Well what do you know, I post something and a few hours later Stephen Colbert is on my television talking about it. Is it too early to coin the phrase “giving it the Civics for Slackers bump”?
…Nah.
When Slow News Becomes No News Becomes Stupid News
November 16, 2009 by JuliaThere is a conundrum in our 24/7 news and blog world, and it is this – sometimes nothing actually is going on.
On one hand, this is a good thing, because often time when people say that there’s “news”, they mean “something bad has happened and people are going to get angry”, not “we just found a hidden stockpile of adorable puppies!” (It also gives me time to answer any burning political questions you readers may have. So readers – write in if you’ve got them! I need something to explain, already.)
On the other hand, it’s a bad thing for news networks, who will scramble to make anything into a story, and when news networks scramble, it is bad for our nation’s sanity.
Let’s take, for instance, President Obama’s trip to Asia. So far it’s been pretty low-key. He’s visited a fair number of nations, given some speeches, and generally behaved as most well-behaved politicians would, and everyone is being very cordial and getting along. And then this picture came out of President Obama when he was visiting Emperor Akihito of Japan this weekend.
Photo Credit: AFP
OH. HALE. NO.
Decoding Healthcare Part 1923809: The Stupak Amendment
November 11, 2009 by Julia
Chances are if you paid any attention to the news, you heard that the House of Representatives passed their version of the healthcare bill, which is scheduled now to go to the Senate. And what people are talking about, for a change, is not the public option, but a funny little thing called the Stupak Amendment (read full text here – it’s only five pages), which says that women will not be covered if they choose to get an abortion and are on the government healthcare plan. (Unlike most healthcare plans, which cover abortions as a medical procedure, not an elective one.)
Now this in and of itself isn’t so crazy – the Hyde Amendment (which has been around since 1976, thus making it practically ancient in American politics) says that no federal money from the department of Health and Human Services can be used to pay for abortions, but states can individually decide if they want to use government money from Medicaid for abortion coverage. (A state by state map can be found here to see if your state allows funded abortions or not.) And if that was all the Stupak Amendment did, I don’t think we’d be talking right now.
But of course, that’s not all the Stupak Amendment does.
The Curious Case of NY-23 (A Study in Party Politics)
November 5, 2009 by Julia
That’s right, we mix it up Tobias Funke-style here. (If you don’t get this joke – watch Arrested Development. You’re welcome.)
More to the point – remember how I promised you that party politics are totally interesting and one of you believed me? Well, doubters, let me tell you a little story about New York’s 23rd Congressional district and how this Tuesday it elected, for the first time since the Civil War, a Democrat to the House of Representatives. I’m warning you right here and now this is a long story, but man, is it worth it.
Ain’t No Party Like A Political Party
November 1, 2009 by Julia
When you vote in America (and if you are American and able to vote, you should be voting), you first must register, and when you register, they ask for your political party. Most people know what party they are. Traditionally speaking, if you’re a liberal, chances are you’re a Democrat. If you’re more conservative, chances are you’re a Republican. This is all most people know, ever want to know, or feel they ever need to know about party politics in America.
These people are wrong.
Political parties are the backbone of what happens in politics, why it happens, and what will happen next. If you are American, you need to know these things the way you need to be able to identify states on an American map. (And if you can’t do that, I suggest going here and learning how to do so.) And political parties are complicated, important, and actually sort of interesting. But before we get to how they’re interesting, we’re going to have to go through the how they work part, which is where I come in.
Civics for Slackers Grand Re-Opening
October 30, 2009 by JuliaHoorah and hooray, the blog is back!
After a complete cosmetic overhaul (check out all those pages on the sidebar! They’re pretty dope), we are back and (hopefully) better than ever. Here’s a run-down of what’s new:
- Breathe a sigh of relief, everyone, there are no more Sunday Extras.
- Instead, anything fun, interesting, or in any way of breaking importance will be at our shiny new twitter. Follow us @civics4slackers
- New posting style! Posts will be shorter, more often, and include art, and instead of just being about the news will explain How Things Work that you always wanted to know about (like what the hell a majority whip is and if it’s as kinky as it sounds).
- Old posts have been combed through and deleted, but important, big-issue posts have been kept up for reference.
- At some point I would like to set up a place that works as a virtual suggestion box where every time you’re confused, you put it in the box and I’ll get a post up ASAP, but I currently don’t have the know-how to do so. When I do, I’ll let you know.
Thank you to everyone who’s stuck through during the long haitus – you guys are amazing. Without you, this blog would have died a long time ago. I hope that this overhaul will end up being as rewarding for you as I hope it’s going to be for me, and if you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please leave them. They’re invaluable and I treasure them all.
Growing and Changing
October 3, 2009 by JuliaChildren! You have spoken and I have listened. And yet, I have not made a decision. For the next few months, CfS is going to be undergoing some growing and changing and, perhaps, hair will sprout in strange places. I hear this is normal for a blog trying to find its feet and niche in the grand wide interwebs.
Until then, you can expect a continuation of variance in theme, style, frequency, and length of posts, which is sort of par for the course anyways. Especially now, more than ever, I beg of you to comment with your opinions, if you have any.
We now return to your programming, which, per usual, is irregularly scheduled but mostly awesome.
Re-Thinking Civics for Slackers (A Little)
September 27, 2009 by JuliaAnother slow, slow week. This time, healthcare is to blame. Congresspeople have retreated into their chambers to finally pound out what actual bills will look like, instead of dragging the fight public. There are a few stories that aren’t quite stories yet, like:
- There may be pullback of troops in Afghanistan. Or there may be a surge! Basically, the leading general just submitted a report that was critical of the Afghan government, and now everyone’s discussing what the hell is going on over there.
- Obama went to a bunch of international diplomacy meetings. Nothing new was said, but Michelle Obama wore a lot of pretty dresses while greeting dignitaries!
- Ted Kennedy’s replacement was named to Congress to fill in until a new Senator can be elected in January. This is only important so he can vote on healthcare reform. He’ll probably not do much else.
- A census worker was found hanged with the word “Fed” written on his chest in felt-tip pen. It’s kind of creepy-weird.
- There’s some crazy stuff going down with ACORN. I would suggest you just read the Wikipedia article, because I can’t even begin to figure out the actual truth of this thing in between all the wonking from talking heads.
So that’s that. Now, we get to the serious stuff., which is about how I’m running this site (or considering running it) from now on.
Senator Ted Kennedy passes away at 77
August 26, 2009 by Julia
Very, very late last night, Senator Ted Kennedy passed away after a year-long battle with brain cancer. He was 77.
Senator Kennedy, like much of his family, was a great civil servant, a political idealist, dedicated to civil rights, community service, social justice, peaceful diplomacy, and elevating the less fortunate. He was Congress’ greatest lawmaker, writing and passing over 300 bills during his time in office. His favorite cause was (ironically) universal health care, which he called “the passion of his life”.
He was larger than life, known for his instantly recognizable red face, his full head of bright white hair, and his limp from surviving a plane crash, and his booming voice. He was not a perfect man – he was a notorious womanizer, a drinker, a reckless risk-taker, and embroiled in the same personal scandal that haunted much of his family. But he was a great friend to many in Washington (and a close friend of the Obamas, who he famously endorsed for president and whose daughters he gave their Portuguese Water Dog Bo, who was bred from the same stock as his beloved dogs). He served tirelessly and with much respect from both sides of the aisle in the senate for 46 years. Earlier this month he received a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can receive, for his devotion to his country.
As a Massachusetts resident, as a a woman, as a political enthusiast, and as the daughter of a mother with physical disability, I cannot thank Senator Kennedy enough for the work he did not only to improve my life, but the lives of all Americans. You will be sorely missed.
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