What happens when you tell your best friends and family that you have decided to scooter across country to capture the thoughts of your fellow voters in the run up to the 2008 presidential election? Furrowed foreheads. At least at first. Followed by the most heartwarming support and encouragement.
My plan is to ride my 250cc scooter from San Jose to Washington DC starting on October 4th, recording voter’s stories, perceptions and preferences along the way. Inspired by a personal revelation that, along with much of the country, I had lost the ability to engage in civil discourse with people who do not share my world view, I decided that I need practice. And what better way to get it than to commit to a 2900 mile solo road trip through as many red states as possible carrying a promise to faithfully record and podcast, without evangelizing for or against, those views.
The seeds for this adventure started after the California Supreme Court had overturned the gay marriage ban while I was attending a friend’s wedding in Michigan. Sitting with family that I love and admire, and with whom I share similar upbringing and education, the conversation turned to this most current event. But the debate was short lived. Early in the discussion, when I asked how gay’s being married diminished their conventional marriage, a family member responded, ”Where do you stop? If men can marry each other, then why don’t we just make it legal for people to marry dogs?”
And there is was. An audible clicking noise in my head. The discussion was over. All the neurons in my brain had disengaged and I was rendered mute. This became the metaphor for many of the discussions that I would observe as the McCain/Obama nomination and election process wore on. Civil discussion among like-minded thinkers juxtaposed against the strained dialog of declarative and often inflammatory statements hurled at people with opposing views.
And so I am off. A personal journey to listen to and understand different perspectives, and maybe, to discover if civil debate is alive and well in our democracy.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Wheee! And the adventure begins!
Be safe or there will be problems on the homefront.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Hey Julie
Go Girl - Off into the wild blue yonder!
May all your question ( internal & external ) be answered.
You will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Be safe & have a ABSOLUTE blast!
Your Scooter Buddy
Rick
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Hey Julie! How’s it going? (and I mean GO-ING) Yup wear your headphones and better yet do a test recording because sometimes things sound fine in your ears but still some gremlin get’s in on recording when you listen back….
October 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hey Juls -
Great start!! Happy you chose 101 instead of 5. Hope the riding is all sunshine and the wind stays at your back.
I am cheering for you here!
love,
Di.
October 5th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hey Juls, my sis,
I am soooo very proud of you! Keep riding under the sun for all of us!
Love, Linda
October 6th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
wow! i must say, i am tremendously astounded by your courage to do this. i admire your sense of adventure. i hope you stay safe on your journey. you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Love the “Where’s Julie Now?” map. We gotta keep you in our sites. Just watch out for young men in red and white striped shirts and glasses named Waldo hiding in the crowds.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Julie,
Hey, maybe a Harley would have been better, not as good on gas though. I wish you luck, and following winds, I guess Michigan is a blue state.
October 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Hey Julie,
My wife and I have been tracking your progress and are appreciative for the opportunity to vicariously hear from Americans across the country through your great interviews and commentary. Good luck in the diners, out in the dust storms and continuing your high wire act.
Ben
October 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Dear Julie,
We believe that you can make to our great Capitol it in time, even with a few days rest! We are cheering you on and praying that this last leg of your fantastic voyage goes as smoothly as can be. Your quest helps others to know that ALL things are possible!!!!
Go, Julie, Go!!!!
YES WE CAN!!
Chris & Wendy Willow Wark