Comments on Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff: Ken ventures 'Inside Government'

My bad...I meant you liked this version of Bond [t...

2008-11-15T16:18:00.000Z

My bad...I meant you liked this version of Bond [the man] more than I do. It's the publicity shots: always looks as if he smells something bad or his underwear is bunched.

Sure, I'll be glad to defend you. But I'm 5'1", so the leap won't be very far. ;)

US politics is better than our local politics. I ...

2008-11-15T07:47:00.000Z

US politics is better than our local politics. I don't want to go into the reasons as I have enough problem for today...lol...

It would be nice also to include in the blog, how democratic, parliamentary, communist, dictatorship and federal governments vary? I know some differences are obvious, but wouldn't it be nice to know the subtle ones? Perhaps when I read them, I would finally agree that democracy is indeed right for my country.

I'm sure your post would be great, as usual. In your particular niche, nobody writes like Ken. Kudos to you.

dropping by your informative blog.

2008-11-15T02:00:00.000Z

dropping by your informative blog.

Hi Hope, I like the thought of you leaping to defe...

2008-11-14T23:54:00.000Z

Hi Hope, I like the thought of you leaping to defence (...leap!) :)

Will you do it for me sometime? Nothing major, just when I make yet another bad joke or something.

I heard this about Bear - that (allegedly) when the going gets tough, he hits the en-suite(!).

And, my, you did get a tad confused, didn't you? I didn't like the new Bond movie very much at all. :)

'Quantum of So-So'

Felix *was* cool though - we Felix's invariably are.

I just watched 'Stardust' which Matt recommended - now that *was* cool! Think I'll attempt a review...

Susan, I was going to jump to your defense but I g...

2008-11-14T23:22:00.000Z

Susan, I was going to jump to your defense but I got confused. I thought my post had been erased, then I realized I commented on the other site. I know what you meant..does that help any? :)

Um, it was reported last year that ol' Bear cheated a couple of times. Went on location, then was flown back to a 4 star hotel for the night, then dropped back into the "wilderness" to finish filming. It's the reason his show went on hiatus last year...until things cooled down. :)

And Ken, I now understand your love of this new Bond flick. I read a review today that said the only character worth caring about was a CIA agent whose first name was Felix. Hmmm. ;)

Withe regard to Bear Grylls - I'm tempted to say '...

2008-11-14T19:50:00.000Z

Withe regard to Bear Grylls - I'm tempted to say 'I can't' but just 'cos that's true doesn't make it a good pun.

No distress Susan, comments are the life-blood of my little site and I value them more than Guinness itself.

Good Lord. The last sentence in my comment that ca...

2008-11-14T18:48:00.000Z

Good Lord. The last sentence in my comment that caused such apparent outrage only referred to the phrase immediately preceding itself: it certainly meant no offense.

Nowhere did I say that Obama was the only one "in the world's history" to reach out; but he is the President-elect and the post in question was about that election; that's all there was to it. All the paragraphs of over-analysis of it were rather a shock to me, and don't reflect how I feel, at all.

I'm sorry it caused any distress to your comments section, Ken!

Oh, and Bear Grylls in a recent interview just pro...

2008-11-14T14:56:00.000Z

Oh, and Bear Grylls in a recent interview just professed to love Mamma Mia! and ABBA! This guy is probably the manliest man alive. Climbs Everest after breaking his back falling to the ground when his parachute doesn't open, eats live snakes, drinks water from Elephant feces....and how does he relax? Watching Mamma Mia! and listening to ABBA! Gotta love it!

Matt said: "If a gymnast does a move like a Tsukah...

2008-11-13T22:36:00.000Z

Matt said: "If a gymnast does a move like a Tsukahara, they don't call it Tsukahara-like."

See? I think they do.

Agree to differ... check!

(Knew you'd get ABBA in somewhere)

Ken,re: Obama-like....When a figure-skater does a...

2008-11-13T22:29:00.000Z

Ken,

re: Obama-like....

When a figure-skater does a Triple Lutz, it's named the Triple Lutz because a figure skater names Lutz invented the jump.

When a gymnast does a Tsukahara, it's named a Tsukahara because there's a gymnast named Tsukahara who was the first one who did it. If a gymnast does a move like a Tsukahara, they don't call it Tsukahara-like. They give it a new name to describe what it is.

When people create music, you don't often here someone saying that a symphony sounded Mozart-like or Bach-like or even ABBA-like or Beatles-like because their music is so distinctive it's usually not possible to approach the sounds or timbres they created. That's why every ABBA or Beatles cover sounds like a cover.

To say something is Obama-like, you are implying a close relationship to something that Obama did or originated.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Susan, I have to apologize. I'm sure your statement was innocent. I had no idea it was going to get blown up like this, otherwise I would have refrained from commenting in the first place. I'm not intending to criticize you in any way. In any case, for what it's worth, I apologize.

