thought i'd share with you all the closing act from our local grange variety show this past march.
it's a local high school class who began learning sign language 5 months ago, performing michael franti's "bomb the world" (armageddon mix) in American Sign Language. i was in the third row, and it was riveting! so much like dance, and such a creative use for ASL. and the message is on point.
the video can't do it justice, but hopefully the intention comes across loud and clear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKsnhmMCPhQ
enjoy!
All students attending a Salinas-area high school that are eligible to vote: I urge you strongly to please vote for the Obama-Biden campaign. There are many fellow students who would vote if they were eligible in age but cannot. So please, do us all the favor of casting your vote for your fellow students. Despite the fact that we go to different schools, we are all living in one country with one president. Despite differences between us, we must put them aside in order to decide what is right for ALL of us. Please do the right thing and cast your vote in favor of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. It's the best thing for our future.
(On a side note, good luck to the football team this Friday. Give our school a nice homecoming victory! Go Cowboys! =D)
I think it's been a while since I've found someone, even in my personal life, that I can really trust. And I think it's been a very long time since we've had a politician we can really trust. Some one who's in it for us, not for themselves.
Which is why Barack Obama surprises me. He seems to be someone who really wants to help, who really wants to change our country for the better. He seems like someone I can trust.
I'm not a religious person. I don't actually follow any religion, though I do not consider myself atheist. I find that I can follow my own principles, and that's good enough for me. The principles of love, trust, understanding, compassion, faith, and hope. I want to love my fellow man, trust him, understand his feelings, have compassion for him, have faith in him, and have hope in the future of the world we both live in. But it is not always easy to love your fellows, to trust and have faith in them. It is not always easy to give second chances.
Barack Obama makes it easier. He restores my faith in our people, our country, and our world. When you listen to Obama, you feel like you can believe in the good of humanity again.
I'm a Senior in high school, and two years ago, I had no hope for, or faith in this country. When we were called to say the pledge every morning, I stood silent, hands down by my sides. Now I stand straight, hand pressed to my chest, because I know I can have pride in my country now. I can feel like we are on the right path, if Obama will lead the way.
Senator Obama, if I could speak to you, I would tell you, "We're all counting on you. Don't let us down." But I'm sure you know that already.
I believe in you, Senator Obama. I believe in you, myself, our people, and America, our country.
I now know why Obama struggles to cross the 50 percent threshold in this country. I used to think it was about race, and then I thought it was about elitism, but now I know what it is, Obama is a wimp. Or at least, that is the actual narrative that is being created around him. The lies, about his faith, his stance, his views, his family and his patriotism are part of a brilliant construct to brand him as a wimp, a nerd, a dork.
Think about it. Obama struggles with white working class people who did not graduate college. I am willing to bet that this group of Americans has closer identity ties with high school than the populous that goes to college. In fact, a good number of them remember high school as some of the fondest memories of their lives. I am willing to bet that they also value the same rules that apply to high school. So to understand how they look at politicians, it might be valuable to analyze the high school election environment.
There are usually three to four types of students that run for student government president. Most of them can easily catalogued in the following categories.
I have just recently graduated from a public high school and have been very observant over the years through problems that arise daily in school. The worst part of it is that most of the problems that happen in school have a dramatic effect on the kids once they are out of school, if they make it that far. The biggest problem in public schools and in society in general really are LABELS (aka CLIQUES).
I live in Iowa. More specifically, a twenty minute drive away from Parkersburg. Now this is Iowa and nothing happens here, but apparently a F5 tornado is important enough to make major news networks. I guess ABC or somebody reported this stuff. During this tornado in Parkersburg, five people died, some people are still missing, and Parkersburg is so demolished that landmark buildings, street signs, everything is totally gone. The football teams scoreboard was found a hundred miles away. Huge twenty ton combines are still missing. I mean It is real bad. The town of 1000 people just doesn't exist anymore. So, naturally people have hatched the plan to create fundraisers and stuff to help support them.
