I was surprised to see my name once again grace the glorious pages of the Calgary Herald last week. When I was first named as a member of a secret political conspiracy group in the Herald a month ago, I didn't believe the story was worth responding to on this blog, but as my name showed up again last week, I thought I'd provide my readers with a little insight into what I've been up to.
Since the March 2008 election, I have been involved in many political discussions and debates with a group of friends and colleagues about the best ways to achieve a more democratic, responsible, and sustainable Alberta. One of my goals is to find an effective way to help build a better Alberta by contributing to positive meaningful change for Albertans who aren't being well served by the current government.
As seen by the Herald story, even the mention of starting a new political movement can generate a lot of interest, and that's great, because there's no reason why political discussions in Alberta should be limited to the traditional political parties.
Will a new political movement be created? At this point, it has yet to go beyond the stage of conversation, but you can sure bet that you will read about it again if one does.
I have been a little shocked at the way these casual chats have been blown out of proportion, as I've had countless conversations (generally over coffee or beer) with different people across and outside of party-lines over the past year. Their political bents vary, but they have one thing in common, they are passionate accomplished Albertans who are hungry for something better, but don't see any of the current political parties as vehicles to create positive change.
If you're an Albertan interested in meeting me for a coffee and conversation about creating meaningful positive change in this province, send me an email at daveberta.ca@gmail.com.
And remember, everything is up for debate, and I like coffee (and beer).
Friday, February 13, 2009
the answer is blowing in the wind.
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8 comments:
I wish you luck in this. Hopefully something fruitful and long-term comes from your discussions.
Thanks for the clarification, Dave. AGRDT has avoided blogging about this since Day 1 because we thought the Herald and others might be blowing your pretty normal activities of a political science student (i.e. talking politics) out of proportion. I can't believe the extent to which some feel comfortable commenting or criticizing when it seems like they have very few details. Good luck with all of your extra-curricular activities and here's hoping the Herald doesn't write a story about this post :)
Great Response... It is interesting how the media can take a story and blow it up...
Looks like Daveberta is getting help from Pastoor on his talking points.
Does this mean that Daveberta had nothing to do with the "White Paper" that Tiny Perfect Blog made available? Could we get some clarification on this?
Wow! I didn't realize MY political conversations over coffeee (or beer!) constituted the emergence of a new political movement! I mean, I was a political science student, too! I'll have to tell my friends; they may not actually want to be involved.
I should know better; in Alberta's political climate, when anyone of any profile at all actually questions the status quo, or meets with other people who question the status quo, it's seen as a "threat" to the ruling party.
The Alberta Progressive Conservatives seem overly sensitive to calls for change; could it be that they recognize that their institutional complacency will eventually be their downfall?
On the other hand, they've always been pretty good at co-opting messages for change and "changing from within". Bad news for Stelmach, I suspect, if the burgeoning political movement represented by conversations over coffee and/or beer(!) actually gains a toehold in Martha and Henry's political consciousness.
That said, of COURSE I'm interested in changing the political culture in this province, not so much in favour of one political party or the other (I'm not a big fan of political parties, hence my blog name), as much as increased political knowledge and "electoral behavioural" sophistication on the part of Albertans.
After reading the Herald and a couple blogs on this sujet it appear to me that there are many broad assumptions being made.
The Herald story makes me think that the reporter only knows 5% of the real story and is hence sensationalizing rather than doing a good job of investigative journalism. Do some journalism. Dig up a real story. I don't want to read innuendo, gossip, and vague assumptions, I want to read news.
And by the way: thanks for doing this Dave. I sent you an email. Let's start something!!
Craig
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