US Politics Group Featured Member - cztheday

Dirtman, thank you for the thoughtful response. I think your point is well-taken and I too grow a little weary of the "all politics all the time" syndrome. I alleviate some of that feeling of being in a bit of a rut by exploring some of the other channels here at Current (uh...I suppose it would self-serving to suggest the International Relations and Creative Writing Channels, wouldn't it? OK, so I won't do that).

I would be remiss, however, if I did not observe that this interview is being portrayed on the "US Politics" channel and therefore something of a political bent is probably to be expected.

Kindly put, Ed. I concur whole-heartedly with your suggested lineup of guests. I would like to hear from artemis6, nettle, saladin and 89 himself among many others as well. But of course I don't have to do all the work of preparing interview questions, etc, so that is easy for me to say : )

Awww shucks...nice hearing that, given that your comments are so good that I am frankly...um...incredulous?

Whomp,

Perhaps my tally is incorrect, but I counted far more people here who were open to the idea than those who were hostile to it. Obviously the majority of a certain portion of the political spectrum took a pass on commenting, likely the moment they saw my handle at the top. A pity. They will arrive in droves when one of their number is the interviewee. I intend to comment when that happens with the further intention of simply learning more about the subject's views and the sources of their thoughts and feelings on the issues of the day.

You are, of course, correct that a few have taken pot shots. Being the subject is a little strange because one feels rather exposed. But I also suspect that 89 figured I could take a little heat. And there was far too much love on this thread for me to get my dander up much. Some of that came from you. I hope you know how much I appreciate it. I look forward to your interview...and all the others.

hmmm....well I might well decline such an interview, as I'm not one to give out extensive biographical details.....it allows me more freedom to say what I actually think.

I agree, not so much chopping and far more encouragement, but I suspect that might have to do with the specific way it got sidetracked, which wasn't really about you per se, but more about the concept altogether. I WAS glad to see it go that way rather than the alternative. It probably saved you from criticism you might have otherwise received. Or maybe not. Who knows?

It's a great idea at any rate, as long as people can recognize that unlike other commentary threads, where everyone's opinion is up for debate, that this is really meant to be an opportunity for members to get to know each other better. They can bash each other elsewhere.

Whomp, I have been commenting here for almost exactly one year and am pretty sure that I have exceeded the 1,000 comment mark. I consider myself a man of the world, but I have been called things on this site that I had not even HEARD of in my 48 years! Had things "gone the other way," I would have dealt with it. But I understand what you are saying...still contemplating the "freedom" comment. I am not sure how I have narrowed my freedom. People can cite to my bio, but I reserve the right to contradict myself if new information invalidates an earlier opinion. Inflexibility is the hobgoblin of small minds. Yours, however, is clearly not among that group. I hope your New Year is a happy and healthy one!

Thanks CZ.

I didn't mean to imply you couldn't handle it. I meant to imply it would have been more dissapointing of an outcome. I have no doubt you could easily deal with some of the members that I often imagine as frothing at the mouth and drooling all over the keyboard as they bark their rants across cyberspace.

You seem pretty level-headed.

I agree Delia.. I think some people are missing the purpose. I read the interview and every response. I see no glorification of friends, simply an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of another current member.

Cz, I refrain from being politically vocal as most discussions turn immature. Your interview, however, was certainly inspiring and applaud yourself and 89.

Cheers to both of you.

Delia, ever reasonable, ever humble, always upbeat and up for the next challenge -- you are an inspiration to all of us. You know I love you as well, though we have not had a chance to converse for a bit now (busy, busy, busy)...thank you for leaping to my defense and to the defense of this concept, which I guess I just assumed everyone knew was certainly not MY idea. I was taken quite by surprise but was willing to be the guinea pig. Emphasis on the "pig." heh.

jmsrmy, a lovely sentiment, and an extremely well-crafted one. Thank you.

And the mommy of the group shakes her finger at those who dare to speak. I was referring to being featured on the NEWS group in regards to important NEWS btw. And if it weren't for the Green group since you mentioned it, people here wouldn't even know half of the important environmental information that is much more important than half the crap I've seen posted in the News group that is considered news of late. And my socalled "interview" was about five questions about the environment, not a resume, not plastered all over the site, and I also didn't notice you supporting that. So you can spare me your hypocrisy. If people want to showcase their friends fine as I am sure this will be as well. But IMO it isn't news and last I checked you aren't the hall monitor here that gets to decide what people should groupthink in these threads.

