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October 14, 2008

Join Trick or Vote this Halloween!

Find your inner Frankenstein, knock on some doors in costume, then party down with like-minded monsters at Trick or Vote—the nation's spookiest nonpartisan get-out-the-vote effort.

The Best Way on the Best Day:

Studies show that the most effective way to get young people to vote is to simply ask them (to their face). And what's the one day each year that people actually expect strangers to knock on their doors? Halloween, of course, which takes place at the same time every year: Just days before the General Election.

Launched in 2004, when the Oregon Bus Project's 850-person Trick or Vote event set the record for the biggest canvass in state history, Trick or Vote has grown tremendously in 2008.

This year, Trick or Vote events will be going down in over 30 cities and 50 college campuses nationwide to fight the fright of young voter apathy. Trick or Vote 2008 is the effort of a national coalition of over thirty leading youth engagement organizations working to make targeted voter contacts in urban areas on Halloween. Just days before the election, costumed volunteers will canvass low-turnout, youth-dense precincts to remind people to vote, distribute nonpartisan voter guides, and generate both grassroots and media awareness before Election Day.

Participation in Trick or Vote is Simple, Fun & Costumed:

Get started by signing up at TrickorVote.org. On Halloween, you'll get a spookily simple training by expert Trick or Trainers, then knock on some blood-curdling doors to creep-out-the-vote. Afterward, you and your ghoulish friends can toast your success with live music and Halloween shenanigans at the Trick or Vote afterparty.

Don't let the day after the election be the scariest day of the year.

Trick or Vote!

October 13, 2008

Asian American Voters and the Election

(This post originally appeared at Angry Asian Man)

Guess what, Asian American voters? According to a new national survey released today, you--yes, you!--could play a pivotal role in the outcome of next month's presidential election. They sent out a press release: Comprehensive new survey (PDF) shows Asian Americans could play key role in outcome of presidential election. Believe it.

This groundbreaking study, released at press conference this morning in Washington DC, was conducted by researchers from four leading universities: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Riverside; and University of Southern California.

The 2008 National Asian American Survey shows that 41 percent of Asian Americans are likely to favor Barack Obama, while 24 percent support John McCain. In battleground states, where either candidate could win on Election Day, Obama leads with 43 percent of Asian Americans supporting him and 22 percent favoring McCain.

But the key finding of the study is the high proportion of undecided Asian American likely voters: 34 percent. Among the general population, national polls conducted since the major party conventions show that undecided voters are approximately 8 percent of the electorate. The multi-ethnic, multi-lingual survey of more than 4,000 Asian Americans likely to vote in the election was conducted from August 18 to September 26. It's the most comprehensive survey to date of the political views of Asian Americans, with interviews conducted in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

I haven't read over the study very carefully yet, so I'm not sure about the methodology, but I do like the fact that it was a multilingual study. Typically, many Asians aren't accounted for in mainstream surveys because they're usually conducted in English or Spanish... and well, they just don't talk to a lot of Asians.

As an Obama supporter, I'm pleased to hear that a large number of fellow Asian Americans plan on voting for him. And I get it--there's also a significant number of you out there supporting John "I Hate The Gooks" McCain. I get it. Sort of. No, actually, don't. I really don't. But you gotta do what you gotta do. We're not going to see eye to eye on this.

For more information about the National Asian American Survey, go here. Download the press release, which has a good summary of the survey and its findings, here (PDF) Or download the full report here in PDF form.

Photo credit: Rock the Asian American Vote Long Sleeve T-Shirt, courtesy of Archipelago-Inc.com.

20/20 Gets It Wrong

Last Friday evening, the long running television news show 20/20, headed by Barbara Walters, aired a show titled Maybe It's Your Civic Duty Not to Vote, reported by John Stossel. The piece focuses on a group of young voters who appear to be ill-informed about the going-ons of government and politics and Stossel believes that because they don't know the number of senators in a given state that they should not be allowed to vote. You can see a preview of the video posted here on Yahoo Videos (or to the right).

Thoughts like this are similar to the literacy tests that were requirements in the late 1800's to vote as a means of disenfranchising millions of African American voters. When the Voting Rights Act was passed it made practices like literacy tests, poll taxes, and "good character" were finally declared illegal. It seems Mr. Stossel might like to return to those days.

