal survey Josh Marshall conducted on his site last week), the link preaches to the choir. I'd hope that everyone who sees the banner and is registered to vote, makes sure that his/her friends and family are too, and that all the high school seniors at your local public school have done the same. Spread the love.
posted by PrinceValium at 6:23 PM on May 26, 2004


I really identify with that purple guy.
posted by clavdivs at 6:29 PM on May 26, 2004


That's a purple chick, clav.

Is there something you'd like to share with the studio audience?
posted by jonmc at 6:46 PM on May 26, 2004


The purple people rotate. I had a clever quip queued up and had it wasted in a shattering moment of gender identification crisis before I figured that out.

Make sure you refresh the page.

And...sometimes...there aren't any purple people at all! Creepy!
posted by Cyrano at 7:03 PM on May 26, 2004


MetaFilter: The purple people rotate.


Anyway, there I was clicking the damn link even though I already got my voter registration card in the mail, it wouldn't accept my zipcode. Turns out it's just an american thing! Funny this wasn't actually mentioned anywhere along the way.

World Wide Web?
posted by fvw at 7:11 PM on May 26, 2004


And...sometimes...there aren't any purple people at all!

I blame the Purple People Eater.
posted by jonmc at 7:12 PM on May 26, 2004


Ours doesn't have any Purple people, but since our election is in 32 days, perhaps we need a nifty linky whatsit on the page as well.
posted by Salmonberry at 7:19 PM on May 26, 2004


My favorite is the sickly green guy on the far right. Brainnnnssss.
posted by smackfu at 7:23 PM on May 26, 2004


European parliament elections are even closer, june tenth. Still, I suppose we can't have all the upcoming elections on the frontpage, and influencing the US elections for the positive would be a good start. I was just pointing out it could be formulated slightly less ambiguously.
posted by fvw at 7:29 PM on May 26, 2004


I don't get it. Not being snarky, I really don't see it. What's this to do with metafilter?
posted by RustyBrooks at 7:37 PM on May 26, 2004


Christ. Went back to the mefi homepage and saw the little register to vote button. Sorry.
posted by RustyBrooks at 7:39 PM on May 26, 2004


I took a look at the google ad performance on the front page, and it was abysmal. So instead of making a few bucks each month there for an ugly box, I figured I'd rather just have something asking people to vote. I looked around at a bunch of register to vote sites and they all seemed to be partisan in one way or another. The one linked there seems pretty straightforward, though skewed for the youth market.

I just hope people vote, and hopefully this helps remind people to register in time.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:44 PM on May 26, 2004


With all due respect, I have to disagree with your assumptions PrinceValium. Just because some is well educated does not mean they are registered to vote. Apathy is rife on both sides of the spectrum. In a perfect world, everyone who is able to vote here would be registered but that is not true and I give mad props to Matt for putting the link up!
posted by jmd82 at 7:54 PM on May 26, 2004


politics.metafilter.com would suck up 80 percent of the FPP.
posted by Keyser Soze at 8:11 PM on May 26, 2004


it wouldn't accept my zipcode. Turns out it's just an american thing!

As are ZIP codes, no?
posted by kindall at 8:20 PM on May 26, 2004


I demand the right to vote in the American election!

Or, failing that, a pony of some kind.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:31 PM on May 26, 2004


Interestingly, the always NSFW Sensible Erection has spun off its political posts to the well-named Sensible Election. If anybody here is on cordial terms with anybody there, it might be useful to see how it's working out there before doing PoliMeFi.

And, stavros, you need to get an Absentee Ballot. Or, if you want to vote for "American Idol", you'll need an Absentee Ballad.
posted by wendell at 9:33 PM on May 26, 2004


I don't think this homepage button says "hey! MetaFilter will be more politically involved from now on!"

I think it says "hey! Go get politically involved in the *real* world and spare us the shrill keyboard jousting this year!"
posted by scarabic at 10:02 PM on May 26, 2004


Keyser! Good to see you back. (Sorry if you've been back in other threads. i just noticed.)
posted by dobbs at 11:03 PM on May 26, 2004


I have already registered to vote -- am I still allowed to load the front page? I do not want to break the election. Somebody please e-mail me and say. Hurry!
posted by Hildago at 11:18 PM on May 26, 2004


goo, good thing the EU added "web server" to the title of that page, otherwise...
posted by rhyax at 11:46 PM on May 26, 2004


And losing that 80% of the FPP would be bad because...
posted by chunking express at 12:11 AM on May 27, 2004


Yeah, zipcodes are US only. They'd have to be, they're trademarks of the USPS. However after ordering stuff online on sites that say "Zipcode" where they want you to put your postal code they become sort of synonymous.
posted by fvw at 7:39 AM on May 27, 2004


...because if we insist on pretending politics exists in some kind of vacuum apart from the rest of the world and the rest of the web, certain people won't shriek and mewl to us that their diapers are full and need changing.
posted by trondant at 7:41 AM on May 27, 2004


I blame the Purple People Eater.