Jan, can you just explain to me in what way you have been deprived of your ability to comment on this piece? What? Delia is not allowed to counter your points? How is that open debate? I didn't see Delia attempting to stifle you in any way. She simply disagreed with you. I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that is allowed.

As to my RESUME being plastered all over current? All I did was receive a set of questions by e-mail to which I responded. I didn't have any idea how much of what I wrote would be used, how it would be presented or even IF it would be presented.

Tell you what: if you could cut me about two inches of slack? I would be happy to return the favor.

You're the mommy, Jan! I don't know of anyone else who throws her disapproving stare on everything she disagrees with more than you do!

I thought I'd save myself the lecture by pointing out that I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are to yours, Jan. I am allowed to express my discontent at your meanness and bitter attitude. You are a regular member of this site, featured regularly on the homepage and main groups, who's philosophy on the environment is well known.

You are no different than anyone else here, no one has been given some privileged that you haven't- in fact, your interview was conducted by Current staff, this one by a member. I didn't support it? No, I didn't comment with an ass kiss, I voted it up and went on my way. You probably would have yelled at me even if I said something nice!

When your interview was featured, no one came into it to nay say or bring you down, people thanked you and showered you with praises until your heart was full- but could you extend that to someone else? NO. Not even the civility to say nothing if you have nothing nice to say. And you throw around the word hypocrite with me? I should laugh it off, but it just makes me sad.

CZ has covered much of his life in numerous past posts. However, newer readers may have missed parts of the story. I find him to well informed on many subjects. From a personal perspective I find some of his answers,a bit long winded and in too much detail for me to maintain attention. His attitude toward politicians and big gov't. is at odds with my own beliefs, as I consider most of them to be leeches on society. One more comment; he cannot resist a comeback even when he has won the argument, this tendency has gradually eroded some of my faith in his answers. Overall, he is one of the better informed posters on Current. "CZ", is it true that you are a lobbyist? If so, what industry do you represent?

Why am I not surprised by Jan's response? I knew when I started to read this thread that I'd eventually come to Jan's bitter and snide comments.

Jealousy might be an explanation...but it's no excuse.

Its the jealousy and snide remarks on topics such as this that erode support for the topics "greater importance" that she so diligently posts in the green group... and god forbid should you find a fault in the logic or science behind one of those infamous hell in a hand basket articles of hers.

Jan, naturally I am willing to engage you in debate on any topic at any time. Your expertise is greater than mine in some areas just as mine is greater than yours in others. MY feeling about this interview concept was that it might provide some insight into the sources of our various perspectives.

Consider why my views might be the way they are about the war and Obama based on my background. My story and Obama's are very similar in many respects. I grew up in poverty and while nearly every friend I had in my neighborhood is now dead from substance abuse, in prison on substance charges or in the military because they were busted for a substance violation and were given the choice of prison or the military, I made it out.

I was very, VERY fortunate that the "switch" flipped, but there was a little hard work involved as well. : ) I WANT Obama to succeed because in many ways his story is my story. He has simply soared higher than I -- and has been willing to make certain sacrifices (fundraising...yuck) and compromises I was unwilling to make.

As to the war, don't ask don't tell, his compromises with the financial industry, etc. -- my whole CAREER has been about getting my clients the best possible deal I can get for them. Mostly those clients have been small local telephone cooperatives in very rural areas along the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico and out onto the Great Plains. None of them has ever had any problems providing landline voice service, but many have struggled to find the money to provide wireless, data services including broadband Internet access and video services. My job has been to find that money for them and to cut through the red tape that has held them back.

I may come into a negotiation for rights-of-way to lay fiber optic cable 200 miles from one community to another with the position that we should not have to pay one dime because we are bringing the world to these isolated people. The State may come in asking $2 million up front and $100,000 per year on the grounds that the property involved belongs to the taxpayer and the taxpayer needs to be compensated. Neither side is going to get what they want (I can ASSURE you that the State isn't, heh).

