By now, I think you're all getting the hang of why we have a second Mojo Friday diary. For those who haven't been around the past couple of Fridays, the idea is this:
Tired of the Mojo Friday page being so huge and bloated by the time you see it that it brings your browser to its knees, thus preventing you from joining the fun?
You are? Welcome to the Mojo Friday -- Time Shifters Edition diary!
This is like the other Mojo Friday diary, but provides a time-shifted alternative for people who can't, for whatever reason, get in early on the regular Mojo Friday diary. Mostly this is west coast Kossacks, which is why this was originally labeled the "West Coast Edition", but it turns out there are plenty Kossacks elsewhere who can't manage to get in on TexDem's regular Mojo Diaries either. The way I see it, there's no reason they shouldn't be welcome too.
I've also decided to tweak the rules a bit, so see below. Otherwise, the same rules apply as with TexDem's regular mojo-thons. So, please be nice and do like Wil Wheaton says: "Don't be a dick."
Flip on over for this week's theme, Term Limits
Term limits. Love 'em or hate 'em, they certainly make us ponder the relationship between the citizenry and its government, expressed in that intersection of the two we call Elected Officials.
I find it somewhat ironic that the notion of term limits came about as a result of a wildly successful and popular president, one who many would argue saved America in one of its darkest hours and who did a lot of good for the nation.
If he was so great, why the rush to replace him? Ok, I suppose four terms in office doesn't constitute a rush. But still, the point remains: shouldn't an able and dedicated public servant be allowed to serve for as long as the public wants him or her to do so?
I don't know. In a theoretical sense, I can buy that argument. After all, why not? If the person is still doing good work, let 'em stay!
But as a practical matter, I know that most politicians are relatively sleazy, power-hungry individuals (at least as compared to the rest of us). It takes a certain chutzpah to even run for office in the first place, especially executive offices. The very sort of person who would want to run for such an office is exactly the sort of person we, as a citizenry, should be extremely skeptical about.
And while it's one thing to let one bad apple spoil the whole barrel, the situation here is more like a barrel bad apples with just one good one hidden somewhere inside. And in that light, term limits make a lot of sense.
Which brings me to my main point: MoJo Friday Time Shifter Edition host term limits.
TexDem created the Mojo Friday concept, and as such should be entitled in perpituity to host the regular Mojo Friday diaries. I, however, merely extended his idea a couple of time-zones to the west, and as such, I feel that it isn't right for me to be the sole host for all time. Hence, term-limits.
Our founding fathers, in creating the House of Representatives, envisioned a body with a high rate of turnover. Hence the two-year election cycles. They envisioned ordinary men and women (well, ok, they didn't envision the women doing it, but they would have if they weren't all a bunch of 18th century chauvinists), stepping into the public eye for a couple of terms to serve their country, and then returning to private life.
I think it's a good model, and one that I wish the actual House of Representatives actually followed. And while I have no control over what the People's House does with its members--except for the power of my own vote--I do have control over what I do with this diary series.
I choose to step down, after a suitable period, to hand the reins to someone else. I think a month, four consecutive fridays, is a good amount. This is my third time hosting; next week will be the last.
So here's what we're going to do. We're gonna hold ourselves a little election, in the best democratic tradition enabled by the Daily Kos Diary commenting and poll mechanism.
This week is nomination week. If you'd like a shot at hosting the Time Shifter Edition for a four week run, head down to the "Nominations" comment (which, if I'm fast enough, will be the first top-level comment after the tip jar), and post a reply with why you think you ought to have the privilege. This is your stump speech, so do a good job. Include a catchy campaign slogan for next week (see below).
Everyone else: please read through those self-nominations and rec the ones you like. NOTE: THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. Within the "Nominations" comment thread, the usual "rec everything" rule does not apply. You should still rec the rest of the comments in the diary, but in that one thread, restrict yourself to voting on the stump speeches you like.
Next week, we'll hold the actual election via the Diary Poll mechanism. The top five vote getters from this nomination round will appear in next week's poll, and (duh) the winner will become the new Time Shifter Edition host for the subsequent four-week term.
Mojo Friday Time Shifter Guidelines
Wherever you live, east, west, or in between, please pick just one Mojo Diary to play in. Mojo is nice, and all, but let's be reasonable. Besides, double-dipping will be obvious to anyone paying attention the post-game shows in the respective Mojo Diaries.
If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.) Except, as noted above, for the Nominations comment thread. See above
Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
You don't have to comment to recommend.
You can't steal TexDem's idea (I already did, and one larceny is enough, but if you win the election you can steal it two weeks from now)
Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 300, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo...
Do these few things and you too can become a Trusted User, with all the rights, privileges, and free airline upgrades attendant thereto.
Mojo Friday Goals
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM PST and 1500 by 5:00 PM PST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen <somewhere> in the Mojo Friday West Coast Edition Postgame Show by <whoever volunteers first>. Hey, I can't do everything for you...
G. Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation.
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
See also, MKinTN's diary on achieving greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying, and of course, the Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.