As elections draw nearer, parties battle it out online

USA: MIDTERM ELECTIONS

The 2nd of November midterm elections are approaching in the US and the battle between democrats and republicans is raging online. The republicans have made great use of the web during the campaign, and videos continue to pour in.

In this clip, Meg Whitman, who is running for Governor of California, lets police officers have their say. The video is called “Cop’s choice” and attacks democrat Jerry Brown, who is the rival of the former Ebay CEO.

This blogger notes that the team behind the candidate hoping to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger broadcasts 1300 television ads per day, all available to view on YouTube.

Faced with the Republicans’ activity, the Democrats have decided to fight back. Michelle Obama is one of their most powerful weapons; in this online video the First Lady addresses activists and asks them to reproduce the same level of mass mobilization seen in the 2008 campaign.

She also appears in this clip alongside Barack Obama. Their slogan: "Get in the Game".

And videos are also coming in from civil society. Here American actor Ron Butler portrays President Barack Obama responding to criticism and defending the first two years of his mandate through song. In just two minutes this musical video gives web users a swift political analysis.

CHINA: "MY FATHER IS LI GANG"

« My father is Li Gang ». This phrase is now being used by Chinese web users to denounce the impunity enjoyed by government officials and their families. These words were originally uttered in front of an angry crowd, by Li Qiming on the 16th October after killing a female student through drink driving on the Hebei University campus in the North of the country. He thought he would not be punished for his crime as his father is chief of the local police department.

This blogger did some investigation on campus and says the University even tried to hush up the affair. He also reveals that witnesses to the incident were forbidden from speaking to the media. So the scandal broke out online, and web users are outraged.

One web user has altered the lyrics to a pop song and created this video clip, condemning the irresponsibility of local officials’ offspring who think they can get away with anything just because of their parents status.

And this discussion forum has organized a poetry competition to denounce the driver’s attitude. The only rule is that participants have to include the phrase “my father is Li-gang” in their pieces.

Li Qiming now has to face a court of law and faced with this public condemnation, he tearfully apologized on national television, accompanied by his father. But it was too late for web users who doubt his sincerity and instead of calming them down, the approach has made them angrier.

THE VALUE OF A DOLLAR

What food can one buy with just one dollar? Net users can find out by logging on to the website of American artist and photographer Jonathan Blaustein. He has posted dozens of shots of a dollar’s worth of food, including a cheeseburger, flour and also crackers. None of the images have been altered and the project aims to stimulate reflection on our current spending patterns.

MORSE TWEET

Attention all those looking for an original way of communicating on Twitter or those who are paranoid about keeping their online messages secret. On the site Morse Tweet, web users can transcribe their mini messages into Morse code. But be warned this service can only be used for messages less than 45 letters long instead of the usual 140, and more importantly you will also need to be able to decipher the coded messages.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

This video is sure to be a hit with thrill seekers as it compiles spectacular images of extreme sports mid action, thanks to attached cameras. Web users will be able to step into the shoes of off piste skiers or snow boarders, a surfer riding a wave, a BMX champion doing their moves or a base-jumping enthusiast… This video is absolutely breathtaking!