At my high school we have set up a "Carnival". During lunch or study hall hours people can play carnival games. They are expecting to get a few hundred out of the deal. And, with this money the school will be supporting Staff that lived in Parkersburg that no longer have anything. Great idea, right? Well, there are several dozen organizations donating food, clothes, and whatever Parkersburg people need. Many people aren't donating money and giving away things for the people of Parkersburg. Mainly because they just can't afford it, don't have the resources or time to put into projects like these, and people don't trust the organizations. That is the sadest thing of all not trusting established organizations. Many of my friends say that the money collected isn't going to be used properly. They say things like "If I donate a dollar, I'm pretty sure the school will use it to pay off their debts or something." Yeah, I agree with them. Lots of high schoolers don't even have jobs let alone the incentives to give money to the school hoping the school will just hand it over. I don't know, it's a trust issue. What's wierd too is that kids in my school don't even think I should be Class President (Someone actually called me worthless) The kids say that the school rigged the election in my favor. I obviously shrugged it off, and my supporters tore them a new one. But that's just it - How did it get to this - students don't trust their teachers, church goers going bankrupt unable to support needy neighbors, and no one really trusting anyone who stands up and takes the inititive. It is sad, really really sad. I'm going to change that though.
My Vice President and I are going to somehow inspire others, not just students, but teachers to trust each other. By somehow reversing this idea that the only things going on in the world are the bad gas prices, high food and education costs, and a pointless war in some foriegn country. I think I can, like Barack, give people something to look forward to other than the end of the day by uniting us behind a common goal, a set dream that we all share and wish would come true. I have to give people something to get excited and enthusiastic about. I need to get more people involved and caring for something. Fundraisers aren't the right time or place to try and unite everyone. I'm hoping Barack Obama can be a good substitute now, but when he's President I'll have to find something else to fight for and unite people behind. I'll find something all of the kids can fight and hope for. I can't wait for it to come to me, I'll have to go looking for it. Probably because it'll suck if I don't.
Dear Wendy and Adam,I have been writing and e-mailing various Democratic Party points of connection hoping to get my two cents worth on education thrown into the mix.All candidates talk about education with the message of making “college” more affordable. By “college” all seem to clearly mean university. Well, it is estimated that less than 20 percent of those entering/re-entering the workforce will need at least four-year degree. It appears that about 65 percent will need education beyond high school, but not a bachelor degree or higher. It appears another 15 percent need a solid high school education. Then why is public education prostituted to university preparation at the cost of ill serving 80 percent of the workforce? Why is the public education system failing to prepare students community college programs, apprenticeship programs, advanced armed forces programs and direct entry into the workforce?Without taking away the opportunity for all students to prepare for university, the public education system must be changed to better serve all students. The public school system must prepare both the future mechanic and the mechanical engineer. Today in far too many schools the future mechanical engineer is worshiped and the future mechanic totally disrespected. In high school Professional, Technical, Career and Vocational programs are being abandoned at an alarming rate. While the US cannot take the approach of “tracking” students into academic and vocational tracks at an early age, the US must provide equal opportunity, encouragement, counseling and compassion for all students regardless of the student’s career objective. Balance must be returned to the system.Professional, Technical, Career and Vocational programs must be returned to the public system. Furthermore, academic subjects such as mathematics must be taught with greater attention to student career objectives. We must end the damaging practice of having only university bound and dumb bell tracks available to students. The preparation for the nurse, doctor, mechanic and engineer is not all that different. However, the one size fits all approach drives good students away and creates massive demand for remedial classes at community colleges.Furthermore, we must introduce a “peoples” bachelor degree that combines a two-year associate degree in a professional/technical discipline with the two-year associate transfer degree content. To best serve students and society an option with emphasis on business management is highly desirable. Such a degree should be formulated and granted by the professional and technical component of the community college system. For those flowing into management in technical businesses this would be an ideal option. Perhaps we need a Bachelor of Applied Technology and Arts granted by community and technical colleges? This step is no more than updating an educational system that has failed to keep up with reality. The BS, BA and BFA serve real needs in society. However, there is no Bachelor Degree pathway for Technology. A BATA, Bachelor of Applied Technology and Arts, recogonizes the need for "Technicians" with Bachelor level credentials. Now a person typically would have to complete their technical training, two to three years of college, and then start over with a four-year program in order to secure a bachelor degree. It is keeping the US economy an educational void.I earned my doctorate in education well after being expelled from the public education system for being retarded. I most firmly believe we must offer all students the opportunity to prepare for university, but not at the cost of creating generations of drop-outs.With respect and warmest aloha, James F. Willis, Ed.D.
