As we sifted through the raftload of Campaign '96 sites for this week's picks, a dominant theme emerged: politics, specifically the 1996 US election, is very much online. The media, the candidates and the public all seem to acknowledge the power of the medium; this leads to an interesting selection of coverage, point of view, campaigning and even humor. We're preaching to the converted, but here goes: NBC and Microsoft Network's Decision '96 and National Journal and American Political Network's Politics USA both offer in-depth analysis and reporting on the subject, each with their own additional strong points. Politics USA also offers guides to Senate and House elections, as well as searchable archives of seven years of news on the candidates. We tried the archive and liked it. The NBC/MSN Decision '96 extra features include an easy to read daily calendar, Republican and Democratic scorecards of delegates won versus totals needed for nomination, and At Issue, a clear, brief analysis of this year's issues, and where the players stand on them.
For a specific focus, PBS's FRONTLINE offers So You Want to Buy a President?, a probing look at where the money comes and who is getting it. The site includes lists of the candidates' fundraising totals, and profiles of contibutors. If you are interested in just how much is out there, NetVote, by the creators of NetGuide, is a thorough indexing of the vast array of Web, usenet, online service and email Campaign '96 resources, along with reviews and a rating scheme. If it exists, you'll easily find it here. HotWired's Netizen covers the coverage; their examination of Old Media vs. New Media creates an original and fascinating presence in what is clearly just the beginning of online politicking and journalism. Finally, the humor in it: Yahoo!'s Presidential Candidate Parodies.
While on the subject of politics, you will certainly want to join in the growing celebration of free speech and democracy on the Internet at 24 Hours of Democracy. The project allows you to peruse 900 plus essays on the matter, as well as post your own; an important forum in the face of the CDA.
Once they have been elected, exactly what do politicians do with our tax money? We've done some of our own investigating and give you this: Representative Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently asked Attorney General Janet Reno to launch an investigation into the high cost of cereal. Yes, cereal, as in Tony the Tiger, Maypo, Freakies, Snap, Crackle and Pop. Read all about it at The Cereal Hall of Fame; we love 'em any time of the day.
Maybe now is not the best time to say we've seen the writing on the wall, but we really have seen the writing on the wall. Art Crimes is a collaborative, ongoing, volunteer project, featuring news, musings, interviews and images that celebrate graffiti worldwide. It includes a large collection of fine snapshots from city walls and trains.
In the world of diplomacy, compromise is king. We found out all about this at Fetish, which features some of the more, uhm, interesting inventions and inspirations to come out of Japan. For example, the Apricot Apron Park at Narita, Tokyo's International Airport, exists as an appeasement by authorities of critics of their airport expansion plans. No arguments with that.
Finally, an educational pick. Software engineers at NASA's Johnson Space Center have placed their WorldMap program online in real-time. Every 45-60 seconds, GIF images from the current Space Shuttle Columbia mission are displayed on an auto-refreshing page. Track the progress of the shuttle as it orbits earth.
You know the old saying, when in Rome... but what if you are in, say, Canada? What would you do for fun then? We know you're thinking hockey, but you're wrong. Ringette is like hockey (a fast-paced team sport played on ice) but there are a couple of complications. The sticks are like broomsticks and the puck has a hole in the middle, like a rubber doughnut. Doesn't look like an easy sport, but it already has an international following.
From playing on ice to walking on fire: The Fire Walking page is indeed hot; although this may not seem like fun or recreation to everyone, it surely is a unique way to spend some downtime. Don't try it at home.
Cricket is a slightly more subdued way to spend the afternoon, especially in the former British Commonwealth countries. Currently the Wills World Cup Cricket '96 tournament is being played in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Take your pick from the handful of good sites covering the event.
Even more subdued, yet with an enormous following, is the sport of birdwatching. Kevin Osborn of the Shetland Bird Club has put together an informative site on the sport in these Scottish islands.
Wing Chun, a Kung Fu style from southern China, is described as a woman's art. This site offers itself as a worldwide resource on the subject, with information on international Wing Chun centers, legends and history, techniques, and links to other pages.
If none of the above float your boat, there is always Hidden Transmitter Hunting. It's kind of like fox hunting without the fox or the dogs; and, for that matter, even without fox hunters. A radio transmitter is hidden in an area ranging anywhere from the size of a small park to the size of the United States, and then hunters use a variety of equipment and techniques to find the transmitter, based on the broadcasts it emits. Hey, it's either this or walking on hot coals! Take your pick(s).