You're doing it wrong - Arm chair activists

I doubt there are many people left on the internet that haven't seen the Kony 2012 video - it has been viewed over 70 million times, and has jammed up Twitter and Facebook. I am not here to weigh in on that issue, I feel like most of the things that need to be said, have been said. I am, however, here to talk about this new trend of arm chair activism. We have all seen it, someone shares a link or a video, or updates their Facebook status to something foolish about the color of their bra, or cartoon characters. And then that person sits back feeling pretty damn good about themselves. The Kony video is just the latest in this trend, people keep remarking how powerful social media can be for affecting change or helping a cause. And yeah, this could be true, but let's not confuse sharing a link and actually taking action or making a donation. My friend Joel Kelly has a great post on this growing problem. 

Oh and before you say it, I know, I know, you sharing that video is helping to create awareness. Well done, look at you go. But here is the thing, most of time these issues don't need awareness, they need action or money. Clicking the like button, or retweeting something to your followers doesn't count as taking a stand or action. If you would like to make a difference here is what you need to do - 

Volunteer - that's right, this means you have to step away from Facebook and go outside

Make a donation - open up that wallet and dig deep, most of these organizations need financial support so they can keep doing their jobs

Take a look around your community there are so many organizations right here in Halifax that could use your support - so let's all ease up the like button and start making a contribution to the many organizations that need our help.

Dear America

I am going to talk politics today, yep, politics, so hold on to your hat.

Yesterday was Super Tuesday, which means our friends south of the border held a heck of a lot of primary elections yesterday, with each candidate hoping to get the most number of delegates. When all was said and done it looks like Mitt Romney came out ahead. Should we get excited about this, is he the lesser of the evils that are currently trying to make a run at the White House? I'll be honest, I can't be anything but terrified. Have you taken a look at the old dinosaurs that are in the race for the Republican nomination? We have good old Mitt, Newt Gingrich, any my personal fav Rick Santorum. And you thought Sarah Plain was something to fear (don't get my wrong, she is a train wreck and a great example of what's wrong with the world today) but this new crop of candidates is even more troubling. Let's start with my pal Rick, he is against birth control and same sex marriage. Good stuff, we are off to a great start. Oh and he thinks climate change is silly stuff that someone made up. But he is in favor of war.


Then we have Newt, that old guy is on Twitter these days and he has some gems - "Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity." Now for those of you who don't know, Andrew was quite the guys, big supporter of the Tea Party, not so big on gays or other races. 


Listen, I am not a political expert and I don't claim to be but it is very troubling the our closest neighbor could soon be controlled by one of these out of touch, old clowns. I am really starting to worry about things down there, last week we had Rush Limbaugh calling smart, young women sluts and our old pal Kirk Cameron announcing that being gay was unnatural. Come on now folks, let's smarten up and get these clowns off the air and we should not let them anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Jon Stewart hits the nail on the head, as usual.