Political Writing

Politics is definitely a subject that requires massive interest. I don’t follow the news too much and although I know about our nation’s history, I don’t know too much about politics. For me, the word politics always has a bad connotation. I’ve grown up hearing the phrase “it’s nothing but politics” to describe school, sports, and even friendships. I’m not sure about public schools, but it seems that private schools are more political … in my sense of the word. I find it both funny and sad that I associate politics with these examples rather than with government, especially with my educational area of interest. But even when I encounter politics in my studies I am neither intrigued nor disgusted by it. I think that I am down the middle on this one … politics is something that will always be there but right now, I choose only to acknowledge its existence and engage only when I have the knowledge to do so.

I think one of the major factors that push me towards the middle is seeing how politics divide people and the idea that one side is absolutely correct and the other wrong. I made this comment to Ron before and I meant it, every opinion and perspective is important to me. I don’t like the idea of sitting wholly on one side’s idea because of loyalties, for me this is a part of politics or “playing the game” as I always say.  

 On the Monkey Cage blog, Political Scientist Josh Putnam was quoted saying this about Ron Paul: “They will stick around and be very regimented in making sure that their supporters gobble up as many of those delegate slots to the next round of this process [as they can]. And that very greatly increases their chances of pushing folks through to the national convention.” This is an example of “playing the game” in politics.

I think that it is important to mix the prompts this week because for me they go together like cheddar cheese and apple (it’s a delicious combo if you’ve never tried it!). Political writing most definitely is a genre of its own. As Ron so nicely reminded us, Dirk argued that “knowing what a genre is used for can help people accomplish goals.” With so many people indifferent right now as to who they should support in the next Presidential election, many relay the facts but also plug in their own feelings or agendas for a particular position or person. Steve Clemons of The Washington Note said this, “I know that Senator Hagel who now co-chairs the President's Intelligence Advisory Board won't run for President -- but while my powder is still dry in this next election, I like the idea of people writing him in.” The next paragraph informed us of why Hagel would make a great Presidential candidate, but to and for whom?

I am one of these confused, indifferent people out there. And like so many others, I have no idea who to trust and who to count on for the facts. Everything and everyone has an agenda and it’s important to remember that when reading news, especially political articles and blogs.