![image.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRZ5Tj9SUvk7U6rTCK93GDvabbuj6EgQRcQLBC7PJ68cS/image.png) For example: climate change making the world worse, the middle class is getting poorer, and that "representation matters" -- the notion that characters must look and sound like certain politically-active groups for those groups to be inspired by them. The premise behind representation matters is that if your ancestors were oppressed, you have a racial/genetic predisposition to low self-esteem, and will not be inspired to achieve anything in life unless you see people who look and act like you in media. This is obviously false! First, everyone's ancestors were oppressed -- the descendants we have today are the ones who were strong enough to overcome it. Second, I grew up reading classic science fiction that didn't obsess with the ethnicity or sexual habits of its characters yet I didn't have any problem imagining myself the hero of those stories. Later, I was obsessed with anime, but I never thought "well, I obviously can't be a samurai/space ranger/superhero just because I'm not Japanese." Also, of course, something like 85% of my favorite musicians don't "represent" me in the way everyone seems to care about. That's been true since I was a little kid. And many of the characters I admired on TV growing up and who played any role inspiring the way I think didn't look like me either. Hell, a lot of them weren't even human.
On Twitter your username functions as a representation of your personal style and also an online address that allows other users to send messages to you on the platform. If you’d want modify your Twitter username you can do it quickly using iPhone, iPad, Android as well as on the web. Here’s how. The process of changing your Twitter username by using an internet browser on PC, Mac, Linux or Chrome is easy however, the method is a bit obscure. Begin by logging into Twitter.com with any web browser. On the sidebar of Twitter’s Twitter web site, press on the ”ellipses” button (three dots within circles) to open a variety of options. Original source link : https://viraldaddy.me/2023/02/08/how-to-change-your-twitter-username/ ![How to Change Your Twitter Username.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmT9K7qZKgkgwtdqnXqH6UjUie1ykCv8vJPoGwmt5vduzY/How%20to%20Change%20Your%20Twitter%20Username.jpg)
![image.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXeFGvsPRdo8KnKZJh8edACxDzZy9gEqDiHrRVS2Epf6f/image.png) I believe its technically correct to say workers would have a significant voice concerning production and distribution of goods and services under theoretical Marxism. However, at the same time, altruistic communism has never been successfully installed anywhere in the world where it worked as Marx theorized. It has always been sabotaged from outside or inside by those seeking personal power - amounting to the control of wealth and the means of production as well as distribution, as determined by a “central planning committee” of some sort that always becomes corrupted with time. Humans being what they are, with a certain percent having built in characteristics while countless others possess the potential to become full blown control freak psychopaths for their own glory and benefit, at one time or another, permanently or otherwise, corrupted everything they possibly could corrupt, including religion and political-economic systems to serve their own totalitarian inclinations that ultimately fully take over certain personality types with any modicum of success. In this modern era, the entire human race and continuation of human “civilization,” as imperfect and corrupt as we all are, has us caught in a number of human condition conundrums and catch 22’s from which we so far have not, and may not ever permanently emerge(d). Capitalism and communism are both misrepresented by both camps that unethically promote their agendas through censorship and propagandistic lies. Regardless of the system - as power changes hands from one generation to the next, it’s only a matter of time before tyrannical control freaks impose, incrementally over time, some combination of their own double standard economic and military police state tyranny. If humans could adhere to the laws in place and simultaneously live morally and ethically grounded and principled lives themselves, it wouldn’t matter what we label the system while adjusting laws and policies to be all inclusive while simultaneously promoting equal justice and opportunity to the extent humanly possible. Unfortunately - it seems for the time being, that regardless of the system, a certain percent of humans will always attempt to corrupt it in ways that give them privilege and excessive power while indulging in their control freak fantasies which tragically and ironically serves to further corrupt their own intellects.
