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Photo Credit:
Independent Florida Alligator |
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Police officers, secret service agents, helicopters and campus police were all roaming the University of Florida's campus in Gainesville on Sunday, October 17, 2004. Around 2PM, Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards was scheduled to arrive to speak to thousands of people, many of them students, about how his and John Kerry's plan would change America.
By now, you may be sick of seeing political ads, watching news coverage or reading about George W. Bush and John Kerry in nearly every newspaper. The media coverage of this year's election is already in a frenzy and it will only get worse as it gets closer to election day. Instead of tuning out, tune in for only fifteen more days and LEARN SOMETHING about what your country will be facing in the next four years.
I waited in line along with 8,000 others to see John Edwards. We stood in the Florida heat for close to four hours just to hear this man speak. Was our time worth it? Keep reading and you decide.
There were many clever anti-Bush slogans such as "No More Bushit," "Buck Fush" and "Dump Bush." Five college-aged men were shirtless with "K-E-R-R-Y" spelled across their chests and back.
The anti-Bush gang was met with anti-Kerry protestors. The Protestors waved Bush signs and shouted "four more years" while Kerry fans shouted "four more months."
It was an eye opening experience to attend a political debate. Whether you pay attention to politics, or not, anyone would have had a good time at this rally.
When John Edwards took the stage, he was met with a thunderous applause. He appeared confident and at ease with the crowd. He didn't act like a big wig politician nor did he use hard to understand political lingo.
If you don't get involved with politics because you think it's too confusing or hard to understand, think again. Times have changed and politicians are doing what they can to make sure their speeches and plans are in terms everyone can follow.
I've heard too many people say they don't want to get involved because politicians "lie too much." If you agree with that then vote! If you believe President Bush lied, then help to vote him out of office. If in your gut, you feel John Kerry is being untruthful, then vote to keep President Bush in office. I'm not going to tell you "I don't care who you vote for, just vote!" because I don't like the message that statement sends. Don't vote for someone because he's popular, vote for the candidate you feel will do the best job in office.
I'm not old enough to vote, but at seventeen, I did pre-register to vote in the 2008 election. I encourage all readers to take the initiative to visit our candidates' websites and make a choice: John Kerry or George W. Bush. If you're not old enough to vote then pre-register.
If you are able to make an informed, educated decision this year: vote. If you want to voice your opinion in your future: vote. If you want to exercise your right to freedom of choice: vote. Do so not because MTV says it's "cool" or because P. Diddy says, "Vote or Die," do so because YOU want to vote.
- Jessica Burkhart, Managing Editor
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