Time Person Of the Year

[tednlou2]

It will be announced on the Today Show Wednesday morning.  Anyone have any bets?  I think either Pope Francis or Snowden.  Snowden has certainly impacted the news.  I know the elderly woman who brought the DOMA case is also being considered.  While huge, I don't think that will make it.  May be pleasantly surprised, though. 

Ok, so I posted this also on Facebook.  As soon as I hit post, I immediately got 2 friend requests.  I mean instantly.  Both were very young looking girls.  One profile said she was from Russia.  Anyone else think that's more than a coincidence?  They obviously don't know me too well, or they would have tempted me with young hot guys.  My file must not be complete.  I did recently read we all have a file...every single one of us.  But, they must be behind on mine..lol. 

Anyway, back on topic.  Who do you feel shaped the news and world most in 2013?

[bocker3]

Ok, so I posted this also on Facebook.  As soon as I hit post, I immediately got 2 friend requests.  I mean instantly.  Both were very young looking girls.  One profile said she was from Russia.  Anyone else think that's more than a coincidence?  They obviously don't know me too well, or they would have tempted me with young hot guys.  My file must not be complete.  I did recently read we all have a file...every single one of us.  But, they must be behind on mine..lol. 

So -- are you saying that the Gov't is trying to "get you" because you put Snowden's name on your Facebook page?  I'm not really following this.........??

[OneTampa]

City buses in Washington DC have "Thank you Snowden" posters on them:

http://rt.com/usa/thank-you-snowden-buses-311/

[WillyWump]

PAPPA FRANNY! yay!

At least it's not Miley

[tednlou2]

So -- are you saying that the Gov't is trying to "get you" because you put Snowden's name on your Facebook page?  I'm not really following this.........??

You act totally shocked someone would be suspicious.  I rarely ever get friend requests from total strangers.  Could be a coincidence, but it is not like they aren't monitoring for key words and phrases. 

Anyway, I was right about Pope Francis.  I do think he has changed so much and created so much dialogue and debate.  He is causing many Catholics to return to the church.  He has many repubs calling him all sorts of names.  He has caused this atheist to consider going to midnight mass this Christmas with the family, like they do every year.   

[buginme2]

I vote Pope Francis.

I went to a Catholic Jesuit university for college.  It's very refreshing to see a Jesuit as Pope.   The Jesuit arm of the Catholic Church is IMHO is the premier force in the world for the betterment of the poor and otherwise disenfranchised.  He is awesome.

[Joe K]

As refreshing as Pope Francis happens to be, he still leads one of most medieval organizations in the world and old habits die hard.  When the church allows women to serve equally with men, I will be impressed.  When the church admits that it has a pedophile problem and works proactively to rid every last one from their midst, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the pain and devastation it supported by rallying against the use of condoms to curb disease, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the abhorrent way it has treated all non-straight people, I will be impressed.

Just because he changes the tone of the conversation, does not mean that the church is going to change its behavior.  I am still waiting to see if he can reform the church with actions and not just with flowery speech.

Joe

[tednlou2]

As refreshing as Pope Francis happens to be, he still leads one of most medieval organizations in the world and old habits die hard.  When the church allows women to serve equally with men, I will be impressed.  When the church admits that it has a pedophile problem and works proactively to rid every last one from their midst, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the pain and devastation it supported by rallying against the use of condoms to curb disease, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the abhorrent way it has treated all non-straight people, I will be impressed.

Just because he changes the tone of the conversation, does not mean that the church is going to change its behavior.  I am still waiting to see if he can reform the church with actions and not just with flowery speech.

Joe

Fair criticism.  He has a mountain to cross.  He is young enough to be around for at least 20 years, so hopefully he continues to make progress in changing the priorities to the poor and sick and not silly things like condom use.  I hope it doesn't take nearly that long, because the changes are needed now. 

[bocker3]

You act totally shocked someone would be suspicious.  I rarely ever get friend requests from total strangers.  Could be a coincidence, but it is not like they aren't monitoring for key words and phrases. 

