Text of Speech:
Two weeks ago my AP Language teacher Ms. St. John gave my class one of the most open-ended essays we have ever been asked to write. The topic, what is wisdom? And what does it mean to my generation. At first I had a hard time getting started. I knew I could write about so many things. After a lot of thought and reflection I wrote it is a misconception that wisdom comes from age and experiences. To me wisdom is not about how many experiences you have, but really just how you interpret the ones you have.
The essay made me think about my generation, I was only an Elementary School student when September 11th happened. I was a Middle School student when the Afghanistan and Iraq wars started. In my time from Elementary School to now, my vocabulary has greatly expanded, I have learned new phrases, like dimpled chad, Taliban, green house gases, water boarding, and yes, even wardrobe malfunction. My generation isnt protesting like they did in the 1960s, and yet when you think about it we share a lot of things in common. We didnt storm the Democratic National Convention, or riot on the campus of Columbia University. But this certainly doesnt mean that my IPod loving, internet surfing generation is lazy. You see we have interpreted our world events that have shaped our youth very differently than any generation before. We see whats wrong in the world and like so many generations before uswe dont like it! The difference is we know we can fit more people on a Facebook group against the war then we could ever fit on the campus of Columbia University.
We more then ever understand the importance of the individual. We know we can change the world by taking advantage of the equipment given to us. We see the need to help our fellow man in the United States and abroad. We know that we are not perfect and we dont try to be, but in my opinion we are one of the most tolerant generations our country has ever seen. We may have never been forced to fight in a war, but we understand what it means to be an American. We live in a country that gives us life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is quite an amazing thing to live in a country where you can speak your mind with out fear of persecution, where you can vote and know your vote will always be countedwellmost of the time.
I now know that I am at crossroads of my generation. The world at this very moment has put us under a magnifying glass. They are waiting to see what decisions we will make come Tuesday. We have a chance to put people we believe in, into office. People like Congressman Hinchey, Mike Hein, Kevin Cahill, and Elliot Auerbach, and I cant see anyone better then the people here today. These men can, and have helped this county tremendously. I have complete faith in all of them, and when I pull down the lever for the first time this November 4th, I will make sure not to just vote for Senator Obama. You see, we need all of them to truly realize the ideas that Obama has preached so eloquently, ideas of change, hope, and prosperity. But simply voting in the presidential race wont help these ideas become a full reality. Obama needs a staff of people to act on his message of change.
I may be barely old enough to vote, but I am certainly wise enough to see what is happening in our country. These last few months have given me the opportunity to see our country in a whole new light. Through my time campaigning for Senator Obama and the rest of the candidates here today, I can truthfully say I have heard the cry for change from thousands of Americans. I have spoken to, and interacted with so many people, and yet, through this I have come to realize how similar we all are. I know I have done my part for this election, now I ask you to do the same! I dont need to speak too much about President Bush, John McCain, or any other local Republicans today. But as I have asked so many undecided voters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, are you better off economically now then you were eight years ago? Do you feel safer now then you did eight years ago? Do you think America is seen in a better light now then it was eight years ago? If you answered no to any of the following questions, or if you even had to think about what your answer was for just a second, then I think we all know who you need to vote for come Tuesday.
I am only 18 years old but I too, have witnessed the last eight years, and if I didnt feel we truly and desperately needed changewellthen I wouldnt be speaking to you today. I have lived and interpreted the events that make up my generation, maybe a little differently then you have. But I know we both have the same ideals, as I leave you for the professionals to speak I want you to remember one thing. As Bob Dylan once said He not busy being born is busy dying. And please never forget, time doesnt change anythingbut we can. Thank you
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Ulster County Executive Mike Hein on Daniel Torresby Torres4NPschools273 views
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