I have been very moved by this video from Bronx High School of Performance and Stagecraft. The teacher, Jackson Shafer, introduces the school as a really tough area of the South Bronx, and his students as facing the economic challenges and emotional traumas that result from growing up in a disadvantaged environment. But, fortunately, we can see the impact of Barack's inspirational message at all levels of our society. Watching these inner city kids articulate their feelings and unfold their thoughts in the light of Barack's transcending message has profoundly touched me.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1185304443?bctid=1478199102
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9IldaegAB0
Here is the address of the high school. I think the teacher, Jackson Shafer, deserves our kudos.
Barak Obama was a pioneer in fighting the rise in Chicago's high school drop out rates. I wonder what the candidate's opinions are on this new study which revealed that one in four teen girls today has a sexually transmitted disease?
If 1 in 4 teen girls have an STD...how many teen BOYS have an STD? The girls aren't having sex with ghosts! Or are they sleeping with grown men and getting these diseases? Why do these reports ONLY ever detail the girls' sexual behavior? And the Gardisil shot being recommended as prevention is too high of a risk given that there are no studies on its effect on children; it doesn't guard against all forms of HPV (so is a waste of $), and WHY aren't they recommending that BOYS get the shot too?
My son is a Junior at Centennial High School, in Frisco, TX. He writes for the school newspaper, The Titan Times. This is his column that will appear in the weeks paper:
How do you argue with hope?
You can’t.
Barack Obama is the only candidate on the 2008 presidential election ballot capable of bringing the country together in order to achieve progress.
Obama’s support spans the gaps of generations, racial divides and party lines. Even in an ever-growing city of conservatives, I have talked with people who support Obama and plan on giving him their votes in the November election.
I am a Democrat in a city of Republicans and a liberal in a conservative state. I am a blue dot in a sea of red, and I am unable to comprehend how candidates pledge to continue the policy of the current president while he barely maintains an approval rating of around thirty percent. Here is why I support Senator Obama.
Obama plans to remove troops from a war which has cost America nearly half-a-trillion dollars, resulting in the deaths of over 655,000. As an opponent of the war from the beginning, Obama plans to end it, stating, “The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq’s leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year from now.” Obama’s plan involves pulling out one to two combat brigades per month for 16 months.
Obama plans to restore the economy of America by providing tax relief to the working and middle classes of America, stating, “We are all in this together… we all have a stake in each other’s success because the more Americans prosper, the more America prospers.”
Obama plans to reform education and the No Child Left Behind Act. With more students in the US dropping out of high school than in any other industrialized nation, Obama will try to reverse this statistic. He also will try to stop the growing trend of teachers “teaching to the test” and increase support for students and parents.
Obama also plans to bring ethics back to Washington, stating, “I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists- and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not get a job in my White House and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.”
Obama is an inspiration. He has had more than 650,000 supporters donate to his campaign, and more than being a respected candidate, he is one who is loved.
Obama continues to inspire, because when he speaks, nothing is read from a teleprompter or from his notes, it’s from his heart. It’s the honesty and hope that Obama brings to the campaign that separates him from other politicians. It’s the way he says, “Yes, we can!” and you can believe it. It’s the way that he not only talks about hope, but also evokes it. Obama continues to inspire, because his platform is not the platform of lobbyists in Washington, or the platform of an advisor from a seemingly polarized political atmosphere.
Obama continues to inspire because he continues to stand behind what he thinks are the best choices for the United States of America. Obama continues to inspire, because he is the best choice for the United States of America.
Needless to say, I am very proud of my son, Carter!
On Tuesday we has our weekly Mercer County meetup at Brewed Attitude in Hamiltion, NJ. One of the more suprising moments of my involvement in the campaign was the appearance of more than a dozen Hamilton high school students who expressed interest in getting Obama elected to President of the United States. As we went around the room and introduced ourselves, the common theme that persisted across all of us was simple on of change. We all want to put an end to the partisan bickering and bring real solutions to not only American citizens but the world as well.