Oh, man, if you only knew how it was as a child to live through repeatedly hearing that song, seemingly well past 100 times, as it became the number 1 hit on the radio. Oh, the torment, the oppression, the ennui, the despair. You just wanted it to stop. My Green Tambourine could not approach it for extreme annoyance.
posted by y2karl at 8:43 AM on May 27, 2004


And losing that 80% of the FPP would be bad because...

because half of us like them and the other half don't, and we must fight about it every day!
posted by mcsweetie at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2004


y2karl, that's probably where we part ways. I loved that goofy novelty shit as a kid and still love it now. I even enjoyed the Big Boppers famous crossover "The Witch Doctor Meets The Purple People Eater."

ooo-eee-ooh-ah-ah ting tang walla walla bing bang..
posted by jonmc at 8:54 AM on May 27, 2004


My Green Tambourine could not approach it for extreme annoyance.

But "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" could. I hated that song with such a passion it might have driven me to commit homicide if the person or persons responsible for its being on the radio all the time had come within reach of my twitching arms.
posted by languagehat at 8:55 AM on May 27, 2004


Trust me for sheer annoyance factor nothing approaches the Serendipity Singers "Beans In My Ears."

Except perhaps a Yes album.
posted by jonmc at 9:04 AM on May 27, 2004


When my sister was nearly three 'Mull of Kintyre' by wings was a hit here in the UK. Those were the only 3 words she managed to learn, but to make up for it she repeated them over and over and over for weeks on end. That is the stuff of nightmares.

That and the number of times my other sister replayed "I fell like Buddy Holly" by Alvin Stardust on her first stereo.

Is it any wonder I ended up the pathetic shadow of a man I am today?
posted by biffa at 9:19 AM on May 27, 2004


Just because some is well educated does not mean they are registered to vote.

Like me. I have a Master's Degree, and I'm not registered. As discussed here.
posted by grumblebee at 9:53 AM on May 27, 2004


grumblebee, if you've already made an informed choice not to vote, then the little icon thingy won't make a bit of difference to you.
posted by PrinceValium at 10:12 AM on May 27, 2004



Like me. I have a Master's Degree, and I'm not registered. As discussed here.


No, it just makes you apathetic to politics, which is not rare but is extremely unfortunate. I have a sincere belief that if more people such as yourself educated themselves to the voting process and politics in general, the americans wouldn't end up with George Bush Jr. as President.

I think the apathy towards politics and world issues is why a lot of people hate Americans (and westerners in general, lest it seem like I'm only attacking Americans). Sure, it seems nice that you don't want to get involved because there's too much anger involved with politics, but while you're on the sidelines there are countless abuses taking place around the world. I'm going to stop now before I go on some exisential, Thorton-Wilder's-Our-Town rant about knowledge and awareness ;)
posted by The God Complex at 10:38 AM on May 27, 2004


I have a sincere belief that if more people such as yourself educated themselves to the voting process and politics in general, the americans wouldn't end up with George Bush Jr. as President.

Of course, that's assuming educated people don't vote for george bush jr, which isn't true (yes, I know. Most educated people vote liberal, but you're making a sweeping statement).

I think the apathy towards politics and world issues is why a lot of people hate Americans

Hmm, I can think of a lot of reasons why people hate americans. Some valid, some residing in the person "hating". I'd rather america do what is right and good and let the hate/love fall where it may.

As far as world issues, are there statistics showing how much money is spent on aid for other countries? I'm betting america would rank pretty high. I'm betting that if a earthquake hit some remote part of the world tomorrow the US would be the first to offer aid.
posted by justgary at 11:00 AM on May 27, 2004


politics.metafilter.com would suck up 80 percent of the FPP.
posted by Keyser Soze at 8:11 PM PST on May 26

Na, lately you were the hot topic. You're back!
posted by thomcatspike at 11:15 AM on May 27, 2004


There were google ads?
posted by mischief at 12:07 PM on May 27, 2004


are there statistics showing how much money is spent on aid for other countries? I'm betting america would rank pretty high.

