All Politics is Local

One criticism of college students is that they only treat their university address as a temporary location to study and do not form roots in their campus's town. The student who forms roots at college and works to make a difference in his or her new community is the exception.

This spring, Boston's District 2 is holding a special election to replace a vacant seat. The former counciler, Jimmy Kelly, catered to the traditionalist South Bostonian. His views, however, have been outdated in the quickly gentrifying region the seat represents. Susan Passoni, who wrote her Harvard Kennedy School of Government doctoral thesis on what she would do as a Boston City Councilor, rose as a progressive candidate looking to fill the position.

Students living in the city of Boston should pay attention. Even if their school is not under District 2 jurisdiction, the decisions this Councilor makes will have implications for Bostonian life, including taxes, education, rent, and transportation. Just as Massachusetts citizens celebrated Democratic wins in the 2006 midterms, Bostonians should recognize that a city councilor follows their stand on city issues will also affect their lives. Getting involved and paying attention is not just for political junkies.

--kz

A Slice of Pie

College Dems and Web Surfers! Welcome to our blog--"A Slice of Pie."
If you have posted to the blog before and don't see your name, it could be because blogger recently reconfigured, so you just need to switch your account. If you have not yet posted, e-mail me at kzal@bu.edu.

-kz

Obama is coming!

After only a week since word hit Comm Ave. that Obama is coming to Agganis, the $23 tickets are projected to sell out. It takes a special candidate to convince students to sacrifice their Friday night to attend a political fundraiser nearly a year and a half before the election. Students whom I would barely expect to display a political inclination perk up at the announcement of the Senator's visit.

What is it about Obama that makes people excited? Obama is the only one out of three leading Democratic candidates who can bring a dramatic change to the Presidential Office. Clinton is tied to the image of her husband while Edwards recycles the messages from his 2004 campaign. Although the year to the primaries could prove a political lifetime, Obama is the only candidate promising the dramatic change for which college students, across the country, thirst.

If you have not yet gotten your ticket for the Obama event on April 20 at Agganis, see Dave Sokolove or John Marker with your $23 contribution or contribute online at http://my.barackobama.com/
page/event/detail/fundrais
ing/wq9

-kz

Western Democrats: Are They For Real?

Let's find out from the Governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer:

“We are changing our economy in the mountain West and it is good for business in the mountain West,” he said.

He lauded wind power and biofuels. But he said oil, gas and coal production will continue and increase “on our own terms,” meaning cleaner technologies can be used, the land can be reclaimed and communities can continue to prosper after production ends.

Upon hearing that Schweitzer has worked to attract oil and coal companies to Montana, Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, invited him to become a Republican.

“I understand the Republicans have older whiskey and faster horses, but other than that, I think I'll just stay with the Democrats,” Schweitzer responded.

Yep... looks like they are. Here here!