Matt: Re 'Obama-like:I suppose an analogy I might ...

2008-11-13T22:11:00.000Z

Matt: Re 'Obama-like:

I suppose an analogy I might use is this; If David Beckham played a big football match and scored a great goal and then I went out into my garden and scored a great goal of my own, one might say that my goal was 'Beckham Like'.

This doesn't mean that Beckham was the only one ever to score a good goal (or I the only one to emulate him) it just means that he did.

BTW I don't think I inferred that the site might be tarnished by anything but doubtless my 'tens' of comments-readers will have their own opinion about whether I did or not.

For clarification, I need to apologize to anyone w...

2008-11-13T21:51:00.000Z

For clarification, I need to apologize to anyone who might have been offended by my comment about Inside Government and that our team voted mostly republican and did not want Obama elected president as it pertains to the site and it's objectivity.

IG is non-partisan…It’s purpose is to explain how government works. Period. There is no legislative agenda, left or right, and it will not endorse any candidate ever. It’s an objective look at how government works and will always offer objective explanations.

However, I was taken aback by Susan's comment: "Very Obama, that." and fell compelled to respond. The way I interpret the comment in this context is that IG is an expression of the Obama movement. Basically, what I interpret her implication is—wow, IG is objective, it's not just insiders talking about government, it’s reaching out for opinions from different places—such as Ireland—and what an Obama thing to do that is.

And I just want to make clear that that implication is illogical and that IG is not an expression of any Obama-like thinking.

The statement is illogical because t’s not an Obama thing to do. It’s an OBJECTIVE thing to do. I was merely pointing out that the site has absolutely nothing to do with Obama and explaining that the Americans participating on this site actually voted Republican this time around. I’ve always identified myself as a democrat until this year. This year I voted for the party with ideals and candidates who better represented me. The other Americans participating on the site range from moderates who vote for individuals of both parties to really conservative republicans. But as you have read on the site, every post is objective and explanatory about how the government works without promoting any political agenda.

I was also pointing out that Obama did not invent objectivity and a desire to reach out and be inclusive for all. Millions throughout history have practiced being inclusive. Obama did not invent inclusivity or bipartisanship or coalition building—a political practice you are probably more familiar with on the other side of the pond.

Make no mistake. Inside Government is non-partisan. But making a comment like it arising as part of the Obama spirit of change and hope in Washington? That’s just not right and it gives Obama way too much credit.

Further, Ken, I think your readers know that you are Irish. I referred to those working on the site as Americans and that they voted Republican. That not only excludes you as someone who voted Republican, but also Zee Harrison who is a British citizen living in America, but who will be moving back to Britain in January. She will continue to be part of the editorial team though offering her brilliant thinking and unique perspective. If any of your readers somehow interpreted my comment to imply that you were an American, I apologize for that was certainly not the case.

Finally, I wish to draw your attention to the "ABOUT" Tab on the Inside Government site. It clearly lists three examples of how the American people couldn't distinguish or evaluate campaign issues from both sides because of a lack of understanding of how the American government works. This page clearly articulates are sincere and objective passion to explain the processes of our government in objective and non-partisan ways. If we never engage in lobbying for a certain political outcome, it is possible to be informative and objective. And up until now, the site has received over a hundred comments -- 56 on IG's site and the rest on each of our blog teams' sites all praising the endeavor, saying there's a need for this site, and that the readers have gotten a lot out of the content already on the site. There hasn't been a single accusation of any type of partisanship or a lack of objectivity from anyone who has read the site. I'm very proud of that and I don't understand how Ken can infer that the site might be tarnished now because those working objectively on the site, those that have put aside their own politics to write quality educational and informative content, did not vote for Obama in the last election.

And I will continue to disagree with you Ken. The seeking of other perspectives is NOT Obama-like. Intelligent individuals and leaders from local school clubs and theaters to world leaders have sought other perspectives for millenia. Describing this as Obama-like is just puts Obama on some kind of pedestal he has not in any way shape or form earned, and discredits intelligent leaders everywhere throughout history who have always sought the counsel of others.

Hi Debbie: I could blog about how my mind works...

2008-11-13T21:12:00.000Z

Hi Debbie: I could blog about how *my* mind works but it might not be pretty. :)

Thanks Waterrose, impressive that it's stuff that you've 'forgotten' rather than just 'never knew', like me.

Hi Susan, thanks for having a look. I like the fact that outsiders get brought into a discussion too, it can't do much harm can it?

Dear Cellobella: We do love getting our American cousins over here... and they seem to like it too. This whole 'sound-alike' thing may be a debate for another day - I think TV is pulling together *all* of our inflections, which is kind of sad.

Hi Matt: I may well be on to something with my 'Pandora's Box' reference, we'll see.

Hi Reggie, good on you! I always admire your forthrightness and large glasses. :)

It's a nice analogy, Margaret, the 'oohhhing' and 'ahhing' (did I spell it right?) In the presence of other's wonder, we occasionally can rediscover our own... or something like that.