It was encouraging to see young people take such an interest in politcs. I can only hope that through Facebook, MySpace and any other medium they choose, the young people can make their vote really count.
The national campaign has launched a new initiative to encourage high school students to take an active roll in the Senator's campaign, spreading the word at their own schools and in the community.
Students that were 17 by Nov. 4th of this year, are eligible to participate in the Feb. 5th caucuses. However, high school students of ALL ages are welcome to participate in a variety of ways...phone banking, data entry, canvassing, special events, sign making, etc. We need your energy, creativity, and support during this critical time!
If you are a high school student, or if you know one who would like to get involved, please contact me at sfalkner@studentsforbarackobama.com or 208-859-5739. I will pass along your name to our state high school coordinator, Audryana K. She can direct you on how to get a chapter started at your own school...it's fun, easy, and a great way to meet people. (It will also look terrific on a college app or resume!)
Organizing in Rhode IslandBy Kim Ahern, Rhode Island State Coordinator
Last Tuesday night, University of Rhode Island Students for Barack Obama held a successful student-organizing event to garner more supporters on campus, the largest campus in Rhode Island. The event featuring guest speaker, State Representative Edwin Pacheco, only a 2005 URI Graduate himself! Rep. Pacheco said he is impressed by Obama's inspiring message and that: "I think he like this generation's John Fitzgerald Kennedy, he is idealistic and inspiring." He specifically discussed what an exciting time it is to be a student in such close proximity of New Hampshire and how students really can make a difference in the upcoming election.
''I'm turned off by professional politicians,'' she said, explaining her support for Barack Obama, whom she sees as more of a community organizer than a politician.
However, I have to believe that it is not apathy that holds some of us out of the political playing field, but something deeper that reflects the better traits of our generation. Perhaps we have moved beyond the bickering, polarized politics of our parents and are ready to be represented by a candidate who stands for our ideals of unity, tolerance and change. With all the support Obama has been receiving from young people across the country, I have to wonder if perhaps Generation Y isn’t so apathetic about politics, but has just been waiting for an election where we will finally find a candidate on the ballot we can identify with. It’s the effort of Students for Barack Obama that will lead to the type of turnout that we know youth are capable of, in Iowa and across the country. Another high schooler, Molly Kawahata (pictured above), made waves this week when she was asked to introduce Senator Obama at his CTC event in San Francisco. Kawahata is one of SFBO’s two national high school coordinators and it is not uncommon for her to volunteer eight hours a day, in addition to school. “It has become a huge priority for me, but it doesn't feel like work," said Kawahata. Her responsibilities include facilitating statewide and nationwide calls with other SFBO leaders, but she has taken steps beyond that. Last month, she organized a summit in Iowa to bring together high school coordinators from around the country to figure out ways to increase student voter turnout and how past to organize the grassroots effort. Kawahata herself is too young to vote in the CA primary this February, but she plans to vote for Obama in November’s general election.In other news...
Obama campaign staff educates high schoolers on caucus intricacies.
Marquette SFBOers work to get follow students excited about the political process.Senator Obama won preeelections at both NYU and Brown University.
Senator Obama has not stopped crisscrossing the country rallying students and others to Countdown to Change. He held events in San Francisco (pictured above) and Austin, TX just this past week.
Winter break campaigning
By the time finals end this semester, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina will all be in the final weeks before their first-in-the-nation primaries and caucuses. If you want to be a part of the Obama campaign at its most crucial moment, come spend a week or more during your break interning with the campaign in one of these states! No previous campaign experience is necessary. All you will need is your own means of transportation out there and a great work ethic! Housing is available on a limited basis, so sign up today.
