Last February, I decided to become active on Facebook (to see what all the hype was about), MySpace (to connect with bands and fans), and Twitter (ditto Facebook). A mere two weeks later, I wrote an “I don’t get Facebook” follow-up post, which was premature. Nine months later, I get it. And I like it (once I blocked silly “hug me!” “toss me!” applications).
I’m kept up-to-date about events, groups, causes, and people I support, and Facebook brings traffic to my blog. I’ve “met” a lot of like-minded people. If I wanted to plan an LA-area blogger meet-up, it would be easier to organize on Facebook than on the blog. In fact, I think I’ll plan a meet-up. The first and only one I attended was in 2004. I’d like to meet people in the area who read my blog, and vice versa.
“Friend” me on MySpace (especially if you’re in a band; I’m pitching music article ideas and would love to get a backstage pass), and read the unbearably exciting details of my life on Twitter.
(I know the avatar looks nothing like me, but I can pretend, can’t I?)
Update (12:12 p.m.): I’ve gotten e-mails, Facebook comments, and tweets about why I’ve closed comments on the blog. Life is just easier without them, and I can focus on other things during the day. When I get three comments on a long post, I spend too much time wondering why. When a post brings out the trolls, I kick myself for opening comments. (It is liberating to say what you’ve got to say “soapbox” style and not wonder about or even expect feedback.) But this topic is worth it, so I’ll open the post up for discussion.
A somewhat unorganized collection of post-election thoughts. More to come.
Author Shelby Steele, with whom I shared a discussion panel several years ago, writes about Barack Obama’s delusional “post-racial promise.”
After Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, people at my former day job were aglow. (See Barack Obama Goes to Boston) My boss in particular went on and on about this “young man” and his eloquent speech. I told him I hadn’t watched the convention but couldn’t wait to find out what everyone was gushing about. I read the speech and found nothing remarkable about it.
Young, black, and possessed of so-called charisma, Obama was fresh and new. His rhetoric was tired and devoid of substance, but he symbolized a racial idealism, as Steele notes. My co-workers, black and white, were excited about the “articulate” Obama’s potential. It was the idea of him rather than what he said that got people excited. My boss, who was white, could barely contain himself.
It’s safe to say my sixtysomething former boss proudly voted for Barack Obama on Tuesday. No doubt he bought into the “post-racial promise,” the idea that Americans have moved beyond race, and a vote for Obama proves it. For white liberal types, failing to support Obama implies a failure to embrace this ideal.
Black Californians overwhelmingly supported the measure that defines marriage as between only a man and a woman: 70 percent, while 94 percent voted for Barack Obama. Whites supported Prop 8 49 percent.
Tuesday, November 4: Voting day was uneventful at my Santa Clarita Valley polling place. I did what I could today. Let’s hope McCain pulls it off and Propositions 8 and 4 pass.
No matter who wins, keep smiling, everybody. Take comfort in knowing God’s in control.
Later: Washington Examiner editorial page editor, blogger, and fellow believer Mark Tapscott twitters: “I expect to have more investigative journalism fun in the next four years than sane man should be allowed!”
Don’t despair over President Barack Hussein Obama. Follow Mark’s lead and think of all the blog fodder, investigative pieces, and spirited conversations America’s new socialist regime will generate among us. And I’m convinced this book idea I’m working on will be much more marketable with Democrats running things. A contrarian voice in the wilderness! I am and will remain an outspoken conservative.
And don’t forget about our Christian witness, urgent no matter who’s in the White House. Cry in your beer/wine/coffee/tea/water/whatever tonight, suffer through all the “What an historic moment in the history of historic moments!” “First African-American [cringe] president of the United States!!!” headlines you’ll see tomorrow morning, then get on with things.
Last February, I decided to become active on Facebook (to see what all the hype was about), MySpace (to connect with bands and fans), and Twitter (ditto Facebook). A mere two weeks later, I wrote an “I don’t get Facebook” follow-up post, which was premature. Nine months later, I get it. And I like it (once I blocked silly “hug me!” “toss me!” applications). 
After Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, people at my former day job were aglow. (See 
Tuesday, November 4: Voting day was uneventful at my Santa Clarita Valley polling place. I did what I could today. Let’s hope McCain pulls it off and Propositions 
