Young Voters: No Damn Excuses this Year

by Don Pogreba on October 30, 2008 · 11 comments

in '08 Election

If Amanda Jones can cast a ballot, so can you:

Amanda Jones, 109, the daughter of a man born into slavery, has lived a life long enough to touch three centuries. And after voting consistently as a Democrat for 70 years, she has voted early for the country’s first black presidential nominee.

Amanda Jones, a delicate, thin woman wearing golden-rimmed glasses, giggled as the family discussed this year’s presidential election. She is too weak to go the polls, so two of her 10 children — Eloise Baker, 75, and Joyce Jones — helped her fill out a mail-in ballot for Barack Obama, Baker said. "I feel good about voting for him," Amanda Jones said.

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Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.

{ 11 comments }

Matt Singer October 31, 2008 at 8:19 am

Alright, middle aged voters: no damn excuses this year.

APR October 31, 2008 at 8:59 am

My absentee ballot has gone to Helena.

problembear November 1, 2008 at 2:35 pm

are you making me feel nostalgic for a return to ethics and integrity in government with the photo of mansfield? is that sen everett dirkson sitting next to him?

ok let’s all vote early so we can get some integrity back in the white house as soon as possible. can we give Mr Bush 48 hrs notice?

do i ask too many questions???

Pogie November 1, 2008 at 3:41 pm

Matt, fair point. Given that my age group is the only demographic supporting McCain, though, maybe it would be better if we stayed home.

Problembear, absolutely Mansfield is meant to remind us about the potential for ethics and integrity in politics.

Assuming things go well Tuesday, it’s going to be a long few months with Mr. Cheney still running the country. Of course, if they don’t, it will be even longer.

APR–now go make sure that all your friends vote, too. :)

Matt Singer November 1, 2008 at 4:41 pm

I didn’t say no excuse for not voting…

Pogie November 1, 2008 at 4:43 pm

I know. I’m just quite surprised that people my age are leaning the way they are.

I’m headed out to try to find some of these ‘undecided voters’ tomorrow to get them to do the right thing. I’m kind of excited to meet one. :)

Liz November 2, 2008 at 11:17 am

inspiring.

Anonymous November 2, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Well Pogie, if you find some of those ‘undecided’s', give ‘em what you’ve got! If they’re internet saavy, I found a site that shows a good side-by-side comparison of the candidates, what they stand for, etc, etc…check it out!
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/email/email4.cfm?id=159

G.W. November 2, 2008 at 9:31 pm

A question from an old student: do you have any intention of running again for public office, POGIE?

Pogie November 2, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Yeah, I am giving it some serious thought. I think I need to aim a little lower next time, though. :)

G.W. November 2, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Good. Although your politics differ from mine— knowing your intelligence, immense political knowledge, and integrity firsthand—I was glad to see you run against Schweitzer.

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