Dan aka "the Delinquent"

This is another member profile featuring our previous treasurer Dan. So Dan, I hear you've been a member of the GCYD for as long as it's existed. How do you think it has changed over the years and where do you think it is going?

Well first off, you can't prove I stole that money. GCYD has changed a lot over the years that I have been with them. We have expanded considerable over the years and have done many events that i didn't think we could ever pull off. We are continuing to grow and I believe that we will have a bright future with our continued campaigning to increase youth turnout in Genesee County.

So what is your educational background and what are your goals?

I have Associates in Accounting from Baker College of Flint. My goals are two fold. I hope to be a Marine and i would also like to be a police officer later in my life.

So where are you politically speaking? I know you have been conservative on some issues and liberal on others. Tell us where you stand.

Wow, you pulled that question did you? Well, to tell the truth, I'm not a Democrat. I am also not a Republican, though you all seem to love calling me that. I guess, if i had to label myself, I would call myself an independent. I believe in some parts of both platforms but I can't identify with either one completely.

OK, what is the future of Flint?

HA, a burning post apocalyptic wasteland? Well, only as long as Williamson is still in office. I know we can do better. Flint can live again, but not until we have someone that can actually do the job in office. Williamson can't even get the grass cut in our public parks.

what do you like to do with your spare time?

I read, do some gaming, clean my gun collection, drive aggressively, drink, sharpen my five dozen knives, swords, and unique weapons, and smoke. lots and lots of smoking. I can't start my day without a drag of nicotine and shot of J.D.

OK. Different strokes for different folks. I hear you are going into the Marines. Why did you join and what do you think about the war in Iraq?

I've always wanted to be in the Marines. They are the best of the best and that is what I hope to one day become. I am not a Marine yet, but I will be someday. Nothing will stop me. As for the war in Iraq, I can only say that I will be there to follow orders. I will do as I must and as I am told by my superior officers. I have no further comment on that subject.

Alrighty, one more question. I hear you've had some bad luck recently at speedway gas station where you used work. Care to discuss what you think about corporate America and your previous employer?

Ah, speedway. I'd burn the place to the ground if it wasn't a crime. Don't get me wrong, I hold no ill will towards my fellow co-workers or my store manager. It is the district manager and all those above her that I dislike. They obviously disliked me too or they would not have fired me under the false pretense of insubordination. They also tried to show a history of insubordination by writing me up for not forcing customers to buy bags of M&M's every time they came into the store. I'm sorry for the fact that I hate going into a store and having someone try to sell me something that i don't need every time I am there. I respected the customers enough to not do this to them every time they came to my register. I was only one month and five days away from being vested with the company which would have given me a bonus of over $1000. Interesting that she decided to cut me loose just before i would have gotten more money out of them, don't you think? The only one that could fire me was the district manager or higher in the company. I believe she fired me out of her own dislike of me rather than a real reason like theft. But I guess I should thank her at the same time. After five years of being abused by this company, I finally got the kick in the butt i needed to move on and join something that i can be proud of. The Marine core will be my new home and i welcome it with open arms. As for corporate America, well, nothing will change as our economy slides further and further into chaos. They have their profits and they will continue to force their goods on everyone even when we don't need what they are selling. What can you do to stop it though?

Well, there you have it. Thank you Dan and good luck in the Marine Corp. We know you will do an excellent job for our country.

Young Democrats Raise Money for Medical Relief in Honduras

On Sunday, June 17th, the GCYD helped to earn over $4000 to provide people in Honduras with medical relief. We worked catering and concession stands at NASCAR's Nextel 500 at the Michigan International Speedway (MIS). It was the largest event in the state of Michigan with over 250,000 spectators. All the proceeds from MIS went to the U of M and Albion College Honduras Relief Team, which will be flying down to Honduras to provide medication for people who have to wait a year to receive care from illnesses ranging from broken bones to dangerous, infectious diseases. We are proud to have contributed and hope their trip can save and rebuild the lives of those who have so little.

