Person of the Year

As I'm sure you've seen by now, Time's "Person of the Year" issue is out and You are it!

Uhh... well... Gee.. Thanks, Time, but I'm still not gonna renew my subscription. (There. Free advertising so ya know my thanks ain't empty.)

Instead, I've decidered to follow the lead of Comandante Agi (kinda*) and suggest a person of the Year whom I think made the most courageous and intelligent decisions in regards to motivating the "You"s in the Time cover story: us nanobots o' the intertubes.

Russ Feingold's call for Censure in the first quarter of 2006 created a firestorm of internet activity from Left Blogistan**, and invigorated a debate amongst bloggers, office-mates and family members which was only dampened by the quietude and disinterest of the colleagues of the Senator from WI. Whilst the debate on Censure raged across the 'tubes, Feingold's Democratic cohorts - both boys and girls and with very few exceptions - whined and shrugged and looked to the past, where a sitting President was impeached and still managed to retain overwhelming support in the polls.

So yes. Kudos to you! To all those who pound the keyboards and post the pics, mundane to profane, silly to sublime. It is my experience that teh Internets has brought us closer together in so many important ways affecting the socio-political environment which we share in this country. That, despite it's inarguable traps and addictioneries, the opportunity to find and relate to more folks than ever before possible is, on the balance, and in the words of America's favorite ex-con, A Good Thing.

And yet, as electronically connected is not precisely nor exactly the same thing as being face to face, with flesh pressed and breaths shared, we are still only human. As such, we do so still need leaders who have both vision and the courage to Frame such so as to motivate and lead us to make each our own individual effort towards goals which we all so truly desire to see attained.

In that regard, and with nearly a total lack of competition for the honor, I humbly submit that Russ Feingold was truly 2006's Person of the Year.

Happy Holidays!



* Is a great way to play with your own ideas on the topic. Thanks a lot for the impetus Comandante!

** I couldn't find a way to succinctly encompass all of those bloggers whose posts I admired and respected, so just linked to one which I think captured the essence of the times quite well.