D.J. Coffman - Sequential Artist, Thinker

I find myself in a pretty ackward situation here. But I want to be transparent with the fans of Hero By Night, who are the people who originally voted for it to win the first Comic Book Challenge and who made us the #1 Super Hero Webcomic online, with more regular returning readers than many mainstream titles by the big two.

A couple weeks ago I had reported here on my blog, that Platinum Studios had brought up to me the idea of getting me the print and web rights to Hero By Night back to allow me to continue Hero By Night on my own. This would not be in lieu of any money they owed me, but just something that could possibly keep HBN alive in some form on my own. Not full rights, Platinum would of course still handle all the tv and film and general “hollywood” stuff that’s their bread and butter. Well, that post ended up igniting some controversy and drama around the comic news sites. Not long after that, I did get a check in the mail for some of what I’m owed in back pay, which was pretty helpful for me to payoff some bills that had gotten backed up here. There were a lot of people who wanted to change the whole news into some creator rights fiasco or a “D.J. Coffman was screwed”  story or headline, of to which I actually went out and defended that this wasn’t the case, it was just a case of really bad timing, and late pay. Nobody was refusing to NOT pay anyone, there was just no real clear communication on when past due pays would be showing up, and it was growing increasingly frustrating as time dragged on and I heard disturbing rumors crop up from other creators.

A long story short, I had emailed the folks at Platinum to inquire if there had been any movement about the rights issue so that I could possibly get moving and publishing at least the webcomic on my own before the audience that we built for 2 years completely dropped off. I pretty much got this form letter sounding reply that included this statement:

…Please be advised that due to the controversy stirred up as a result of your recent blogging and interviews, all discussions between us regarding any potential licensing back to you of limited rights to Hero By Night are on hold.  At this time, we cannot say when those discussions might be resurrected. - Brian Altounian

To summarize, “we were gonna, but you talked, and now we’ve changed our minds.” Fantastic!

Wow. This immediately had struck me as a “You’ve been a bad boy, DJ” type statement, and they had gone back on what they had agreed to. I was pissed the moment I read it, but honestly, it’s within their right to completely change their mind or go back on their word. They don’t HAVE to give me back anything. And, obviously, inside the company they were obviously pretty pissed about me saying anything about pay not coming on time. That lead to Rich Johnston reporting on it at Comic Book Resources, and other creators who are not happy coming forward to thim — I’m not sure if by sending me that statement they thought it would make me be quiet now as a “Well, don’t say anything more and MAYBE we’ll “resurrect” talks with you, but that’s how I read it. I received no follow up emails or communications to my reply to them.

Like I said, they have every right to not deal with me now. But I question if that is the right thing for them to do, ethically at this point? If ethics are out the window in this conversation, then fine, so be it. I think the win-win would have been for them to allow me to continue producing it on my own, toss me that bone. The company wouldn’t be taking a loss on it anymore and content that they still could have represented would have been being made with no new costs coming out of research and development. Even if you were completely pissed off at me and hated my guts for telling the truth, this would have been the smart business decision. I know they have similar deals with other creators (Rob Liefeld, I think) , so this clearly feels to me, in my own opinion as just a slap on the wrist to keep me quiet. Wow, that worked out swimmingly, didn’t it.

And YES. I realize I might be an idiot for even opening my mouth and jeopardizing those talks. If they want to take this other path, I’m not going to be heartbroken about. I’m a smart person and I knew that was a possibility, But like i said before, the readers are very important to me, I had to let them know why issues they were buying, even in the TOP SELLING titles at sites like HeavyInk.com on preorder for weeks, wouldn’t be coming out afterall. And it wasn’t because I didn’t live up to my deadlines or anything in my own contract. I’ve been told by some people that I was actually TOO NICE in my original statement, but I didn’t hold any malicious intent or ill will for Platinum, I wanted to see the company do what was best in this situation where everyone was being told to hold on, and that they understood I needed to do what I needed to do. The plain truth is, I asked several times to several different people there, what should I say? What should I do? How long should I wait? What should I tell the fans? — and I got no clear answers from anyone, and I was left with the tough choice I had to make. It would have come out either way I suppose, but I didn’t feel right with having our readers or sites like HeavyInk preordering our issue 5s that wouldn’t be coming out.– I guess I could have said NOTHING and just went radio silent. Let fans wonder where their books are, or assume it was the reasons that are usually why books are late. But Jason Embury and myself always took great pride in being on time and delivering vibrant, quality and entertaining books.