You lose.
How do U.S. aid levels compare with those of other countries?
The U.S. foreign-aid budget as a percentage of gross national product (GNP) ranks last among the world’s wealthiest countries (at about 0.1 percent).
posted by languagehat at 12:12 PM on May 27, 2004


Me: how much money is spent on aid

You: The U.S. foreign-aid budget as a percentage of gross national product

Which, of course, is not what I asked.

From your link: In raw dollars, however, the United States is now the world’s top donor of economic aid,

Which was my question, and there is my answer. Thanks so much.
posted by justgary at 12:22 PM on May 27, 2004


From languagehat's link:

Do Americans support increasing foreign aid? Yes. A University of Maryland poll, which was conducted in July 2002, indicated that 81 percent of Americans support increasing foreign-aid spending to fight terrorism.

Would Americans be willing to accept less social security benefits, or cuts in other government programs, to fit the increased foreign aid budget? No. Would Americans accept higher taxes for greater foreign aid? No. Is this poll a crock of shit? Yes.

Everyone says they care, until they realize who is paying for it. Of course, that site doesn't mention that.
posted by BlueTrain at 12:43 PM on May 27, 2004


By the way, for some good academic research on the correlation between education and democratic participation, see Verba, Schlossman, & Brady, Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism in American Politics. (Slightly old - it was assigned during my freshman year of college - so there might be some newer literature out there.)
posted by PrinceValium at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2004


Of course, that's assuming educated people don't vote for george bush jr, which isn't true (yes, I know. Most educated people vote liberal, but you're making a sweeping statement).

No, it was assuming that more educated people would vote against Bush than for him. I undestand that some educated people vote for Bush, but even if 40% of them did, the opposing 60% would still have changed the outcome. Especially now, with Kerry and Bush running at 47% apiece. I think if more people actually looked into what Bush has done (your average folk, not your mefite), then he wouldn't have a chance in hell of being re-elected.
posted by The God Complex at 3:00 PM on May 27, 2004


*Falls to the floor, twitching uncontrollably*

Oh my god, I thought I had recovered, but I just got a flashback.
posted by dg at 3:19 PM on May 27, 2004


No, it was assuming that more educated people

Gotcha.
posted by justgary at 3:57 PM on May 27, 2004


I don't have apathy towards politics, I HATE politics.

However, I feel bad about not voting. But I absolutely refuse to vote while I am uneducated about the issues. I know some people think that's wrong -- that one should vote no matter what. I strongly disagree. I'm disgusted by random or un-informed lever-pulling.

I feel it's a citizen's duty to (a) be informed and then (b) vote. I am not doing my duty. That makes me a bad person by my own definition.

But I just can't bring myself to give up my selfish desire to stay as far away from any political news as possible. Just glancing at the front page of the Times gives me hives.

When guilt wins out over selfishness, I will get informed and vote. The discussion on MeFi actually DID have an impact on me.

I'm still thinking about it.
posted by grumblebee at 4:13 PM on May 27, 2004


But I absolutely refuse to vote while I am uneducated about the issues.

Issue 1 : Bush is evil.
Issue 2 : Kerry, not so much, hopefully.

Now get your ass out there and vote, you lazy bastard! INFORMED.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:37 PM on May 27, 2004


[The previous comment was parody, and intended to make those idiots who do support W turn red and jump up and down and howl out their mantra that 'You bush-haters, you just hate Bush, is all!' I do love to stir the pot.]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:40 PM on May 27, 2004


I think if more people actually looked into what Bush has done (your average folk, not your mefite), then he wouldn't have a chance in hell of being re-elected.

Sometimes I wonder how quickly people forget that parties are as important, if not more so, than candidates for the majority of Americans. Character is a recent presidential trait that we've focused upon, but it's a distant second to (R) or (D).
posted by BlueTrain at 4:42 PM on May 27, 2004


Sorry, parties, and the issues/dogma they represent, are as important, if not more so, than candidates for the majority of Americans.
posted by BlueTrain at 4:45 PM on May 27, 2004


Issue 1 : The Republican party is evil and stupid.
Issue 2 : The Democratic party, just as much.

Time for a revolution.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:55 PM on May 27, 2004


Time for a revolution.

Which if history is any indication, will be just as bad.

I'm not saying I dig the status quo, but be careful what you wish for.
posted by jonmc at 5:36 PM on May 27, 2004


Metafilter: Oh, the torment, the oppression, the ennui, the despair

I couldn't help myself.
posted by Salmonberry at 5:52 PM on May 27, 2004


I loved that goofy novelty shit as a kid and still love it now.

