Throwing Rocks

When living in Boston, I heard people say, "You can't throw a rock here without hitting a church." In Tampa, you definitely can't throw a rock without hitting a redneck in a pickup truck who's listening to Toby Keith. I haven't been in The Springs long, but I'm guessing you can't throw a rock here without hitting a fundamentalist pro-lifer who's talking about gay men on the way to church.

That's why I was thrilled to get out of the house last night and meet some liberals. And progressives. And independents. I even met one progressive, independent Republican! Drinking Liberally Colorado Springs is a fun group. You can't beat an education like this - learning which elected officials are corrupt, which ones are on our side, and which ones are against more books in the public library.

Several local candidates talked about their campaigns. Karen Teja is running for State House District 14 and will be holding a community meeting Thursday, July 27th at 7pm at the Rockrimmon Branch Public Library. Allison Hunter is a candidate for Colorado House District 15 and talked about her ideas supporting a healthier community. Keely Marrs is a moderate voice looking toward Colorado Senate District 9 and needs volunteers to go out walking with her. The grassroots support for these candidates is impressive and what progressives are all about.

I also met John Morris, Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party. He encouraged us all to get behind some real alternatives to the same old crap Republicans throw our way each year. They need money and support to beat neocons in November - so get on it. John said when voters elect people who believe government is bad, we get bad government. Colorado can turn that around, both locally and statewide, and the rest of the country isn't far behind. If the people I met last night are any indication, this community will make a hell of a home.