Jade's Blog - Archived Entry

June 17th, 2002 was the day I became involved in politics. That was the day my little brother was sent off to Ft. Benning to begin his career in the Army at the age of 18. When my brother told me in October he would be sent to Iraq in March, my question was "Why Iraq?" I was under the impression Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden was behind the 9/11 attacks.

Needless to say, the months after were months of protest and persecution. I wore a t-shirt with the phrase "War is not the Answer" across the front and "PEACF" (The bottom of the last E had fallen off) across the back to a bar in my hometown. Later that night, I was physically assaulted by a short man who resembled a bull dog.

Finally, almost two years later, I am able to say "I told you so," however, I can't possibly take any gratification considering the lives that have been lost.

I then took a job at the police station and put political activities on the backburner for awhile. Things were at a point where police officers would hide in nearby buildings and take pictures of protesters and I didn't know what affect it would have on my job. That would have been one helluva lawsuit, but it's easier just to pay the bills.

On April 15th of this year, "President" Bush came to Des Moines to speak to a bunch of rich people. I had been doing a little bit of volunteer work with NARAL and went on behalf of that group. I saw a couple of the cops that I knew, but they just waved and smiled at me and when I spoke to them later, they promised to keep my secret.

On April 25th, I attended the March for Women's Lives which was the most phenomenal event that I have ever been apart of. And my sign was shown on C-Span.

After returning from Washington D.C., I was so inspired and motivated and ready to make difference. I knew that I was out to change the world.

I started the "Homeless Tour 2004" where I would travel to different homeless shelters and register people to vote or help them get started in getting their voting rights back. It was an amazing experience and you'd be suprised at how aware these men and women were. They know things aren't right and they are ready for a change.

I wrapped up the tour and joined DrivingVotes.org. I'm so glad to join forces with other people who are ready for Bush to go and I'm happy to be apart of something that's going to change the country.