Nostalgia from my Republican Friends

During the summer of 2005, I was serving as a Congressional Intern in Washington D.C. During an off-week in Congress (and there were many that summer considering it has come to be known as the "Do-Nothing" Congress), my colleagues and I were invited to a series of political speeches at the Democratic National Committee Offices just down the street from the Hill.

The speakers at this event included former Presidential candidates Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. On the day of the event, I bought a little disposable camera at a magazine shop near my apartment building.

Despite Kerry's disappointing loss in the 2004 Presidential race, it was a hot ticket especially for a bunch of college students who had been surrounded by cornfields for most of their lives. At the event, we chose to skip out on Kucinich's speech and join the welcoming party for Sen. Kerry on the front steps despite us having nothing to do with the planning of the event.

As we stood in line, we readied our cameras just hoping to get a glimpse of the former Democratic Presidential Candidate. For a college student with any interest in politics, the opportunity to see a major political figure despite their success/failure in getting elected is a big opportunity.

Much to our surprise, not only were we able to get a glimpse of the Senator but each of us were able to get a picture with Mr. Kerry. My good friend Cade and I also posed for a picture with Sen. Harkin along with commending him for his performance in the 1993 Kevin Kline film "Dave."

After a celebration that involved going to a local pub in the middle of the work day for hot wings, I took the little disposable camera to a local printing shop to get the pictures developed. Much to my surprise, the picture turned out better than expected so I took it back to the printing shop and got it framed.

This evening, I had some friends over to hang out along with see me new place. As my friends were looking around, they noticed my picture with Senator Kerry on one of my office bookshelves. Even though they could not believe that I would even keep a picture such as that one (some of them were Republicans), the events and the memories of that day put a smile on my face even though it occurred over three years ago.

Ferris is Really Sick

Once again, John McCain has put out another attack ad on Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. But instead of attacking him on not visiting injured troops or not having enough experience for the job of Commander-in-Chief, the McCain campaign is attacking Obama for . . . . being a celebrity comparable to the likes of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Here is the ad.

We all know that politics is driven by personality and that negative campaigning has and will always be present in Presidential politics. Even though this type of campaigning does not reach the level of 1828 in which then-President John Quincy Adams was accused of surrendering a servant girl to the Russian Czars, the attacks from the McCain campaign have come with more severity and frequency within the last few weeks.

I will leave alone the fact that many Republicans are not as excited about their candidate as are the Democrats. I will also not touch statements made by former Nixon and Ford speechwriter Ben Stein who called McCain's trudge for the Presidency "uninspiring" and "the most pathetic campaign he had ever seen in his entire life." That's pretty bad given his company.

This is quite a different tone from the one a few months ago when John McCain pledged to run a clean campaign. Anyone who knows anything will tell you that a statement like that comes from someone who is pretty naive when it comes to Presidential politics especially when the main arguments about his opponent involve knowledge and experience.

But back to the ad. Mr. McCain has made the comparison of Barack Obama as a world-wide celebrity such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears coupled with visions of foreigners chanting his name, waving our flag, and showing more positive energy about our country then we have seen in quite some time. The ad then tries to tie Obama's celebrity status with his stance of no-offshore drilling and the possibility of him being high-taxing liberal.

With this ad, McCain has gone from the traditional mudslinging level of campaigning to the high school level. Anymore, McCain is reminding us not of his anti-establishment stances or his Maverick political style but rather the "popular" cheerleader complaining about how she did not win Prom queen. The only problem is, McCain's campaign is so unorganized and lacking of a message that he can't even get on the Prom court.

The truth is that this election will not be won on McCain's terms, it will be based on whether or not the public feels comfortable with the Illinois Senator. It is Obama's to win or lose and that frustrates McCain even though it is crystal-clear where the problems lie. McCain's speeches with an audience are lack-luster and his humor often times seemed forced almost to the point where you aren't sure if even he understands the joke. He also comes off as short-tempered and highly explosive which reminds me of the old man sitting on his porch yelling at the neighborhood children to get off of his lawn. Lastly, McCain has made so many shifts in his campaign staff over the past few months that it hard to figure out who is in charge of who.

In a year that seems to look disastrous at best for Republicans, McCain is trying to throw any bit of mud at Obama but nothing is sticking. Hillary Clinton's "kitchen sink" strategy had more of an effect on Obama who struggled to clinch the Democratic nomination because of a strong late surge from the former first-lady. McCain is looking for anything but is still coming up short. Even though we are still over 90 days until the election, the prospects do not look good for the Arizona Senator.

Obama is giving speeches to record numbers that we have not seen in more than a generation and drawing comparisons to the likes of Kennedy, Reagan, and in some circles Lincoln (as far-fetched as they might be). Meanwhile, in the midst of an unpopular Presidency and scandals galore throughout Washington, John McCain is left standing in front of a full classroom of Republicans asking, "Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?" Only time will tell if the GOP responds but for right now, Ferris is really sick indeed.

What Have I Been Up To?