I guess to the people at Platinum Studios, I’d say it’s not too late to do the right thing here. I know they won’t be happy about me writing this, and probably leaves an unpleasant taste in their mouth, but to them, I say, for all the times you praised me or my work ethic, and told me that you wished all creators worked like me, for all the times I went to bat for the company or people there, for all the times you needed something tomorrow and we had it to you today– make this situation right somehow. Because, at least to me, it feels pretty wrong right now.

I’m the same straight shooter that they hired in 2006, and praised for it. I’m afraid they can’t have it both ways.

I’ve had a lot of private conversations with other creators who have approached me, none of which I’d like to get into in detail yet unless those people want to pipe up themselves. But I can say this… these creators are pretty puzzled that they haven’t been paid, some pretty past due and in worse situations than I am, but then they see all the great press releases about Platinum upcoming movie deals, and the real kicker was hearing that Platinum was firing up a whole new line of comic publishing with Vanguard Animation. Some of these creators have told me privately, they are afraid to speak up, thinking they won’t ever be paid, but I’m not afraid to let both Platinum Studios and the world know that at least 7 of these people think that news about a new comic publishing line was ridicously unethical when you owe a bunch of current creators money. I had no idea the situation had gotten that bad behind the scenes with other creators or a breakdown in clear communication, but it’s really sad.

I always said from the get-go this wasn’t a creator rights issue, but now with talking to other creators, I think it’s sort of become one as I hear the other stories. I kinda feel like I’m not only speaking up for myself, but a lot of those creators who are currently pretty frustrated and pissed off, and possibly future creators out there, to maybe not go blabbing and being as transparent as D.J. Coffman. Or, maybe as others have suggested, this is how things get accomplished, and things change for the better. For creators AND publishers.

Wow… such a surreal week it’s been. A lot of hard work going on behind the scenes to get ready for last night– from meeting with the Flobots on Monday, to doing site design stuff behind the scenes,– I can finally make a couple announcements.

First though, I’d like to say– WOW… I’m so honored to know the Flobots– Jamie, Stephen, Mackenzie, Kenny, Andy, Jesse (didn’t meet Joe) — the thing that strikes a chord with me initially and made me contact them some time ago before I knew they were on the verge of blowing up on the charts and TAKING OVER— these guys and gal CARE about the people, just like I care about my own fans. They care about the world, and they want to do something with their platform. I’m so happy for them right now– I’m so proud of them— and I’m energized with this feeling that somehow– some way, destiny is calling all of us to a higher purpose of some sort.

Here’s a screengrab from them last night on Leno…

Wait… Did you notice his shirt there…

A couple weeks ago, I was honored to be asked to be a part of this new movement, and help lend my TOOLS to the America Will Be campaign. I won’t say much more about it, and let you all discover it as we go, but it will be evolving and changing throughout the summer with new things to look at and ponder on. You can begin to explore it today at AmericaWillBe.org

I’m also working with Flobots.org now– a non-profit organization lead by the Flobots to help bring about real social change in communities around the country, around the world even. They have a group called “Street Team”, but it’s not what you’d think of, like putting up posters or your average band street team– this thing will focus on giving members information and tools to REALLY make a difference… and they’re even planning on having other bands link up with this effort to speak to their audiences. It’s very exciting and i hope everyone who reads here checks it out. FLobots.org

If you want o know what their all about, see the interview with them in Wide-Eyed Magazine which is featured on the site.

NOW– even more exciting than all of that stuff for me is– We’re launching the Flobots Webcomic on MONDAY. It will be housed on Flobots.net — The stories will be, as Jason puts it, “Social commentary is about to COLLIDE full force with the energy and creative power of bomb.”

