We are at a crucial crossroad in the history of this nation-And we either hang together by combating these forces that divide and degrade us or we hang separately. DO WE HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE, HUMOR, IMAGINATION, COURAGE, TOLERANCE, LOVE, RESPECT & WILL TO MEET THE CHALLENGE?

Time will tell. None of us alone can save the nation or world. BUT each of us can make a positive difference if we commit ourselves to do do.”

-Cornel West (Conclusion) Race Matters

It is always crazy to me how we, as people, enslave each other, slander each other, and fight viciously with a self hatred and insecurity that has failed to allow us to achieve much of anything TOGETHER. Maybe Ryan should have BOOKEDforObama. and we could read as a community the ways in which such discourse as this supports an ignorance and compliance to colonizing our minds that only shames us as a collective. His message is REAL. But since language and understanding are relative, and some here cant seem to “relate” you classify as “UN”-real and therefore his Biking is Irrelevant to you.

Either way…I hope we can stop addressing so many technicalities and build something strong and meaningful.

However, the reasons why Donald Johnson has been unable to shake his obvious infatuation with Ryan Bowen despite several years of infrequent interaction with his idol, remain a mystery.

Given Johnson’s stated success as a fellow, I recommend he conduct a series of innovative, cutting edge research projects concerning the aerobic benefits and consequences of biking across in a short amount of time. Perhaps the data will bear acceptable conclusions for Johnson’s burning query regarding the “extraordinary” element of Ryan’s trek.

As for his unhealthy attachment and need to track and comment on every nuance of Bowen’s life, I encourage Johnson to take advantage of the undoubtedly impressive facilities and colleagues he’s afforded access to. Perhaps after some difficult therapeutic work, Johnson’s infatuation will be exorcised and he will be able to pursue his eventually successful career without such an unfortunate impediment.

Godspeed to both Ryan and Donald in their inspirational quests.

As far as donations go in a time of recession, it’s a choice for individual people to support an endeavor they believe in. This ride hopes to inspire people through footage and through the metaphor of his undertaking the journey on a whim guided by a movement he is passionate about. Why does one have to grow to be an elder statesmen to consider themselves legitimate? Why can’t a young educated man be considered a legit personification of a rallying point? Why can’t anyone be a community organizer as the cause suits them? How isn’t a bike as viable of a symbol of being environmentally sound as a hybrid vehicle? How can’t exhibiting the symbol of struggle and dedication by deciding to take on a cycling journey to inspire be taken seriously. Real talk, knowing Ryan is backing up an idea with 50 days of riding let’s me know, “Okay, well I take it he’s rather serious about something here”.

Why does a community organizer have to harbor and wave that title around as some sort of badge to a voice?(Even though I believe Ryan has legitimized himself as having the ability to be a voice for a diverse group of people as student body president of Occidental College as well as his foreign studies) Why can’t a community organizer be anyone who cause to say or do something they believe in without asking or expecting anything but for anyone that believes in what he’s doing to support in any way possible. That’s not just monetary, but also time and energy that people willingly volunteer. That’s pretty powerful in what before recently has been a pretty apathetic time for America especially considering the expected post election hangover of where to go with these ideas after the election is done. Politically, the youth are going to have be just as active in advocating AND criticizing in this new administration as well the following to hopefully capitalize on this renewed interest and possible faith in politics. If this project only engages with even just those that actively support it, it’s a success. With last year’s articles like Thomas Friedman’s regarding Generation Q(The Silent Generation), the present youth remaining mired simply in facebook groups and myspace groups, I’m glad that there stand examples to the contrary of someone going out and doing something they believe in and taking a risk. A community organizer to me is someone who organizes a community around a goal, however short term and however apparently small that goal may seem, it’s the practical application of people uniting together to accomplish anything that is the best teacher in these times where it require this type of resourcefulness, and Ryan is achieving this. I’m sitting here at 4:30 in the morning in Middlebury Vermont working on a soon due senior essay, and I’m inspired to take a few minutes write this comment to express my views and support. This type of idea of taking a few minutes out to help that is a notion that can be very helpful to help right this country considering how the stereotypical self absorbed American mentality is attributed to as I’m finding out from my international friends here at school. Admittedly, I have to agree that they are right more often than not. Ryan building something, anything, causing to take a few minutes out for anything is remarkable. That’s the mark of a leader, that’s the mark of a organizer, and good practice through a good project that isn’t requiring support of anyone who doesn’t want to volunteer, is something I believe is worth advocating for. However that’s me, and I am one small slice of the population, and there are many problems to address. We don’t need one Obama, we need thousands, and frankly I’m tired of waiting for the perfect storm, the perfect projects, and the perfect angel investors or sponsors, I’m donating my time and money to help support archived history from a documenter I trust, but also to support the practical and applicable training for a leader I believe in.

The answer to that question (as stated several times throughout this website) : “President Elect Barack Obama’s message of HOPE and PROGRESS has inspired one American to take on a monumental task of Biking across the country to further Inspire the entire nation to be the CHANGE they have desperately sought after.”

How dare the media give a bit of attention to a young man who’s trying to inspire others!

As for me having nothing to do, I actually do have plenty of things to do. It is interesting when no one likes to hear the truth. They sting back but wish to be heard when others silence them. I find it nonsense. Mr. Bowen put himself out there, he is just going to have to handle the criticism.

Oh yeah, what is extraodinary about someone riding a bike across the US to the rest of the country. Is it saving lives? Do the big three automakers care about someone riding across the country? I would like to know. When a man lands on the moon, I can see the significance to a man landing on the moon. Was that trip for all humanity to witness or a demonstration to gain media attention? I feel like this is personal gain.

Now, do I have the right to say this on this blog? Yes. Do you have the right to make your comments? Yes. That is why we have blogs.

Oh yes, and ubrayj02. When I was writing earlier, I was doing something useful with my life, I am IRTA fellow at a goverment medical research facility. And, I may have done more towards climate change than you think. Maybe, you should check yourself before assuming…

Oh yeah, this is the internet.

Donald Johnson, go do something with yourself. Leave this guy alone. On a day when America’s biggest automakers are trying to extort/beg billions from the congress, you have the temerity to criticize this young man’s hope to do something extraordinary on a bicycle (while asking for a little bit of support from the general public)?

Please, go do something useful with yourself.

Peace