Everything seems functional now - there are a couple of visual “hiccups” that I still have to track down. If there is anything interfering with you use of the site please do not hesitate to comment on this post to let me know. Thanks!
I’m taking on too many projects and graduate classes to give Blanked Out the time it deserves. I will still use Blanked Out as a platform for my political research - if I discover anything amazing, I’m sure you will hear about it through the usual channels.
I am focusing on energy and environmental issues - specifically how non-profits, the scientific community, business and politicians interface and communicate with each other.
Currently, you can see my blogging at Energista, a MN-based collaborative project to distribute and analyze energy news. It’s a great blog with incredible contributors and best of class comments.
I recently blogged on Bush’s supposed hydrogen “mishap” and current trends in solar energy. Energista has also done a great job of tracking and analyzing recent energy bills in the MN Legilature - notably the Renewable Energy Standards and the Global Warming Mitigation Act.
There are other projects that are still in development. Stay tuned.
My intended posts in the next 48 hours might be delayed. Last night my primary computer stopped booting up beyond the listing of PCI devices - at which point it returns the message “A disk read error has occurred.”
Wish me luck as I plumb its electronic depths.
The RNC is back in in the metro area today. They will be reviewing Minneapolis/St. Paul as a possible site for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Strib outlines their schedule: (emphasis added)
Today’s itinerary includes breakfast at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, a ride on the light-rail line, and tours of Target Center and the Metrodome in Minneapolis and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The group will be in town through Tuesday.
I’ll be swinging by the Guthrie this morning to see if I can spot any RNC members of note. If anyone is on the light-rail today and finds themselves sitting next to this gentleman, ask him just what “adapting to win” in Iraq really means.
BLOG NOTICE: Currently, my comment policy is that you must have one approved comment before you can comment freely in the future. This is purely a spam fighting procedure. Thanks for understanding!
I just want to thank someone at the MN GOP for visiting my site today at 4:41pm. I know you only stayed for a total of 1 min and 3 seconds. Was that enough time to read the Ken Mehlman article?
Feel free to comment next time - I think you’ll find me to be a fair and reasonable conversationalist who appreciates differing points of view.
Thanks to Power Liberal for providing the referring link.
The RNC is wrapping up its three-day meeting in Bloomington today. The overall theme of the meeting is “Defining the Difference”. Sara Taylor, political director of the White House spoke yesterday and RNC Chair Ken Mehlman speaks today.
I’ve been waiting to jump on the news reports from the meeting but - as can be expected - the event is being woefully covered. It’s an open-press event but these are the only articles that have been written on Thursday’s meeting insofar.
According to the only quote in the articles, their strategy is to “keep Americans focused on the war on terror and keeping taxes down”? Good lord - what could I write that hasn’t already been said?
I’m hoping for more substance from today’s reports, but I’m not going to trust the MSM with the story. Blanked-out.com’s secret agent, PUMA (those of you who know Russian might be able to decode her name), might make an attempt to get a first hand report. I’ll keep you updated. If anyone is interested in joining her, let me know.
That which is not said is often the greater truth:
Just as a censor box across the eyes of someone famous does little to conceal their identity, political omissions or blank outs do little to hide obvious truths.
Blanked-Out will have three major purposes:
First, to provide truthful context to the political talking points of the day and to constantly combat the blanking out of truth through disinformation and obfuscation.
Second, voters deserve clear and concise information from politicians. Not only are voters owed such frank discussions of policy and principle, clear and concise communications will benefit the progressive movement and progressive candidates as a whole. If Republican communication frames find their way here, they will be summarily deconstructed. Expect Democratic communications to be given constructive criticism – it might be harsh, but consider it tough love.
Third, campaign news and perspectives from someone who has logged an estimated 3,650 hours on the campaign trail…and counting…
Please leave any feedback in the comments section or email me at noah AT blanked-out DOT com