voting
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
11
mainattraction
The Setonian talks politics and voting with Death BY MEGHAN ST. JOHN Pirate Life Editor
W
ith Election Day only one month, away we have been swarmed left and right with everything concerning politics. In a society where more people vote for reality TV show contests than presidential nominees, it is crucial to register as many voters to truly make a difference in the upcoming election. That’s why indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie has partnered with several nonpartisan organizations including MySpace, Declare Yourself and Why Tuesday? to promote the Ultimate College Bowl, a dynamic voter registration drive that aims to have every US college student register and vote in the 2008 Election. “Both Obama and McCain are lightning rods,” Death Cab for Cutie guitarist, Chris Walla said. “They’re both really polarizing figures and I think that both campaigns have done a really fantastic job at getting people motivated. (But) the whole goal of the Ultimate College Bowl and ultimately us being involved in it. It’s not necessarily about the candidates this time. It’s about being involved in the process and getting people registered to vote.” The Ultimate College Bowl uses incentives, viral Internet technology and grass root organizing to reach their goal. By log-
ging onto their website, www.ultimatecollegebowl.com, you can register to vote. Currently, over 400 schools nationwide have registered students. The school that registers the most students, as well as the school that registers the highest percentage of its student body will each receive a free concert at their school by Death Cab for Cutie. Also, the top six students who register the most people at their school will receive $10,000 scholarships and the top 15 students who register the most people will receive Guitar Hero II. Self-described “political junkie” Walla said that the band decided to become involved because they felt it was the “perfect fit” for a band that has a love for its country and dormant interest in politics. He also expressed his disappointment with the amount of people who do not vote and wanted to be a part of getting more people involved, especially college students. “In the 2004 elections it was just really disheartening for me to find out that more people were voting in ‘American Idol’ than were voting in the primaries,” Walla said. “If there was ever a good reason to vote, particularly for college students, I think that all that’s happening with all the investment banks right now is a good a reason as any to decide which presidential candidate you feel like is best to sort that mess out and not squander out tax dollars as we move forward.” Aside from the current financial crisis in the United States, Walla believes that the
war in Iraq is the most important aspect of the new election and that its lack of interest and news coverage is “frustrating.” “We still have a hundred and fifty odd thousand of our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “And regardless of how you feel about the war, regardless of whether you’re for it or against it, outside of the military towns and families in our country, those people are largely out of sight, out of mind. And I just feel that’s it’s pretty irresponsible for that to not be getting more and regular and daily coverage in our media.” Although Death Cab for Cutie do not consider themselves a political band, they have become involved in past years political ventures before because they believe it is important, especially for college kids, to become involved in politics. “So many people’s first and second elections happen when they are in college,” Walla said. “It’s the perfect place to sort of get people involved and, hopefully, keep them involved for the rest of their lives.” And that vote, no matter for a small town mayor, a precedent bill or the future president of the United States, is our human right which makes up the whole democracy of the United States. So go out and register, become informed about the election, ask questions about the political candidates and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Meghan St. John can be reached at [email protected].
2004
Cab forCutie “In the
elections it was really
disheartening
voting
for me to find out that more people were
‘American Idol’ than were in
voting in the
primaries.”
lifeonthestreet
Q.
Whatdo you thinkis the mostimportantissue in the 2008 election? “Given the collapse of several major banks, the next president will be expected to ‘take care’ of the crisis...without scrapping capitalism.” Zishan Jiwani, Junior
“As a future healthcare professional, I believe that universal healthcare will reduce competitions and thus reduce quality and that is an issue that should be addressed.” Valery Perez, Grad Student
“The stabalization of the Middle East and security for American interests both home and abroad.” Kyle Chapman, Senior
11
mainattraction
The Setonian talks politics and voting with Death BY MEGHAN ST. JOHN Pirate Life Editor
W
ith Election Day only one month, away we have been swarmed left and right with everything concerning politics. In a society where more people vote for reality TV show contests than presidential nominees, it is crucial to register as many voters to truly make a difference in the upcoming election. That’s why indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie has partnered with several nonpartisan organizations including MySpace, Declare Yourself and Why Tuesday? to promote the Ultimate College Bowl, a dynamic voter registration drive that aims to have every US college student register and vote in the 2008 Election. “Both Obama and McCain are lightning rods,” Death Cab for Cutie guitarist, Chris Walla said. “They’re both really polarizing figures and I think that both campaigns have done a really fantastic job at getting people motivated. (But) the whole goal of the Ultimate College Bowl and ultimately us being involved in it. It’s not necessarily about the candidates this time. It’s about being involved in the process and getting people registered to vote.” The Ultimate College Bowl uses incentives, viral Internet technology and grass root organizing to reach their goal. By log-
ging onto their website, www.ultimatecollegebowl.com, you can register to vote. Currently, over 400 schools nationwide have registered students. The school that registers the most students, as well as the school that registers the highest percentage of its student body will each receive a free concert at their school by Death Cab for Cutie. Also, the top six students who register the most people at their school will receive $10,000 scholarships and the top 15 students who register the most people will receive Guitar Hero II. Self-described “political junkie” Walla said that the band decided to become involved because they felt it was the “perfect fit” for a band that has a love for its country and dormant interest in politics. He also expressed his disappointment with the amount of people who do not vote and wanted to be a part of getting more people involved, especially college students. “In the 2004 elections it was just really disheartening for me to find out that more people were voting in ‘American Idol’ than were voting in the primaries,” Walla said. “If there was ever a good reason to vote, particularly for college students, I think that all that’s happening with all the investment banks right now is a good a reason as any to decide which presidential candidate you feel like is best to sort that mess out and not squander out tax dollars as we move forward.” Aside from the current financial crisis in the United States, Walla believes that the
war in Iraq is the most important aspect of the new election and that its lack of interest and news coverage is “frustrating.” “We still have a hundred and fifty odd thousand of our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “And regardless of how you feel about the war, regardless of whether you’re for it or against it, outside of the military towns and families in our country, those people are largely out of sight, out of mind. And I just feel that’s it’s pretty irresponsible for that to not be getting more and regular and daily coverage in our media.” Although Death Cab for Cutie do not consider themselves a political band, they have become involved in past years political ventures before because they believe it is important, especially for college kids, to become involved in politics. “So many people’s first and second elections happen when they are in college,” Walla said. “It’s the perfect place to sort of get people involved and, hopefully, keep them involved for the rest of their lives.” And that vote, no matter for a small town mayor, a precedent bill or the future president of the United States, is our human right which makes up the whole democracy of the United States. So go out and register, become informed about the election, ask questions about the political candidates and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Meghan St. John can be reached at [email protected].
2004
Cab forCutie “In the
elections it was really
disheartening
voting
for me to find out that more people were
‘American Idol’ than were in
voting in the
primaries.”
lifeonthestreet
Q.
Whatdo you thinkis the mostimportantissue in the 2008 election? “Given the collapse of several major banks, the next president will be expected to ‘take care’ of the crisis...without scrapping capitalism.” Zishan Jiwani, Junior
“As a future healthcare professional, I believe that universal healthcare will reduce competitions and thus reduce quality and that is an issue that should be addressed.” Valery Perez, Grad Student
“The stabalization of the Middle East and security for American interests both home and abroad.” Kyle Chapman, Senior
