The cure for Ignorance is learning.

[ambitious_wench]

OK, as many of you have gathered, I'm by no means a pundit on all things political. I'm woefully ignorant on some of the most basic aspects of American Civics. But that's a thing of the past. I'm now hell-bent on learning, on catching up. I'm in the process of learning the rules of the game and the players.

One of the things that intimidated me in the past was being horribly confused by just what was going on. I didn't know much beyond who the president was. And I was too proud to admit my ignorance. Now I'm proud of the fact that I'm involved enough to learn. And I want to share what I learn with you. Please, PLEASE, ask questions! Let's learn together. Let's help each other learn. Please share what you know.

Because we are living in "interesting times", and ignorance is far too expensive.

I've heard it said that it's not our job to educate men on feminism. I disagree. We can't afford to let them be ignorant.

I'll be choosing my topics based on current events. Right now, what's caught my attention is the nomination of Gonzales to the position of US Attorney General. I' still not sure just what his duties and responsibilites and powers are. I will be posting more on that as I learn. Feel free to point me to concise accounts on the web. Or, if you are willing, write up something and post it to the comments here.

I will also be researching it.

Comments

[whispersinink.livejournal.com]

Just a thought, but what do you say about opening a community geared to helping the common person break into politics? Something to chronicle our journey into the maze?

I'm still going to post in my own journal, but it might be helpful for some to have a centralized account of all of our adventures.

:)

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

I have one thing to say:

"Lead on, McDuff!"

Count me in.

Need a title.

[whispersinink.livejournal.com]

I'll Work on the idea today then. What should we call it?

Care and feeding of a nation?
Walking through the gears?
Have Lobby Will Travel?
Mr. Jones goes to the Capital?

...

Rosebud?

Re: Need a title.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

well, you said getting people into local politics. How about "political_aspirations"?

Re: Need a title.

[whispersinink.livejournal.com]

And of course, the obvious wins out. I love it. ^_^

Re: Need a title.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

*preen*

I will admit to a bit of hubris. I'm good at naming things. *grin*

So, now we need a statement of purpose. I'd like to make this a how-to on getting into political power in the US. It's your brain-child, though. You write it up.

Edie

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

I've heard it said that it's not our job to educate men on feminism.
Well, I have been told, by women , in person, that it isn't their job to educate me.
i gues i ought to go somewhere like Fox News to get clued up ( / sarcasm mode)

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

Easy, Studmuffin.

Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

You can lead a horticulture, but you cannot make her think.
--Dorothy Parker

So, read any good tretises on feminism, lately?
Edie

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Actually, no.
I would not really read a book unless I could see a point to it.
let me explain. that bit you posted recently on 'reframing the argument'
-yes! I can see what I ought to be doing and am keen to get started.
However, given a book that goes on about how much women are exploited and downtrodden by men, I end up thinking " So tell me what I am supposed to do about it. give me an action plan, or at least some clue as to where to look to remedy this." instead, I get the idea that I have paid twenty to thirty dollars ( or equivalent in my country's currency) to have a seat next my hostess at a pity party. I feel like telling her "jeez, woman, men have got probslems too, y'know. it's not as if I represent the problem and you personify the frickin' answer" - so I would rather not spend that money on a book when I could get a few beers and a pizza instead!
No, seriously, that bit you posted, and the stuff like Male Privilege, its about a few pages, it says something powerful and it does not cost me a bomb. I like that.
I also find that a lot of feminist lit is not pitching to me. Pitching at me, maybe, but does not say "Hey, listen. Lemme tell you something, I appreciate you took the time to pick this up and read it , but what I need next is..."
No, Femlit does not even acknowledge me for wanting to make a diff. femlit ants to celebrate its own suffering and be the hero in its own tale to the extent that it marginalises me and my experiences.
unless I am reading the wrong sort of books.
Personally, i find my f/list much more engaging, relavant and challenging without being confrontational, these days.
the dorothy parker quote was a giggle. the other stuff you write is really good. Keep it up. I like this political stuff you are doing right now.
Minto

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

All of which I can respect. I think that what I've read has indeed been more about defining the problem than what to do about it. Which I can understand. YOu have to know just what the problem is.

First step is learning to recognise sexism in the world around you.
Next step is to resolve not to perpetrate it yourself.
Third step is to speak out against it in others.


There's lots to be done. And believe it or not, there are some damn good books out there on feminism and what it means. The more you know, the better you can frame your own position.

PS. I recommend the NOW for all sorts of educational material.

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Okay, if I google NOW, will I get a booklist? will it be expensive to read in it's entirity? sorry to sound like a cheapskate, but i have read such as 'the War Against Women' and not found it to be helpful.
i will not deny that much of it was factual, however, the analysis tended to stop once we reached the piont where we had decided that all men were bastards.
Educating people on the issues, for me, means accepting that
a) they may be in the opposing camp, but are actually in agreement. It is vital to keep these peopl on board and allow them a role as allies.
feminists seem to fall into 2 main catergories
Actvists or Pessimists.
Activists want to cange the situation, and will go out into ecology, politics and social issues and argue for feminist values, from a feminist perspective.
The Pessimists, or purists, however, will only talk to other women
The pessimists . 'It is not our job to educate men'. hell, can you imagine how far we would get if Greenpeace or Traidcraft said "Its not our job to talk to people who shop"?
No, people who print short papers on the net seem to be the way ahead.
unless you can personally reccomend someone.

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Please, PLEASE, ask questions!
Does this include questions from Limeys like me?
I am intruiged to know what the difference is between medicare and medicaid.
Also, on the "school vouchers" front, we have some politicians going for that over here.
Short term , it looks good. you give every parent a voucher for them to use to get their kids into the private school of their choice. Everyone gets one, so it is fair. Or is it?
A lot of schools in Britain talk about their success in getting kids to top universities. However, these schools ( Harrow & Eton, etc) have entrance exams.
they cream off the brightest and the best and don't hae to struggle with the average pupil. the local comp. takes them. it also takes the kids with poor academic ability, the kids from problem families where dad is a runaway and mum is on drugs. this school still has to face up to the school that can cherry pick it's pupils in the National league tables.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

As long as the question is framed in English, I'll do my best to answer it. Yes,Medicare is for those on welfare or disability, regardless of age. Medicaid is for the senior citizens. Both are woefully underfunded.

The problem with school vouchers is that it takes money away from those schools that are underfunded due to lower property taxes. This means that private schools are taking tax money away from public schools. Kids in underpriviledge areas get a raw deal as it is: teachers don't want to put themselves in danger in inner-city schools, buildings aren't being repaired, and classes are overcrowded.

Edie