I know nothing about politics.!

It sort of bothers me, but I know absolutely squat about politics. I mean, I understand the concepts but have no clue what is really going on in the world today. People talk about Bush and Iraq and Darfur and China and North Korea and all kinds of things! I just can't seem to distinguish what is going on. And it's not like it's because I'm too lazy to pay attention, I really try to listen, I just can't make heads or tales of it.

I think my biggest problem is I only catch bits and pieces of things that are said. I'll see something on the news then won't be able to watch the news for a few days so I don't know what happens till 3 weeks later.

I feel like a bad American, however, I realize at least I try to care and other Americans don't really give a shit!

 

You have to look much deeper to have an informed opinion about politics. Most people who vote have a very shallow understanding of the process anyway.

My point would be, of the portion of people who want to get into politics, 60% want power, and 40% care more about change.

Of the 40%, once they do get in the position to influence, at least half of them become corrupt.

You probably have a to be a white male with a higher education to be considered for office....

That doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention. Means you should pay more. But I understand disatachment.

What do you want to learn more about?

 

I guess I want to understand why everyone thinks this world is in a crisis! From what I know the world has been in "crisis" for ... ever! That doesn't mean it's a crisis, it just means people (especially politicians) like publicity and like making simple misunderstanding look like huge problems that will destroy us!

 

Crisis is relative. If you want to continue you're life in America, as normal, it'll probably happen.

My roomates are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to the worst war in human history since World War 2. The conflict still continues and has claimed over 5 million victims. This started in 1998...

Although my roomates grew up in mansions in a stable part of the country. Blanches home had three kitchens.

It all depends abou what you're concerned about. I'm intrested in human rights, and I feel that all people, everywhere in the world, deserve to be safe, well fed, and free. Nobody in the world deserves to live in fear, and to accept otherwise demeans what it is to be human.

If you feel the same way, then the worlds in crisis. The worlds also complicated.

 

Don't feel bad though. Our culture inspires apathy.

Don't give up hope in trying to help change the world. That doesn't mean you need a political science degree to do it.

But yes, in my mind, the worlds in crisis too. I consider apathy a crisis of faith in humanity.

 

politics is a wide spectrum - find a niche and start learning there. and then move on to something bigger. thats what i'd do anyhow.

for me, its hard to worry about what is going on in other nations and such - and yes, like lode brought up the Congo - shit like that is downright terrible...but right now, its hard for me to impact what is going on in other nations when there are so many problems in the US - break it down to cities in the US and well, its hard to be proactive with things outside this nation when you are fighting hard for change here. thats just my view, and like lode said no one should live in a world of fear...but right now the world is a far cry away from getting rid of that when we can't even control what goes on in here, nevermind the world.

 

You should be careful of this mindset. What happens in the world will most likely come home to roost....like Blackwater after Katrina and probably to a town near you soon.

Bet you've heard of global warming and you are really fearful of that. Ask yourself why, you understand that but you don't all the other things going on in the world. Was it the polar bears?

 

The media has a lot to do with people thinking the world is in " crisis " course U.S. media is by far the most idiotic and blatant example of this uneeded fear speech but you know.

I don't believe in democracy for one of the reasons that most people don't know all that much about politics, personally I don't have a problem with that, it's the fact that all those people can vote that bothers me.

 

The WORLD is in crisis, and the media only covers whatever crisis most benefits the agenda of its owners.

 

Well Rat diferent media covers diferent issues; Seems that the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal are published on diferent planets.

Ya really have to read around to get the full picture.

If a particular story doesnt fit the theme of the media organ, seems its not published. Not deemed news. Gotta love the Village Voice tho.

 

When politicians want to extract more taxes from your paycheck they start the crisis theatre game. Meanwhile, they have so much money they can't even trace where it all goes.
Some media are adept at providing echo to this theatre.

 

It's part of the DIALECTIC to give the public what they think are two sides. The Left and Right are both given what to believe. If you don't give the people two sides (left vs. right, heads vs. tails), then are able to control and manipulate both sides, people might start thinking for themselves instead of regurgitating everything they've read in these publications which support their pre-programmed beliefs.

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are both establishment mouthpieces, it's just that one pretends to be crticial of the current administration by giving half-truths mixed with spin instead of the full truth, which would never be allowed in any establishment publication designed to brainwash the public.

 

You have a computer. If you really want to know about politics, keep an eye on the mainstream media, but spend at LEAST as much time on the "alternative" news sites. And then check out some "republican forums" and then check out some "democratic forums". Soon you will see there is a HUGE disconnect between the mainstream and the alternative, and an even bigger disconnect between the majority of HUMANS and the GOVERNMENT. THAT is the crisis. "Crisis" simply comes in degrees. There have ALWAYS been bad things going on in the world of power. It's the nature of power in the hands of ignorance. It's just that people have much more ability to communicate now than ever before, so the bad stuff comes to light easier, and the "evil" spreads easier too.

 

It is lamentable that with the new technology we have at our fingertips it is so hard to get a clear picture of what is going on. My first tip would be to stop watching TV altogether for a while, and pick up some books on contemporary history. Being a student of history has been very very valuable in allowing me to formulate a larger idea of human events past to present and into the future.

Continue dredging the net for alternative media sources. Indymedia.org is good sometimes, I go to infowars.com because they have a good variety of news topics and sources, just be careful to distinguish between what is actually written in the given news report and the commentary that has been added by the prisonplanet people, not that I disagree with them that much anyway.

Alternatively you could come live with me and my friends for a little bit, you'll run away screaming, no more political commentary PLEASE!! But we're totally down to earth, rational, and logical.....so pretty much opposite of the pundits.

Namaste and Happy Diwali (Indian holiday celebrating truth, love, and the inner light).
Feel free to PM me anytime, Id love to chat.

 

dude, I totally agree with you. Iraq, Iran, Darfur, etc. the war, terorism, Al Quaida, etc. All these numbers and terms are just mind boggling! makes me wanna go hide in the forest.

 

If you don't have the time to read up on history books, newspapers, blogs, forums or any kind of time consuming literature, go for something that takes less time.

Such as listening to talk radio in your car, home or computer. Watch the news at 6pm. Or watch whatever you want online. I'm a fan of Amy Goodman and watching her daily broadcasts at www.democracynow.org. It's also good to get involved in a network of clubs.

Stick around, I'll chat politics with you.

 

Democracy Now is a great program. Around here it's on public TV 3 nights a week around midnight. Why is that?

 

Democracy will only take you so far?

*shrugs*

 

love Democracy Now! My art teacher in high school told me about it.

 

I used to be a huge fan of Amy Goodman and DemocracyNow! However more should be looked into what is NOT covered or discussed on that program.

Check out these links:

http://911review.com/denial/gatekeepers.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2yC4xgeVMM

And for the original poster of this thread:

http://wearechangeseattle.org/2007/09/25/154/