Positive Influence

[jillaw]

OK, so I'm workin on a thing that I'm writing, and I'm interested to hear what y'all think.

Who would you say is having the most positive influence on America today, and why?

[shmeep]

I answered this privately already (before Jillaw joined), but I think it's a really fascinating topic and it would be interesting to see who everyone thinks is influencing America in a positive way. I'll go ahead and share my list here. I'm sure this will make my politics obvious to everyone (if they weren't already) but since this is coming from a positive perspective and not meant to badmouth anyone, I'll go for it.

Here is my list (narrowed down to 5):

*Jon Stewart--his intelligent political satire draws attention to what is really going on (while mocking it, of course) and puts many things into perspective. And he called Tucker Carlson a "dick" on national television.

*Bono--Inspiring. And he sings real good too.

*Jimmy Carter--The ultimate former president. What hasn't he done to try and help humanity?

*Tony Campolo--Actually seems to get the point of Christianity.

*John McCain--A real hero and someone who tries to keep an open mind. I hope he doesn't run in '08 because he'll be hard to beat.

[housemouse]

I agree with Jon Stewart, Jimmy Carter and John McCain. Here are a couple I would put on my list.

Al Franken - Maybe giving my political leanings away slightly by listing him.

The Dalai Lama - Enough said

Oprah Winfrey - She uses here clout to encourage good works, and she puts her money where her mouth is.

JK Rowling - There is something wonderful about turning a generation of kids into rabid readers.

I might also add a couple of parenting gurus like Barbara Colloroso, and Michael Gurian, and maybe Jim Trelease.

[doobrah]

housemouse said:

Al Franken - Maybe giving my political leanings away slightly by listing him.

Leanings???

Girrrrl, you've fallen over! ;D

I'm right with ya!

[shmeep]

That's hilarious! I had a list of ten and then narrowed it down. Al Frankin and JK Rowling were among the ten that I first put down. How random is that?

[housemouse]

All the talk about blue eyes in the "Crushes" thread made me think of another person who is a positive influence. Mr Paul Newman. He runs his business and donates all the proceeds to charity. He has been happily and, as far as we know, faithfully married for a long time and he has a lot of class. Not to mention those blue eyes.

[awlrite4now]

Bill Gates
Oprah Winfrey
Paul Newman
Bill Cosby
Jimmy Carter

[verorl]

I admire Oprah Winfrey a lot! And I agree with whomever said Bono, Jimmy Carter, Paul Newman and Bill Gates.

[maggiethecat]

admin said:

John McCain--A real hero and someone who tries to keep an open mind. I hope he doesn't run in '08 because he'll be hard to beat.

Okay, I'll give away my political leanings here (race you to the Al Franken Appreciation Barbecue, Doobrah!) and say that I'd go beyond party politics and actually vote for John McCain (although several ancestors would start whirling) because he seems to go with his conscience and he's also capable of learning. He's actually fairly centrist for a high-profile Republican.

"There. I said it."

I agree with the list nominees, in particular J. K. Rowling, who should be given the Nobel Prize (!) for getting kids to read again . . . but I can't really think of anyone to add. Interesting thread, though, and certainly thought provoking.

[housemouse]

maggiethecat said:

admin said:

John McCain--A real hero and someone who tries to keep an open mind. I hope he doesn't run in '08 because he'll be hard to beat.

Okay, I'll give away my political leanings here (race you to the Al Franken Appreciation Barbecue, Doobrah!) and say that I'd go beyond party politics and actually vote for John McCain (although several ancestors would start whirling) because he seems to go with his conscience and he's also capable of learning. He's actually fairly centrist for a high-profile Republican.

"There. I said it."

I agree with the list nominees, in particular J. K. Rowling, who should be given the Nobel Prize (!) for getting kids to read again . . . but I can't really think of anyone to add. Interesting thread, though, and certainly thought provoking.

Being a dyed in the wool, knee jerk liberal, it pains me to say this, but I agree with you on John McCain.

One more guy I think of as a positive influence, in keeping more with my political leanings, is Mr. Joseph Bidden.

[doobrah]

Be sure to try the barbecued ditto-heads at the Al Franken Barbecue....

What are we talkin' about here? Positive influences?

I would have to go with Jon Stewart. While I do like and agree with what Bill Maher has to say, Jon seems to be able to make his points more succinctly and more eloquently while backing up his facts with a roll of the videotape.

John McCain makes a lot of sense, but he's still foiled by guilt to remain somewhat party loyal. Jon Stewart's beholden to no one as long as he can hold a modicum of an audience. It's only Comedy Central, for cryin' out loud, not ABC.

Jon even went after guest author Bernard Goldberg a couple of weeks ago. Now that's guts -- going after your guest and debating whether his book has any merit. The book is, "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken Is #37)." Really, that's the title. Jon argued that Hollywood's "kooks" really have no legal or lasting impact, it's the policies set forth in D.C. that are the real obscenities and impact everyone through laws. Really interesting to see him go after someone who you would expect to be a neutral guest.

[housemouse]

doobrah said:

I would have to go with Jon Stewart. While I do like and agree with what Bill Maher has to say, Jon seems to be able to make his points more succinctly and more eloquently while backing up his facts with a roll of the videotape.

I like Bill Maher all right, but he does seem a little full of himself. Stewart seems to be much more of an "every man." Bill Maher smacks too much of Dennis Miller for my taste.