I would like to personally thank those who came out to support a good cause. Our volunteers had to be at MIS at 6am on Father's Day. They put in 12 hours of hard work on an extremely hot day. They lifted very large heat boxes and racks of cold items before they even made it to
the concession stands where they were trained to pander to 250,000 NASCAR fans in a hurry to get back to the race. So thanks once again for a great event and now it's time to turn our attention back to Flint. Thanks.

-Keith Flynn

Democratic Senate Takes Action on Gas Prices

The Democratic led U.S. Senate is hoping to pass an energy bill that raises fuel efficiency standards for auto manufacturers in the hope of offering Americans relief at the pump. Also, the bill would increase ethanol production by five times the amount it is currently at. With prices at about $3 a gallon across the country, many Americans are having to work a day's work just to pay for gas to get to work the next day. This is a start, but I wish there was something they could do now. And what about oil prices in general? When are we going to stand up against Big Oil or research alternative fuels?

-Keith

Ben Shell

Welcome to another member profile. Today we are introducing Ben Shell.

So Ben, where do you come from?

Flint, Michigan

Ok, so what's your major?
Biology but let's see.

If you could be any politician, which one would you be?
Well, I don't like any of them, but I'd be....wow I don't know. Maybe Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt. Really though, if you think about it, would you actually rather be any of those Presidents? If anything I'd like to be President Shell, because we can always change the future, what good is imagining yourself as someone else when your strengths could be used today?
Which President/s do you like most?
Well, I think Lincoln goes without saying. Roosevelt because he brought economic maturity to American capitalism by regulating trusts (fed the fires of American Industry). Also, JFK because he led the country at a very difficult time in our history, helped avoid the world's annihilation via nuclear weapons which allowed all of us to exist today. I also like President Clinton. I know a few people that have met him personally and he was just a really good President. That's a whole two sentences more than I can say about Dubya.

What do you do for fun?
I listen and play music. I read tons and play Star Wars Battle Front. But mainly music.

What do you play?
I play bass guitar, trumpet, piano, and I just learned violin.

Have you played with any bands?
Ever since I was 15, countless bands.

Whose favorite Star Wars character?
Not Jar Jar Binks. Between Boba Fett and Darth Maul. No one beats the Fett man -Peter Griffin

What do you think of the Mayoral race?
It's pretty important. It could be a turning point for Flint. Either it will be the same or it will change for the better. It will effect the entire country. But guess what? No one in Flint even knows what a Rhode's Scholar is so it wouldn't surprise me if he loses *wink*wink
p.s. he lost.

What is the most important issue to you in politics today?
Education and health care reform. While it's a cliche to say knowledge is power, I think that the higher echelons of society are trying to keep the lower class from gaining power. Like medieval ages the powerful want to suppress everyone else to retain power. They only want people like them running things. This is one of the problems occuring all over the world and will most likely help lead to our collapse as a species.

Final question, what is the future of Flint?
The future of Flint is whatever Flint makes for itself. Pretty much, the entire country laughs and scoffs at Flint, but as for the future, one day it'll either become a center of education, ideally with employment for all or a ghost town.

Hope for 'Chevy in the Hole'

In today’s Flint Journal, there was an article regarding the possible cleanup of “Chevy in the Hole” which is by Atwood Stadium near downtown Flint. For those who don’t know, this is the site of a large Chevy factory in Flint, which was demolished and cost many people their jobs. U of M grads have designed a park for the site that could move the neighborhood forward as well as the city. All I know is that I am glad to see that someone is doing something to replace the disappointment left after GM decided to leave a vacant lot. Good luck to those in charge of the project!

-Keith

Russia, US relations

I've been seeing more and more stories lately about the state of America and the West's detriorating relations with Russia. This is just the latest example. From Iran's nuclear disarmenent to the assasination of critics who happen to be British citizens, and using energy supply to blackmail small countries, Russia is become more and more aggresive. The question I have is if this is a prelude to a new arms race or cold war between powers? Hopefully the globalization of the world economy will make such a thing unlikely but it is difficult to figure out what Russia hopes to accomplish.

-John