"Everything is a Representation" suggests that all reality is just an imitation of an underlying form. For instance, when you draw a circle, you are actually imitating the shape of a circle. Similarly, when you create artwork, you are actually imitating an object from the physical world. The artist then imitates the form of the object, and so the creation is ultimately a representation of beauty. https://cdn.i.haymarketmedia.asia/?n=campaign-asia%2fcontent%2fshutterstock_1627675000.jpg&h=570&w=855&q=100&v=20170226&c=1 [](https://cdn.i.haymarketmedia.asia/?n=campaign-asia%2fcontent%2fshutterstock_1627675000.jpg&h=570&w=855&q=100&v=20170226&c=1) "Representation matters" is a phrase that recurs in many industries. The phrase has been embraced by those who want to rebel against defaults. But it is also a catchphrase for underrepresented groups. When young children see examples of people similar to them, they are often encouraged to dream big. But it's important to remember that a lack of representation shouldn't rob you of individuality. Although objects don't have a consistent meaning, people can construct meaning for them. For post-structuralists, representation is larger than any individual representation. And it extends beyond language. For example, we can talk about "art" and "music" as two separate but overlapping things. Aristotle disagreed with Plato and argued that "forms" create reality. While acorns have a form of an oak tree, they may become an oak tree under the right conditions. By focusing on representation, we can see that our world is made of a number of distinct forms. Representations make computational tasks easier. In particular, choosing the right representation helps us write efficient algorithms. Different computational tasks require different representations. So, it is important to consider all of the possibilities before designing a representation. It's tempting to select a single data structure and target it for optimal performance. https://miro.medium.com/max/875/1*zOeck2FNd6wC-nrw8U-SOQ.jpeg [](https://miro.medium.com/max/875/1*zOeck2FNd6wC-nrw8U-SOQ.jpeg) While Schopenhauer didn't say "everything is a representation", he did suggest that everything is an object of our will. This position is similar to the Upanishads, which form the basis of Hinduism. However, he did not use an Upanishad to reach this position, but he used the account of a European explorer to convey his point.
We've all heard how important it is to have a good night's sleep. Some individuals believe that dreams are meaningless, despite the fact that they can be beneficial in a variety of ways. Dreams can serve as a warning of impending danger or as a tool to assist you in making the best decisions possible. Dreams can be useful in the planning of the future. We require dreams in order to protect our loved ones. Humans' dreams provide insight into what can happen to us and even serve as a warning of potential risks. https://antwuanmalone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dreams_visions.jpg [](https://antwuanmalone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dreams_visions.jpg) Dreams serve as a gentle reminder to rise and shine early. We may believe that we will wake up feeling good every morning since we have had a good night's sleep. Dreams might also serve as a reminder to eat healthfully and get some exercise. Dreams assist us in communicating with others. Some people appear upbeat and self-assured, yet their goals indicate that they will want assistance from others in order to achieve their goals. You must communicate your objectives to others in order to achieve and grow them. Dreams aid in the retention of crucial knowledge. People who have good dreams are more concentrated during the day. They constantly put out their best effort. Dreams can occasionally serve as a reminder of events that have occurred in the past. We are all guilty of forgetting crucial things in our lives. Dreams assist us in remembering what they are. People have the ability to travel back in time to assist others in remembering what they cherished as youngsters. Some people even use their dreams to assist them in locating misplaced goods. Dreams are used by people to gain insight into their activities. Some people feel that dreams can provide insight into human behaviour. Dreams can even foreshadow what will happen in the future. Dreams may even be able to assist us in predicting the future. Dreams make certain that we do not miss out on what we desire. and to make certain that we are prepared. Dreams are an important aspect of one's existence. They have the potential to assist us in learning and growing, as well as give several benefits. Things are really important in our way of life. ***
![Is Representation Good or Bad.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNXZ5t9TJa9KWhK1FWCtuJdbJEKoSCvzjWezgkFfspzW6/Is%20Representation%20Good%20or%20Bad.png) Copyright © 2001 Poison Studio Manga Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Isn’t it odd that people feel the need to justify their personality, their very existence by using characters or other people around the world? I’ve never felt such a need. The only one I would want to represent me, is myself. Because who else could do it better? And yet every day I see people desperately trying to find justification, someone or something that could represent them better than themselves; At least that’s what I see... Finish Reading @ https://www.psmanga.com/blog/fiction-representing-reality/
![Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 12.18.39 PM.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZdSsgu2dxc9axa9b2GcTTcg3xkgkQRvsG7co5kP5cbrR/Screen%20Shot%202021-04-01%20at%2012.18.39%20PM.png) A recent piece of mine, Trouble Sleeping is an expressive portrayal of an inner struggle. The darkened eyes contrast the pale face, underbite and sideways glance draws insecurity. Trouble Sleeping represents a drowsy and divided culture, half wanting to return to sleep, the other half restless and wide-eyed looking for more than passivity.
![Image](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTmfLrNoLdM/XzrqqRTyvFI/AAAAAAAAHeI/3ipTiV7mPjcJZ88TFbiRovLSvM7rn-prACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fake%2Bcow.jpg) Political representation is a myth. Believing in political representation is a superstitious belief. Such a belief is as delusional as believing in astrology. No one can really represent anyone but himself. However, if you have a one-on-one agreement with someone to represent you in a meeting you can't attend, it can *sort of* work a lot of the time. But for one person to claim to represent hundreds, thousands, or even *millions* of other people with conflicting opinions? That's utter balderdash (to put it *gently*)! It's also *useful* balderdash for those who want you to comply-- against your own interests-- with their system of "representative government". It's useful because it seems to make most people complacent. To the point they'll defend it even when the superstitious nature of the belief is clearly demonstrated to them. No one can represent me without my explicit consent, contingent upon them accurately representing me in every detail, without fail. No one has this consent and I doubt anyone ever could. Is your consent not worth just as much? - *Thank you for helping support [KentforLiberty.com](http://kentforliberty.com/index.html). **I hope I add something you find valuable enough to support**. If so... [Donations and subscriptions](PayPal.Me/Dullhawk) are **always** appreciated!* *Find me on [Locals](https://dullhawklibertysaloon.locals.com)*
... is a first draft!<br/><br/>[![71e03507868ffc17a74f7e4b8c49b515](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/appics-content/71e03507868ffc17a74f7e4b8c49b515-640)](https://appics.com/referenced.html?ref=steemit.com&type=image&id=244388&url=https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/appics-content/71e03507868ffc17a74f7e4b8c49b515-640&caption=I%20build%20myself%20a%20Digital%20Gallery%20Virtual%20..%20to%20better%20represent%20my%20pictures!%20Here%20is%20a%20first%20draft!&category=tech&hashtags=onlinegalllery+appics+representation+modernarts&author=imagine.colours&profileImageUrl=https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/appics-content/profileImages/3507-1578495131703-640&permlink=appics-v1-appics-im-244388)<br/><br/>[![Powered by APPICS - visit us at appics.com](https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/appics-staging/steemit_banner.gif)](https://appics.com/referenced.html?ref=steemit.com&type=image&id=244388&url=https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/appics-content/71e03507868ffc17a74f7e4b8c49b515-640&caption=I%20build%20myself%20a%20Digital%20Gallery%20Virtual%20..%20to%20better%20represent%20my%20pictures!%20Here%20is%20a%20first%20draft!&category=tech&hashtags=onlinegalllery+appics+representation+modernarts&author=imagine.colours&profileImageUrl=https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/appics-content/profileImages/3507-1578495131703-640&permlink=appics-v1-appics-im-244388)
https://youtu.be/5g-wet63LQI
Made this meme for Memeday ![mongroup_misdirectiom_representation.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQXozfG7AsFXmCH2DA7FNG7eQqxmUZSuRp6EzFhUy2FYj/mongroup_misdirectiom_representation.jpg) Try your luck at: <a href="[contesturl]">![memeday_tag.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPkrnGkCWLgAxpQrHiKY5vC51Nt4Vc4KPhW36trP8HxCP/memeday_tag.jpg)</a> ![po_icon_separatorline_wide.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTLQHiim9ekhjm4vxMa2pNDpGdSHMnnEi6qyxh31qRKkE/po_icon_separatorline_wide.gif) @payoutbot is not a program I"m just a founding member of the Steeminati who pays out the worthy, by following the bretherns good deeds on the blockchain, by paying out like a robot! <a href=https://www.minnowbooster.com/market?direction=asc&sort=amount> ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW2ENK2iTB9huesPpxgpwQNqBxHe8JzTeGtNGKpH8DfyA/image.png)</a> ![po_icon_separatorline_wide_info.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmb5JS7R6aPYtdJh2c5YNY722SEwWk8PKoEYVMUNcaAP4S/po_icon_separatorline_wide_info.gif)
“Buying ur life w/currency is like taking a picture then expecting the picture 2 b the thing that it was only meant 2 represent U cannot buy happiness; Still many seek 2have mor, assuming that mor will give u what u seek. Michael/Infinite/Love. https://youtu.be/5RhCM5KScSY
*Overwatch's latest hero, Sigma, was revealed recently - along with the fact that he's Dutch. I was rather delighted by this reveal. I haven't played Overwatch much lately, but the team puts a lot of effort and detail into each character and seeing a Dutch character brought to life like this is a remarkable experience. I look forward to seeing all the references to Dutch culture in his voice lines, sprays and skins. And all of this got me thinking about being 'represented' as a Dutch person.* ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYFtnN6KgBdmfdEkwdeHFv7t7as8YArqpuoQuLsSPAJoV/image.png) During my childhood years, I consumed a lot of American (and some British) media and noticed that a lot of European countries would come up depending on the stories and setting. Germany, France and Italy were big names that characters would visit or at least refer to - but never really the Netherlands. And when the Netherlands would come up, the depiction would either be insulting (like Austin Powers' Goldmember) or just plain wrong, having the "Dutch" people speak German (like in the Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever). At the time, this irritated me a lot, but I've come to understand that there are simply many factors working against "proper representation" for the Dutch. For one, our country is tiny, smack dab in between of Great Britain, Germany and France and the English name for our language is Dutch, which sounds an awful lot like the Germans' name for German, 'Deutsch.' No events in recent history can set us as easy heroes or villains, either, and the Dutch accent is hard to pin down and imitate - not iconic at all. So rather than getting annoyed at lacking or incorrect representation, I've just come to appreciate the times when we get acknowledged at all. And to celebrate this occasion, I wanted to have a look at a few random examples of that: **Windmillville** Mario Party 7 has a 'vacation' theme, so the boards are all based around famous locations. For example, the 'Grand Canal' is based on Venice in Italy. But my favorite board is Windmillville, and it's easy to see why. ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdb3aAdEbgXQ3hBS5RrheMjsX8EbxuHQ7RAuucbiYYWdc/image.png) Windmillville is an idyllic fantasy representation of some Dutch stereotypes. Meadows and tulips (an important Dutch industry), accompanied by windmills (for which we are famous) which also function as banks you invest in (referring to the Dutch's historical financial savvy). Windmillville gets it right by not trying to be accurate, it's just a glorious exaggeration of some clichés made into a Mario Party board. **Age of Empires III** This example relies more on history than the last, but the Dutch are a faction in Ages of Empires III. While the voice lines for the units are a bit stilted and awkward, the faction itself is interesting and well realized, hinging primarily on the Netherlands' history as a financially forward thinking and trading nation by allowing you to build banks, among other things. **Red** ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTNpvVnsPQfK768gkqSAYo4U8RCiFfWgFwBFzUetP3gPp/image.png) This is a minor example, but in Pokémon Black & White (and its sequel), there are a few members of Team Plasma named after colors in various languages. One of the sages is called 'Rood,' which is the Dutch word for red. This is cool, but it would've been even better if it had been Orange (Oranje) - because that's the name of our royal family, and thus considered our national color. Still a neat detail, though! **Red Alert 3** Red Alert 3 is a goofy and downright entertaining RTS. One of its greatest strengths is its all-star cast crazy factions and charming presentation. This all comes to a head when the Empire of the Rising Sun (one of the factions) led by George Takei leads an assault on final allied base in Amsterdam. ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVe7va97EWmPj7imEZxLpLFdq83uxH3hwgf2FbynXQpnu/image.png) source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpXhAuN6DstHgc5fE6ZaEww It's not a literal copy of Amsterdam, but the canals are there and the architecture of the civilian buildings is noticeably Dutch. I thought it was a really cool location for the finale of the Empire's campaign. **Nintendo in General** This pertains less to the actual content of games and more to their localizations, but starting with the Wii U Nintendo has been translating more of their major games to Dutch. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey are both the first major games in their respective franchises that were given a Dutch translation. I recently completed Mario Odyssey, and I really appreciated the translation even though I didn't need it. ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUH5whBcjukHBYx9HpxC4dFfCbW7xTJwtoP2XzsgFfZpo/image.png) _ So, that's it! Just a few examples of how Dutch and the Dutch are represented in videogames. There are Dutch developers, of course, but I specifically wanted to look at how non-Dutch parties handle it. *How about you? Are you from a country or culture that you feel is or isn't properly represented? Please share your experiences down below!* Originally posted on my blog: https://arjenartdesign.blogspot.com/2019/07/dutch-representation.html
Taking my sights on @richatvns's contest, Bomb #2 away on target to win make you laugh and blow the competition off the Memeday playing field. ![catfish_flimfam_representation.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYXmbewFsFRCmmiEngJ94xsyhrU9GpRFXhCGDD3361NE3/catfish_flimfam_representation.jpg) Fasten your seatbelts your in for a rip roareningly funny bumpy ride, because there are many more to come. Red Barron I coming after you'ze guys! ![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmetxe2s7kUBUjb3H19UsmNpNDWQYutKfyoEP6iSauJaCz/image.png) Yea Parcel post! Postage dueďż˝
