Of Elections and Effigies (A Casual Observation)

Today I bring you a post in two parts.

Happy Election Day!

I kid, I'm still here on the little island, waiting for the Condem's (really guys, you didn't see that coming?) to obey some of the promises you made way back when. Even so, just because I can't vote doesn't mean I'm not excited. I mean, this vote has the potential to change the entire world! Inderectly, of course.

What surprised me though was when I discovered that everybody in America is thoroughly sick of the it. Apparently both the Democrat and Republican parties have been campaign bombing all over the place, sending out billions of ads, emails and robo-calls until people didn't want to know anymore. In fact, people are going so far as to say that people are now voting for one party after being annoyed by no end by the other.  Not cool guys, not cool.

In Other News

Yesterday I got thinking about Bonfire night. I mean, I know the festival has been infantilized, comercialised and trivialised to the point where the meaning has been reduced to toffee apples and pretty lights, but honestly? When you think about it, does it not seem a little barbaric? We are essentially celebrating the death of an extremist by burning his effigy. In pagan times, that would be ritual sacrifice. If we did a similar thing with a terrorist that has died recently there would be outrage!

I just don't know. It seems to be a singularly primitive thing to do in an age where supporting capital punishment is frowned upon and everyone is harking the start of an age of enlightenment. And come to think of it, the fact that people celebrate these things without considering them or having any conncetion or passion for the meaning of it is even worse. It's almost like if you promised people sweets they'd celebrate anything, which is a terrifying thought.

Stay Thinking,
Your Skye

Americas Voting Culture; We Need It

Hello all.

Here's the thing. In America, people care about voting. Yes, this causes screaming matches and stupidity and people ill-formulated opinions, but at least they care. The build-up is omnipotent, unavoidable even. Everywhere you turn you are confronted with the question of who to vote for.  I will admit the race is very sensationalized, you get a sense of rooting for opposing characters in a soap instead of real people, but it's engaging to say the least.

However, in the UK we don't have this. Over here there seems to be a kind of political apathy, as though everybody has already given up. Granted, we are a nation famed for our pessimism and our cynicism, but this is not acceptable. It would not suit us to go around creating huge spectable debates in which people stride around and scream, but would it kill everyone to, I don't know, get excited?

I mean we fought for this right. Women fought, the working classes fought, the young fought. Most of us have been denied the vote at some point, and now we're wasting it. I keep hearing people say things like "They're all rubbish, I don't care" or "It's one vote, it doesn't make a difference." To this I have one thing to say:

That. Is. No. Excuse.

Newsflash: Things are not going to change on their own! If you have the way the government is now, you have a chance to change it, by voting! Yes, your vote is just one in millions, but if everybody thought that way no-one would vote, and then the entire system would wither and die. Even if you hate all parties, voting for the one you hate least will at least show the party that you care, which will encourage them to focus on your demographic and make things better for YOU!

And here's the kicker. I'm too young to vote. I won't be able to vote this or next year. And yet I really wish I could. This is why, when other people talk about their vote as though its pointless or a burden, it really upsets me and makes me lose faith. So, in the words of the Vlogbrothers, You Must Vote.

((The Words That Shine project is going well, but I could use your help. See previous post. America, I wish you luck with your election, and you have my condolences for Sandy. Personally, I'm rooting for Obama.))

Stay Involved,
Your Skye

Right. I'm starting a movement. #ShiningWords

This is it. The facebook is made, the twitter is live, and now all that remains is for people to get involved. So:

If someone, wither a stranger or someone close to you, has helped you in some small way, then tell me. You don't have to tell me their name or your name, but if you want I will message whoever it is in question. It's just about sharing love.

So, I'm @WordsThatShine on twitter, and my facebook is Shining Words. My emblem's a quill pen. Please, please, please get involved. I reallywant this to work. Here's an example,  for those that need it.

Dear "____"

I want you to know that your really helped me yesterday, and I appreciate it.

Love,
The Boy With The Red Hat

So get involved!

Stay Shining,
Your Skye