The following is a public service announcement from SFBO high school coordinator, Harris Mercer:
In the 1860 election, a presidential campaign was propelled to victory by a group of young volunteers who called themselves the Wide-Awakes. These dedicated supporters of Abraham Lincoln, the ultimate change candidate, marched and canvassed all over the country. They didn’t have any help from the established party machine, but, as you may know, that election turned out okay.The Wide-Awakes are also helping Students for Barack Obama figure out how to handle something that’s not supposed to be happening.Today’s generation of teenagers is the most apathetic in history, right? We’re not engaged. We’re not informed. We’re disconnected from American ideals and too pessimistic to do anything about the problems our country faces, the problems we’ll have to shoulder in not too long.In other words, any campaign that’s relying on us has gotta be pretty desperate. Any candidate who trusts us will fold pretty fast.That’s what everybody told us -- but it’s not true. We’re active. In fact, we’re wide awake. And in every part of this country, high school students are working to help win this election for another change candidate.We had to come up with something new. We had to turn to Abraham Lincoln, to learn from his example -- so to ensure that the passion and enthusiasm and hopefulness we all feel is converted to something tangible, we’re involving high school students in an unprecedented way by signing them up as official representatives of Barack Obama.Seize the moment and find a chapter near you. If you’re in high school, become a representative. If you’re in college, you can create or join a chapter. And if you’re the parent of a high school student, if you’re the friend of a high school student, if you know a high school student, if you were a high school student -- reach out. Spread the word so we can start strong and get stronger.We need you to continue to inspire us, to join us, to work with us, and to speak for us.We’re already witnessing an inspiring burst of support for a candidate who has renewed our faith - as he puts it - “in what this country can be.”So let’s be more than witnesses.Instead of remaining bystanders to history in the making, we will work hard. We will wake up Washington. We will again transform American politics.Go to http://students.barackobama.com/page/content/sfbofind to learn more.This is a marathon, but we have the momentum to win it. Let’s get organized.
In the 1860 election, a presidential campaign was propelled to victory by a group of young volunteers who called themselves the Wide-Awakes. These dedicated supporters of Abraham Lincoln, the ultimate change candidate, marched and canvassed all over the country. They didn’t have any help from the established party machine, but, as you may know, that election turned out okay.
The Wide-Awakes are also helping Students for Barack Obama figure out how to handle something that’s not supposed to be happening.
Today’s generation of teenagers is the most apathetic in history, right? We’re not engaged. We’re not informed. We’re disconnected from American ideals and too pessimistic to do anything about the problems our country faces, the problems we’ll have to shoulder in not too long.
In other words, any campaign that’s relying on us has gotta be pretty desperate. Any candidate who trusts us will fold pretty fast.
That’s what everybody told us -- but it’s not true. We’re active. In fact, we’re wide awake. And in every part of this country, high school students are working to help win this election for another change candidate.
We had to come up with something new. We had to turn to Abraham Lincoln, to learn from his example -- so to ensure that the passion and enthusiasm and hopefulness we all feel is converted to something tangible, we’re involving high school students in an unprecedented way by signing them up as official representatives of Barack Obama.
Seize the moment and find a chapter near you. If you’re in high school, become a representative. If you’re in college, you can create or join a chapter. And if you’re the parent of a high school student, if you’re the friend of a high school student, if you know a high school student, if you were a high school student -- reach out. Spread the word so we can start strong and get stronger.
We need you to continue to inspire us, to join us, to work with us, and to speak for us.
We’re already witnessing an inspiring burst of support for a candidate who has renewed our faith - as he puts it - “in what this country can be.”
So let’s be more than witnesses.
Instead of remaining bystanders to history in the making, we will work hard. We will wake up Washington. We will again transform American politics.
Go to http://students.barackobama.com/page/content/sfbofind to learn more.
This is a marathon, but we have the momentum to win it. Let’s get organized.
I am watching Gen Petraeus report to Congress on C-SPAN. Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was brown-nosing the success in Iraq. As I listen the numbers that she regurgitated and then as I hear our Generals regurgitate the numbers of "progress", I keep thinking to myself, "We at the lowest level in the Army, can't report solid numbers"
The reason I say this is because, I've noticed that my time in the Air Force and Army,we report numbers that may or may not be accurate. I've noticed that people in general like to exaggerate to make them self look better or used as a tool to defend their actions.
Every time I hear reports, Its hard for me to believe reports of Data that reflect numbers because as the numbers make it up the chain of command, the numbers gets skewed. I currently deal with numbers and data that is reported to me and then to higher levels. I never feel comfortable with the data that I collect from the lower levels.
There are so many things that I wish was done right but I believe this war is going to be reported by numbers as to show progress. Remember Vietnam, that was all about skewed victories measured by enemy casualties.
Let me know what you guys think about the data that is reported on TV. Talk to you soon.