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ6RMcus-Do In a January 30, 2019 [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xD8cPgcZ3E) Governor of Virginia, and pediatric neurologist, [Ralph Northam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Northam), said that the resuscitation of a newborn baby who survives an attempted abortion was something to be discussed and agreed upon by the mother and ~~the abortionist~~ her physician after the baby was 'made comfortable' while awaiting his or her fate. Not long thereafter, a 30-something year old [photograph](http://wuvanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/northam-yearbook-photo.jpg) of him in a racially offensive costume was revealed and proved to be far more threatening to his position as Governor, somehow, but I won't waste time on that. A mere 15 days prior, an [amendment](https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s130/BILLS-116s130is.pdf) was presented by [Senator Ben Sasse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Sasse) in order ***To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion.*** The Bill is brief and very clear in it's description, and although I'm not fluent in legal speak, I could find no hidden details that suggest or elude to an opening for future criminalization of abortion, or making the procedure illegal. There are so many issues that divide us, politics, race, sexual preference, religion, etc. But something we all share is life. We all were brought into this place, and we'll all leave eventually. Granted, our entrance and exits will vary but the results are the same. We are born, and we die. There is no justifiable argument against assisting a newborn human struggling for it's life. Which is why it's so disturbing that this bill failed in a vote yesterday. Those who would let a child who survived being ripped from what should be the safest place, their mother's womb, die later, without aid, are [named](https://aclj.org/pro-life/naming-names-44-senators-who-voted-in-favor-of-infanticide-and-against-protecting-born-alive-babies?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=siteSharer) below. If you'd like to ask them why they'd allow a baby to die while the mother and a physician stand by and do nothing, I've included links to their contact pages provided on the senate dot gov website. *Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Contact her [here:](https://www.baldwin.senate.gov) Michael Bennet (D-CO) Contact him [here:](https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Contact him [here:](https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact/) Cory Booker (D-NJ) Contact him [here:](https://www.booker.senate.gov) Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Contact him [here:](https://www.brown.senate.gov/contact) Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Contact her [here:](https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact) Ben Cardin (D-MD) Contact him [here:](https://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact) Tom Carper (D-DE) Contact him [here:](https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/) Chris Coons (D-DE) Contact him [here:](https://www.coons.senate.gov/contact) Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) Contact her [here:](https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/contact) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Contact her [here:](https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/connect/) Dick Durbin (D-IL) Contact him [here:](https://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact/) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Contact her [here:](https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Contact her [here:](https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me) Kamala Harris (D-CA) Contact her [here:](https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact) Maggie Hassan (D-NH) Contact her [here:](https://www.hassan.senate.gov/contact) Martin Heinrich (D-NM) Contact him [here:](https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/contact) Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Contact her [here:](https://www.hirono.senate.gov/help) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Contact him [here:](https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact) Angus King (I-ME) Contact him [here:](https://www.king.senate.gov/contact-home) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Contact her [here:](https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact) Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Contact him [here:](https://www.leahy.senate.gov/contact) Ed Markey (D-MA) Contact him [here:](https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact) Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Contact him [here:](https://www.menendez.senate.gov/contact) Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Contact him [here:](https://www.merkley.senate.gov/connect) Chris Murphy (D-CT) Contact him [here:](https://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact) Patty Murray (D-WA) Contact her [here:](https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme) Gary Peters (D-MI) Contact him [here:](https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary) Jack Reed (D-RI) Contact him [here:](https://www.reed.senate.gov/contact) Jacky Rosen (D-NV) Contact her [here:](https://www.rosen.senate.gov/contact_jacky) Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Contact him [here:](https://www.sanders.senate.gov/contact) Brian Schatz (D-HI) Contact him [here:](https://www.schatz.senate.gov/contact) Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Contact him [here:](https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Contact her [here:](https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/contact/contact-jeanne) Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) Contact her [here:](https://www.sinema.senate.gov/contact) Tina Smith (D-MN) Contact her [here:](https://www.smith.senate.gov/content/contact-senator) Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Contact her [here:](https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact) Jon Tester (D-MT) Contact him [here:](https://www.tester.senate.gov) Tom Udall (D-NM) Contact him [here:](https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/contact/email-tom) Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) Contact him [here:](https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact) Mark Warner (D-VA) Contact him [here:](https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/) Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Contact her [here:](https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Contact him [here:](https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/about/biography) Ron Wyden (D-OR) Contact him [here:](https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact)* [Cory Booker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker), [Bernie Sanders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders), [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsten_Gillibrand), [Kamala Harris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamala_Harris), and [Elizabeth Warren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Warren) have all announced their candidacy for the 2020 Presidential election. Are you comfortable voting for any one of those people knowing that they voted against a bill that protects a child born alive? Personally, I'm not even comfortable knowing that these types of people are walking around free. **John 4:9** *In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.* 🙏 🤔 Bill Text [here]https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s130/BILLS-116s130is.pdf)
Although I am no political "*activist,*" from time to time I try to watch some of the "*talking heads*" in politics go on about this, that and the other... which they propose will make the world a better place. Of course, I live in the US of A, even though I am actually Danish by birth... and spent my first 20-odd years there. Still go back to visit family, on a fairly regular basis. One of the things that stands out for me is that being "politically involved" mean quite different things in US, and in Denmark. I also regularly notice that politicians in the US tend to be *much* older than in Denmark... which (I suspect) is part of why so much of the US population feels *"apart"* from the people supposedly *representing* them in government. ![0333BigSur.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/denmarkguy/FjIn0GBj-0333-BigSur.jpg) *View from Big Sur, CA* ## *Changes Are A-Coming??* It's slow to happen, but there are now signs that something is happening here in the US in the *way* people get involved, and it's taking a different shape. It revolves around people's sentiment about politics, starting at the local level, and it's very subtle. It can be seen mostly in the way the predominant thought is shifting from someone saying (for example) *"We need to find a better mayor/council person/representative"* and looking to the existing political "pool" for that, and instead saying *"I'm tired of this, so *I* am going to run for mayor/council/representative."* In some sense, it's a return to the way government formed, a long, long time ago. The ground level effect is a tremendous influx of much *younger* people into local and regional politics; a shift away from the traditional US maxim of politics mostly being a *gray hair* activity. It might take a decade before it filters through to the national level... but unlike much of the *"for public consumption TV news"*, it is a *"quiet"* movement that has no leaders and really isn't being recorded/reported anywhere. ![0362Clover2.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/denmarkguy/0v3nZOLk-0362-Clover2.jpg) *Not sure what these are called, but they are quite pretty and grow everywhere here, in summer* ## *Are Graying Politicians Ideal?* What's most directly under attack is the *traditional power base* in the US. Not so long ago *(just to follow up on what I mentioned earlier),* I was looking at some statistics... most noteworthy, that the median age of the Danish Parliament is 44, while the median age of the US houses of Congress is *61.* Looking at it a little differently, the people *"in power"* aren't really *representative* of the population, in terms of thought. Whereas I grok the whole *"wisdom of elders"* thing... how well does someone nearing the *end* of their life represent (for example) young college graduates and families with small children? Do they even *remember* what it's like to struggle to pay a monthly bill? Now consider that the median age in Denmark (of the entire population) is 41.9 vs. a median age member of Danish Parliament being 44, vs. in the USA the median age is 37.8 for the population as a whole vs median age of a member of Congress being 61. Looked at a little differently, Denmark is essentially governed by *"peers"* while the US is governed by *"parents."