Ideals what a novelty

From a speech given
Oct 29, 2007
St. Anselm's College, Manchester, N.H.

The long slow slide of our democracy into the corporate abyss continues unabated regardless of party, regardless of the best interests of America.

We have a duty -- a duty to end this.

I believe you cannot be for change and take money from the lobbyists who prevent change. You cannot take on the entrenched interests in Washington if you choose to defend the broken system. It will not work. And I believe that, if Americans have a choice, and candidate who takes their money -- Democrat or Republican -- will lose this election.

For us to continue down this path all we have to do is suspend all that we believe in. As Democrats, we continue down this path only if we believe the party of the people is no more.

As Americans, we continue down this path only if we fail to heed Lincoln's warning to us all.

"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected," he asked, "if it ever reaches us it must spring up amongst us. It can not come from abroad. If destruction be our lot -- we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men we must live through all time or die by suicide."

America lives because 20 generations have honored the one moral commandment that makes us Americans.

To give our children a better future than we received.

Read the full speech here

I dont think they would have cared

If you were a touring band oversees would you be curious if there were any of your countrymen in the audience. I'd ask every night but apparently none of the bands last nite were'nt interested. I felt bad though masquerading as a kiwi so I didnt respond to "Are you ready Auckland" etc. Not that I usually respond to things like that. Seems like an easy rally cry, I mean everyone one in the audience is from around the place your playing. Why not go out on a limb and yell something about vegetarianism or capital gains tax.

The show was really good, in that none of the bands made me want to leave. Rise against was the highlight of the night. You should go see them in Japan because thats where they are going next.

Killing time until my flight, I wonder if theres a place that sells burritos. Thanks Auckland, your mundane existence was a nice break from my own rote day to day.

Auckland Takes it To the Max

So Today I rode this bike I rented from like the most hippyiest dude I ever talked to and rode around waiheke island out in auckland bay. It was like kelly's or middle bass island in lake erie except instead of glaciers its geologic origin involves volcanoes. There were vineyards wineries and beaches. It seemed like canada and the tropics as the foliage varied from palm to conifers There were some sweet trails but mostly I stuck to the roads, the steep winding roads. Like everything else in this hemisphere the bikes brakes were backwards with he rear tire on the left. Nearly killed me. I dont know if that was by design or hippy influenced. When i made it back to the rental stand some other throwback chatted me up about math, time descarts and russell. ( English major + weed) 30 years = Awesome bike rental conversationalist.

Right now its saturday night and its pouring outside. I guess tonitie I have to hang out in the hostel bar because theres no way I am heading back out on the streets. Last night I did and met some Irish girls in an Irish bar imagine that. Two of them left me and their friend to talk to some irish guys for like 2 hours then spoent the rest of the night complaing about talking to the the irish guys for so long. Speaking of hostel bars I am shocked that so many hostel staying backpackers bring drinking clothes. I mean like heels and dresses or dress shoes and button up shirts.

Tommorrow is Taste of Chaos Day!!!!!!!! Its going to be so good unless someone on stage says rockland or worse rauwkland which would ruin the concert for me. I hope rise against doesnt judge me for wearing shoes that were made in Thailand.

I walked around Auckland today. Not that many touristy sites to see. I am going to try to get on a ferry to the bay islands tomorrow and then on Sunday its Taste of Chaos Day. Have a good weekend.

I saw old stuff this weekend

St Kilda had old stuff. You can see it too at picasaweb. I also tried to go to a show this weekend but It got late and I got lost.

I am getting ready to fly to New Zealand but i dont know what im going to do there. Kill time like I do everywhere else. Still havent gotten MAtlab back so no worky.

Two people read this. Good for you. Its like a game for me to guess which two. You can go prisoners dilemma style and rat each other out in the comments.

Am i posting this ironically?

Hipster Olympics

Dont Touch Our Inter-Webs

The blogonauts over at dailykos have spoken and they demand that At&t Pay for their misdeeds. Dodd shoots up based on his position on telco amnesty for spying on Americans. Im sure this poll is like the least scientific and representative one one available. It voluntary and on the internet. But 12,000 democracy nerds might hold some kind of sway.

This is getting interesting as comcast the crappy cable company available in Blacksburg was charging money for taps. They also have been blocking p2p traffic which means i cant download Ubuntu in VA.

The company that refused to wiretap, Qwest is not available where I live. They are claiming that because of that they have been blackballed on government contracts.

Just because your buddy is a cop doesn't mean when you get to break the law. Go to aclu.org to spam your representatives in Congress. Hopefully someone will find a way to sue, unfortunately it wont be brought to court till well after Bush is out off office.