Election Training

I went for my two-hour election board training today, and it was an interesting experience. I was in a room with about 200 other "chiefs" and "assistant chiefs" for the upcoming midterm elections. I was one of maybe two volunteers who hadn't had duty before.

The atmosphere was electric: there had been problems recently in Montgomery County, MD, and Fairfax County doesn't want to repeat the performance. And there are the details (boy, are there details). I have a thick, 3-ring binder that I have to memorize before Tuesday so that I can make sure that those who show up to vote and are eligible can vote. This will be an arduous process. I have to be there at 5 a.m. and can't leave until the polls close. That's at least 14 hours of duty. But I think it's my responsibility as an American to take part in the political process, and there are many ways to do that: volunteer for a political party; do jury duty; report crimes; respond when someone's in need. All of these things we can do and should do.

Here's an interesting statistic that I learned about this contentious election coming up: because it's not a presidential election, generally the voter turnout is much less. During other midterm elections, about 11,000 absentee ballots are filled out. However, Fairfax County expects approximately 30,000 absentee ballots when all is said and done. That's the equivalent of a presidential election. Tuesday is going to be really busy--so get out early and vote!

For information on voting in Prince William County, clink on the PW hyperlink. For Stafford County, click on that one. See you at the polls!

Week 2 Post 1: Reading the Post

Of course I've been reading, and watching, and living the life of an election volunteer for Fairfax County for the upcoming November 7 elections. What does this mean, exactly? I don't know: I'll be in training at the Fairfax County Government Center on Halloween (fitting, isn't it?), and I'll post my second entry this week after that educational affair. Until then, I realize that, election official or no, I am not immune to the spate of negative election practices done throughout the country, but especially on our doorstep. We're in the middle of the muck during a very important race: that of the Virginia senatorial race between Jim Webb and incumbent George Allen.

Take a look at the examples. Even in our own local paper, the Washington Post highlights the logical fallacies (on a play on the fallacy Ad Hominem: an argument in which the person is attacked; it's like saying that President Bush is wrong on Iraq because he is a horrible public speaker). The argument might not be wrong, but the logic behind it is certainly flawed. Yet I digress. What I have seen from Allen is a TV ad attack on Jim Webb's fictional novels and statements (however archaic and sexist) that Webb made in 1979. Webb has countered with reminding viewers of the "macaca" racial slur that Allen used this year, and his obvious alignment with the "stay the course" phraseology this year when asked about Iraq policy.

But here's what I'd like to know: Where do they discuss and/or promote issues relevant to us? What do they stand for, not what do they think their opponent is wrong for? I've received two flyers in the mail this week from the Jim Webb campaign. He's all for having our tuition be tax-free, removing troops from Iraq, not privatizing healthcare. So that's something. I've had nothing in the mail from George Allen. Nor have I seen much positive stuff on TV from either. At least Webb did make it to NVCC Woodbridge last Wednesday, meeting with one of our history classes and discussing the issues.

I guess it comes down to either reading or watching. I do both. If I just watched TV, I'd be so filled with vitriolic smearing and bravado that I'd either have to have a testosterone shot or move to Bermuda. Either way, it feels much like a fiasco. I hope it doesn't get worse on election day. If you see a political ad that only highlights important issues, let me know.

Reference Cited
Booth, William. (2006). Ads Hominem: Nasty Campaign Bites. Washington Post, October 29: D1. Accessed October 29, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800967.html

My Political Action: ENG 112 writing

I hope that your blogs are as dynamic as the work we'd have done on Blackboard. At least this time around, you get to control not only what you say (that's always been your prerogative) but, in this outlet, what it looks like and who has access to what you say. You are really publishing your work to a worldwide forum now, instead of an insular class website. I say, interesting!

My blog for the next 8 weeks will be about politics, local and national. I am experimenting with my civic duties by volunteering to work the midterm elections on November 7, and this blog will chart my experiences, my research into the issues, and the repercussions of the election. This is a huge step for me: I've always considered myself proactive, but I've never really done much more than donate money to a few favorite charities and yell at the TV during election coverage. I think it's time to do much more. Of course, this idea comes from my studies (I'm a student, too), and I find that the more I'm learning about myself as an English instructor, the more I realize that there are "a thousand ways to skin a cat" (or teach English). Sorry for the bad cliché. Of course, I'd never skin cats. I'm a vegetarian into animal rights.

Just note: this blog will not be about my political views in specific detail. Of course, they'll come out. However, I will spend time analyzing the campaigns of Allen/Webb (Va. Senate), as well as watching other national races. I'm interested in the Santorum race (PA), the Burns race (MT), and the political jockeying of who will announce their interest in the 2008 presidency. Finally, take a look at the first link I've provided, to a political blog connected to Newsweek called “The Gaggle.” Pay particular attention to the commentary. Do these writers convince you of their positions?