Day 10 - New York - the 1st 2016 Presidential Non-Debate

Democracy in action at Hofstra University - First 2016 Presidential Debate - Dr. Jill Stein not invited

If you don't believe our democracy is in trouble, you weren't with the American citizens trying to express their free speech last night at Hofstra University on Long Island. They came to peacefully express their concern for $15 an hour, the climate, Black Lives Matter, LGBT rights, many other issues and, of course, to question why Dr. Jill Stein was not on the debate stage. We were herded by hundreds of men with guns into a small area, perhaps a half-mile from the debate hall. I'm guessing (I wasn't close enough to confirm this) the debate auditorium is one of those buildings on the far horizon in the photo above.

It was necessary to park at least 2 miles away and, after walking at least a mile, to be faced with this long, purposefully slow line to go through airport-type security screening with scanning machine, emptying pockets, etc. - all to make sure the people in the auditorium a half-mile away from the demonstration point were safe! 

If you had a backpack (to carry water, cell phone, etc.) you needed to throw it in the garbage or you couldn't enter. If you had a pet dog, no enter.  And, of course, dangerous selfie-sticks and e-cigarettes were verboten. There were many groups with senior citizens but they were not allowed to bring in coolers with water. Bathrooms were not provided at the demonstration point; you had to return to a purposefully distant point a half-mile back to access a porta-potty. No water was available on a warm New York night. And, when you finally left the demonstration point, dehydrated, you were not permitted to simply retrace your steps. Three more long blocks were added to return to your car.

Our hero, Jill Stein,  came to Hofstra earlier in the day and was escorted off campus by more men with guns. Instead of being arrested and shackled to a chair for 8 hours (as she had been 4 years earlier), Jill chose to speak on social media during the debate and this morning, on DemocracyNow.org, to answer the questions Trump and Clinton answered the night before. (See my youtube video: Jill Stein: Shackled!)

Day 9 - Danville, Pennsylvania

We’ve seen nothing but trees since we got on the Pennsylvania Turnpike - no complaints after living through 6 years of California drought!

As we made our way through the trees, we remembered our stop earlier in the morning at Kent State University in Ohio and of the terrible events of May 4, 1970. We recalled that 4 students were killed and 9 injured when Ohio Army National Guard fired into a crowd of student protesters. The terrible events of that day added fuel to the growing national pressure to stop the pointless slaughter in Viet Nam and Cambodia.

It's time to free our students from more insanity.

Visiting Kent State the day before I will participate in a protest with Dr. Jill Stein at the first 2016 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University was a strong reminder of why I’m on this 7,000-mile journey. Jill is being excluded from the debate stage, although she is on the ballot in every state but two, South Dakota and Oklahoma, just as students are being excluded from a strong, confident beginning to their lives upon graduation. Instead of their country standing behind them, we're picking their pockets!

I talked with Kent students for much of the morning about the injustice of putting a great burden of debt on their backs when they should be preparing to take leadership roles in our nation. It is a situation just as insane and counter-productive as was the killing and wounding of students in 1970!  America, wake up!

Making profits from student loans, including the U.S. government earning $50 billion annually on student loans and the average debt of 70% of our graduates at $35,000, doesn’t sit well on struggling students. These are difficult times but I’m always inspired by the goodness and strength and hope I feel when I talk with them. My hope is that this sleeping giant - 43 million student debtors - will awaken in time to flip the vote and rescue our country. 

Day 8 - Sandusky, Ohio

Our stop at the Grand Tetons reminded us of the grandeur of the U.S.

How does a man brought up in Cheektowaga, NY end up spending a night in Sandusky, OH, by way of the Grand Tetons? It’s a long, long story that we’ll save for another day, so let’s move on.

Today and tomorrow are slow days on campus for our End Student Debt 7k Marathon so we decided to do some driving to get in position for our New York City arrival and the first Presidential debate. We’ll make a stop at Penn State in University Park, PA on Sunday afternoon and try to catch a few students on our way to the Big Apple.

One pleasure I had today was to speak to the 4-member crew of a Subway off Interstate 80 in Indiana during a lull in business. These young millennials immediately got it and I heard the words of gratefulness I’ve come to expect. Our millennials are all waiting for that spark to ignite their hope and I keep being there to witness it do its work.