* Two very different paradigms. Now, I'm not going to make a *judgment* in the deeper cultural implications here... just hanging it out there as something to consider and discuss with those around you... Thanks for reading! ***How about YOU?*** Are you politically active? Do you believe governing is best handled by older people or by people who are like a sampling of the general population? What age are politicians — in general — where you live? ***Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!*** ![xSteemitBloggers.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/denmarkguy/nJ2CQYKq-x-SteemitBloggers.jpg) *(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit) Created at 181214 23:28 PDT*
As seems to often be the case, I changed the book I read this month. I began with the best of intentions to read a collection of short stories by Louisa May Alcott but found myself bored to tears with the stories so I put down that book and picked up Anne of Green Gables instead. I’ve already talked a lot about Anne in the last several months so I’m going to take this opportunity to do a slightly different recap of my reflections on the series this month. The first, and I would say most important realization, is that every single person I’ve written about this month is white. I had this realization about half-way through the month and it was both startling and distressing to me to discover that each character I think about that has influenced me in a strong way is, or at least presents as, white. Indeed, the only two characters that spring to mind that I’ve read in my lifetime that are very clearly not of European descent are O-lan from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Earth">The Good Earth</a> by Pearl S. Buck and Amir from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bride%27s_Story">A Bride’s Story</a> by Kaoru Mori. Representation matters both for marginalized communities and for those of us in the majority. Our world is growing increasingly complex and if we don’t have a clear idea what the stories of others are we will continue to struggle to work together for the betterment of all. The second realization I had was about myself. As I wrote about these characters I realized that each of them stood out to me as important people because of their ability to continue to try despite extremely challenging odds. The worlds they inhabited were not perfect, much as our world is not, but they continued to try and make things better for themselves and those they loved. How much better would our world be if we were familiar with the stories of those we loved and worked to make their world better? All in all, I found writing and thinking about these characters this month to be deeply rewarding but I’m looking forward to shifting gears in June to talk about masculinity. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-76141" src="https://rachelahanson.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/kris-chin-343494-unsplash.jpg" alt="kris-chin-343494-unsplash.jpg" width="4032" height="3024" /><br/> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/IFYhr7ne4Jk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Kris Chin</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/representation?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a> <br /><center><hr/><em>Posted from my blog with <a href='https://wordpress.org/plugins/steempress/'>SteemPress</a> : https://rachelahanson.blog/2018/05/30/the-value-of-introspection/ </em><hr/></center>
<b>Wed Sep 12 18:08:31 +0000 2018</b> @alyssa.milano tweeted.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/alyssa_milano/status/1039938825030516736"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://satoshigood.com/steem/render_cache/alyssa.milano/1039938825030516736.png"></a><br>Hear from Wendy about why legal representation is so important. Then stand with us: https://t.co/bzc7GO8Bpn #SAFE4 https://t.co/08Yp1Z4gPW<br>https://twitter.com/alyssa_milano/status/1039938825030516736<br><br><br><h4><i>I've dated the sweet mama's boy, the musician rocker, the struggling artist - basically a lot of people without jobs. -Alyssa Milano</i></h4><br>Have you tried <a href="https://STEEMPipe.com">STEEMPipe.com</a>? Fun way to RESTEEM.
<b>Wed Sep 12 17:20:22 +0000 2018</b> @alyssa.milano tweeted.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/alyssa_milano/status/1039926705031245824"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://satoshigood.com/steem/render_cache/alyssa.milano/1039926705031245824.png"></a><br>We also know that an immigrant’s chances improve when they get representation: @verainstitute found immigrants fa… https://t.co/0RcKFdwcSW<br>https://twitter.com/alyssa_milano/status/1039926705031245824<br><br><br><h4><i>It's nice to be important, but it's important to always be nice. -Alyssa Milano</i></h4><br>Have you tried <a href="https://STEEMPipe.com">STEEMPipe.com</a>? Fun way to RESTEEM.
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