Did you read the first sentence? And I quote:

Oh, man, if you only knew how it was as a child to live through repeatedly hearing that song, seemingly well past 100 times, as it became the number 1 hit on the radio.

You want to test the concept? Pick out a song, a novelty song, in particular, and make sure play it every seventh time you hear any single piece of music at any time of the day for seven days in a row. Then tell us how you love that particular example of goofy novelty shit, nimrod, and how you plan to listen to it again and again and again starting right now...

Nobody can love any song after hearing it over and over and over and over ad infinitum within a short period of time.
posted by y2karl at 6:09 PM on May 27, 2004


Nobody can love any song after hearing it over and over and over and over ad infinitum within a short period of time.

Unless it's "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" from Kill Bill. But that's not really a song.
posted by kindall at 6:19 PM on May 27, 2004


Then tell us how you love that particular example of goofy novelty shit, nimrod, and how you plan to listen to it again and again and again starting right now...

Karl, easy, you're gonna give yourself an embolism. I thought you were dispaging the song itself. I was expressing a preference, not starting a fight. And you'll note that a couple comments later I mentioned an even more annoying song.

I don't mind you getting angry at me over something that matters but don't attack over Sheb Wooley, OK?
posted by jonmc at 6:20 PM on May 27, 2004


Jesus, which thread am I in?
posted by scarabic at 12:01 AM on May 28, 2004


In the chatter thread du jour ofcourse. You don't really think it's a coincidence that the top few threads on the frontpage of MeTa keep filling up with chatter until new ones are posted, do you?
posted by fvw at 12:05 AM on May 28, 2004


Which if history is any indication, will be just as bad.

Of course, of course. I was funnin'. Sheesh.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:05 AM on May 28, 2004


gmailvoteswap.org! Marquis, where are you when we need you?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:49 AM on May 28, 2004


grumblebee, you will never have enough information. And, even if you know all the policies the candidates support, you do not have enough knowledge to fully evaluate their impact. So, everybody votes knowing a little bit of the whole truth, and, hopefully, in the great scheme of things the everything will turn out alright.

According to the article, important is to have your opinions not influenced by others, only by facts. Even if your information set is as small as the one stav mentioned (and assuming you reached it based on your evaluations), it will make a difference. More interestingly, it does not have to be so general, just a particular aspect of politics will suffice (e.g. do not vote Bush because he does not support science, or, do not vote Kerry because he emphasizes protectionism).

same here, skallas. until then, I'll keep paying taxes.
posted by MzB at 5:32 AM on May 28, 2004


From your link: In raw dollars, however, the United States is now the world’s top donor of economic aid,

Which was my question, and there is my answer. Thanks so much.


but that's just because the US has a much larger population than any of the other countries listed. If the EU was counted as a "country" comparable to the US, which in terms of population it would be, I think (a little bigger probably but in the same neighborhood), then our numbers would be dismal in comparison. It's completely arbitrary to speak of the "country"'s donation - they could provide the per capita numbers, or maybe per land area unit since that tells you something about natural resources... but "per country" is meaningless.
posted by mdn at 7:12 AM on May 28, 2004


Thornton Wilder's Our Town! Now that's a good play, if terminally depressing.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 9:10 AM on May 28, 2004


It's completely arbitrary to speak of the "country"'s donation - they could provide the per capita numbers, or maybe per land area unit since that tells you something about natural resources... but "per country" is meaningless.

Yes, I completely realize that mdn.

My original comment /questions was thrown out without the idea that someone would take it as a challenge to prove me wrong. (it wasn't in the blue...but then again, this is metafilter, so I should have known)

Regardless, the link the poster supplied was posted with about as much spin as fox news, when actually it supported exactly what I said, no matter if that statistic is "meaningless".

Reading the page from a nonpartisan viewpoint it seems to me the U.S. can certainly do more, yet take away the U.S. and you still take away the biggest contributor in the world. I also know how stats can be manipulated to support just about any stand, and for most people, what they want to see is exactly what they do see. This thread case point #1.
posted by justgary at 2:11 PM on May 28, 2004


I thought you were dispaging the song itself.

OK, you can't bother to stop and read and comprehend a simple sentence--we're agreed on that.
posted by y2karl at 8:24 PM on May 28, 2004


In a a bad mood *again*, y2karl?
posted by timeistight at 8:51 PM on May 28, 2004


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