Actions speak louder than words

Whether or not you know it, the non-verbal cues of politicians plays a large role in shaping your perception of them. I'm not just talking about the obvious instances: Richard Nixon sweating during the first nationally televised debate, Howard Dean's unforgettable fist pumps in 2004, or even some of the funny faces cooked up by W. It's the little things that politicians do, whether it's to make a point, defend themselves, or show emotion during a speech.

This article in ADWEEK (sorry, subscription needed) has strategists, pollsters and consultants weigh in on the importance of non-verbal cues in politicians' communications. I love this YouTube clip of Hillary impersonator Rosemary Watson preparing for an upcoming speech that the article starts off with.

You can't absorb someone's policy position in two seconds, but you can get your instinctual reaction to them. And you can get that on a non-conscious, nonverbal basis. - Dan Hill, President of Sensory Logic

Now I know it's a bit late in this election to form first impressions, but I found this article to be very interesting. The idea that your gut feeling about a politician, or anyone for that matter, can be based on something that you may not even be aware you're paying attention to? I guess there are some qualities in a candidate that just can't be measured by polling, policies or voting records. Let's not let those things fall by the wayside, however. That's how you end up with a President that people voted for because he was someone they'd like to get a beer with.

To boo or not to boo?

Last night I attended the inaugural game at Nationals Park, for the regular season opener against the Atlanta Braves. Not only was I excited to be at the opening game of the season (not to mention the first regular season game at a gorgeous new stadium), but President Bush was scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

For those who had somehow forgotten that Bush would be at the game, it was easy to remember coming off the Metro, as we were greeted by life-size bobbleheads of Bush and Condoleezza Rice dressed in jail stripes, surrounded by groups of protesters with "Boo Bush" and "War Criminals" signs. Helicopters hovered above the stadium, snipers patrolled the roofs of the parking complex, and we waited in line airport-style to pass through metal detectors and have our bags rummaged through by homeland security officers.

As the opening pitch drew nearer, I began to wonder how Bush would be received by the ultra-liberal Washington, D.C. crowd. Sure, I overheard people before the game talking about their dislike for W, but come on, are you really going to boo the President? Yes. Apparently they are.

Now I'm no Socialist - I firmly believe in (and very often celebrate) freedom of speech. But this simply rubbed me the wrong way. I believe that our President, no matter who he or she is, and what they and their administration may have done, should be granted at the very least a modicum of respect, especially during a ceremonial outing. To me, the booing took away from this shining achievement for baseball, a game that, among other things, helps to take our collective minds off of other issues.

Call me happy-go-lucky, but I was hoping that people would be able to put aside their differences for the night and celebrate an amazing moment in baseball.

- Only three years ago did Washington, D.C. get baseball back, marking 45 years since the Senators had left.
- A brand-new $600M green baseball stadium was just built.
- It's the start of the 2008 season.
- The President is throwing out the first pitch.

That's pretty damn cool. But for me, the loud boos for Bush put a damper on the magic of it all.

Did I boo? No. Did I cheer? No. I was way too busy trying to take a picture.

What do you think - is it OK to boo the President?

Do policy makers use Facebook?

The Illinois House is currently considering a bill to legalize civil unions between same-sex couples, granting them the same legal rights given to married couples. And students who care are trying to get their voices heard.

Over 8,000 students have joined the "Students for the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill" Facebook group created by Lake Forest sophomore Phil Miatkowski in February. But pledging their support in their profiles isn't all.

The students have also formed CivilUnionsIllinois.org, which allows visitors to get background on the bill, find local events near them, and easily send a message to their local representative to pledge their support for the bill. In order to increase word-of-mouth awareness of the bill, a visitor can also plug in the e-mail addresses of up to ten friends to send information to.

Bill supporter Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) reached out to Miatkowski to thank him for the additional support of the Facebook group, and his letter of thanks is posted on the group's 'Recent News' section. It is unclear when the bill will be called before the House for a vote; will the 8,000+ students voices be heard?

O'Doyle: Mortal Kombat for the Sega Genesis is the best game ever made.
Billy Madison: I disagree. It's a very good game, but I think Donkey Kong is better.
O'Doyle: Donkey Kong sucks!
Billy Madison: Wanna know somethin'? You suck!

Sorry Billy, but according to Rankopedia, you both suck.

Say it ain't so, Spitzer

Eliot Spitzer has been offered an opportunity to pose nude for playgirl. What's sad is that as much as his name has now been dragged through the mud, it doesn't seem like much of a stretch. In other news, what happened to Spitzer's lips? He looks like the love child of Bill Cowher and the Sophia from the Golden Girls.

Happy (almost) Easter

A disturbingly well-produced look at our favorite Easter confection: the chocolate bunny.

Your favorite sports team is rumored to be moving to Fremont, CA. Quick! What do you do?

Ghostride your Volvo, obviously: