Jen's Green Journal

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
 - George Bernard Shaw

An Unreasonable Man starts March 30 at the Salt Lake Film Society. I saw this documentary about Ralph Nader during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and I reviewed it at that time. Here are some highlights of the film that I chose from that review:

The film covered a variety of perspectives. Those who criticized Nader's run (including those who had formerly worked with Nader -- Nader's Raiders) and those who felt that it was important for him to run.

The film is also very inspiring. Ralph Nader has accomplished more to make this country a better place as a citizen than most politicians could ever dream of in office. That accomplishment came at a price: long work hours that made a personal life difficult. Nader never married, and the film suggested that he didn't have time for a girlfriend (or boyfriend? don't want to assume sexual preference.) But we can thank Nader for so many things that many people probably aren't even aware that we have because of Nader.

My biggest criticism of the film is that it didn't cover any of the controversy and splitting within the Green Party in 2004 over Nader's decision to run a second time. The film seemed incomplete without those events and conversations. The filmmakers were present at the screening and did a Q&A afterward and I regret that I didn't ask them about that while I had the chance. I was still trying to absorb all that I had seen -- there was a lot of perspectives and information presented and the omission didn't occur to me until about half an hour after the film finished.

Lisa Viola, who reviewed the film for the 2006 Sundance Film Festival catalog wrote this:

“The name Ralph Nader sparks fiery debate among people across the country. To some,  he is an icon of rare idealism, while others see him simply as the political spoiler of the last two elections. No matter what you think of the man, the fact remains that he is a tireless crusader.

Hailing from modest means in small-town Conneticut without a family pedigree, Nader rose to prominence during the 70s as a consumer rights activist. Over his lengthy career, he has impacted the public in countless ways. He has saved thousands of lives by initiating legislation ranging from seat-belt mandates for cars to food safety regulations. This well-documented film recounts his early days going up against General Motors and inspiring young liberal minds, who adopted the name “Nader’s Raiders” to help fight unregulated corporations.

This exhaustive and potentially charged film by Henriette Mantel and Stephen Skrovan includes well-placed archival footage and newly shot interviews with Nader himself. Numerous extended interviews  with former colleagues, supporters, and family members allow the riveting, dramatic story to unfold. An Unreasonable Man skillfully dissects the life and work of an unparalleled human being. The film begs the question, when do we speak for what is right without compromise and when do we surrender one battle for the sake of the war? America, it’s your turn to vote.”

Salt Lake Film Society Screening Times (doesn't show 3/30 and beyond times yet)
Film trailer
metacritic
Official website

Photo of Ralph Becker that I snapped at an ice cream party before Mayor Rocky Anderson's Global Warming presentation last July.

I haven't yet decided who I want to support for mayor of Salt Lake City, but I do like a lot of what I had to hear from Ralph Becker, who held a blogger's reception this evening at his campaign headquarters downtown. I was Ralph's constituent until 9 months ago, and I always thought he was a great representative in the Utah Legislature. He's the guy that always pushed for ethical reforms, like requiring the legislators to report all gifts they received from lobbyists.

We discussed a lot of different issues, from campaign strategies to what we thought would make Salt Lake City a great place to live. Some discussion on technology and adding free wireless internet access to more locations around the city, the predictable discussion on Utah's liquor laws, making downtown and Salt Lake City more walkable and livable. I appreciate Ralph Becker's commitment to the environment and education, and he was receptive to my suggestions to address the daycare situation in Salt Lake City, which I feel is very important if we want to keep families living here rather than moving to Sandy and places where daycare is easier to find.

I'm excited to follow this campaign.

About 15 bloggers were in attendance, some who I've already met, like Cliff from One Utah and Ethan from SLC Spin. I met some other bloggers from the Utah blogosphere that I only knew through their blogs, like Bob from The World According to Me, Rob from the Utah Amicus and "Oldenburg" from The Third Avenue. Some bloggers left before I had a chance to meet them and find out what blogs they write.



