...AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE...

So I have avoided getting involved in the political action so far, mainly because I had not educated myself on the candidates, their platforms, and the current political system. Now that I have, I am confident who I am going to vote for.
So, risking the political sound-off to await rocks being thrown my way, I will not be voting for either one of the big two party representatives. I will be voting Green.
Green? (you say). Green (that's me).
I believe that the Green party most accurately and directly addresses the problems we face in America - Health Care, Education, Foreign Policy, Economics, Environmental Sustainability, Equality, and right at the heart of it all - Big Government.
I am not against government in general, but I believe this government is so wrapped up in partisanship, the markets, corporations, and the well-being of themselves (compared to the well-being of the people) that it no longer can really be considered government. It is corruption at its worst.
I don't want to simply give up on government, however. I hope (there's that buzz word) we can reform it, restore it, and make it about the people once again.
Now, no political party will ever be perfect, but I feel obligated to vote for the party that most directly represents my views. This time around, it's the Green Party. They may not win, but I can't bring myself to like either Barack or John. Sorry guys.

BRILLIANT!

if you enjoy music at all, you will appreciate this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMrqBldlqzA


ENJOY!

IT FELT... WEIRD.

I drove up to the building, and waited in my car - I was 2 minutes early. I had a bag full of prepared material, and the deoderant was freshly applied before leaving the house.

I made my way to the front of the room, familiarizing myself with the computer and projection equipment - I was prepared.

I hung newspapers up around the room, making sure the most dramatic headlines were in the most visible places - where's the tape... crap... well, I thought I was prepared.

The young people start coming in, and, despite the awkward hellos to these youngsters I barely know, the attitude I display is that of confidence.

Soon, we are diving in, and now I am on the other end of the discussion, knowing what it feels like when discussion questions hit blank stares.

And then it happens - participation - oh! breakthrough! I've still got work to do, don't get distracted...

Thoughts rush to my head - communicate truth, what is that scripture I memorized, what's that kid doing with his pen (no kid, don't do that...), focus, relax, do something funny, don't do something stupid...

And soon the night was over - things were getting packed up again, and sticky notes are falling from the wall.

It was weird, and felt foreign, but also, it felt good. It was my baptism by fire, and my ass is toasty, but I learned.