The war is an infinitely more serious set of issues...innocent lives are at stake -- and I consider the lives of American troops to be as innocent as anyone else's, by the way, despite their voluntary commitment to place themselves in harm's way for their country. I doubt that my ideal is much different from yours. I wish -- quite desperately, frankly -- that these men and women had never left their loved ones and were about to sit down to Christmas dinner with their families.

But the terrorist groups have come to the table with an offer that is unacceptable. Their offer is to turn Afghanistan into a terrorist nation with a terrorist government that will be used -- as it has been used in the past -- as a secure base of operations for the exportation of violence to the U.S., Europe, Africa and Israel.

That offer is -- to use my own favorite expression at the bargaining table -- completely unacceptable. America has fought that kind of tyranny at the expense of young people's lives since the American Revolution, and I am proud of those who have made the sacrifices to do so, just as I am proud of those who serve today. My frustration lies with those who think that OBAMA is the enemy instead of those who would would gleefully deprive us all of our lives and our liberties.

Hey, remanns...thanks...and thanks for stopping by the party. Merry Christmas. Champagne?

Welllllll, PJ, I didn't say I NEVER partied. I did my share in high school and college. I worked as a waiter and bartender in chi-chi restaurants because the tips were outrageous. Naturally, my co-workers were night-lifers, so I partied with them after my shifts at the local clubs. But by my sophomore year, I realized that I couldn't do both and reach my potential (whatever the hell that means). So I still went out...but gradually tapered off the substance use until I could have just as much fun with my friends with a couple of Diet Cokes. The bonus was that I could see the people I loved safely home when they couldn't drive themselves.

I made the right decision for ME. I understand that others can do both; my head just doesn't work that way. That stuff just sucks all the ambition, focus and intensity right out of me. Then I am not...me... I realize some people on Current would think that was a GOOD thing, heh, but I gotta be me (there is a campy old song in there somewhere).

But thanks for the props, PJ, I enjoy your stuff, too...

I was disappointed to see that he left the site... I certainly remember him from the old days.

Back atcha EdJoy...seriously great material comes off your keyboard...I am often envious...

Thanks so much. I am honored that you think so.

Intentional trolling... good job, simple and transparent little pecks at peoples intelligence will not succeed guy. Trying contributing instead of poorly attempting to stir things up.

Heh. I know that I am narrowing my audience by posting such long diatribes. I simply cannot get used to this "text message" culture, I guess. I post a few shorter shots from time-to-time, of course. But I just don't know how one conveys nuance in 160 characters or less on complex matters.

Perhaps it is a generational thing. Don't even know how that happened. I -- seriously -- could have SWORN I was listening to the commencement address at my undergraduate graduation just yesterday. I remember giving speech at a university a couple of hours from here some years ago and realizing with a jolt that I was exactly twice as old as most of the members of the freshman class. Now I am twice as old as many of the graduate students. I have this sinking feeling I am gong to start having to use exponents instead of multiples soon.

If a group of them had not invited me to play frisbee football with them after my speech, I think I would have turned to Prozac. Crap, I just did it again with the essay thing, didn't I? Sigh.

Thanks for the props fun_size, I have followed your work...impressive.

Hmmm. Yes, there IS other news. Your point is a valid one. However, while Current's server capacity is probably not COMPLETELY unlimited, I would submit that there is plenty of room for this litte piece AND all the other news you or anyone else would like to post.

As to this being an "award," that was not - and is not - my impression. I was told that a couple of creative members of Current had come up with an idea for giving those of us who regularly post here a little more depth on each other. One of the motivations was that it might provide a little more insight into the source of our respective perspectives (heh, I like the way those two words roll off the tongue together...but I digress...).

An example? I recently began conversing with an insightful member of Current who is a truck driver and who came out of the Chicago public school system somewhat less than completely unscathed. I am from a rural Western state and skated through school and thought I had the world by the rear end until I nearly died of a respiratory virus, followed by a series of pneumonias about 5 years ago.

I survived...and recovered...and clawed my way back into "the game," so to speak. I live and work in a beautiful community in the Northern Rockies with mountains all around and sit most of the day in a comfortable office. My absolute favorite thing to do is to engage in appellate argument or to stand before a legislative or Congressional committee. In such an environment the world is suddenly stripped down to adrenaline, mental acuity and one's power of persuasion. It is like grabbing onto a bare electrical wire and just letting it flow right through you.