Hi again Matt: It's an interesting comment, this, concerning "...part of the real reason why this site now exists."

It may prove to be a sizable challenge to continue to uphold your stated non-partisan viewpoint if every American contributor on the blog is equally frustrated at how Americans reacted during the recent election process.

I also want to underline the point that while all American contributors to IG voted Republican, I am *not* American and I am choosing to remain non-partisan in my limited (and thus quite naive) discussion of American political matters.

I agree with Susan that the seeking of other perspectives is quite Obama-like. That obviously doesn't mean that he's the first or only person to ever do it. :)

@susan....per your comment "Very Obama, that."I'm ...

2008-11-13T19:58:00.000Z

@susan....per your comment "Very Obama, that."

I'm not sure the characterization is apt. There were millions of fair-minded individuals who sought out other perspectives in the world's history before Obama professed to do so during his political campaign. It still remains to be seen whether Obama will live up to his own hype. You might be chagrinned to realize that all of the Americans participating in Inside Government voted republican this time around and did NOT want Obama elected President.

Part of the real reason why this site now exists was an expression of our frustration that during the election process Americans couldn't get beyond the words "change" and "hope" and critically look at what Obama promised vs. what he would have the power to do as President. That's due to an overwhelming ignorance in America of how our government works. We saw a need. We're passionate about it, and we decided to act rather than just sit around feeling powerless and not trying to make a difference for the next time around.

Cheers!

Thanks Margaret! Your comments are much appreciat...

2008-11-13T19:53:00.000Z

Thanks Margaret! Your comments are much appreciated!

I think Matt's concept is one that's been needed f...

2008-11-13T16:09:00.000Z

I think Matt's concept is one that's been needed for awhile. I know that I personally have forgotten many of my middle school civics lessons. You tend to do that if you're not immersed in it on a daily basis.

I'm headed over there to read your synopsis of our Electoral process -- I love reading other people's point of view on things I take for granted.

It's like listening to little children ohhh and ahhhh over fireworks or pretty flowers - you refresh your own perspective in the light of their discovery of something you've grown inured to.

ê¿ê

I think I've heard enough about the American Gover...

2008-11-13T15:21:00.000Z

I think I've heard enough about the American Government for one year. I'll give it until after Christmas. Though I'm sure your post is amazing as usual Ken :)

As I told Rudy on twitter: The world doesn't revolve around the US, much to their dismay.

Thanks Ken for the awesome write-up! I think you'...

2008-11-13T13:06:00.000Z

Thanks Ken for the awesome write-up! I think you're on to something though regarding Pandora's Box...when Pandora opened the box, governments were created--right after the tax code.

Cheers!

What I found interesting when I visited your fair ...

2008-11-13T13:03:00.000Z

What I found interesting when I visited your fair isle back in 2006 was how many Americans tourists there were!

And of course the accents can be quite similar.

(a bit like for you guys how the NZ and Aussie accents are similar!)

Thanks for sharing the link: nice to think that it...

2008-11-13T10:57:00.000Z

Thanks for sharing the link: nice to think that it's possible to understand the American government's workings, not just wonder at them! I like the fact they're looking for other voices too, not just insiders. Very Obama, that.
;-)

Thanks for telling us about the non-partisan polit...

2008-11-13T03:04:00.000Z

Thanks for telling us about the non-partisan political workings blog. Now off to visit and read....see what I've forgotten.

next thing you know, you'll be bloggin about how t...

2008-11-13T02:26:00.000Z

next thing you know, you'll be bloggin about how the mind works...hmmm. contact me, I could use the help!

Comments on Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff: Ken ventures 'Inside Government'

My bad...I meant you liked this version of Bond [t...

US politics is better than our local politics. I ...

dropping by your informative blog.

Hi Hope, I like the thought of you leaping to defe...

Susan, I was going to jump to your defense but I g...

Withe regard to Bear Grylls - I'm tempted to say '...

Good Lord. The last sentence in my comment that ca...

Oh, and Bear Grylls in a recent interview just pro...

Matt said: "If a gymnast does a move like a Tsukah...

Ken,re: Obama-like....When a figure-skater does a...

Matt: Re 'Obama-like:I suppose an analogy I might ...

For clarification, I need to apologize to anyone w...

Hi Debbie: I could blog about how *my* mind works...

@susan....per your comment "Very Obama, that."I'm ...

Thanks Margaret! Your comments are much appreciat...

I think Matt's concept is one that's been needed f...

I think I've heard enough about the American Gover...

Thanks Ken for the awesome write-up! I think you'...

What I found interesting when I visited your fair ...

Thanks for sharing the link: nice to think that it...

Thanks for telling us about the non-partisan polit...

next thing you know, you'll be bloggin about how t...

Hi Debbie: I could blog about how my mind works...