Friday, Feb 29th:

Ok, so I’ve been sick as hell most of this week. It’s some weird combo of the flu, a bad cold, bronchitis which is accompanied by aches, pains, dizzy spells, lack of strength, the chills, a fever, profuse sweating, a cough like a big daddy seal - no not the kissed by a rose guy - and a dry burning feeling in my throat and sinuses.

So while I was back at home today by noon after a valiant attempt at going back to work this morning, I got to indulge in some napping while pushing fluids and channel surfing.

Somehow I ended up on CSPAN and guess who’s running again, this time as an independent… Ralph Nader.

Now, maybe it’s my illness, but I think this is cool. As I previously stated, I’m less than thrilled with the top choices this year. I’ve been kinda back and forth on Nader or third parties in general in the past 8 or 9 years. I bought into the Nader cost Gore Florida thing… In 2004 I didn’t want him to run because like most of you I sold my soul to anything that looked safe enough to beat Bush.

Well guess what. I’ve learned as I’ve grown older that none of this matters anyway. I seriously doubt that on the whole much will be different if a republican or a democrat wins the election next November. Nobody is a strong anti-war candidate… nobody has any bright ideas to turn things around here economically… The list of problems is endless, and sure maybe there will be a little difference between a guy like Obama and a guy like McCain - Or a Women Like Clinton… whatever.

Point is, Nader said something that stood out in my mind. Think of all the positive changes brought to light by third party candidates in the past. Hell, even the two big parties were third parties at one point. A third party long shot doesn’t run to win - cause they know in the current political game they aren’t allowed.

They run to steal votes. They run to bring issues out. They run to start grass roots movements and hopefully make a change. They run to open peoples minds a bit, and maybe someday after years of chipping away at the stone, they end up as a main party, or better yet they actually lay the ground work for change. Like ending slavery, giving women the right to vote, helping poor laborers.

So who knows. Maybe it’s the green lung talking, but if I’m going to throw my vote away in a meaningless election (like a republican will win NY state?) anyway I might as well feel good about writing my name in the snow.

Though like I’m fond of saying, you can only piss into the wind so long before you get your pants all wet.