I have no idea what “creative power of bomb.” means, but that sums up what this project will be to us. We’re going to dive into some real issues, from real people in real life, then there will be a sci-fi twist to all of this. The stories are amazing. We’re working closely with Flobots on this, and have some more exciting plans in the future, but for now, we’re going to launch this thing and see where the community takes it– then we’re taking it to a whole new level.

Stay tuned here to the blog for more info on the Flobots Comic launch— I actually have to go WORK now! I’m excited to be using not only my comic book storytelling muscles again, but also old school graphic design and stuff– Back to the drawing board…

Dont let it kill you baby, dont let it get to you
Dont let em kill you baby, dont let em get to you
I’ll be your breathin heart, I’ll be your cryin fool
Dont let this go to far, dont let it get to you

I can’t remember a time in my life where I was more energized and excited about the future–but completely nervous as all hell at the same time.

First the nervous part— My finances have been, well, to put it bluntly, completely jacked up the past month. My pay didn’t come on time as expected, not sure when it’s going to come although I’m sure it will at some point– but it’s lead me to make some pretty tough decisions personally and professionally here. My production schedule has pretty much been boned here, and it’s out of my hands now.  I can’t sit living off my savings and watching it dwindle down to nothing. My wife is back out now on job interviews, thank god for that stability, although I’d rather her not work and stay home with the kids– but this isn’t the 1950s I guess. People are often shocked when I say my wife hasn’t been working. Checked the mail… the closest thing to money was one of those “pre approved $5500″ loans offers from CitiFinacial. It was the first time I was actually tempted to call and take it…. but I’m smarter than that.

The exciting part though– I feel like I might have found something that was missing from my life, and a way to channel that inner rebelliousness that’s been there all along. I use to do it through satire– but now I think I might have put the pieces together in a way where, by god, it could actually make a DIFFERENCE out in the world. At least once or twice a week I get emails from people saying how my work has inspired them to go on with their own art and comics work, or peruse their dreams— and that feels pretty great– but now I’m thinking of expanding that to life in general. The idea that someone might read a story I’ve done and just not want to give up on life. To know they aren’t alone in their situation and that others have pulled out of it. TO hang in there! — Channeling my inner “Ben Franklin” as well, with some powerful imagery and counter propaganda. Finding these people of a similar mindset seems like a bit like the fickle finger of fate brought us together in some way. —

I’ll be able to show off some new stuff I’ve been working on real soon. Until then though, it’s back to the drawing board and the waiting games. The waiting is the hardest part.

Thought I’d let the cat out of the bag here about “top secret project X” - I’ve had a lot of people asking what it was and what I was up to– and I’m not sure why it was kept a secret in the first place, just that I wanted to make sure it was go– and since we’re ALMOST go, here it is.

Yup. I’m doing a FLOBOTS comic. Readers here know I’ve been yammering on about the Flobots since I first discovered their music back in April… the comic won’t be launching JUST yet, but let me talk a little more about how it came together and what the goal is here, what it’ll be about, etc… this might take a moment as I ramble…

This whole entire year, I’ve felt pretty politically charged up. Back in January, I heard that Speech from Obama in Iowa, and the ones that followed… it gave me JUICE. Hearing lines. I felt like FINALLY someone is coming in and talking about real change– things I’ve thought about in my own head that I wish would be said out loud, this guy was speaking them. “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” — I was so inspired, I drew a little sketch of Obama one morning in January– I laughed to myself and said, some day I’ll meet him and he’ll sign this.– In March, that happened. I’d get to meet Senator Obama only about 20 minutes from my house. He signed the sketch and thanked me for drawing his ears smaller.

After I started openly supporting Obama in my area (southwestern Pennsylvania) I began coming face to face with closeted bigotry and racism– sometimes from people I actually care or cared about. It was sort of a wakeup call to action. That’s when I painted the Obama “vote for change” sign for my yard before the Pennsylvania primaries. - This was right around the time I discovered the Flobots online and downloaded their album, and it chimed right in with how I was feeling. When I was away at New York Comicon, my wife let me know the sign had been stolen and she had been scared that somebody might come back and do more damage to the yard— I was a little scared, but furious. –Instead of sitting down and letting someone get away with that, I painted ANOTHER sign and put it out, because I felt like no matter what, I wasn’t going to allow somebody else to smother my freedom of speech and expression on my own property or anywhere.

That same week I was fired up, I emailed the Flobots because I was thinking a lot about the social messages in their music and how well it was put together– I wanted to know if they’d be down for a webcomic of some kind or graphic novel. I never expected a reply…. but they indeed replied right away.

To my surprise, not only would they be down, but they had actually heard of my work and read Hero By Night before as well. We shared ideas through email about what we could accomplish with a webcomic or something bigger. The idea of somehow involving the community, or inspiring others to activate in their community— I shared my story about the Obama signs with Flobots member, Brer Rabbit– I kinda told him my frustration and how “I would have painted 1000 signs if you know what I mean.” — His response was…

Let’s paint those signs!
This is the time, man.

This lead to some deep phone conversations with Brer Rabbit about comics, politics– It was pretty clear that these guys had a real love and passion for comics too. My goal is to be able to do with my sequential art, what Flobots are doing with their music. Communicating ideas…. activating minds. They forsee a much bigger picture than JUST music, they see it all as art and creativity– Making people think… inspiring people to stand for change. The kind of revolution they propose isn’t one that involves violence or storming the White House, it’s about being creative and sharing stories with one another– fighting with TOOLS– they have their music, my tools will be the comics– but it’s the same ammunition we’ll be firing.

They actually have a great non-profit group being setup, Flobots.org which can be read more about here.

All along, I had no real idea just how BIG Flobots were blowing up, and are currently in the process of blowing up even more. I’m pretty humbled to even be working with them on this project, and the fact that they’re pumped up by what I’ve shown them so far. I want to launch it as soon as possible here, but there are still a few kinks to hammer out– But definitly stay tuned here on my blog, and you’ll know when it happens because I’ll be yelling it from the rooftops. Things are happening pretty rapidly all around.

All I can say is… it’s pretty amazing how this all came together. I’m pretty stoked.

To prime yourself, go checkout Flobots.com - Buy their album (7.99 at Best Buy!) and LISTEN to their lyrics and enjoy.

Forgot to blog this morning, was busy working on stuffage, and I had to get things ready to go make copies– ate lunch with my wife, got a haircut– general “get ready for New York” stuff.

Yeah, New York Comicon is this week Friday, Saturday, Sunday– I’ll be getting in town first thing Thursday morning. I’ve also been invited to a home cooked meal at Jorge Vega’s parents’ home. I’ll have to be on my best behavior.

Oh– forgot to take a picture of the Obama sign I made for out by the road– I just found out my polling place is the museum at the end of my road, so that’s awesome to know too.

That reminds me that it’s night now, I need to go out an haul that in… but I’m glad it’s on on a very busy road.  I have a feeling Pennsylvania might surprise the pundits and be Obama’s New Hamphsire type surprise. The regular smalltown people I’ve spoken to around here say they know Hillary Clinton is a liar and will say anything to get elected. Her trying to come off like a hunter now is hilarious, and it’s doubly hilarious to call Obama “elite”. People laugh it off here. Dan Rooney, they owner of the Steelers, endorsed Barack. He said Pennsylvanians like to root for the underdog– the voters out here who will count don’t take polls.

Yeah, I’m passionate about my politics. Sue me. I want some friggin CHANGE, goddamit!

So the McCain and Clinton camps are criticizing Barack Obama over comments he made about people in small towns in Pennyslvania being bitter and fed up. They said Obama is “out of touch” — but take this from someone who’s grown up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, everything Obama said about small towns in Pennsylvania, and in America for that matter is TRUE. Sometimes the truth can sting a little— but I think in this case, people who are actually FROM SMALL TOWNS here could hear what Obama is saying and know it’s the truth. It’s what THEY say. –