Featured in the report is the band the Disco Biscuts and the organization HeadCount, which has worked hard to register hundreds of young voters at live music events officially registered. Concert goers were the young people featured as "too stupid to vote." There is now a vibrant discussion on their site where one of the young people featured expresses his displeasure of being quoted out of context:

"Yeah, I got fucked. I'm the second incorrect answer to rowe vs. wade or whatever. I mean let's get serious. I'm a graduating college student who answered all of the question correctly except that one and what state is John McCain from. That shit was slandered as fuck. It was kinda funny seein myself on that shit though. The funnier part is that right after I watched it I asked the like ten people sitting around me if they new what that case was and only one person knew it. Fuck the editor of that clip."

While the piece runs "stupid answers" by voters their focus is all about young people and that they should do their "civic" duty and not vote. The problem with the segment is that it also included older voters who were just as ill-informed. Oops! Seems they lost their thesis.

There are also allegations by a young women in the piece (appearing at 1:20 mins) who answers that there are "12 US Senators." The same woman later says that she she was responding to a question about how many US Supreme Court Justices there are.

According to an interview with Marc Brownstein at HeadCount the reporters went through many people who were giving correct answers. Some were educated on some things and not educated on others, and volunteers, activists, and teachers in the crowd were also those most educated about issues. They didn't make the report. Brownstein also says that his important plug for the non-partisan voter guides HeadCount distributes was cut out of the piece.

Read the rest of the post »

October 10, 2008

Don't Just Vote -- Change the World

How will you feel on November 5, 2008?

Chances are, you'll either be ecstatic or crying hysterically, depending on who wins the presidential election. But as campaign anticipation fades and the reality of a new administration sets in, we'll be looking for our next president to turn those lofty campaign promises into practical agenda items.

That's why WireTap, as a member of Generation Vote, is proud to introduce the Youth Agenda. Organizers representing upwards of 1.5 million young people from 20 organizations chose their top eight issues. As the first ever national issues agenda written by youth organizers from around the country, the platform is a national call to action around issues such as education, jobs and healthcare. The goal is to present our issues to the next presidential administration and rally them to take action. Less than two weeks after the election, young people from around the country will meet in Oakland at the Youth Policy Summit to strategize effective actions.

According to Mattie Weiss, Director of Campus Camp Wellstone and GenVote member, "We came to the pretty movement-changing realization that to win on all of these issues, we’ve got to start by winning on one."

You can get involved, too. Take a look at the agenda, endorse it and pass it along.

Still need more information? We sat down with Mattie to talk about the significance of the Youth Agenda.

Why did Generation Vote collective decide to create a Youth Agenda?

We decided to create the Youth Agenda to document the issues young people face — and the youth-specific nuances of these issues that aren’t part of the national political conversations. I think the other thing the Youth Agenda does is demonstrate that we not only have a multi-issue understanding of the problems we face, but that we have ideas about where we should be heading.

We talked about having a third paragraph under each issue, in which we outline actual policy solutions to these problems — specific bills and campaigns. But this is a place we’re still developing into. We didn’t want to rush that — so we’re holding that agenda for our post-election work.

What was the process of writing it like?

Writing it was a beast! We went through so many edits and input sessions — we had to make sure all of the GenVote organizations felt represented by it but that it was also succinct and readable. The outcome of the writing process is what’s most exciting to me. By working through which issues to focus on and how to represent them, we came to the pretty movement-changing realization that to win on all of these issues, we’ve got to start by winning on one. Out of this realization we decided that post-election we are going to choose 2-3 policy pieces that all of our organizations will throw their weight behind — even if this isn’t their primary issue — in order to demonstrate the power of young people and to teach ourselves what it looks like to win.

What was the biggest challenge of creating a collective document that 20 organizations could get behind?

Read the rest of the post »

October 8, 2008

Voting Myths

(This post originally appeared on Rock the Trail -- a project of Rock the Vote and Wiretap.)

The nation is in near chaos with all the misinformation circulating about voting on November 4.

This presidential election is the most historic and most talked about election of all time. More young people than ever are expected to hit the polls. Well, at least all those who have not been influenced by the hype that if you wear any presidential paraphernalia or if your current address doesn’t match your county’s election headquarters’ database, then you can’t vote.

Let the facts speak for themselves. I think it’s only fair that we get the accurate, latest news on what’s the deal with issues that may or may not hinder eligible voters from excersizing their democratic right.