It has most certainly been a long time since my last post. I have been extremely busy in the past few months. There have been bad times but fortunately I have been very blessed with some wonderful things. So, without further ado, let's get you caught up with something I like to call - What have I been up to?

IUK Graduation - After six years, hundreds of papers, and countless majors, I graduated from Indiana University Kokomo in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History & Political Science. Along with my degree, I was able to complete my Secondary Education certification program as well. The ceremony was much better than I had anticipated especially since I was seated in the first row of my graduating class. My friend Chad gave an excellent address and it was wonderful hearing people in the crowd yell when my name was called to receive my diploma. I was so excited that I hugged the Chancellor on the stage! Not my finest moment but I didn't care. After the pictures and handshakes, I was off to begin searching for a teaching job.

Finding a job - Often times, new teaching graduates have a difficult time in finding a job. Many times, it is the select few who are able to find a one right away. I became one of those select few when I was able to get a job teaching at the same school that I did my student teaching - Tri-Central. This year, I will be teaching 10th grade World History and 7th grade Geography. To say the least, I am very excited to be apart of the school and community. My favorite moment had to have been when I was given a TC baseball cap by the athletic director. I think I've worn it most of the summer!

Becoming a Tri-Central Trojan - Since becoming a Tri-Central Trojan (and making my "I am a Blue Devil" post obsolete), I have become very involved with the boys soccer and girls basketball programs. Along with being an assistant for the team during their summer league games, I got the opportunity to work the girls basketball camp over the summer. The camp was for girls in 1st grade through freshman. Words do not describe how fun it is to watch young kids play basketball. No matter how good they are, it is neat to see them work has hard as some of them did. It was an awesome experience especially because I'm working with some wonderful people whom I have known for quite sometime.

The boys soccer team is also looking to be a fun experience as I am looking forward to working with the coaches and players. Our first practice is quickly approaching and I can't wait! Simply put, it's going to be an exciting year of coaching!

My First Place - Along with getting my first job, I moved out of my parent's place into my own apartment just outside of Kokomo. I think I am closer to my parents since I have moved out than when I was living with them so both parties have done exceptionally well since the move. The biggest pain of having my own place had to have been the move. Many thanks go to my folks, my brother, and my buddy Mike for helping me with all the heaving lifting that day. My arms still hurt! The next time I move, I'm hiring someone!

Well, hopefully that gets you caught up. It has been an exciting summer to say the least. I am so lucky to have been blessed with such good fortune over the past few months. It's interesting to look back on how bad things seemed to be going only a few months ago. As I wrap up this post and turn out my office lamp, I am reminded of God's grace and how all of this has helped me realize that our questions are answered in his time. This year is going to be a great ride and you're all apart of it!

Still Learning

The Celtics and Cavs game has made me think about another lesson that I have learned about the game of basketball. It is halftime right now and the Celtics are playing much better but I had to write this down just so I would not forget.

I think the most important lesson I learned from my first season of basketball was the importance of game and clock management. Often times, I would let the game go or leave my players in the game for an extended amount of time without calling a timeout or making a substitution. Many times we would simply run out of gas and not be able to make that final charge to close out a game.

This year, with those lessons in mind, I think we were able to put ourselves in better situations to win simply because the players were more rested by the end of the game along with myself being more judicious with my timeouts and substitutions.

Looking ahead, I think the lesson that I take with me from this year is the lesson of looking to exploit mismatches on the court. In order to do so this requires a create deal of concentration. I saw this lesson in full light when LeBron James went to the bench with three fouls late into the second quarter of tonight's game.

Sensing the potential mismatch, Boston continued to go to Paul Pierce who could drive to the basket against a much smaller opponent as opposed to James who reminds me more of a fullback than a basketball guard.

By exploiting this mismatch, the Celtics were able to climb back into the game. Granted, James did not help the cause by picking up his third foul but it was Boston's ability to recognize the mismatch and convert that helped them turn around the whole complexion of the game.

I have not learned it all but I am so glad that I am still learning. It's a good feeling.

Adjusting to New Experiences

Apparently there was not very much on the other evening because I have been flooded with emails, texts, and instant messages from people telling me that they saw me on television at the Barack Obama town hall. I don't think that my political ideology is a secret anymore (as if it ever was).

But along with hearing about and seeing myself on television, I am adjusting to new roles and experiences as I am now finished with all of my course work for my degree as well as my secondary education certification.

At the present moment, I really do not know what to think.

On the one hand, I am looking forward to teaching history and coaching sports for a living. I am ready for the opportunity to do what I enjoy even though I am not sure where I will begin my career along with those constant worries about doing a good job.

On the other hand, I am going to miss to the joys of sleeping in until ten in the morning, the all-nighters at Buffalo Wild Wings and Starbucks, and the feeling of going into a classroom knowing that I won't be the one teaching.

For so badly wanting to get away from college these past few years, I certainly do miss it right now. Hopefully I will be able to adjust. It's a little too late to change my major now.