Internet Politics

Our task this week is to do with political participation via the internet.


Sign e-petition

"Help us put an end to whaling!We are trying to get a million people to sign this petition and we need your help to spread the word." Whales Revenge

1104531 Carly Djosovic from Gold Coast, Australia - signed petition on 7th October 2009

Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site

Not exactly sure what constitutes a 'professional' blogger but I did respond to Dave Toomey.

Guest Post - Dave Toomey argues we should forget climate change

What is Barack Obama up to today?

This morning, President Obama addressed over 100 assembled representatives of the world's nations, emphasizing that although the challenge ahead of us is great, we hold the solutions to this global crisis. (Organising for America - Bradley Portnoy's Blog)


Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are

Local (Currumbin) - Jann Stuckey
State - Anna Bligh
Federal - Kevin Rudd.

Look up the Queensland or Australian hansard to find the last time your local member spoke in parliament

Let your local member know what you think about their last speech

I couldn't actually find any speeches from Jann Stuckey. I looked on the Hansard, but the only time her name was mentioned was in attendance, not actually speaking.

Read the lecture and the readings, pursue a couple of the topics that you find most interesting and then post your blog with your well-considered thoughts about the theory and practice of politics

I think the most obvious point that can be made about internet politics is it has opened up the chance of more people being able to be involved in politics and have their opinions heard. As a democratic society, this is a very positive outcome.

What do you think of the Australian Government's plans to censor the internet (the so-called "Clean Feed")???

I had no idea about this, so I googled it and came across No Clean Feed website which was very helpful in explaining it all. I'm definately AGAINST the clean feed, and completely agree with the website.. like come on we're not China. Australia is a free democratic society. As far as it in terms of censoring of websites for children. This isn't the responsibility of the government, it is the parents.

What place does censorship have in a democracy?

I think above all, this is the most important factor. We can not claim to be a democratic society and then go and censor the internet.

What opportunities can you find for political participation via the internet. How many of the following can you achieve while sticking to your political beliefs?

I think there is an abundance of oportunities for political participation over the internet. It makes it a lot easier to be involved then by participating in the real world. I will be honest I don't have any interest in politics, so can't really stick to following certain beliefs..

Interestingly enough when you search google images for internet politics and Australia that picture is the fourth result.. ah god bless Australia.