Day 543 of 365 More.
So anyone who knows me, reads my blog or watched this weeks podcast(iTunes) probably knows that I am a life-long registered independent. I’ve never been registered as part of either American political party, and thus far, in 16 years of voting, I’ve never voted for a presidential candidate that had a snowballs chance in hell of winning. Why? Because I believe in America, dammit! I believe in a democracy where you vote for someone because they represent something you care about not because they won the "this guy is most likely to beat the other guy so our side wins" contest. Of the 5 legitimate political candidates left, there’s actually a lot I like about 3 of them for different reasons, but thus far, I’m honestly not sure any of them represent me. I appreciate and respect that on about a million political issues, I’m such a minority viewpoint that I don’t even register on the scale. Fine. But don’t expect me to go voting for you just because I disagree with you less often than I disagree with the other guy. The point is, I disagree. And as long as a political binarchy has a stranglehold on politics in this country, its never going to change.
So, how do you get my vote? Simple. Promise me lower taxes, small government, abortion rights, environmental reform, freedom of speech, freedom of press, lower taxes, greatly reformed foreign policy, legalization of prostitution, legalization of gambling, legalization of all drugs, a lowered drinking age, an end to anti-smoking legislation, welfare reform, social secuirty reform, medicare reform, an ammendment to allow naturalized citizens the ability to become president, the end of the ridiculous talk of building a wall around mexico, abolishment of the antiquated legal institution of marriage, the forced anti-trust separation of the aforementioned political parties into no fewer than four distinct splinter groups, the end of the electoral college and actual fucking enforcement of all parts of the first amendment. Hell, promise me half that stuff and make me believe it, and maybe we can talk. I would also really like a pony.
That said, I find the American political process as it currently stands absolutely riveting. On Novemeber 7th, 2000, I was the one guy in the country glued to the TV set all day, crossing my fingers and hoping that somehow there could be a tie for the presidency and jumping for joy when there was. On November 2nd, 2004, I was the guy doing it again.
So I’m loving this process. I don’t get to participate in it. I don’t even want to. But I wish you all the best, I’ll throw in my probably useless vote come November 4th (I live in a blue state, well, actually the prototypical purple state, but given the aforementioned electoral college, we can just call it blue), and then I’m going sit back, grab a beer and watch the fireworks. It’s like having a second Superbowl.
God bless America.
I really think this is great! Both the image and the sentiment behind it. It looks like you really painted that on (you didn’t, did you? Cuz I’m bowing to the master if you did!), I don’t know how you processed it, but it’s great!
Fantastic image!
Like Vashita above me, I’m not quite sure how you did this – but I’m really glad that you did it. This is fantastic.
Fantastic photo… I see you’re ranting again. 🙂 I’ll bet you feel a lot better now. heeheehee
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@Vashtia: really? You’re not sure? See I thought what i did was obvious. But now that I guess it’s not, I’m not gonna say for a while. I’ll let people try to figure it out.
@laffy4k: thanks. I guess it really is less obvious than I thought what I did here.
@lrayholly: eh, I feel a little better. I’ll feel a lot better when I get the changes I want… See, this is why I need to be president.
I totally love this photo man! And I’d vote for you… can we get a wrtie-in campaign going here? (I can already picture the "Don’t blame me I voted for Mav" bumper stickers. 🙂
What are you, Nuke or something?
Now who’s throwing out obscure comic book references?
ahah i though this was a nuke photo
It just doesn’t get any better than this. Great photo!
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Love the image and your words! Excellent thoughts and I appreciate your point of view.
Great photo Mav!
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
@mickeysacks: I wish. I have a whole bunch more really cool political viewpoints too! Like the one where I outloaw clothing for 2 years just to make everyone get over their decency hangups. Sadly, there’s this stupid law that says I can’t be president this year…. but come 2012!!!
@Jack Scoresby and @☼ Helder: Heh… didn’t know if anyone would catch that. Yes, actually, that was in my head while I was doing it. But Nuke actually has his flag rotating 90 degrees clockwise.
@Rockin’ Rob: thank you. You know if more people shared my crazy political views this could make #1 on explore.
@Sandmania: really? See, I don’t really expect anyone to agree with most of what I said. Maybe a thing here or there, but I tend to expect most people like want there to be such a thing as marriage.
@Travelinjim: thanks, Jim
this is great work and interesting words and I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants a pony in life! =D
I knew it would hit Explore! Congrats #184 this morning
@disco~stu: oh definitely. A pony in every household so trumps campaign finance reform in my book.
@lrayholly: yep. I already caught it. I was hoping for #1. I mean come on people! I’m an american flag! On super tuesday no less!