Tonight, at dinner in Sandusky restaurant, I spoke with our server, Courtney. A single Mom with 3 children, she drives her children to and from school twice a day, for a total of 4 hours driving, then does the night shift in a restaurant. She took our order and paused to listen to the reason for our marathon road trip. She became so enthusiastic I decided to give her some extra leaflets. As we were completing our meal, she came to tell us she had shared Jill’s good news with the entire staff of the busy restaurant. The spark keeps igniting hope!

Day 7 - Davenport, Iowa

Using corn to fuel our cars has clearly paid off for Iowa. There is corn everywhere! Fields are planted from the edge of the roads to as far as the eye can see … and beyond. While it is not the best use of food nor a good strategy to save our planet, it does point out in a very physical way how an idea can take hold and transform life. As I drove, I kept thinking of how Jill’s plan to make the U.S. 100% renewable by 2030 will create similar changes to our cities and countryside. We already see plenty of wind machines and solar dotting the landscape.

The enthusiastic reception of 99% of the millennials I talked to at the University of Nebraska at Omaha this morning about Jill Stein canceling their debt convinces me that if we were to flood every campus and cafe with volunteers to distribute our leaflets and tell the same story, we could reach those 43 million debtors. Many of the students asked for extra leaflets and promised to broadcast to their social networks.

I simply ask students if they know anyone with student debt. If they say yes, it’s an easy sell. If they say no, I point out that 70% of their classmates have student debt and the average graduate will leave school with a $35,000 debt. And, of course, I tell them that the first thing Dr. Jill Stein will do if she is elected on November 8 will be to cancel 43 million student debts in January. Then I point out that it is all, literally, in their hands and remind them that people under 35 have always led societies to real change. I tell them how important it is for them to put this word out in their social network and, especially, on the Internet. I came away from UN-O glowing from my interaction with these bright, optimistic, hopeful young people. I swear, I’m not going to talk to anyone over 35 anymore!

And then, the cherry on today’s cake. We checked into our hotel in Davenport and there were 2 women, both millennials, behind the counter. One asked me if I planned to visit two local campuses. When I said I had to be in New York to support Jill on Monday, she said she would distribute the leaflets! I immediately gave her 400 from my car and pointed out that more could be printed by downloading the leaflet from this blog. It is truly amazing how hungry Americans are for a real alternative to what is being forced down their throats!

Day 6 - Lincoln, Nebraska

In addition to visiting university campuses, we’re also heading for all 4 Debates to support Jill and Ajamu, so we need to drive many miles each day to be at Hofstra U on Long Island on Monday. Today, we did over 500 miles -  2,200 since Saturday - to stay on schedule, but we arrived too late to visit the U of Nebraska-Lincoln here in the state’s capital. We’ll make it up tomorrow morning by visiting U of Nebraska in Omaha before crossing the Missouri River and beginning our drive across Iowa.

No time to stop at Della's Cafe in the heartland. 

The good news: we’re finding millennials everywhere! Before leaving our motel in Laramie this morning, the young manager, a recent graduate of UW, accepted some leaflets to share with friends and clients. We’re constantly in search of good Wi-Fi (we don’t have it tonight!), so we were delighted at mid-day to see a Starbucks sign on Interstate 80 in Sidney, Nebraska, only to learn from the Visitors Center there that it was some 4 miles distant. I made 2 new friends for Jill, then left the Visitors Center with a map and drove the 4 miles, passing through Sidney’s charming old downtown area. We found Starbucks in a supermarket. No Wi-Fi but did  talk with the barista and two young ladies waiting in line, all of whom were grateful to learn there was an alternative to the two disliked candidates that the shallow media likes so much. All eagerly took extra leaflets, delighted to learn there was a great alternative. And I was delighted to find so much openness to Jill here in the heartland.

At lunchtime, we stopped in North Platte for a sandwich and engaged the young man who made our sandwich in a discussion about the election. He, like so many, was so pleased to learn of an alternative candidate that he extended his hand in gratitude when we said goodbye. I get to shake a lot of hands after talking about Jill!

I'm not the least bit discouraged by the numbers today. Cynthia Bourgault wrote this about hope: "Hope’s home is at the innermost point in us, and in all things. It is a quality of aliveness. It does not come at the end, as the feeling that results from a happy outcome. Rather, it lies at the beginning, as a pulse of truth that sends us forth." Every person I talk with about Jill and Ajamu is at the center of a personal network and his or her unique "pulse of truth" can send hundreds forth to bring real hope to millions. I just have to keep driving and telling people about Jill and Ajamu, sharing our pulse of truth.

