Election Day 2004

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

Imagine how we’d feel if a regional or the Nats were canceled for fear of terrorist attack.

Unfortunately some schools canceled their team's chances at regionals or even The Championship event due to the threat of terrorism.

Some good teams like the 2001 Nationals winner Team 69 were not allowed to compete Nationally in 2002 for fear of the color coded alert system.

In 2002 we almost were not allowed to go to NYC Regional for fear of the same system. The weekend we went to NYC from CT, the war in Iraq officially started - and continues to this day despite what you have been told by the government.

My team had to stay an hour away in NJ for fear of another terrorist attack in NYC during that time of uncertainty. Myself and a few Alumni of my team stayed right in Harlem, and had a great time. We took the subway each day and even though an attack was in the back of our minds (especially that Saturday when the protesters started to gather around Grand Central) we had a good time in the biggest, and busiest city in America.

In the end, no matter who you voted for, you can't plan on another terrorist attack. But you can plan to choose the right person to handle the Nations affairs, and even when your candidate doesn't win, I guess we all have to grin and bear it and support whoever runs the country whether or not you agree with everything that your government does for you, or on your behalf..

You can always move to Canada. I mean, hey.. There are FIRST teams up there to you could join - or better yet area's of Canada that haven't even heard of FIRST that you can start a team in.

On a side note, I always hated politics and steered clear of it. I have no idea why this recent election has affected me the way it has. Oh well.. only 4 more years till we vote again. Unless you move to Canada.