I joined just a few days ago and have posted several times, but this is my first thread. Rather than simply start a thread to let the world know I figured out how to start a thread, I thought I'd say something useful.
I'm working on some very ambitious websites. The most provocative is Jail4Bush -
http://www.jail4bush.org. One ISP actually pulled the plug on it, claiming it violates the Patriot Act! Another targets Bill Gates and Microshaft, at
http://www.freedomware.us/ I'm working on several more political sites and some children's/general audience sites, including Kids' Politix, at
http://www.politix.us/ I was motivated, n part, by Lynne Cheney's assault on academia and the nationalistic swill she's been writing for children.
Collectively, these sites will feature 50-states lists that will expand on my current 50-states site, which focuses largely on state symbols, brief facts, etc. These are some of the items I will be researching for my websites:
1. HOW HAS 9/11 and the aftermath affected each state? For example, I'll note that Washington State public officials and corporations followed George W. Bush's lead in exploiting terrorism and that Washington boasts the nation's second highest unemployment rate. I'll note that Washington is one of the most anti-Republican states, though the corrupt Seattle Times endorsed Bush. I'll also note the striking links between the Seattle School District and the White House. (I read just recently that Seattle Schools was the first to receive some sort of honor from Bush in connection with his Leave No Child Alive Act.)
Obviously, it could take me a helluva long time to research this stuff for all 50 states. So I wanted to ask if any of you might have links to some good summaries. If, by chance, you're interested in writing something yourself, I'd consider posting it on my site with permission, or linking to it on your site. I'm going to try to get the first state done in a few days, so you can see an example of what I'm shooting for.
2. HEROES & ZEROES - Many state sites include lists of famous or important people, focusing largely on governors and presidents, celebrities, inventors, etc. I want to focus on both good and bad people, with an emphasis on contemporary figures associated with corporate corruption and/or George Bush, Inc. Here's a partial list for Washington State:
HEROES
Chief Sealth (Seattle)
Jimi Hendrix
Bruce Lee
Sally Pangborn (a teacher who took on the Seattle establishment during the turbulent Vietnam war years)
Pastor Roby (of Wenatchee Witch-Hunt fame)
James Garrett (a controversial activist who gave Mayor Paul Schell a black eye)
VILLAINS
Bill Gates
Paul Allen
Judge Gary Little (A frighteningly evil and powerful man who may have taught Bill Gates and Paul Allen!)
Dixie Lee Ray (An eccentric former governor who helped Rush Limbaugh found "junk science")
Frank Blethen (The apparently mentally unstable owner of the Seattle Times, accused of shooting a neighbor's dog before he endorsed George W. Bush)
Geov Parrish (One of America's greatest left-wing media whores)
I'm especially interested in people who are prominently fighting or supporting George W. Bush. They can include students who were expelled from school for wearing clothing with anti-Bush slogans, people who have taken a stand against the Patriot Act or created notable anti-Bush websites, etc. It would be an immense help if a few people from various states tried to brainstorm a list of 10-20 local Heroes and Zeroes, especially if you can also give me a few links to help me research them.
3. FREEDOMWARE - I'd also like to create a reference section that documents how each state has been impacted by Microsoft and how it's fighting back. For example, I'll note states that participated in the big class-action lawsuit against Microsoft as well as states that are home to some of Microsoft's biggest competitors. I'm going to include lists of Linux groups for each state, with an emphasis on those that are politically active (very rare).
* * * * * * * * * *
Feel free to send me information or queries at GeoBearFREEDOMgeobop.com (Replace FREEDOM with @). Caution: My site will not be too strongly partisan; I'll feature some corrupt Democrats and Greens as "villains," and I may list a few Republicans as heroes, if I can think of any (Dwight D. Eisenhower, possibly John McCain, the Vermont legislator who defected from the Republicans, etc.). Also, it's hard to guess when this project might be finished, though I'm hoping to get some features online before December 1.
Actually, I think this might make a fun discussion topic on a regular basis. Unless the moderators object, I may start another thread in a few days focusing on a specific state and inviting other members to give their impressions, submit a few heroes or villains, etc.
Thanks!