Day 5 - Laramie, Wyoming

Four hundred miles today to arrive at the beautiful campus of the University of Wyoming with its 27,000 students. I didn't talk to all of them but the ones I talked to were ready to take action. What a great privilege for me to engage so much brightness and optimism on something as important as this. I was very encouraged by their willingness to consider Jill Stein as their President and their universal agreement that Trump and Clinton are poor options.

One of the campus buildings carries words that lay bare the student debt scam concocted by greedy bankers, slow-witted bureaucrats and politicians, and willing administrators. Placing our young in the learning space of our universities is a sacred responsibility. We place them there to do great "deeds of high resolve," not to enrich the banks and put an entire generation into servitude.

"Man [and woman] is of soul and body formed for deeds of high resolve"

Day 4 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

We were in absolute jaw-dropping awe of nature's extravagance in Jackson Hole today - and also reminded of our great responsibility to care for our planet home.

I had two interesting conversations at the plush Jackson Lake Lodge, one with a busboy in one of the Lodge's restaurants who was being paid $5 an hour by the Lodge's concessionaire, not even the Federal minimum of $7.25 since 2009. He is paid $5 because he shares in tips and in a good week can make $11 an hour with no benefits. He had no plans to go to the university so, lucky for him, he didn't need to take out a student loan. Our federal parks are filled with young workers like him who are willing to take lousy jobs and lousy salaries because back home it's even worse - and the concessionaires are very happy to take advantage of them. They even import thousands of workers from other countries to exploit them, as well.

Outside the restaurant I met a man from Texas whose son was attending a meeting at the lodge. He told me his son was the CEO of an oil company. This man was a nature lover and especially loved the Grand Tetons because he had honeymooned there 48 years ago. He was a Democrat  who didn't believe there was any reason to panic about the climate, economy, or wars. Of course, when you're staying in $500 a night rooms in beautiful national parks, there doesnt seem to be any reason to panic about anything. And, certainly, not to panic about most of the workers in his plush hotel who earn lousy wages. 

He wasn't interested in taking my leaflet but we had a 20-minute conversation in which he parroted all the arguments for voting for the lesser evil (Hillary) to keep Trump from winning. I said the Democrats are losing because they screwed Bernie out of the nomination when the polls showed Bernie would defeat Trump. I also argued that if Bernie had joined Jill Stein instead of endorsing Hillary, the Trump thing would have been history. I always expect more from lovers of nature and I'm disappointed when we can't find common ground.

As we left the restaurant tonight, I talked with two young hostesses who had friends with student debts. They wanted extra leaflets to share so I gave them the ten I was carrying. I get very excited about Jill's chances when I see how eagerly millennials take the leaflets and when I hear their intentions to share the good news on social media. It was the same with a young Ranger working in the Visitor's Center. I reminded him how important it was for millennials to take the lead. He gave me a very reassuring smile and said, "I'm on it!"

Day 3 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

What a day! I’ve never done anything in my life that has been so enthusiastically received. Talked this morning with hundreds of students at Idaho State U in Pocatello. At the moment, we’re in Idaho Falls, 50 miles north of Pocatello, on our way to Jackson Hole. We stopped at a Starbucks to use the WiFi and to share the good news with local millennials. When I asked students this morning at ISU if they knew anyone with student debt, many smiled and said, “Everyone!” After I explain our mission, many students take extra leaflets to share with friends.

Idaho Stat U sign in student union

When I can, I tell them this: “I have just passed you the baton. It is now totally up to you.You millennials have the power right now to change everything, to end your debt, change the climate, and end wars. Use your computer, use the Internet. Only you can make it happen. All the power is in your hands!” 

How the hell did we manage to put an entire generation in hock? Few jobs, lousy jobs, overwhelming debt. Did you know the U.S. government earns $50 billion a year in student loan interest on the backs of our students and our young student debtors are graduating with an average of $35,000 in debt? Not counting interest! How insane is this? And we’re not even talking about the climate or nuclear and war crises! 

Typical of the student stories, one young man, also a debtor, working part-time in the ISU Student Union, told me his girlfriend was $30,000 in debt and is working 3 jobs as she attends the university. We need to do what we can to lift this terrible weight from their young shoulders. Sending Dr. Jill Stein to the White House will do just that … and so much more.

