Mt Bike Ride #25 Chimney Rock NJ

So i've started to get my sealegs back, after catching a bad cold and finally getting with clipless program and my lungs back in some sort of shape. The parking lot was jammed packed today at Chimney Rock with half leaf watchers and bikers. I went out solo and did a 2hr loop. Bob and the gang were out too but doing repairs and fixing the trails, re-routing some pretty muddy areas and building bridges. It was a little muddy in the lower levels and I think I counted three new bridges on the west side of the pond and road them. They did great work! I did my small shar by the damn where a very large tree fell on the fence, so I ramped it up so I could get over it and moved along. I'm looking forward to a ride at Round Valley next Saturday with the fellas.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee @ SOB's Tuesday

There is an amazing element in people that give them the power to overcome even the worst of odds. Sierra Leone’s Refugee all Stars are a literal grass roots movement that have gotten some attention. Even if it is for a moment. Their music is made for a dire need to communicate their situation in a country dismanteled by war. The are fighting for rights to just exist.

Download Living like a refugee - free mp3 from ANTI
Last year Konomo #1 another African group made it into Emusic's number 1 spot and I hope they get more attention in that space. SLRA are a little less 'experimental' from the few tracks I've heard so far. The over-all sense is one of hope and power to the people thing. Which brings me to my point for today Denizons. Get out and freakin vote! I'm not saying we compare to the situation in Africa but a on larger sense our right are getting chipped away. Lets take back the power of the people with NJ Election day registration. According to the ACLU Six states have higher voter turn-out than all others because they practice Election Day Registration (EDR). I did not know Voter registration protection card(pdf) existed. It's 2006 not 1965! Very scary and we can only wonder what is going on with voter anti-fraud technology.

The NJ senate vote matters so do the right thing

Did you ever wonder if your voice would have any impact on a outcome? The Senate race and campaign smears are in full force and I can't keep-up with all the info, however I just hope that the undecided will do the right thing. The video clips at perfectly wrong are pretty funny, Tom Kean Jr come's off as very weak when his only weapon is denial but lets look at the big picture. Even though there is a very cold Winter supposedly upon us and gas prices are going down magically before our very eyes. The price of gas is linked to George Bush and even so is not seen as a good thing. The oil 'haggle' is on accross the nation and prividers are locking you in to ensure they don't loose their shirts up to November. I see it like this. I buy for 2.50 today, $2.oo up to Nov 7th and then in December everything goes over 3 dollars again till the next election. If I'm lucky my 2.75 cap will proof effective. So who controls the prices of oil? I'm no fool, I'll take whatever "discount" is being given but what is the real price? Democracy?

In Jersey, Robert Menendez has a good chance to win the Senate race. He has strong positions on Iraq, Energy, Education and he has even put the Environment on as one of his bullet points and actually accomplished some good. I saw a picture of Kean cribbing off of Menendez. So, why wouldn't the working class and the suv driving soccer moms see the clear good that can come from an obvious cheater. I think the people are tired of the Bush agenda but are afraid of the tax word being used and Tom Kean Jr exploits the people who it really does not affect most. Lets be honest here, the only thing that would really make people jump out of their seat to vote is if our property taxes actually went down and not up every year! But we need to elect somebody who knows how to make things happen. What are the good old house party boys offering other than the status quo which is run by fear? I also find it hilarious that one of Kean's bullet points is ethics? I'm also baffled by his point of view on immigration:: "

In the wake of 9/11, Tom Kean believes that illegal migration is a significant national security concern."

What so you keep hard working Mexican's out? I don't think any smart terrorist is going to use the front door and going to swim the rio grande. Let maybe focus on better profiling techniques, not random searches and stop with the big wall of barbed wire. What, are we Russia? - Rant over.