At times you will be responding to one Justice's question but three others interrupt you with questions of their own. So you have to remember what the questions were, which justice asked them, and come up with answers that promote your client's interests...without losing track of where you are in each individual moment. GOD, I love that experience.

But I ALSO really like seeing the world through the eyes of this truck driver...and considering how I would view developments in the U.S. and around the world had my experience been his. I know that he worries about his grammar and spelling and such when he writes to me...but of course that is of less than no moment. I want to read his IDEAS and try to understand his perspective to understand why his views are so different from mine. THAT is what these interviews can accomplish, I think.

I don't know if that helps...but I don't think anybody is giving me an award.

Um...and Nettle? You are my new hero.

Jeez ibrake for someone who "doesnt care" about this you sure have posted quite a few responses.

Trust me, if i was the "featured member", people would be not be happy about that.

Because you're an aggressive and curt commentator, while others are known to be a lot less divisive regardless of political leaning. I can think of seven people minimum on Current who are all over the political spectrum that I respect for their character and convictions, even when I don't agree wit 95% of what they say, and I don't think I'm even that involved in Current. There are a lot of people who are influential in how news works on this website. And I now look forward to getting to know their perspectives more thoroughly.

ibrake-

I'm really shocked to see all of your bitter, whiny comments. Do you even know Current89? Why jump to the conclusion that he's going to be running biased interviews when this is the FIRST interview? Then you say "I dont want the featured news stories to be meaningless interviews that dont effect me in any way shape or form"

First of all, that could happen with any story; people find different stories important or meaningful. Second, Current isn't ran around YOU- did it ever occur to you that this interview was meaningful to other people on Current? Why should the news cater to you? Furthermore, maybe if you took a minute to read the interview and get to know a fellow Current user, it WOULD effect you in some way, shape, or form- maybe you'd learn something about Cz, or his political view, or get interested in a political figure or something like that.

You say "If i was the featured member, people would not be happy about that" - why not? Open you mind, don't expect us to judge you the way you have judged the people here.

More importantly Delia, he has pre-judged himself, he sets the bar at disapproval level so that he does not have to uphold himself to standards. Apathy such as this is hell to live with, or be around.
For your own sake I hope you can fix that man... that is earnest.

If you're going to bitch and moan, you're probably not going to get picked. If you ask politely and show that you can be civil, you'll be considered.

I dont want to be the member of the day.

i dont want a member to be considered "better" than the other.

No one is better than the other. This is a way of recognizing members for their awesome work and a way for other members to get to know them better. It's also a platform for the discussion of ideas.

It does affect you seeing as you're a part of the community. These are the people that you interact with every day. If you don't think it matters to you, you can simply ignore it and read something else.

what is this "awesome work" you speak of?

and who has the credibilty to decide this?

Awesome work as in taking the time to submit pressing international news, writing pages and pages of thought provoking material exploring political ideologies and debating with other members about things on an incredibly intelligent level all the while having charm and tact.

And this is Current89 and I deciding who in the Politics community deserves a little recognition and love. It's not decided by the staff and is completely user based.

thats great, the two people who disagree with me the most, i just hope you guys dont overlook the conservative side of current.

Dude, I've hardly ever spoken to you, and 89 doesn't like to jump into fights. I don't even participate in political news like I used to, so I couldn't tell you if we've ever disagreed.

i know 89 doesnt like to respond to tough questions.

He doesn't like arguing with assholes. But I love it. :D

thanks for validating my points.

You threw the first insult, I threw it back. Have a nice day!

can u quote my insult?

The direct insult was to current89 when you said he would not respond to tough questions. Nettle admirably leapt to his defense. Your IMPLIED insult was to Nettle via your snotty and disrespectful tone.

You are assuming they won't interview conservatives based on the FIRST interview. Rush to judgment much? Do you think you could at least wait until, like, interview number THREE before deciding that the game is rigged?

CZ that was not an insult it was a statemant

It's not a statement, he answers tough questions, but he doesn't like getting into it with people who aren't polite, so that's probably why you've never seen him debate.