Cliff Lyon (left) makes a point at Ralph Becker's (center) blogger reception

 

*Progressives, Political Junkies, Activists, and Greenies

Sundance Film Festival 2007 Screenings and Events for Sunday, January 21: The Unforseen, Wonders Are Many, The Devil Came on Horseback, Miss Navajo, Joe Strummer, and many more below the cut

It's now official. As an anti-war, pro-peace person, I will not be able to support Hillary, as much as I'd like to see a woman president.

Back in March of 2003, just a couple of weeks before the war started, I was fortunate to be involved in the Code Pink events in Washington D.C. About 50 us were able to meet with Hillary Clinton to express our views of the war.

Thanks to Kirsten Michel, who filmed the meeting (about 16 minutes), I'm able to post the video on this blog. It's a good reminder that just because someone is a Democrat, they don't always have progressive values.

(Thank you to Kirsten Michel for the video, and thanks to my friends Rex and Rene who gave me their frequent flyer miles so that I could attend these events)

I was reading this post at Dee's 'Dotes this morning and it got me thinking. Deanna has been criticized for supporting the Green Party as a waste of time on the one hand (I'm assuming by a Democrat), and accused of being a democratic-supporter for writing nice things about Democrat Pete Ashdown on the other (I'm assuming by a Green). It's stuff like this that makes me wonder if being an independent is the way to go. I'm so sick of blind loyalty to a party or personality in a party. We've got to move beyond partisanship if we want to make the world a better place.

The two-party is system is a really bad idea, and is at least partially responsible for the rightward movement of the DNC and the unchecked neo-con movement of the Republican Party. I like supporting the Green Party as a way to build a third party alternative. Without a variety of options, many Americans are stuck voting for the lesser of two evils (if they are inspired to vote at all with so little choice) instead of the best possible candidate.

I absolutely believe in the values of the Green Party. I originally became involved in the Green Party because those values mirrored my personal values.

We need the Green Party as an alternative to the Democratic Party.  Nationally, the Dems have sold out so much to big monied interests that I don't have much hope that as a party they will be able to do the right thing. Locally, the Dems  have to move far to the right to compete in the reddest of red states. There are some wonderful Democrats (politicians and supporters) out there that embody those Green Party values, but those types of Dems are ignored or given short-shrift by the rest of the party.

In the Green Party we have problems with in-fighting. I think the Green Party could use a big influx of regular folks that believe in the values and can see the big picture and don't feel the need to fight over small details like who is greener than who or get as caught up in the politics of personality as the Greens seem to do.

I don't believe in straight-party voting for Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or Greens. I believe in voting for the best candidate. I believe that most of the time that candidate will be a Green, but I hope that I'll be open-minded enough to see when that isn't the case.

 

Utah may be the reddest of the red states, but we have an awesome progressive community. Here are just a few of the organizations that continue to make Utah and the world a better place.

Progressive Utah -- discussion community and progressive event announcements

People for Peace & Justice of Utah -- Major organizers for many peace events; they sponsor a weekly film dealing with war, peace, or a number of progressive issues.

Salt Lake City Code Pink -- The local chapter of the CODE PINK movement

Shundahai Network -- working on enviromental, anti-nuke and indiginous rights issues

HEAL Utah -- Healthy Environmental Alliance Utah, working to prevent environmental destruction from toxic and nuclear waste

KRCL Community Radio -- The best place to find out what's really going on; airs Democracy Now! and RadioActive public affairs programming.

Utah Independent Media -- Be the Media!

Utah's Green Party (Nationally Affiliated)

Catalyst Magazine -- The most progressive Utah print media, sadly this magazine is only published once per month.

ACLU of Utah

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs -- Utah's Radical Cheerleaders

Drinking Liberally (Salt Lake chapter) -- talk about politics and (and sometimes more than talk)Friday evenings at the Desert Edge Brewery