Global Politics

This is just a general overview of how the Global Political spectrum looks today.

Ironic, isn't it?

China and Russia are black dots for no particular reason. If there's a country you'd like me to graph, let me know in the comments.

How do you think of yourself? Right/left and up/down? If you would like to take the test, visit politicalcompass.org

Also, how does one reconcile the reality of this graph? It may perhaps be possible that we are living in an Orwellian dystopia and be unaware of it. Obviously supporting third party candidates is not going to get us anywhere. What do?

Guy Fawkes

Traditionally, November 5th is designated Guy Fawkes day in honor of the man spearheading a plot to use copious amounts of gunpowder to blow up England's parliament building. He is usually viewed as a social anarchist intent on giving control of England back to the English people rather than the corrupt and greedy parliament. Such was the inspiration behind the 2006 movie "V for Vendetta" in which a masked superhero singlehandedly launches an uprising of people against an authoritarian regime that is in place in futuristic England dystopia.

But who was the man behind the hype? Well as a child he was raised in York by a single catholic Spaniard mother. He grew to embrace these qualities as an adult, even going so far as to fight for catholic Spain against the Dutch in the Eighty Years War. Later, Fawkes became involved with a group of English catholics who were displeased with how protestant their homeland was.

This gathering of like minded individuals went on to be the thirteen conspirators in the historic Gunpowder Plot.

These thirteen men met several times and they all agreed to participate in one way or another in the destruction of Parliament. Their one mistake came when one of them attempted to contact friends overseas for assistance. This backfired, and instead of providing assistance the contact ended up notifying the authorities of the impending attack. Fawkes was the unfortunate one designated to light off the gunpowder placed under Parliament, so he was naturally the first one caught and the scapegoat for the outrage of the people. Mr. Fawkes was hanged and then Drawn and Quartered after a lengthy torture as compensation for his crimes against England.

He is remembered today as a hero, but many ironies surround the historical interpretation of his most famous attempt. Perhaps the "V for Vendetta" was farthest off because Mr. Fawkes was by no means an anarchist. Quite the opposite in fact. The entire purpose of the Gunpowder Plot was to destroy the Protestant Parliament in order to install a Catholic theocracy in its place. It is for this reason that people today in England celebrate November fifth by burning Fawkes in effigy while lighting off firecrackers and fireworks.

No matter his motivation, Guido "Guy" Fawkes will remain immortal through the following rhyme:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd (or by God's mercy*)

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

New Chapter: Global Issues

In an ironic attempt to demonstrate why American Democracy is the best in the the world, I will now follow my followers' wishes and begin making blogs pertaining to global issues.

Look forward to blogs about Environmental Issues, Animal Welfare (including vegetarianism), and Global Politics.

Later today I will begin with a blog on the man who became (in)famous enough to get the fifth of November as a holiday, Guy Fawkes. Follow now for more!

Election Results Part 2

Now that all the ballots are finally in (except Alaska), I feel I can do a much more thorough interpretation of what this means for America's political future. Though rest assured, this will be my last post on the midterm election.

Two of my favorite senators lost last night: Russ Feingold from Wisconsin and Alan Grayson from Florida. These were two truly progressive senators who avoided the corruption that has so plagued our nation. They did not deserve to be voted out. This actually affected me more than losing the house of representatives.

Many pundits are comparing the loss in congress to the same thing that happened during Clinton's presidency and saying that this signifies that Obama will also be a two-term president who winds up popular towards the end. These are complete guesses. There is nothing to suggest that Obama's presidency will even remotely resemble Clinton's. As it is, Obama is likely to get voted out unless he passes some really comprehensive legislation soon.

I know a lot of my followers are from overseas, so I was considering switching from American politics to more global issues. Perhaps I'll do a couple of blogs on anti-religion. I'll put up a poll later to see what my followers would like.

Election Results

So Republicans took back the house. Honestly I'm not all that upset. This has been predicted to happen for years now. Next I predict that the republicans will continue to gain popularity and support until the next election in 2 years.

Honestly I empathize with the Tea Party. Frustration over the stagnant economy has been hard on everybody. I merely disagree with them on how they choose to express that frustration politically.

On another note, Prop 19 failed to pass yesterday in California. For some reason. Now drug related violence will continue to happen across the border and a harmless substance will continue to remain illegal. I don't even smoke the stuff; I just think it should be up to the individual whether to do so or not.

Election Predictions

Going by funding for individual campaigns, polling, and voter history, I have determined what I believe will be the outcome of today's midterm elections.

The Republicans will pick up exactly:

50 Seats in the House

8 Seats in the Senate

and 9 Governorships.

The democrats will indeed get "trounced", but this was predicted for about 2 years now. It is a swing year and support is shifting to republicans once again. I personally think the democrats will survive this election.

We shall see.

Hypocrites on Both Sides

I've noticed that sometime between the Rallies to Restore Honor and Sanity, conservatives and liberals have traded places. One side is always attacking the other on how their rally was nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on those on the other side of the political spectrum. And meanwhile, the side that held the rally is defending theirs as being non-partisan but instead done only for the good of America as a whole.

Who do we believe? Obviously I believe Jon Stewart's rally was better for reasons I already mentioned, but how does the average independent know who to believe? They don't. Both sides remain in their corners flinging poo at one another, which is something that both rallies urged us not to do.

In other words: Efforts to curb the political mudslinging have resulted in even more mudslinging.