AvaLowery's blog

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Check out my interview on Radio Nation with Laura Flanders tomorrow at 1pm(est) on Air America radio or at http://www.airamerica.com/

The interview aired today as well, but I didn't have the net working today in time to post about it. You can still check the show out tomorrow though or check out the podcasts here: http://airamerica.com/ondemand/show/6626

My computer was murdered a few nights ago by lightning. Not only did the lightning take out my computer, but also two tv's and a cable box. We're hoping that it was only the power part of the computer that is messed up - my tech guy(aka my bro) came to look at it and said that the power supply needs to be replaced and it should work after that. It will be a few days before I get the new power supply, so I may be scarce until then.

Can't believe my computer was hit. We are always so careful about unplugging things during storms, AND I have a surge protector. This lightning storm just came up all of the sudden and struck. This really sucks, but I'll be back soon!

The two major parties have decided their candidates. Which candidate are you supporting? Barack Obama will be running on the Democratic ticket - who do you think or hope will be his running mate? As the Republican nominee who will McCain choose to run with, especially with the problems many Americans have with the Republican party right now? I'm not too familiar with the third party candidates running or who their running mates are or will be. Anyone supporting a third party candidate over Obama or McCain?

I'm an Obama supporter and have been one ever since John Edwards dropped out the race. I would love to see another ticket with John Edwards, but he has made it clear that he won't be running for Vice President again. I think an Obama/Clinton ticket would be nice, though i know that a lot of Obama's supporters during the primary season will disagree with me on that.

I'm not sure who McCain may pick for his running mate. The Republican party has a big image problem right now due to the Bush Administration. Considering how many Republican politicians have completely supported the administration on all things, I'm not sure how they'll try to change that image.

Though I have been an Obama supporter since Edwards dropped out of the race, I have admired and respected Senator Clinton for the progress she has made for all women in this country. Her speech today was inspiring, encouraging, and hopeful. There will be a day when a woman is President of the United States and that day will be soon. Hillary Clinton's speech today gave me hope for our future. I am inspired both as a young woman and feminist, and as an American citizen.

Thank you so much. Thank you all.

To all those women in their 80s and their 90s born before women could vote who cast their votes for our campaign. I’ve told you before about Florence Steen of South Dakota, who was 88 years old, and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside. Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot. She passed away soon after, and under state law, her ballot didn’t count. But her daughter later told a reporter, “My dad’s an ornery old cowboy, and he didn’t like it when he heard mom’s vote wouldn’t be counted. I don’t think he had voted in 20 years. But he voted in place of my mom.”

You can watch his speech from St. Paul, Minnesota live here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/june3rd/

Of course we all knew this would happen looking at the numbers, but tonight Obama received enough delegates to officially seal the nomination and become the Democratic Nominee for President.

Barack Obama secured enough delegates tonight to seal the Democratic nomination according to estimates from all major media networds. Tonight is a historic night with Obama making history as the first African-American to win the nomination of a major-party.

WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton has told congressional colleagues she would be open to becoming Barack Obama's vice presidential nominee, saying she would consider it if it would help Democrats win the White House.

Clinton, a New York senator, made the comment on a conference call with other New York lawmakers Tuesday, according a participant on the call.

The senator's remarks came in response to a question from Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez who said she believed the best way for Obama to win over key voting blocs, including Hispanics, would be for him to choose Clinton as his running mate.

"I am open to it," Clinton replied, if it would help the party's prospects in November.

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24953561/

Well, it is pretty simple really. The dreaded SAT.

I test next week and as a result have been spending less time online and more time studying. I've also been having some computer problems on top of that and summer vacation is here, so i've been taking some time out of the "virtual world" to hang with friends in the real world.

Don't worry, things will be back to normal soon, and hopefully I will have a good SAT score to report back with.

Hang tough everyone... and remember that politically active youth kick ass!

Also a quick little promo:

Pick up the summer issue of YES! Magazine and turn to page 10 for a brief article on me and my other website PeaceTakesCourage.com. I was named of the magazine's "People We Love" in the Summer 2008 issue, and considering the company I'm in I'm really honored! You can check out the list here: http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp?ID=249 (at the bottom of the page)

The article isn't online yet, but you can check out a little bit here:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/lowery

I just got this email from Brave New Nation.. the documentary series I took part in. I'm really honored and excited to be in such an awesome series with so many inspiring people! Check it out below:

Dear Fellow Progressives,

Who are your heroes?

Van Jones on green jobs? Pete Seeger’s 70 years of activism? 17-year old Ava Lowery who has been protesting the Iraq war since the age of 14? Brave New Foundation and The Nation magazine have teamed together to produce This Brave Nation, a documentary series in 5 parts that celebrates these remarkable progressives and inspires a new generation. Now, we want you to nominate your heroes.

This Brave Nation is what happens when the oldest magazine in America teams up with the country's most revolutionary media pioneer. You will see Tom Hayden, Dolores Huerta, Carl Pope, Bonnie Raitt, and Pete Seeger in one-on-one conversations with rising stars like Majora Carter, Van Jones, Naomi Klein, Ava Lowery, and Anthony Romero. Check out the first episode on June 1st at http://www.bravenation.com and then be sure to tune in each Sunday through mid-July to see the other episodes in the series.

Further proof that politically active young people kick ass!

Via: ThinkProgress

Today Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) stopped at his alma mater, Episcopal High School in Virginia, to lecture on the importance of teaching and the honor code. McCain's toughest question came from student Katelyn Halldorson, who called the senator out for the political motivations of his appearance:

"I think judging by the amount of press representatives here and also by the integration of your previous political endorsements in your earlier personal narrative, we can see that this isn't completely absent – er political motivation isn't completely absent," she said. "Yet we were told that this isn't a political event. So what exactly is your purpose in being here – not that I don't appreciate the opportunity, but I'd just like some clarification."

"I knew I should have cut this thing off. This meeting is over," McCain joked, before launching into a long description of his biography tour...

McCain concluded the visit by saying, "I hope that attendance here was not compulsory... I apologize if you were unwillingly in attendance here."

According to one EHS staff member, attendance was required.

McCain doesn't seem to know how to handle his youngest critics. Earlier in the campaign, a student chastised him for his refusal to support gay marriage.