@ibrakeforrappers13

As stated before I will feature members from all over the political spectrum. At the same time, I'm not interested in interviewing people who are constantly rude, foulmouthed, lacking in depth etc. In addition, featured members are not 'better' than other members. Being interviewed by me is not an 'award' (I chuckle at that notion).These interviews are a platform to reveal the broad range of political and philosophical viewpoints of Current users

It was untrue statement that impugned current89's character; thus, it was an insult. He may not have responded to some inquiry of yours, but I have seen him engage in many interesting and challenging debates.

As at least one other commenter has noted, you are awfully concerned about this rather innocuous little experiment. There are what, 300 - 400 other stories on Current as we speak? This thread is not robbing any of the others of their due attention. Why not let the creators do their thing and come back in a month or two and see if it really is the liberalpalooza you seem to fear so much.

ill believe you guys when "bushama" and "ihatethemall" become featured members

I would be quite interested to hear ihatethemall's views.

"CZ", sometime "less is more". You only need to drive a nail until the head is flush with the board. Countersinking the nail, is adding insult to injury. Do you get my drift?

AFitz thought it would be nice to feature someone who is a big part of the political and news scene for everyone to see. That's my guess but you could just ask him.

Thoughtful responses from you both, Nettle and Slarabee. Hmmmm. I sense future interview candidates...

I called you beefcake. Not exactly interview worthy, lol.

you know theres actual news going on right?

it's news because his work has being recognized by a national media outlet, and he's one of us.

you sound a bit jealous.

thats good and all, but what about the people who have no voice, and are pushed away by the liberal bias on current.

I'm gonna let you finish but ibrake4rappers13 had the best comments of the year.

That's my joke for the day. :)

ty edjoy

You are so welcome :D Kanye West references have been so useful this year.

"pushed away by the liberal bias on current?" Holy Christmas, are you kidding me? My God, I sometimes think that 50% of the total comments on this site are from Shanklinmike promoting yet another scintillating Ron Paul video. The ONLY time I have ever seen a conservative shut down on Current is when their language becomes offensive. One does not have to call another a @#%&'ing &%#@ in order to make a point -- or at least so I have been told.

My own observation is that conservatives are used to media like Limbaugh et al. in which non-conservative views are simply screened out as though they either don't exist or are of no importance. One of the best attributes of Current is that all perspectives are given equal value. But you have to be just as prepared to take the heat as I am...or by all means get out of the kitchen.

artemis, as you know, I have long enjoyed your posts -- your screen name is apt because your perspective shows so MUCH creativity...and an admirable gentleness of spirit. Thanks for coming...canape?

Thank you kindly . You are generous and can spin a lovely yarn . That is a great book title by the way . I look forward to reading it someday .

When I saw your icon nearly a year ago, I was intrigued. Then I sort of watched your posts. There was obviously a powerful mind behind them...and a pureness of heart. When I found out that someone of your relative youth was writing with such depth and maturity I was truly impressed. I am honored to know you, Nettle. Thanks for stopping by this little experiment (future guests will do this much better than I, but our mutual acquaintance/friend had to start SOMEWHERE...heh.

Oh...and since I can do this electronically, a big hug and a gentle caress to your cheek from me, little one...

creepy

It's an inside joke, jerk! :D

Wow. I was throwing an inside curve because she teases me about my creaky old man impression. Didn't realize it would come off differently to an outsider who was not a party to those exchanges. No offense, Nettle.

Heh. I love your fire, Kenny. When this country was being formed, Jefferson, Franklin and that lot were getting together to create a philosophical framework for this nation. That was, of course, critically important. But that philosophy had to find those who believed fervently in freedom from despotism, individual liberty and freedom of thought and expression...those who had fire and passion and were willing to make the personal sacrifice and commitment to FIGHT for these things. You have that kind of fire, and I enjoy your passionate posts. Again, if everyone was as zen boring as me, Current would go out of business! Please keep us thinking...and feeling, Kenny...

Thanks cztheday, you got the brains and I've got the fire. I like that, nothings been easy for me without a fight. Must be the Irish in me! Once again great interview and keep up the great intellect sometimes as you have seen here on current not so much intellect and we need it.

You the man, S.