When I was kid in Connellsville, PA, my Dad’s job (Volkswagen) moved to Mexico. And many other factories have followed in it’s path. I have countless friends and their families laid off from different jobs, the plans they had for retirment, washed away to other countries… Anchor Hocking Glass closed and moved away, etc– and it’s no secret this economy is depressed. I had a brief job at the Sony plant, where they have a two week training and they tell you “Don’t even say the word UNION or you’re out of a job.” — The factory jobs that are still here, hire 90% “temp” employees they lay off after 90 days so they don’t have to pay insurance and jump through other loopholes… I’m sure it’s like this in OTHER small town areas. I hope this issue comes up in the debate on Wednesday night and I hope tons of Pennyslvanians are watching when Obama lays the smackdown of TRUTH across Hillary’s smug face. Here’s Obama’s response to the criticism, but bottom line is, he was telling the 1000% truth.

So the wife and I, along with Bob, went to Barack Obama townhall meeting in Greensburg, PA - held at the Hempfield High School gym auditoriom. We waited outside in the cold in a long line of like-minded folks for about an hour or so. Calista and I breezed through security, but Bob beeped and got strip searched! hah! Go figure…

When we got in there were volunteers saying you have to have pink tickets to go to the forward seats and they were pointing everyone up to the rafters… pink tickets, I found out, were delegates. Well I ignored the lady because it didn’t look like she knew what she was talking about, and I asked another fella and he said, you can sit anywhere except the seats that say “reserved” — so we ended up on the left side of cordoned off area, but front row! How about that!? — I knew this was a townhall meeting so he’d be walking and talking and we’d get a great view.– Obama came out and did his stump thing, then opened it up for questions. The most memorable was a dude who asked two questions, one, would we get rid of the penny and why not? And two, would we build island prisons for habitual sex offenders! — Obama kinda laughed and said, WOW, that’s a real range of issues, but he actually went in and gave detailed answers to each one of those! You can tell he just loves to talk about issues– and most of all, he’s giving it to you straight.

I had taken the little sketchcard I drew back on January 4th, see here, thinking it was a longshot to have it signed, or that I’d even get anywhere near to the man, but it was in my pocket with a sharpie just in case. I’m glad it was!

At the end of the talk, he went around the entire ring of front row area, my wife and I were right up there talking to Barack O’Friggin- Bama! — My wife was in front of me, and I had her hold the sketchcard and sharpie– before he comes around the Secret Service officers sweep you and tell you to put pens away, he has his own pen– Barack comes up and says hello to my wife and she holds the sketchcard out and he takes it and says “Wow! This is really nice.” - And she says “Thanks, I didn’t draw it though,” and I pipe up “I drew it.” — and he stops and talks and says “Wow, you’ve got some real talent there. You drew my ears smaller than they actually are. Thank you!” — then we shook hands, I was kinda mesmorized in disbelief as he walked off with my sketchcard… and as he was walking off to the other side he turned and said, Oh, did you want me to sign that and get that back to you? — HELLZ YES! — Well I didn’t say that, but something more like, Definitely! — So I guess the process is, he hands it to a large Secret Service officer, and they have another Service officer holding a stack of books that he signs when he’s done, and they bring it back in for you after he’s exited the building. I imagine they have to search all the books first— so my sketch came back awfully fast.

The whole day is a blur now– my wife is in awe I think… here are some photos…

Well, it was a great time. Something different. I couldn’t help but think…. I’m shaking the president’s hand. That’s sure what it felt like to me.

So we’ve got tickets to go see Barack Obama at Greensburg townhall meeting this afternoon/evening. My oldest son wants to go, but I’m not sure it would be the place for a 10 year old, lots of standing, maybe two hours of standing– but it’s very cool that he is so interested in American history and politics. He’d rather read a newspaper than play a video game I think. Our little professor. In 7 years, he’ll be 18. That scares me a little– I want to world to be at peace– I don’t want him heading off to some other war of the future. I’m afraid that’s what McCain has in mind.

Man, am I grumpy this morning! I’m blaming it on lack of good sleep the past two nights. Last night I was up at 4am with the dog, and the night before 3am– then we wake at 7 anyway, and I feel like a brick. I am just in too grumpy of a mood to post really, afraid I might go off on a tangent on somebody’s ass– but I must remain calm… must…. imbibe … caffeine!