Question 1: If I wear an Obama or McCain shirt, will they turn me away from the polls?

The Word: Many people have received e-mails and Facebook messages stating that if any clothing is worn with political advertisement to the polls it may prevent you from voting.

Fact: There is no federal law stating that a person can or can’t wear paraphernalia to the polling place. However, certain cities have restricted campaign material 50 to 150 feet near a precinct.

Best advice: Call your local supervisor of elections to determine what can or can’t be worn.

Question 2: I recently moved and my address is different than my voter’s registration information. Can I still vote?

The Word: Many states are adopting a law similar to Florida’s “No Match, Not Vote.”

Fact: Not true. Many people believe what e-mails, television and radio announcers are saying. If your driver’s license address and your home address don’t match, you can still vote.

Best Advice: It’s best to make corrections before Nov. 4. If you don’t, you will not be penalized, but it will be very hectic when trying to make those changes at the polls.

Precinct changes for most states can be made up until voting days. If your address is different that your voter records, then you will have to vote at the precinct in which you now live.

Don’t let misinformation deter you from voting. Millions of young people (under 18) dream of voting, but can’t do so. We are their voice and the future voice for a “now” society. Get my gist? Vote!

October 6, 2008

Generation We

Writer Eric Greenberg pulled together the results of over eighteen months of research, polls and focus groups to prove one thing: the Millennial Generation is a force to be reckoned with. Through his new book, and a website, Greenberg is harnessing the thoughts and energy of a younger generation.

GenWe was Greenberg's project to help the Millennial Generation empower itself against much scrutiny. Speaking with US News, he said:

"They are not a 'me' generation; they are the 'we' generation," he says. "They are about the greater good," he adds, noting that they're really jazzed up about the environment and the energy crisis. Armed with his huge study, he's urging both presidential campaigns to focus on one mega-idea the kids endorsed; an Apollo-style approach to the energy crisis."

According to the extensive data in GenWe there are between 95 and 100 million people born between 1978 and 2000, and now more than ever those over 95 million young people are united around the same political issues and visions.

The book also makes the case that Millennials are:

  • Dedicated to improving the common good over individual gain, a sentiment that crosses all racial, ideological and partisan lines.
  • Reject fundamental principles of modern conservatism –primary focus on individual rights and trickle down economics.
  • Welcome innovation and are eager to establish a new. paradigm

Greenberg describes many of the issues our world faces today, such as the climate crisis, are of importance for younger folks. These issues span across parties, races, genders, and location. According to the book, Republicans and democrats agree on these issues 85 percent of the time.

"Youth don't realize they have more in common with each other than anything else," Greenberg said in a phone interview. "They have a balance of power in the world more than anyone else, and collectively have a lot of power globally."

He urges Millennials not to put off these problems until tomorrow.

The presidential election is only the first step. The second step is encapsulated on the website that gives young voters and organizations practical organizing tools, from fifteen minute activism to weekend projects and legislation.

I haven't made my way all the way through the book, but had to write about it because what I have read is exactly the thing we needed to prove both to ourselves, major donors, and mainstream media that we are doing important political work.

October 3, 2008

Economic Car Crashes

In a complete turn around from Monday’s embarrassment, the House has just passed the bailout with a margin of 92 votes.

While everyone on Capitol Hill is patting themselves on the back and both presidential candidates are claiming the role of our knight in shining armor, the big question is: what changed? What revisions were made to change the minds of the 200+ politicians who deemed the plan un-American?

Did they increase the direct benefits to their constituents? Maybe extend a little help to the 9.4 million people who are unemployed? Change the bankruptcy laws to protect all those houses on Main Street from going into foreclosure?

Of course not.

Unlike President Roosevelt, who was under more pressure and facing a nation in even greater despair, Congress didn’t use this opportunity to reform an inherently corrupt system. Instead, they packed the rescue bill with earmarks so off the wall it’s almost funny. Two of my favorites are a $2 million tax break to wooden arrow manufacturers in Oregon and $192 million rebate for rum producers in the Caribbean.

Forget lipstick on a pig. They brought a band-aid to a car crash.

Being the responsible college senior that I am, I spend a lot of time mulling over my future and what I need to do to ensure my long-term success. Normally such thinking involves things like employer 401ks and high-yield savings accounts (I know, I’m a nerd). However, as I watched the news coverage of Fannie, Freddie, and the bailout that wasn’t on Monday, my strategy went by the wayside.

Now, all that comes to mind is how much I’d like to get my hands on one of those shiny red Easy Buttons from Staples.

Read the rest of the post »

September 24, 2008

Who is Bill Ayers?

Earlier this week, a Wall Street Journal op-ed brought attention back to the connection between Senator Barack Obama and a '60s radical activist, Bill Ayers. As cofounder of the violent left-wing organization the Weatherman, Ayers has been called a domestic terrorist by many state operatives.

Currently, Ayers is an American elementary school theorist, and is connected to Obama through education reform efforts from his days in Chicago. But it merits asking, who is Bill Ayers? And what difference should it make in our estimation of the Democratic candidate for President of the United States?

This much is uncontested: Bill Ayers participated in the bombings of several public monuments, including the New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, the US Capitol Building in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972. He was a leading member of a radical, leftist terrorist organization called the Weatherman. He spent a short period of time in jail after turning himself in for these crimes in 1980. And he is affiliated with US Senator Barack Obama.

But what is the nature of that affiliation? And perhaps more importantly, what does Bill Ayers believe and how does he act today? Without question, if Senator Obama has in any way shown signs of supporting Mr. Ayers' admittedly guilty and violently radical past, his candidacy would be suspect. But there is no evidence that this is the case.

To begin with, the connection between Senator Obama and Mr. Ayers comes down to three principal items. First, and most notably, they served together on a Chicago school reform initiative called the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, an effort that designed community partnerships with local public schools and was also launched in fifteen other communities. Also serving on the board of the Annenberg Challenge in Chicago were individuals such as Patricia Graham, former dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Arnold Weber, former president of Northwestern University.

Critics may wonder how a self-admitted domestic terrorist rose to lead a well-reputed school reform initiative? Because Mr. Ayers, since his days with the Weatherman, has gone on the straight and narrow. He is currently a distinguished professor of education at the University of Chicago who has garnered attention for his academic efforts in pedagogy, along the way working with officials such as Chicago Mayor Richard Daly.

The second connection is that Mr. Ayers and Senator Obama also served together on the board of an anti-poverty foundation called the Woods Fund of Chicago, which continues to provide support to organizations that seek to educate and empower low-income residents of Chicago.

Third, Mr. Ayers contributed $200 to Senator Obama's Illinois State Senate election campaign in 2001.

So does Senator Obama support a hyper-radical leftist ideology of domestic terrorism, as some skeptics warn? Does he support an unorthodox, militant view of the role of public education? There is no evidence of it. After all, Senator Obama was only eight years old when Bill Ayers committed his violent acts.

I'd love to hear facts about their relationship and how it might impact the next five weeks if you have evidence or conclusions that I've missed here!

September 20, 2008

Oh, How Names Do Matter!

"I've always said you get 100 votes if you change the name." - California Congressman George Miller, the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, discussing the likelihood of No Child Left Behind being renewed in the next president's administration.

Representative Miller's comment sheds light on an interesting phenomenon with the controversial law No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The American public overwhelmingly supports action to improve public education, even at the federal level. When asked in general whether they support the goals of the law--increasing student achievement and narrowing the achievement gap for low-income and minority children by holding schools accountable for student performance--large numbers of voters agree.

But when you ask someone how they feel about the actual law named "No Child Left Behind"? Cringe, sneer, boo.

Need numbers? Start with last month's Phi Delta Kappa / Gallup poll, which found that 67 percent of Americans thought the law should be changed or scrapped. Or how about this ETS poll, which found that Americans favored the law 56 percent to 39 percent when it was explained based on its component parts and goals, but were against the law 43 percent to 41 percent when it was actually referenced by name.

Maybe that's why the NCLB is the "10,000 pound gorilla" in the room that neither of the candidates is talking about.

But how, you ask, is it the case that so much about the law rides on the name alone, and not the actual substance? Part of it is a branding issue--interest groups actually opposed to the substance of the law such as the teachers unions have done a great job equating the brand of NCLB with teaching to the test and other unsavory, if vague, notions.

Another part is just a general lack of understanding about what the law actually entails; a post hoc ergo propter hoc effect, so to speak. Public schools have been struggling, particularly in low-income urban and rural areas, for quite some time in the US. Yet today's observers tend to attribute this failure to the most recent event in education policy: NCLB. It's no better logic than attributing my winning $10 on an instant lotto ticket because I had a banana for breakfast, but it's a common enough fallacy that NCLB would be probably unpopular regardless of its name.

However, one thing is certain. Both candidates have been smart to strategically steer clear of mentioning NCLB in their campaign speeches. It's toxic, and it's just as easy to score points by talking about education as a values issue instead of the nitty-gritty that seems to make NCLB so controversial. Seems like we'll have a big gorilla just hanging out until the election is over, when some new catchy name will be unveiled to headline a law that will most likely be strikingly similar to the existing No Child Left Behind Act.

September 19, 2008

Where's the Love?

(This post originally appeared on Campus Camp Wellstone)

On Monday, Newsweek released a poll showing Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama in a dead heat. 

But not among my generation.

With young voters, it's not even close. The largest gap in support by age group is among 18-39 year olds, with an astounding 27 percent lead for Obama. Compare that to the next largest age-based advantage -- 10 percent for McCain among 40 - 59 year olds.

In additional to this latest poll, numbers indicate that 6.5 million people under 30 voted in this year's primaries and caucuses, and the overall youth vote has risen from 9 percent in 2000 to 17 percent in 2008.

These figures prove that young people will be a deciding factor in this election, and in particular, for progressive change. So where is the love?

Read the rest of the post »

Green Jobs Now

On Friday, September 26, Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama will appear in their first nationally televised debate. The next day, on Saturday, September 27, thousands of people around the nation will take pictures.

The pictures will range from youth in San Francisco holding a solar powered hip-hop festival to a neighborhood block party to clean the streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the Showdown in Motown talent show in Detroit, MI that will support Young Detroit Builders.

The effort is part of a national day of action for Green Jobs Now. The thousands of pictures will be used to put pressure on the next Presidential administration to make green collar jobs a national priority -- and make sure that communities of color aren't left out of the dialogue.

The movement toward green-collar jobs is arguably the most organized national youth agenda item in the country. Young folks have made the connection between our economy, access to skilled jobs and the environment. The goal is to build a green economy strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty.

National youth organizations, including WireTap, The League of Young Voters and other members of GenVote, will push for our next president to outline an effective and sustainable plan for Green Jobs during the first 100 days of the next administration.

Learn how to host an event in your community by following these nine easy steps:

To find an event near you, visit: http://events.greenjobsnow.com/

September 18, 2008

Coming Soon to a Ballot Box Near You

With the Presidential election and Wall Street's meltdown dominating headlines, it's hard to find news about the ballot measures you'll see in the voting booth this November. California is just one state whose ballots are riddled with important issues that effect young people. So here at Wiretap, we wanted to give you a quick rundown of what to expect and how to get involved in the fight for your rights.

Proposition 2

This measure makes it illegal to confine pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens in spaces that don't allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Although many animal rights advocates cheer this measure, some vegans have raised concerns that this law will make it more acceptable to eat animal products. The Humane Society is Prop 2's largest supporter, with more details here: http://yesonprop2.com/

Proposition 4

Prop 4 makes it harder for teenage girls to get abortions without parental consent. If this law passes, it would be illegal for a teenager to terminate her pregnancy without a parent being notified within 48 hours. To stop a parent from being notified, the young person would have to go to juvenile court and request a waiver from the judge. To help protect a woman's right to choose, you can join the Campaign for Teen Safety here: http://www.noonprop4.org/

Proposition 5

Prop 5 is a drug policy reform effort that reduces criminal charges for non-violent drug offenses, shortens parole for drug offenses, and increases funding for drug rehab programs. With Prop 5, California could lead the nation in a new era of drug policy. For more info, visit: http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/california/nora/

Proposition 6

Prop 6 would increase prison sentences for young people and suspected gang members. Officially dubbed the "Safe Neighborhoods Act", the bill is also known as The Runner Initiative by youth advocates who call the measure a deceptive and costly attack against young and undocumented people. For more, visit: http://www.defeatrunner.org/

Read the rest of the post »

September 15, 2008

Should We Reduce the Voting Age?

This week the National Youth Rights Association released this ad via YouTube and began spreading it across the internet.

I've written about the reduction of the voting age before, yet I still remain fascinated by this topic that still garners so much criticism among the youth movement.

They present a strong argument on DailyKos, but it's quickly met with harsh criticism in the comments section.

  • Most 16 year olds work and pay taxes, but with no say at all in how their tax money is spent.
  • Teens will be most effected by issues like education and environment, but have no voice that counts.
  • 16 is a BETTER age to start voting than 18. 16 year olds are more tied to their communities (they are more likely to live at home with their parents). Many 18 year olds are moving to brand new communities to which they have no ties and feel less of a vested interest.
  • 16 year olds can put the government and politics courses they are learning into action, making such coursework more effective and increasing their interest in voting.
  • Even the government agrees that 16 year olds are presumed to have enough knowledge to vote. In fact the voting rights act of 1965 that anyone with a 6th grade education is presumed to have the "literacy, comprehension, and intelligence to vote in any election." 42 U.S.C. 1971 (c). If a sixth grade education is enough, which shouldn't high schoolers who have completed 9th or 10th grade be able to cast a ballot?
  • Another solid argument is that there have been tens of thousands of young people under the age of 18 who -- our judicial system has decided -- are adult enough to stand trial as adults.

    When I posed this as evidence that our government already considers these youth as adults to some in the youth movement, it was met with urgency to reform the judicial system instead, and spend more time on issues that matter more.

    Another argument not included is the high school drop out age. Some states like New Hampshire have raised the age to 18, but in many states in the south it remains at 16.

    The age to get married in the US is usually 18, but most states allow it if there is parental consent for those 16 or over. If you're pregnant parental consent is waved in many states.

    Read the rest of the post »

    September 11, 2008

    New McCain Attack Ad Obliterates The Line

    This is the time of the election cycle when things get painful. Candidates and campaign staff, on the one hand, have to dig deep to make tough decisions about tactics and targets with limited time and resources as November 4th draws close. And they do so amidst heigtened attention even after some 20 months of non-stop campaigning with hardly any sleep.

    But the most painful part of the campaign season for most ordinary Americans is how we are subjected to senseless lies and irresponsible attack ads which make it virtually impossible to make any kind of accurate judgment about what the two candidates would do for our country.

    One of the most disgusting ads I've seen in quite some time was put out just two days ago by the McCain campaign. Understand that I would be the first to call out the Obama campaign if they had put the ad out instead -- my interest here is in challenging either candidate when they misrepresent their own positions and records on the ever-important issue of public education reform, or in this case, when one misrepresents his opponent's views. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the issue is too vital to millions of children and indeed the very future of our nation to play partisan political football with. Judge for yourself in the following 30 second clip being shown in various battleground states:

    The ad basically alleges that Barack Obama thinks it is more important to teach kids about sex than it is to teach them how to read. It begins by misrepresenting a series of Education Week and Washington Post articles that actually speak approvingly of Senator Obama's maverick and reform-minded views on school reform, and then goes on to suggest in voice-over -- on top of a picture of a smirking Obama -- that his only accomplishment in education is a sex education bill for kindergarteners. The not-so-subtle implication is that Senator Obama is actually a run-of-the-mill sleezeball or perhaps worse, a pedophile.

    The truth? Senator Obama is actually well-regarded by reform-minded education thinkers who respect his bold uncoupling of the Democratic platform on education from the narrowly-focused goals of teachers unions which have dominated Democratic views on school reform for the last half century. And the sex education bill that he passed while in the Illinois Senate? It actually supported age-appropriate sex education that would help teach children how to protect themselves from sexual predators and pedophiles. In other words, if one watches the McCain ad while considering the truth, the ad actually implies that Senator McCain is against providing children with critical information that may help them avoid sexual abuse.

    But Aaron, wait! Who are you to say that the McCain ad is mis-representing the Washington Post and Ed Week positions on Senator Obama's education platform? Aren't you no worse than the McCain ad if you don't provide facts to back up your assertions? Fair enough. So don't take it from me that the Washington Post and Ed Week support Senator Obama. Take it from them, directly, here (the Washington Post actually fires back at the McCain camp directly for twisting its words), and here for the original Ed Week piece.

    September 9, 2008

    Exclusive Ralph Nader Interview

    Originally posted on Rock the Trail, a project of Rock the Vote and WireTap.

    Check out the B FRESH/Davey D collabo interview with Ralph Nader, Presidential candidate for the Independent Party, live from the Xcel Energy Center on September 4th, 2008.

    CLICK HERE!

    Thanks to Pacifica Radio and Davey D's Hard Knock Radio.

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