Theodore Roosevelt once said the following:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

I learned that quote working in Iowa for the Dean campaign as a novice in politics, just before our soul crushing loss. It has been engrained in my skull ever since. This is our opportunity to reverse 8 years of impropriety, corruption, aggression, war, greed, and Bush's every man for himself attitude. This is our opportunity for us to make positive changes for our country and the world. This Tuesday is our chance to improve Education, The Environment, Voters Rights, Freedom of Speech, The Court System, Congress, The Senate, Women's Rights, Foreign Policy, Technology, The Military, The Healthcare System, Immigration, Civil Rights, homeland Security, Government Infrastructure, and Iraq. This election can't be a simple 50+1 majority, it has to be a shellacking that makes people understand that fundamental changes have to happen in this country. It needs to an absolute rejection of Bush, McCain and the entire Republican movement.

Even if you've never volunteered before, think about the direction you want this country to go, take the next step and VOLUNTEER . Wether it's one hour or one day. Take a day off if you can. Having no experience is no excuse, as a lot of the volunteers are new to this. Obama's team will train you, it will be ok. You can even do it from your own home.

I'm in a Regional Get Out the Vote office, printing canvas packets all day. I'll be doing it Sunday and Monday too. Then I'm going to a polling place and acting as a poll watcher to make sure no one loses their vote. I won't stop until the polls are closed.

If a lazy bastard like me can do that for 4 days out of my life, you can give an hour. Your family will be there when you get back, they'll have you the other 361 days this year. Cancel whatever you are doing, and help finish this thing once and for all. An hour, a day, 4 days, whatever you can give.

Do it for me, do it for Charlie, do it for your family, do it for yourself. We're on the verge of making history and we can not get complacent. Do what Teddy asks, get out there, and please make a difference.

If you don't, you'll make this sweet innocent baby cry.

Don't be a punk. Go do something more than vote. Then let me know that you did it so I can have even more respect for you than I already have.

Like Teddy says, Know in the end the triumph of high achievement.

Love and hugs,

The Mordecai Hope and Change Factory

BOO! Seriously, you guys. My kid is way cuter than yours. I'm sorry to break it to you. Its clear that no child could be cuter. I'm sorry for your loss.

It's been a while. And I'm determined to blog more about all our trials and tribulations. But the Election is keeping me busy. So in the interim, I offer a bunch of photos of Charlie with all the gifts you sent him. See you on Wednesday after Obama is president.

We moved my office into our bedroom. Look what I found!
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Chillin in the heat of the Bronco game praying for some cloud cover.
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Long time no blog. Thought I might give you a small Charlie fix to tide you over. So Charlie has been voicing his opinions on things lately. Whenever he's not crying or sleeping, he's generally talking. And by talking, I don't mean the cute little adorable baby coos one hears when one plays with a baby.

Charlie delivers guttural demonic smurf battle-cries of war on a regular basis. He's the Louis Armstrong of Babies. He's Krusty the Clown in Baby form. He's... well, you tell me what you think he sounds like?

We moved my office into the bedroom. Apollo has taken to jumping in my lap. Charlie has taken to passing out in a swing next to me. Good times.

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We are.
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Factory of cute
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Is awesome today.
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