civics under the radar

earlier this week, i finally got around to writing that open letter to heath shuler about immigration and fear. i posted it, mailed it around to some, and sent it to the wnc for obama list. in response, i've gotten the kindest feedback and suggestions -- and had some great email exchanges with others in the area. which points to something else that is happening with the obama thing:

we are connecting with each other, and that's important, but we are also educating each other.

the hype accusations bother me. this isn't hype, but i don't think what's happening here is obvious. we truly are becoming a more educated electorate, but much of it is going on under the radar (online). we're trading thoughts and ideas, not just "isn't he great?" while cnn is reporting on our responses to her sneeze and his nose-blowing, we're debating immigration, healthcare, etc. -- and the major media can't see it. they don't have a way to measure it. but that's ok. the major media's power is slipping. we're not there yet, but we have the internet now, and we're communicating more directly.

much was made about the supporter who couldn't name obama legislation, but the irony is that overall we know more about legislation than we did a few months ago, and we're learning at a clip, listening deeply, testing our logic and opinions . . .

isn't this great?! i think this is why obama and his supporters keep surprising the pollsters.

all this civic education benefits obama because he stands up to scrutiny. but it also benefits us, and it benefits the country.

good stuff.