Random Reviews #7

President-Elect Obama addresses the nation via YouTube

Please take the time to watch this video. Not only for the message, but for the history of it. I find this very interesting for two reasons. One, I'm very impressed by the use of technology that President-elect Obama seems to want to incorporate into his presidency. We've come a long way from telegraph messages, newspaper reports, FDR's Fireside Chats, weekly radio addresses, and an occasional mainstream media news briefing. I hope that these YouTube addresses continue, either with YouTube and/or some other New Media platforms, and I hope that Americans take the time to watch. I hope that many involved with Web 2.0 and Social Media take the time to repost so that these addresses can be propigated to as many as possible.

This leads to my second reason for interest. No matter what your feelings about the incoming president, we do need to unite as a country and reverse the direction we're headed. Some may say that what we're experiencing with the economy is cyclical and just part of being a capitalistic democracy. Some may say our outgoing leadership is to blame. I'm not going to even begin to discuss my opinions of what caused all this, but I do know that I'd like to change things so that my son can experience all the good things the United States can offer.

UPDATE: While I was grocery shopping, I got to thinking more about this blog post. Odd place to ponder things, but apparently I get inspired while fighting with the funky-wheeled shopping carts! I wanted to clarify my position on this subject a bit more. I hope that everyone get a chance to see these addresses not because I think Obama is always right or because he won, everyone should do what he says all the time (though I will kind of have to right now). I do believe that people should be more informed about their government. From the local level, to the state level, all the way up to the federal level. The more informed we are about the government's activities, the more we will be able to help and change this country for the better. Hopefully that clarifies things a bit more.