Green Teen

Julie's son speaking ,

Everyone has heard how it is to be an adult undertaking the challenge, (buy no new for one year), but now for the first time, I shall comment on how it is to be a teen and not buy for one year.

So far I have held up pretty well to the challenge, (I haven't violated once), the one problem that we faced was that our computer broke just a little way in, but we got a refurbished computer, so it is all good now. The new computer is actually a great computer, if you are looking to buy a computer but don't want to go new then go to Dell Outlet, the prices are good and the shipping is free.

Nate ( also known as Axel)

Buy Nothing New Challenge

Well...we have been a little distracted with defending democracy in Madison...but it seems like we are over due for an update on our Buy Nothing New Challenge.

We are 2.5 months into the challenge and to the best of my knowledge we have slipped up twice...both times related to the civil rights protests in Wisconsin.

First "mistake"...after a protest rally we stopped into Ian's pizza to see what democracy tastes like ...and found out they had T-shirts...we really wanted to support all they done ( people have been buying pizzas from all over the world in support of the protests in Madison)....there were two T-shirts left...we bought them, put them on and then turned to each other and gasped..."We just bought something new!"

Second time: We wanted to have American flags to take to the protests. We feel very strongly that citizens gathering to be heard is the very heart of democracy and what our country was founded on...but we didn't have any flags. So Mark bought four little American flags that we put on our signs for the rally yesterday.

Other than that....we have bought nothing new. The boys have complained that our snow shovels are broken...so we are hoping the weather helps us out until we can find some used snow shovels. :)

If you weren't in Madison yesterday...and want to see what democracy looks like...
Rockstar Senators
Can you hear us now?

Another civics lesson

Who would have thought...I'm now learning about recall elections.

There are efforts to recall 8 Senate Republicans ( and I believe 3 Democrats?)

I traveled to Fond Du Lac to go door to door...I have to admit I was nervous...this wouldn't be my first choice of how to spend a Sunday.

Here is what I learned...of those we talked to the majority did support a recall, were happy to sign and thanked us for coming to them.

There was confusion about what was going, some people didn't know that a recall was an option or how it worked, one person said..I can't make a difference ( but, of course, she can)

Memorable moments:
First house: an elderly couple that was excited because they thought I was there to recall Walker but happy to start with recalling Hopper.(a good start)

House 2: Elderly couple, he was hooked up to oxygen. He thanked me for coming since it is hard for him to get around.

An older women who said : I didn't expect this..things have gotten out of hand.
Although she was in her car on her way to work..she stopped to sign.

A young woman who said I'm Republican...this is really hard for me...they aren't voting for what I value. ( She actually took a form so she could register more people)

So all in all...a good day. We got 27 signatures. 27 people who's voices have now been hard and who are more engaged with the legislative process. Plus I had a great drive up...thanks Susan for driving.

The Good, The Bad, The Illegal

What will we become Wisconsin?

Saturday 2/26/2011 Largest Protest in Wisconsin's History

It was truly amazing to see so many people come together passionately and peacefully. This is what democracy looks like.

Sunday 2/27/2011
Gov. Walker closes the Capital...crowds gather outside asking to be let in. Everyone inside is told to leave. 600+ refuse to leave. Police defy orders and let them stay. Democracy triumphs.

Tuesday 3.1.2011 A Dark Day for Wisconsin.
This was a hard day for me...my stomach hurt...to see barricades, orange fencing and lines of police blocking entrance to the Capital. Citizens who came to peacefully protest were denied access to their Capital. It looked like a police state to me. Quite honestly it scared me,