Q&A with Jon Stoll

For my interview, I chose Jonathan Stoll. Jon says he has strong opinions but doesn’t always share them because he wants to be a diplomat and not go too far in offending people. In an open discussion i.e., the internet, Jon is more than happy to voice them. Today the topic is Obama-hype and the media’s role behind it and society as a whole.



Q: What do you make of all the Obama hype?
A: During the election I was disgusted by the hype, because I feel like the minorities and young people voted based on his race and not his qualifications. It was very disappointing. He also got hype for his wife’s fasion. You need to base your decisions on credentials not his wife’s attire. I think it’s funny that people are viewing him as the “anti-christ.” I don’t agree with it but I find it humorous that as soon as things look a bit off they turn a little.

Q: There is an article by a Political Scientist named Stephen Skowronek who wrote an article about presidential power in elections and claims that president’s are elected largely on their political stance rather than personal qualifications. This suggests that Obama was elected solely on the fact that he was a Democrat coming in against a weak Republican regime. Would you agree?
A: Strongly. Obama was relatively unknown to the people and based on his Democrat status put him in front of McCain just because McCain was republican. His political affiliations had everything to do with it.
Q: What does this mean for American if Skowronek is right?
McCain was more experienced in every aspect, he was a senator longer and had a better representation of the people. So far Obama’s done a good job but I’m not sure how he’ll handle things getting tougher. I’m also not too comfortable in his current economic plan. I think that instead of bringing change he may have a hand in making things worse because of his relative inexperience

Q: In general media is hype is overrated?
A: Media has far too much control in today’s society. People would rather go check CNN or Fox and read what other people think rather than researching their own opinion. That’s what happened with Obama, they got carried away in the hype.. Swine flu is also a bad example because it was just causing panic and spreading irrational fear. People didn’t research it well enough

Q: Do you think people constantly need something to fear from the media?
A: The media it’s beneficial to put people in panic mode so they read more and tune in. They put things in a bad light intentionally to keep people the state of mind where they need to know more and more.

Q: Are we media obsessed? Is it unhealthy
A: Yes we’re obsessed. When it’s so easy to get information, people crave to know as much as they can. That’s why gossip is popular. Now with TV and Internet it’s boundless. I always leave my TV on CNN. It’s human nature to stay on top of the game. I wouldn’t say it’s unhealthy. I have to stay in touch for my major. Extremes of any kind are bad, though.

For More of Jon's opinions visit his blog at youbestbelieveit@blogspot.com

Writer's Block

You know what's the worst?  Being in a writing class where you have to remain objective.  I could write for hours on things that I think strongly about, but I cannot for the life of me think of something to to dispassionately report on.  Thinking of story ideas that are 1) interesting 2) informative and 3) not a complete waste of time are very, very hard especially when it comes to removing the "I."  This class has been interesting in its challenges to get me outside my comfort zone interviewing strangers and writing articles objectively, but the writer's block is a killer.  I don't know how I'm going to survive the next three weeks of assignments.  ARGGGHH.  That is all.  I'm stuck.  Help?

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Obama Fever: I Do Not Have It

Ahh yes, President Obama. The solution to world hunger, the cure for cancer, God's adopted son....well at least that's how he's advertised. Lately in my Political Science class, we've been discussing the presidential greats, and how they got that status. At the drop of a hat I can name a few greats: FDR, Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt. What do these all have in common? They were either presidents during, or ascertained notoriety in, a war. War and all great periods of strife make great presidents. The perfect formula for a great president is a little national crisis i.e. war or recession, a former weak regime on its way out and the presidents alliance with the opposite party of that weak regime. Follow me? War + old guard death + breath of fresh air new party = success? Obama is in a seat to reconstruct the US back to its former glory and prosperity, but can he do it? That remains to be seen. What we do know is for some reason he's already a "great" president in the minds of many, and for what reason? I honestly have no idea. Maybe he's got that look, or maybe his infamy as the first black president somehow correlates to greatness. Or maybe we're just not used to a president who can coherently string words together into a sentence (zing). In any case, he has attained a celebrity status in near actuality. And that my little cyber stalkers is what is the topic today: Obama's Celebrity Title and why I think it's stupid.

One thing we've learned over the years is celebrities are set up to fall. Do we want one of them to be running the government. We stalk celebs for the nitties of the grittiest details. For God's sake, we've been covering what pizza ole Barack has been ordering. "Chicago In Uproar: Obama digs the St. Louis Deepdish." I kid you not, it was a news story. He appeared on Jay Leno, we've been counting how many Sundays he's missed Church, we freaked out when he bowed to an Islamic dignitary (the specific escapes me here), and we actually care if he's getting a puppy. Really now, none of this is worthy news. Have we nothing better to do but hype up his actions and peer at his every action. Accountability is one thing, being peeping Toms is another. If we put an ounce if this tenacity into something productive we wouldn't be in a recession right now. So the moral of the day is this: Get Over Obama. This celebrity status is imbicilic. President's can go ahead and win the people's hearts but keep him out of my newspaper unless it's something important.

/out

Genesis

Hello all my little blog stalkers,

Welcome to my site.  Granted, I haven't legitimately blogged since I was wearing braces in High School but all streaks have to end sometime.  The purpose is to point out any and all things that I find hypocritical, overrated, underrated, annoying, funny – basically whatever sets me off.  

Today's Issue:  Double Standards.

Double Standards are quite possibly one of the more irritating things I run across in my daily life.  Everywhere you go you'll see an example of it...I promise.  Now first let me explain that most of these things that I'm prevented from doing thanks to DS are not things I actually want to do...or ever would given the option.  The simple inability or stigma that comes with each is irksome enough.

So let's start with informal greetings.  Probably the most notorious example in this situation would be the N-bomb.  In its most stringent restriction, that word is reserved only for the black community to be used amongst themselves.  In a wider view, anyone of color can use it...just not white people.  Once again, I'm not saying I want to run down the street yelling this at everyone I see, just the fact that it's only offensive coming from someone like me is stupid (I'm white :-D).  The fact that racial cultures can yell offensive slurs at eachother and have a good laugh and then get offended when someone else joins in is bizarre.  "That word represents repression, oppression and years of suffering."  So...why use it at all?   I guess it boils down to knowing the person addressed, which makes sense, but still, if everyone can't call you it, no one can.

Next let's look at the heavily tipped scales favoring girls.  Girls can get away with literally anything.  Questioning me?  Don't.  Let's think about it.  Girls can wear guys clothes, literally imitate guys, make out with each other, dance with each other, enjoy masculine past time and in general just about anything else.  Of course guys don't want to dress up like girls or get it on with each other (although Iowa DID just overturn the...nevermind), but really now, where's the equality?  The gender ambiguity women can use does not swing both ways.  Why I wonder?  

So there's my first rough post.  I only had around 10 minutes to think of this first post so it's not my best work.  Tune in next week and I'll dish out something better.

/Out