It seems that I'm getting the Big Chief Tablet idea out there anyway. I apparently have the attention span of a gnat and writing my ideas on a computer screen is far beyond my abilities. So, you're getting a proofread copy from a notebook to computer. How hightech of me, and I thought computers were supposed to cut down on the amount of paper being used!
As for this apathy that I've alluded to! I recently had a conversation with a very good friend of mine about voting and politics in general. It seems that, he, like a lot of the population at my age feels that if the general opinion in the nations capital does not reflect their own that there is nothing to be done or said about their personal opinions on the way the country is run.
What worries me is that this person, and many others I've spoken to aren't idiot jocks or cheerleaders or some other less intelligent stereotype. These young adults are the ones that hold a great deal of intellect!
Now, I've always been a sucker for democracy but isn't the idea behind it that if there is a group of people that believe something different than whats being presented they stand up for their beliefs and express themselves??
I find myself surprisingly behind the "Rock the Vote" movement that the pop stars of America were so behind last presidential election. With one major difference, they were targeting more vapid section of the young adult population. The majority of the people that I keep company with are fairly intelligent and openminded kids, and do NOT watch MTV. My suggestion to these "Rock the Vote" campaigners is to nix the MTV portion. Focus on getting to college campuses and getting to concerts and music festivals. We all know that the 18-24 age group is consumed by three major things: beer, music and sex. Now I don't think politics and sex go together (President Clinton is probably getting a faint pain in the back of his....well...leg shall we say from that last comment). And beer and government? ehh. Not so fantastic idea either. BUT! Music has always been an open forum for thought! so why not introduce this concept into what people my age care quite a bit about??
One thing is for sure though, this isn't a new problem, nor do I see it being solved anytime soon. But in the mean time why not focus efforts on the population more likely to vote based on something more than "well puffy said it was a good idea to vote for him": The smart kids.

I realize that I have listed this under the political heading, and believe me I'll be getting to that. I promise. However, in the meantime I need to address something thats been nagging at me. The words "God Fearing". I have a problem with them. They imply that one has a fear of the wrath of his or her God.
Now, I understand that Christianity believes in treating others as you would like to be treated, and that doing good deeds is a major part of the faith. But in who's name are you doing all of these good deeds? Yours or Gods?
I, myself, am agnostic, I believe that everybody is acquainted with the term and if not you know how to use a dictionary. And I believe myself to be a fairly good person. I do a great deal of charitable work for my community and try to respect my fellow man as much as possible. But, these actions do not represent some higher force. They represent my ability as a human being to have compassion for others and to see that my actions have consequences.
Getting to my point finally, I worry that Christians lose track of why they're doing all of these wonderfully good deeds. Is it because they are afraid of going to Hell? Or maybe that their family won't be blessed if they take that dollar they saw slip out of someones coat on the street?
I know that the words "I'm a God fearing Christian" come out of so many mouths these days they're making me wonder if God won't strike me down for picking my nose!! So please, tell me what these words are intended to mean, if not to instill fear in the hearts and minds of the followers so as to coerce them into doing God's bidding then what??
And oh my goodness these words are making my valve close. And I apologize to all for not having the ability to convey these and further thoughts on a Big Chief Tablet. :)