Yesterday I inked 3 pages. Wanted to do 4— I have 6 to go here. If I can keep my eyes from glossing over around 6pm today in need of a nap, I think I’m going to try to muscle through all 6 pages here. If not, it’ll be all done by the end of the weekend. Then I’ll have some formatting to do on Monday and Tuesday — and I THINK we’ll have this new issue in the can! Hot damn!

Jason Embury and myself have such a unique working deal here– it’s exciting to think we can take ANY idea from concept to finished product. It got me thinking a while ago that maybe we should get into this whole “sell concepts to hollywood thing.” — There was a whole article in the NY times dedicated to how our publisher pretty much sold a concept to movies without a book even being made! They have what they call “one sheets” that are pretty much an initial pitch sort of deal. So Jason and I might just start building our own damn “library” of concepts, sell them all off for 5 million dollars, and then retire. HAH!— I laugh, but it could be a real possibility. I know another, uhm, webcomics guy who I believe has optioned two of his comics that not a whole lot of people know about, and now he’s represented by a well known agency out there in LA LA land. — Like most creators I have 1000s of ideas… but I have about 8 of them that I know are GOLD. Hero By Night was one of those, by the way, that I pulled off that back burner.

I think I can remember quite clearly the moment where I matured as a “creator” and realized that not every idea I had was awesome or even good. Or even slightly good. In fact, I remember the moment where I was honest with myself and said– nope, this won’t work, this will never work, this one over here won’t fly— but there are these other ones that you KNOW are something. That’s something you can’t learn in some college course or weekend seminars, or book you read. I think that moment only comes after years and years of creating things, years and years of failing but going on and on. Hitting your head against the wall, and not quitting, like other people who quit because… well, hitting your head against that wall can hurt sometimes.

Ok.. I’ve been biting my tongue on this one, because I know I have a lot of friends who like her and all but… Hillary Clinton is a MONSTER. She is the epidemy  of everything that’s wrong with politics and our election system. She’s not CHANGE. When they said they were using the “kitchen sink” approach to dealing with Barack Obama, they sure meant it. Questioning his religion, when he openly said he was a Christian– and WHO CARES! This is America! Don’t they remember “freedom of religion” — those founding folks had “tolerance” figured out long before us. — then it was the outfit he wore that looked like “muslim” garb. When that didn’t work, it was “Obama’s gonna take you job away with more Nafta!” — and they floated a story Obama’s campaign was talking with Canada– and now it turns out it was the Clinton campaign all along!!!? How convenient for that story to run the day before the Ohio election. — then the “3am” ad… who will be prepared to answer a phone at 3am in the whitehouse?? UGH…. FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR…. The Clintons are running on what Bush ran on– taking a page right out of their book, but putting a Clintonian twist on it. Fear of inexperience.

And Americans seem to be lapping it up. Really– are they that dumb? I keep asking myself this… If I can see through these things, and MANY of the media pundits are clearly spelling it out too– do other people really not see what’s going on here?

And how conveniant is it now that Obama is ahead in delegates, there’s mathematically no way Clinton can catch up now– but they bring up Florida and Michigan, which broke the rules of elections by voting earlier than Feb 5— but now Clinton and her supporters want a “do over” there. — It’s clear to me… this MONSTER will do ANYTHING to win… even when she knows the math is against her. She is a monster. She’s even saying now that her and John McCain are qualified… she’s endorsing John McCain now over Obama? — It’s the type of behavior now that she’s showing, the smugness of… “well, if I’m not going to win, YOU’RE not either.” — she’s probably the type of person who upturns the board game when it’s not going her way. So she cheats… she steals…

If I were Obama– and I know he doesn’t want to play dirty pool, but if I were him, I’d be hitting back. She keeps bringing up things of the past… maybe Obama should bring up some of the skeletons in the Clinton closet? — But I commend him for being above the fray. He seems to be nailing her on why she hasnt released her tax records. She wouldn’t do that before the Ohio and Texas vote… I wonder why. She said she was “too busy” and cackled during that debate…. ARG! EVIL WITCH WOMAN!!! — it’s clear she’s hiding something. Some have eluded that most of her money has been given by “overseas” donors. People with interests…. It’s Haliburton type stuff all over again– this time not on our own soil even. If Ohioians would have known she’s taking money from people who benefited from NAFTA and want her to do MORE things that cost Americans jobs… I bet they would have seen through the foggy smoke that are the Clintons.