Suspicious that they are monitoring for keywords -- not shocking. 
Suspicious that they sent friend requests from Russian girls in order to "get you" -- well, that borders on tin foil hat territory, IMO.  Perhaps -- I'm going out on a limb here -- you have been hacked (millions have) -- but I get friend requests from folks I don't know fairly regularly - and I haven't mentioned Snowden's name (oops -- let's see if those girls start hitting on me).   

[buginme2]

As refreshing as Pope Francis happens to be, he still leads one of most medieval organizations in the world and old habits die hard.  When the church allows women to serve equally with men, I will be impressed.  When the church admits that it has a pedophile problem and works proactively to rid every last one from their midst, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the pain and devastation it supported by rallying against the use of condoms to curb disease, I will be impressed.  When the church admits the abhorrent way it has treated all non-straight people, I will be impressed.

Just because he changes the tone of the conversation, does not mean that the church is going to change its behavior.  I am still waiting to see if he can reform the church with actions and not just with flowery speech.

Joe

But the article is for person of the year not organization of the year.   Even more reason for him to win. 

[phildinftlaudy]

I was kind of hoping the CEO for Wal Mart would get it... 

[mitch777]

I was kind of hoping the CEO for Wal Mart would get it... 

Maybe next year. So sad. lol.

[Dan0]

Below quote from finalist for 'Person of the Year' Edith Windsor from www.joemygod.com



"I am honored that Time chose me as one of the number 3 individuals in the top 5 nominees for ‘Person of the Year,’ but I am just one person who was part of the extraordinary and on-going fight for marriage equality for all our families. There are thousands of people who helped us come this far and we still have a lot more work to do. The gay community is my ‘person of the year’ and I look forward to continuing to fight for equal rights and educate the public about our lives alongside my gay brothers and sisters and our allies. Even without taking the ‘Person of the Year’ even being in the top 5 is an extraordinary way to end a year that has been historic for all of us and truly spectacular for me and gave me the chance to tell my story via Time through an interview and audio interview with photo slideshow. Thea would be thrilled, proud and so happy to see what we have all accomplished together." - Edith Windsor, via email.

[mitch777]

Sweet.^

[tednlou2]

Suspicious that they are monitoring for keywords -- not shocking. 
Suspicious that they sent friend requests from Russian girls in order to "get you" -- well, that borders on tin foil hat territory, IMO.  Perhaps -- I'm going out on a limb here -- you have been hacked (millions have) -- but I get friend requests from folks I don't know fairly regularly - and I haven't mentioned Snowden's name (oops -- let's see if those girls start hitting on me).   

This debate is actually on topic, since Snowden came in second.  We have learned so much how our goverment operates.  It is like the NSA has become its own branch of government.  I do wonder whether the president really didn't know many of these things.  Of course, plausible deniability is good for presidents.  But, many think they just did these things on their own and the president was lied to. 

If they can scan key words (and they can and do), then why is it far-fetched a computer algorithm could notice I've mention Snowden many times and decided to send me friend requests hoping I would engage with this RUSSIAN girl.  I have used many words lately like terrorist, blowing up, assassination (in relation to the JFK anniversary) and who knows what else.  I have mentioned Putin.

It probably is a complete coincidence.  I was half joking, but given how pervasive the spying and gathering is, I just have no idea.  Am I worried about me?  No.  Worried they are getting out of hand (now spying on gamers in underwear)?  Yes.  Many would have laughed at gamers and asked why do they think the nsa would be concerned with some gamers still living at home and sharting their underwear.  So, I was mostly making a joke, but it is a shame we do have to wonder about these things.  Just for the record, I don't subscribe to websites and feeds from sites about spying.  I don't have it as a cause.  I usually tell people they should just expect it.  Please don't think I sit around worrying about this.   

[WillyWump]

  I have used many words lately like terrorist, blowing up, assassination (in relation to the JFK anniversary) and who knows what else.  I have mentioned Putin.

It probably is a complete coincidence.

Oh honey no...they are totally watching you.

[Dan0]

  I have mentioned Putin.

So long as you haven't mentioned the Snow-Trollop PALIN, we're GOOD!

[OneTampa]

Oh honey no...they are totally watching you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY