College Students Rule

LOLWUT Space Travelers? Let's talk youth truth.

Some people think that the youth just don't care about the world, and that they only care every four years. The idea that they vote, and then think they've done their part. I'd have agreed in the past, but I think that something is different with the younger voters. I think we've been socialized to take interest in things differently. It seems like I'm constantly meeting 20 somethings who are doing amazing things and finding very creative ways to contribute. Beyond that, the explosion of social media networks has given them new platforms to get involved in the national dialog in very powerful ways.

Beyond Social media, main stream media has also been encouraging this generation to be interested in politics and current events. I think that the genius of people like Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert should not be taken for granted. American philosopher William James once said :

“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds.

A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”

So I find it very exciting to see students expressing themselves in a culturally familiar way and often with the grease of humor to move it along. It's been near a year since the election, and the youth still cares.

I'm pretty fucking proud. What can I say.

Shout out to the University of Maryland - College Park! Great rally, and kudos for leading the nation in your efforts to improve student health on your campus with your health insurance requirement.

Healthy Thoughts

Oi, Space Travelers. I'm landed ans settled back in DC. I can type up more freely what I saw now that I'm not typing on my phone.

My flight left St. Louis at 8:45. I figured, I'd go early so I could make it through check in and security then find some place I could hear the speech. I figured there would be at least one place I could see the [joint session of Congress] speech [on health care reform]. Pleasantly to my surprise, every TV was on the speech and I found a gate which had no flights in or out and sat there (if for only less pedestrian traffic and noise).

I had my head fixed upward at the screen for most of the speech, but I had looked down on occasion to post on my Facebook wall my thoughts in real time. I can't remember the point of the speech I became aware of it, but the empty gate which I was sitting at had become full like a theater, and many people were now sitting fixed on the screen. Quiet. I looked in the terminal, and their were people just stopped, with their luggage, in no particular hurry to get home, or not wishing to miss this speech. I saw many anxious children ready to get home tugging on their parents arms. I saw people crying. I saw a few couples smiling, and a I received a few smiles directed at me when I not so silently cheered when Obama specifically spoke about the public option.

After the speech, the people began to move again, and I made my way to my own terminal. I got to my terminal as the republican response was aired. The people at the terminal watched, but I didn't see anybody stopping to listen.

I took in more of the speech, and was enthusiastically happy to hear three major things.

1) It will be illegal to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions
2) Coverage will include preventative care measures
3) There must be a public option.

I was fond of other details, but these are what I find most important to me. Good work Obama. We needed you to be tough. I'd have liked you to have spoken earlier, but this was truly a brilliant address.

Full Speech Transcript Here

Letter From Ted Kennedy