And the Republicans!? Oh man, they are LOVING this! I know because I’ve spoken with some who agree with all the crazy radio dudes like Limbaugh— they want Clinton to be the nominee against McCain the WORST way. McCain will clean her clock, and make her “experience” look like amateur hour.  McCain says he’ll wage a civil campaign, but he’ll be BLUNT. He’ll flat out say the things that Obama won’t right now. He’ll say, what exactly is your experience? That you were married to someone? That you kissed Arafat and his wife on a trip? Huh… go figure.  And frankly, I’d vote for McCain before Hillary.

But the Republicans DREAD the thought of going up against Obama. They are trying the FEAR card again, just with his middle name. That’s all they’ve got to fight him. FEAR. Fear of a name!? Obama will clean McCain’s clock in a general election, and in debates. Sure, he doesn’t have near as much experience as McCain… but McCain is not a movement. America needs to WAKE UP here. This could be the shot… this could be the one chance we’ll have for a long long time to come to REALLY change things.

—- I live South of Pittsburgh, and there’s a lot of underlying racism here. I hear the people who say they won’t vote for Barack because he’s black. It makes me sick. Especially coming out of mouths of people I thought were smarter than that. It has me fearing that he will lose Pennsylvania because of this– but even if he does, it doesn’t matter. But still, I’m ashamed of the sentiment when I hear it. It’s not everyone– but there are a GOOD majority of people around here who roll their eyes and think “Yeah, I’m gonna vote for black guy!?” — some come flat out and say it, some make an underhanded remark to test to see if  you’re of a similar mind. It makes you uncomfortable when you’re in that situation… someone you know, saying something like that. I usually just bite my tongue– but I’ve noticed that the last month or so, I’ve been speaking up to it– I give the people who say it a look of disappointment, and then I say “I’m disappointed to hear you say that.” — or I tell them I’m a bit shocked or saddened because I thought they had a broader, smarter mind. I’ll probably lose some friends over it, and possibly some extended family…. but frankly, I don’t mind. If that’s how they feel, I don’t need them around my kids or family.

And then there are the people i run into or hear about who say they’ve never voted. Fine, neither did I until a few years ago. My mother in law is one of those folks. She pretty much says she doesn’t vote because she feels like her vote doesn’t matter, and it’s sort of the “they’re all the same” mentality that affects a lot of non-voters. “Why bother?” — So I speak up when I hear my wife talking with her– It’s good that’s she’s never voted before, so why not come out and vote this time. Pennsylvania NEEDS this. Our country needs this. Step out of those apathetic shadows and cast a vote for someone you believe in. And if not that– if you feel that you still don’t believe in it– perhaps in my mother in laws case, I said– well then cast your vote for my kids. For my 10 year old who is rooting for Obama, but can’t vote yet. And he’s no dummy– that kid is a military expert. — I said in the background– If McCain wins– that could be 8 years of more WAR… My 10 year old will be 18 then…. maybe drafted. And if ANYONE knows that that can happen, it should be my mother in law’s generation. So vote for MY KIDS! Lend your vote to the future voters– please!

And that thought there gets me thinking… maybe I can convince some of these people– turn them around. They may not believe that every vote counts, but it’s true. If you’re living in this country, and you can’t feel a bit of what’s happening right now– you must be paralyzed. Get up and move!

I’ve been pretty inspired by Barrack Obama’s speeches. Whether you’re a little jaded like me, and not sure if you can ever really trust anyone who wears a tie, this feeling of being inspired. Of a hope for change– not just for our measly country here, but FIX THIS WORLD! I want it done so I can smile. I want it done for my kids. Anyways, this is awesome how the speech inspired a musician to make it into a song. http://yeswecansong.com