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[Validius]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

I really mean this in the nicest possible way, and not to insult you, but it is suspect that you have no real-world experience with politics, and have never worked with politicians to get something accomplished. I suggest that you widen your vision a little bit and learn that there are lots of different ways to accomplish many things. There is a lot more to politics than swaying the sheeple in your direction.

It is a tremendous boost to FIRST to have politicians at all levels interested in our program. I have been actively working to get local politicians interested in our program -- both to ask them for help with community support and funding, and to educate them on what we do for the community. Rather than disparaging elected officials, we should heed Dean's suggestion that we build and cultivate relations with them.

I disagree. Everything that politics touches gets tainted by the politics. I want all politicians as far away from FIRST as possible. Politics and FIRST have nothing in command and any relationahip would be strictly one way (we give them a platform to spout their agenda) .

There could be a place for elected officials but not the govenor or presidant. If there is widespread media coverage then its a bogus political stunt. If perhaps the mayor of Ann Arbor (where GLR is held) came out, thanked everyone for being there said how proud he was of Pi Hi and Huron and left that would be very nice.

Lets keep in mind the #1 rule of politics: money=power. FIRST is a league who is as $$ independant as can be reasonabley expected. Nothing good can come of political involvment.