I'm not going to rant and rave.  As I have said to a few select friends, this years election, much like the past one (and maybe even the past few), is a lose lose choice.  I'm a coder, not a politician, but I can see when something is broken, and right now our system is broken.  Only the best puppets make it to office (be it senate, house, or president. and even most state offices), and to be a best puppet you had damn well better be in the upper echelon of society.  Maybe one day we can hope for a government for the people of the people, but that has been gone for quite some time.  I don't want joe homeless in the senate, but maybe someone who understands the majority of the population would be nice. 

I am also politically under-educated, to my own fault.  I hardly read what they say, or read the analyst's take on what they say.  It's all part of the problem.  Puppets I tell you, but in this instance the puppets are puppeteering the next level of puppets.  Bleh, the whole system is fucked.

Anyway, to get back to the point, a few things have moved me in the past couple weeks, and I wanted to share them.  They are of course the same things that a lot of people have already spoken about, but I will say them again anyway. 

Go watch this interaction between Jon Stewart and the CNN show Crossfire.  It's really good stuff.  I have always been a huge fan of Jon Stewart, but this may be a defining moment for him.  I have never had more respect for him then after watching this.  His followup here is pretty good too.

Speaking of Jon Stewart, go get America the Book.  I was even reading this while watching Ken Jennings last night, so yes, it is that good.  My friends and family will tell you I don't read, unless it's related to code/computers.  This is true, but I won't be touching any of those MS Press books till I'm done with this one.

Lastly, go watch Eminem's new video here (wmp, real, lyrics).  Thanks Miguel De Icaza for posting these links, I wanted to look for them last night.  Caught a few seconds of this video on TV, and knew I had to find it.  I have been a big fan of Eminem for quite a while, so of course when he puts out a moving track like this I have to endorse it. 

So the moral of the story?  Go next Tuesday come hell or high water and do your civic duty, and write in Jon Stewart.  :)