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jrutherchevy
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read my profile
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Name: Jenifer
Gender: Female
Interests: Reading, writing, blogging, creating web graphics, websites, messing around with Photoshop, religion, politics, gaming...all sorts of stuff.
Expertise: The Art of Saying NO
Occupation: Management
Industry: Tourism
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
7/16/2006
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| See title. Moving on....
*****WARNING*****
If you are a Republican, do not like Al Gore, either as a fellow human being, or as a political figure, you might want to find another blog post from someone else to read. kthxbai.
While Jason and I were in the store tonight after work, the newest issue of Time caught my eye. It caught my eye because of the man pictured on the cover, Al Gore. I snatched it up without breaking stride, and promptly put it in the basket, because I'll read anything that has to do with Al Gore right now. As soon as I got home, I grabbed a cookie and started devouring the article.
The article, by Eric Pooley, and titled, "The Last Temptation of Al Gore", was refreshing, insightful, and ultimately reinforced Al Gore's new hero status in my eyes. I've said in the past that I don't really have any heroes, but that I would rather choose my own path in the world. Over the last few weeks, I think that's changed as I've seen Gore do the rounds in the media to promote his new book, An Assault on Reason. If you can read the article, I strongly encourage you to do so.
Time's piece states that Gore has not talked either publicly or privately about the 2000 election. Becoming the fourth man in U.S. history to win the popular vote but lose the presidency apparently wounded him deeply, but he has also rediscovered himself in the process, and has still managed to champion a cause that every single human being on this planet should care about. While doing that, he is down-to-earth, honest, genuine, and extremely charismatic. He truly believes in what he is saying about climate change and global warming, but he also truly believes in the continuing freedom of the internet and renewing the dialogue between government and the governed.
Free Intahrnets! DO WANT
I don't want to get into the global warming conversation in this post, but I wanted to write a little about the continued neutrality and freedom of the internet. Gore talks about the Internet a great deal, as it it is a subject near and dear to his heart (he sits on the board of Apple and is a senior advisor to Google). When he talks about the Internet, he talks about how it is so pivotal to restoring the dialogue here in America about our government, and how we can change it as citizens. He also talks about how it is vitally important to maintain the Internet's neutrality and it's unique ability to allow everyone to participate in the dialogue without censorship.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.
The Internet is my second home. I have websites that I visit regularly, I own my own website, and I have a deep understanding of how powerful a tool and gift the Internet is. I believe in the tired cliche that information is power, and the Internet allows EVERYONE, as long as they have access, to obtain the same information, to gain the same knowledge, and to share that knowledge and information with others. It is the ultimate sounding post, and it is in danger. Did you know that? This isn't some conspiracy theory, either, but truth, and it is scary.
Governments and mega-corporations want to control the Internet, and want to control what we are able to access and experience on the Internet. The free exchange of information is being threatened by the same forces which turned television into the massive media clusterf*ck it is today.
As Gore states, legislation is one of the only ways to ensure that the Internet remains free. Now, I'm not advocating that the assholes of the Internet be allowed free reign on our Interwebs, those people can rot in hell. Perverts, l33t haXXors, and lawlessness....DO NOT WANT. Free exchange of information, yes plz.
One of the best parts of the Internet for me, is how groups of people can come together, not in person, but still together, and create. Just simply create. Sharing ideas, sharing ways to make life better, sharing joys, sharing pain. The Internet is truly a powerful thing.
GORE '08
In his media visits the last week or two, Gore has sidestepped the question of his candidacy for President.
Not directly sidestepped, but has not closed or shut the door as of yet. By all the gods there ever were or will be, or never were, I wish that he would run. I wish that he would run and win, because an America with Al Gore at the helm would be a much different America than the one we know now. I have to believe that. I have to believe that Gore would not abandon the passionate crusade he has been on to spread the word about climate change, or to reinstate the people's say in their government. I could be wrong, of course, but I strongly believe that there would be change. REAL change. For the better.
After reading the article, however, I understand why he wouldn't, and I can't say that I blame him. In the last seven years, he seems to have found himself, and to have found peace and strength. Serving in the Oval Office might change that, even just the act of becoming a candidate might change that.
I don't begrudge him peace. He has definitely earned it. I still hope that he will run, however. I would vote for him in a heartbeat.
Here is a fabulous collection of excerpts from a speech Al Gore gave to the American Constitutional Society in 2006.
Clicky for Speechy Goodness
Whoo....my fingers are tired now. I'm not sure why I had to get all of that out, but I felt the need, and I thank you for reading through it. If you did. All two of you who actually read this.
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| Over the last two nights, PBS has aired a documentary that, in my mind, was very fair and even handed in its treatment of this American religion of which I am a former member. If you didn't get the chance to catch it, PBS has the show in it's entirety online, for free. When you have a spare moment, I highly reccomend checking it out.
Clicky here to see the videos.
If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comments and I will try and answer them as edits here.
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| A List Apart - Check it Out!
This entry was originally published at Jen's Project Blog
If you are into web design in any way, shape or form, you should be visiting A List Apart on a frequent basis (especially if you use CSS!!). This is where I learned the design philosophy that I use today, and will probably learn about the philosophy I’ll be using tomorrow.
Right now, they are also conducting a study to find out more about the people who are shaping the web, in conjunction with their An Event Apart conferences.
Check it out, bookmark it, whatever you’d like to do. I know that it’s an awesome resource for me, and could be for you as well.
Share This
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| Welcome to my Project Blog
This entry was originally published at Jen's Project Blog
In it’s previous incarnation, this blog served as my personal journal, a place where I could write down the things that were going on in my life, thoughts that I had, or just nonsense. However, now that I’ve begun designing more websites, and have been doing more work, the time has come to make a few sacrifices when it comes to the website. It needs to become more professional instead of personal, and that’s why things look so much different now.
In the coming months, I’ll be discussing the various things that I’m working on, and will provide a step-by-step process as to how I create the different websites, graphics, and odd things. I’ll probably post about issues within the community as well, not to mention general geeky tech commentary as well.
So, welcome, and I hope that you like what you see. Please feel free to register and leave comments. I’m also planning on integrating sharing code, so that if you like what you’re reading, you can easily share it with others.
Thanks for stopping by!
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| Vacashons and Makeovers
This entry was originally published at Jen's Blog
As part of my vacation goals (doesthehappyvacationdance), I’m going to be tweaking the site a bit, making it more professional. Part of that is going to be a blog makeover!
I’ve found a great theme at the Wordpress site that will allow me to show off my graphic art, which is ultimately what this little chunk of the intarhnets is all about.
I’ll be removing all of the posts here and starting fresh. The posts which have gone up on Xanga will remain, however. I’m planning on blogging about the projects that I’m working on, and the steps that I take in the process.
Anyways, be prepared for some changes!
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