Dean's BAE Homework--political propaganda

[Steve Howland]

I just sent mine - to those looking to contact your Sentors, here is a site that I found useful.
http://www.senate.com/stindex.html
It's a directory page - click on your state abbreviation and you will be given direct links to your senator's email adresses and websites. There is also an option to find the congressmen for your district but the site only allows you to contact your personal representative; not the whole state.

[Martinez]

I think this is a good idea. When President Bush spoke during the State of the Union about supporting programs that motivate young people into technology fields (yes I'm paraphrasing), I thought FIRST would be the perfect match. After my rookie year, I felt every school in the country should know what FIRST is and be involved at least in some way.

Sadly, my high school never had a FIRST team and may never get one. I learned about it in college and now am very glad I did. Every person here should be glad they have a Robotics team and can at least get involved at some level. Perhaps it is from my own experiences, but Dean's homework always touches me and have fallen for all the propaganda.

Yes, I could give up on FIRST. Yes, I could take the easy way out and join Chuck pernamently. However, these kids in Owego diserve a team of their own. Lockheed Martin Owego should not only know about it but be actively involved. Its what keeps me motivated, its what keeps me going.

So go out their and get new teams onboard! Go out their and get new sponsors! Talk to your congressmen and be part of the democratic process. Its ok to be active, its ok to be a lobbiest espeically if it is for the betterment of society!

/steps off his soapbox.
Sorry for the Rant. I just fell it should be said.

[KenWittlief]

I think a piece of important information is missing here.

We get government officials to attend events. Then what?

What exactly do we want state and federal government to DO to support FIRST?

We should have the best answer to this question. If we leave it up to them then who knows what their respose will be ?