Your political views fascinate me. You’d be great on the campaign trail for the sheer reason you’d get so many people talking.
My goodness, it’s refreshing to hear an alternative point of view.
I like weddings, though. Probably a remnant from my Catholic upbringing.
I’m just going to stare at this for a couple hours until I figure out how you did it. Cool?
@gotplaid?: Thank you. And yes, I’m a great political conversation starter.
And, oh, I love weddings. Let me state very clearly. I have no problem whatsoever with the social or religious institutions of marriage. All for them. I have a problem with the legal institution of marriage. If two people (or 3 people or 4 or 5 or one guy and a monkey) want to stand in front of their friends, and promise to love each other forever, screw on a regular basis, take care of each other when they’re sick and maybe buy a house or raise some kids, I’m all for it. I just don’t think that the government should show any concern about it one way or the other.
When I’m ruler, I aim to solve the whole gay marriage/civil union debate in one swoop simply by removing the whole legal definition altogether. What you do with your friends or church is your business.
A very dramatic shot. It is all the more intense because of the partial full front cropping.
Your political remarks appear well thought out and succinct in their presentation. They offer a relatively full assessment of your views and that makes for a good read.
Observation of the system has its benefits. After years of disciplined silence, I’m looking forward to full and unbridled participation for the first time in decades. Who knows, I may even put up a yard sign.
Well, in that case…
Mav for President!
@DeHoll: I’d never actually litter my yard with a political sign. Well, maybe one for myself. Maybe! Really, that’s what the internet is for.
@gotplaid?: Absolutely. If only they’d let me run. 2012, I’m totally in.
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Award Flickr Best, and we’d love to have your photo added to the group.
@ANDIFOTO: thank you. It has been added.
You sound like a Libertarian to me. How does the Libertarian Party measure up in your eyes?
Vote for My Candidate! 😀
@phlewght: in as much as I am anything, I guess you’d say I’m a libertarian. I did in fact vote for Badnarik in the last election. That said, I’m not totally down there either. Like I said, I despise political parties and prefer to to make decisions on a case by case basis. That said, yes, they make some very good points.
@SaylaMarz: well, that depends. Who is your candidate?
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Prismatic – Outstanding colors in Our world,TT5, Please Vote!, and we’d love to have your photo added to the group.
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called APLAUSE …, and we’d love to have your photo added to the group.
Awesome image 🙂
Tony
http://www.truphotog.com
:]
Congrats on making Explore!!!
instant fave.
wonderful shot
Your are INVITED to Visit and Share
at the Elite Sharing Pool !
"The pool Without All the Rules"
Please consider adding your
photograph to the group ESP.
,
thank you all.
Incredible! Other than you having that flag painted on your face, I can’t figure out how you did it.
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Very Interesting shot!
@Ernie E: heavy use of photoshop, basically.
@sassyshannon999: thanks, Shannon
This such a fantastic shot and so clever
Beautiful !
such a refreshing take on all things political….attached to a great photo processing
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
@pinkgypsysoul: thank you.
@or4ngecrush: thanks, I’m glad you like it.
@kale2006: Thanks.
@espressoDOM: is it really refreshing? To me, its just me, but I’m glad you like it. Thank you.
captivating, compelling, unique. Brilliant!
this is amazing. you almost got me for a minute, at first i thought it was painted on. haha.
i just love what you wrote. i just love listening to people’s views on politics even though i don’t have have much myself. hehe. (you can’t blame me, im still 15. lol.)
@Z’sBee: thank you.
@Christine Cueto: thanks. Even if you’re too young to vote, its good that you’re paying attention.
Wonderful image, but of course the text is the most captivating bit. I’ll have my fingers crossed for you in 2012! 🙂
A man after my own heart. Never met anyone like yourself.
My views would be considered socialist as yours would probably.
Or anarchist. But, I hate labels. So why should I even use them?
Let’s just say sounds like we both believe in freedom. And that’s
a good thing!! 🙂
@Riabear: Thank you. I will certainly appreciate your support at the polls.
@rockwilder: yeah. I think my views tend to pretty much just be reasonable. And yeah, I hate labels too. My views are just that. My views. I don’t feel the need to wrap them up in a party with other peoples.
As for freedom. I dunno. I’m all for it. But on the otherhand, I sometimes think the world would be way better off if I were just supreme lord and commander of everything… 🙂
If you become supreme lord and commander of everything, you’ll ultimately become too arrogant, too drunk with power, and be opposed by a small band of rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy….
(Hold on a minute! I know I’ve read that last line somewhere….)
@phlewght: I think I’ve learned from others mistakes… hopefully I’ll be ready for the rebels.
I love this picture!
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Your Best photographic Shots, and we’d love to have this added to the group!
Superb
yeah