I agree with Time Magazine's "Person of the Year"

[matcom]

The annual "Person of the Year" is frequently controversial. I've read this morning that some don't like the choice this year. I, happen to agree 100% with their decision to put YOU and ME on the cover. Think about it for a minute....

WE (yes, on the Right too) ARE the power now. Politicians FINALLY have to watch what they say and do and have to know that there is a permanent record of their words and deeds. Some idiot (let's use Macacca-Allen as an example) spews bullshit on the campaign trail and (WE) report on it. Within hours or minutes the VIDEO is put up on YouTube and within DAYS, millions of CITIZENS witness the actual event. Good or bad, it is out there for all the public to see.

I have praised Dean for this year's 50 state strategy and Nancy Pelosi for her historic ascension to the role of Speaker, however they did not do it alone. WE did it. All of us who converted voters through education, emailing videos and articles and engaging in discussion did it. The internet forums, bloggs, video sites and online articles make it possible for us to engage our friends and family in what was once taboo. The discussion of politics. In many families, the golden rule is, "don't discuss politics or religion". Well the internet makes those discussions easy with the simple click of the Reply or Forward buttons. This past election gave us all renewed faith in the senses of the American People. This conversion certainly didn't happen thanks to the 'Liberal Media'. It happened because of you and me.

Time Magazine (IMHO) had no choice but to recognize the 'Net Grassroots this year. Frankly, they could have named us last year or the year before as well but with a sweeping and historic election result, this year is perfect timing.

There are others who arguably could have made the grade. Iran's President certainly has been influential in global affairs, North Korea (presumably) set off a nuke which had to put them in the running. One could argue Al Gore for his global warming crusade or pResident Bush* for his hand in the death of 3,000 Americans should be the most influential. Fact is, NONE of them were more influential than YOU.

Information is power. People have access to more information today than in anytime in history. The people now have the power to be influential. Some leaders will recognize this and embrace it, some will not. Those who choose to ignore this fact will fall.

Deservedly so.

Congratulations to YOU. I for one think YOU have earned the honor of being Time Magazine's "Person of the Year."

[Clark2008]

1. I really don't have an opinion on the Time choice, but if you

believe "we" are in power just because the Dems took Congress, then I think YOU haven't been reading the news, lately.

I'm sorry, but "WE" will not be in power until "WE" take back the media.

[derby378]

3. That won't happen until some sort of "fairness doctrine" is established...

...and that has to start on the House and Senate floors. And who's responsible for writing the laws? Whomever we put on Capitol Hill.

I understand your frustration, but this is a chicken-egg scenario, here.

[derby378]

2. I'M Spartacus!

:toast:

[Deb]

5. No, I am Spartacus!

I do believe Matcom is correct. Millions of times over an individual has seized the opportunity to promote a greater good and feed the masses hungry for truth.

[pacalo]

4. So do I!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2933766&mesg_id=2933842

We did beat the pros at their own game. We dug for the truth & fought for our rights despite having a do-nothing media & a do-nothing Congress. We organized so effectively that when mid-term elections came, the turnout of voters was so overwhelming that the voodoo math of the boy king's henchman was no match for our determination.

If the "voters of the 2006 mid-term elections" was too delicate a choice for them to consider, then "You" will suffice for me. We changed the dynamics in Washington for the rest of the boy king's term. What could be more significant than that.

[Kahuna]

6. To be fair to Time's Richard Stengal, I saw him on a CSPAN panel

discussion last week about ethics in the media. He was very complimentary of the blogosphere and netroots. He did seem to genuinely "get it." He stated that in order for the M$M to survive they must find a way to partner with the blogosphere and netroots in the dissemination of information. He gleefully embraced this challenge. So for all of those who are stating that Time, "jumped the shark," I'm just saying, that is not necessarily true. Stengal came across as engaging and credible to me.

[Patsy Stone]

7. Agreed.

But I think they could have used a nicer picture of me. :)

[northzax]

19. yeah, it totally makes me look fat

come on, I know I need to hit the gym a bit more, but I am not wider than I am tall just yet! and that awful shade of grey- yuck.

[cascadiance]

8. I think it is also a challenge for the rest of us to continue taking ownership...

... of our political process. And that enough of us need to be involved for Democracy to continue to thrive in this country. Now that WE just put in place a new congress to take charge and make changes doesn't mean that OUR job is done! It's just started. We still need to continue to push on these people that OUR will is that they do things like investigations and impeachments, ultimately change our political system to take the money out of it through things like public campaign financing, get us out of Iraq, put in place Universal Heath Care, etc.

In short it is up to US to make sure that these people pay attention to US rather than those special interests that have been driving them through campaign donations, etc. for the last few decades, etc. WE got a start on this last year with this election, but WE still have a long ways to go!

[ComerPerro]

9. if you think this last election was some kind of revolution, you are sadly mistaken

[applegrove]

10. Well said. n/t

[Cha]

11. It's a damn good

start!

[tinfoil tiaras]

12. Agreed

Kicked & Recced.

[CatWoman]

13. Good post, Mat

:hi:

:thumbsup:

[Arugula Latte]

14. Amen, Matcom.

Good post! :thumbsup:

[Chalco]

15. I think the choice is brilliant.

This year has been a turning point in the use of the internet by individuals to influence events as opposed to corporations being in control. In light of the move by corporations through the FCC to get control of the internet this move by Time (which is owned by a corporation) should make our case at the FCC that WE need to remain in control of the internet and not corporations. I love it.

[cassiepriam]

16. I find it disgusting and a total embarrassment.

Praising the American voter is like praising
a normal 10 year old who finally learned to do
a poo in the potty.

[matcom]

17. i find your analogy childlike and boorish

:shrug:

[Matariki]

18. The ability for people to communicate peer to peer across the globe is unprecedented

and possibly one of the most important things to happen in our lifetimes. The impact on media, politics and culture (to name a few things) is enormous. Time is smartly recognizing that.

[Imagevision]

20. Excellant piece, and since we do have so much power, how much longer will it last

The youtube Macaca moment cost the Repugs the senate, --> we spread the news so quickly and have our own views on what's real and what is fluff that the MSM has devoted watchdogs to report daily about what is being talked about on the net.

---> That's powerful!!

[AnnieBW]

21. Look At Ava

I mean, when else would a teenaged girl from Alabama be able to influence as many people with her work as Ava does? And she's just one person. We can all be content providers. Heck, I make some pretty good vids, but they're sci-fi related and not socially relevant.