Politics

The Internet has changed the advent of politics in many ways. I’m not the kind of girl who is really interested in politics, but at the same time I'd like to think that I know close to enough. Blogging websites have opened up a new door. There are people expressing their opinions on the government, or state, or whatever is going on politically. I think people feel like when they blog, they are having an impact on what other people think, and they enjoy hearing people agree with their thoughts. “Let’s bring government down to the community level where it can be watched and controlled. And let communities decide if they wish to join forces with other communities or secede from them. Secession is the ultimate check on big government that allows exploited communities to escape from larger governmental units that have been hijacked by corrupt political machines” (Ostrowski 2004). James Ostrowski posted a blog on December 4, 2004 titled “The Free New York Plan. Greater Buffalo Needs an Independent Think Tank.” Technorati ranked the blog 92,306. Anyone can write a blog about anything now-a-days. The tone of this blog is one that is powerful. Ostrowski wrote what he believes in and is confident with his words. He made key points bold to make them seen and doesn’t stray away from his topic.

“Instead of reporting on politics, the media are active participants in the political process through their role in publicity. Increasingly, the media has become central to political life. Politicians who do not constantly stay abreast of the media's requirements and actively plan their publicity tend to fall quickly out of favour. Those who are not good 'media performers' suffer the same fate” (Thornton 2002). Blogs are affecting local politics because the people, who at one point couldn’t express their thoughts on the fact anywhere, can now post what they want on the Internet on the topic. I think that blogs are making people more involved in politics because now they can write what they think, and read the comments from those people who agree and disagree with their opinions. I think these new communication technologies do enable broader political participation. Another reason why I believe this, is because as previously discussed in class and other blogs, people feel like they can hide behind their computer screens. Say Bob McGee had strong opinions on a political topic and wanted to blog about it, but he didn’t want anyone to know who he was. He could do that with a different name on the computer. Although Bob may be a quiet man who wouldn’t say those things in a political conversation with his coworkers, he can feel free to write what he wants, and say what he feels he needs to say through a blog.

“The current political structure needs to be reversed. Presently, we concentrate the most political power in Washington, the next most in Albany, then the Rath Building, and the least amount in our cities, towns and villages. Contrary to the original—and profoundly wise—vision of the framers and founders—we have removed political power as far away from the people as possible. This is the cause of many of our problems” (Ostrowski 2004). This blog had an impact on me when I read it. I was amazed at how strong his opinions were about Buffalo. Maybe someday when I find politics a little bit more interesting, i'll write a political blog too.


Thornton, Alinta (October 2002). Does Internet Create Democracy? Retrieved on March 25, 2007

Ostrowski, James. (December 2004). The Free New York Plan. Greater Buffalo Needs an Independent Think Tank. Retrieved on March 25, 2007. http://blog.freeny.org/?p=1474#more-1474