Tomorrow we focus on one of the truly great things about our country, it’s natural beauty and national parks. We’ll be at the Grand Tetons. Stay tuned!

Day 2 - Twin Falls, Idaho

No universities on our route to Idaho through Nevada's Great Basin desert. Besides, it’s Sunday, a quiet day on most campuses. (Oh, BTW, last night the Nevada Wolf Pack beat the Buffalo Bulls, 34-18.)

Our day began in our Reno motel with the motel owner getting excited about Jill’s promise to end student debt. His motel is a stone’s throw from the medical school where too many graduate with $300k in debt. He immediately made the connection, took our leaflet and promised to make many copies and promote Jill to the students and their families.

Mid-morning we stopped at a Starbucks where there was a long line of millennials with nothing to occupy their minds so they all got a leaflet and a few words. One group of 4 young people were thrilled to get the information. Of course, there were a few pundits (not millennials) who only express their opposition in vitriol. One very old timer said he always voted conservative values and never for “communists” but was unwilling to elaborate. Then there was the very angry 40-something guy on a Harley who had dropped out of high school and said that bailing out student debtors would only increase his taxes and their laziness so he was against it.

The best moment of the day came in a Nevada State Rest Area on U.S. 80 in Nevada's Great Basin desert when I approached a woman who turned out to be a Jill supporter and couldn’t express her joy enough when she learned we were doing a 7k journey. She gave me a big hug and wouldn’t let us leave until she had dug out her two favorite Trader Joe energy bars from the bottom of her cooler and gave them to us. A very caring way to express her support for the marathon.

What we’re doing on our cross-country marathon you could do in your town, in your cafe. Just print out the leaflets on the End Student Debt Leaflets page on this blog. Always carry some with you and use every opportunity to pass them out, especially to millennials. Most people appreciate your efforts, student debtors especially, and you meet a lot of new people! And millennials will get the word out. Do it!

Day 1 - Reno, Nevada

We left Mariposa at 8:30 this morning and summited Donner Summit at 4 pm. Here I am with Donner Lake behind me. I was very conscious of the Donner Party story as we arrived at the U of Nevada-Reno campus at 5:30, just before their football game with U of Buffalo. Thousands of Nevada fans heading for the stadium and me trying to engage them with something as superficial as ending student debt and the possible end of the planet in our lifetime. As I handed out my leaflets to distracted football fans, I thought, these folks are just as oblivious to the great danger in front of them as was the Donner Party. Only the Donner Party didn’t have someone handing out leaflets saying there was a way to avoid the catastrophe, so I kept going. A security guard told me to stop but I asserted my constitutional right to free speech and that seemed to calm him. At least I didn’t see him again. 

Although it was not surprising to run into a few Trump supporters in Nevada, it was relatively simple to engage small groups of millennials and alert them to the option Jill presents. And, as always, the ones with student debt were excited to hear there was someone out there trying to rescue them. The biggest, warmest reactions I get are when I apologize to a group of young people for us previous generations having screwed up their lives and futures. They are really hurting but are clearly heartened when they learn of Jill’s vision and leadership.

36 Hours and Counting ...

36 hours from now, at 8:00 Saturday morning, the End Student Debt 7k Marathon heads out of Mariposa, 45 minutes from Yosemite. Destination: Reno, Nevada - 280 miles, a short ride for our first day. We'll spend the night  at a motel just outside the University of Nevada and we'll be wandering around the campus and nearby neighborhoods looking for millennials to bring them the good news.

Eight days later, we'll join Jill and hundreds of supporters at Hofstra U and the first Presidential Debate. Lots to do before then!

California State U - Fresno

CSU - Fresno CA  Who would be so enthusiastic to tell students about the end of student debt that he would go on a 24,000 student campus on Sunday afternoon - on Labor Day Weekend? I'm busted! The good news: although there were no students, parking was free and there was plenty of it! 😀
So I found an off-campus cafe, set up my table tent sign and talked to 10 millennials, most of whom took extra leaflets. Then, a great moment that gave me a strong reminder of my mission. I approached two millennials at a table outside the cafe. They weren't interested in taking my leaflet and for a very good reason. The young man explained with an accent: "We're Germans. We don't have student debts."

11 days before we leave on the Marathon!