GOTV

 
I won't say it was a unanimous decision..but we did ( as a family) help with "Get out the Vote" yesterday. We knocked on doors in Madison reminding people to vote, asking them specficially to support Russ, Tom and Tammy and making sure they knew were to vote.

We got two curt dismissals (people annoyed with us), four "Thanks for what you are doing", four " Yes we will vote," two "We already voted!", two "Where do I vote" and one "Really, it's a close race?"

If you have an hour or two today or tomorrow...every vote does count and it did make a difference that we went out.

Want to find out what you can do?
Moveon.org
BarackObama.com

We made page 3

of the Wisconsin State Journal


I found out from my son Ben.

Me " Did you talk about Parade for the Planet in school today?
B "Yea, we made the paper. They spelled my name wrong."
Me: " We made the paper?! What did it say?"
B " I don't know..something about the Green Challenge."

Actual quote ( once we bought a paper) " Julie Swanson, 48, a public health educator, brought her 12 year old son Ben Nessler. As part of the local environmental group ENACT , the Swanson's family is one of six reducing their energy use by 40% below the Madison average. " We're doing this (rally) to say to our legislators, 'We're doing our part; we need you to do yours.'"

Final comment from Ben: " you know, I've been famous a lot."

Parade for The Planet

 







Ben at the Sustainability Fair

These giant " puppets" of Mother Earth and the Green Man were a show stealer


The Earth Band warming up ( they were the hit of the parade!)

Lincoln and Wingra Schools were both represented!

The Raging Grannies are the last photo.

It was a hopeful day. The first Parade for the Planet drew a crowd of people who are passionate about making a difference.

We gathered at Lisa Link Peace Park and were reminded that Madison and Wisconsin have taken the lead on environmental issues before. We marched and sang up State Street with Sierra Club, Audobon, Lincoln, Chavez and Wingra School..and of course..our very own Earth Band ( from Westermorland Neighborhood).

ENACT was there ..the group that is sponsoring the Greener Faster Challenge. At the Capital, we gathered to hear several speakers.

I learned that
-Madison is the first Free Trade city in the US
-that UW madison is working to end all use of plastic water bottles
-that the US military has made a committment to cut their use of fossil fuels in half.

We have a lot of work to do. But it is good to be reminded that there is work being done...by many caring and courageous people.

Here is Wingra's Schools 350 video.
And photos from 10/10/10 from around the world.

What are you doing on 10/10/10

We will be marching to the Capital to tell our legislators to "Take Note! We are doing our part to reduce climate change. Now we need you to do yours!"

This first ever Parade for the Planet is part of 350.org's global day of action to raise awareness and spark action to address global warming. In the United States, this is great timing...right before our election.

The Westmorland Band will be joining Parade for the Planet to march from Lisa Link Park to the capital.

Our group is called Band Together because we are inviting any and all to join us as we march and sing. Don't worry if you don't play an instrument. There will be a large percussion section and we need singers and sign holders. This is a family friendly event.

Numbers matter! The more people who show up , the more our legislators will realize this is important and will influence how we vote in November.

Rehearsals
This Saturday and next Saturday(10/9/10) at 3:30pm at Westmorland Park
Whether you can rehearse our not come help us be the largest, loudest part of the parade on 10/10/10. We are meeting at Lisa Link Park at 11am

Have fun and change the world!

More information about
10/10/10 and 350.0rg
Parade for the Planet

Photo credit: flickr 350org