A Letter to Brave Yet Foolish Men

This poem sums up my feelings about the 2008 Presidential Election and our current Commander-in-Chief, GWB.

I'll miss you buddy.

A Letter to Brave Yet Foolish Men
By Courtney Martin


Senators, you are brave men this is true.
I do wonder if you know what you’re
getting yourselves into.

I write to you from an uncomfortable place.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue no longer
puts a smile on my face.

I came from Texas, born and bred,
not knowing how many men’s egos
needed to be fed.

I truly thought I knew what I was doin’,
but no one realizes Dick’s the person
you all should be booin’.

If I could give either of you any advice
I would say give up now, ‘cause
the press is never nice.

John you’re an old friend, dear to me
I beg of you please don’t use
any of my “strategery!”

Mister Obama, listen to me please!
This country needs more oil,
who cares about the trees!

But Barack your policies are so grave!
Asking the middle class to fund your
programs? How brave..

Times, they are so tough, I know it’s hard.
But quit that protestin’! Won’t you
get outta my yard!

I wanna warn you, either of you
If you sit in this chair it won’t matter
what you want to do.

I admit I’m not real sharp, like a fox..
but, uh, at least I didn’t suggest
using a lock box.

I got us into some trouble, a time or two
but everyone was asking me, “George
what will ya do?”

It’s hard being President, take my word.
Unless you’re a Clinton they make
you feel so absurd.

They’ll tell you your plans aren’t good
I’ve never received criticism that
couldn’t be withstood.

Don’t worry about those never statisfied by you
They’ll crucify you on the TV but if you’re lucky
Will Farrell will “do” you too.

If you mess up big enough history will forgive me.
I pray you have more control in the White House
unlike my many follies.

With one final warning I bid you Adieu
Don’t take this job! It only
messes with you.

I’ll say good luck in your quest.
Get this election over with.
LET ME REST!

The LeadAmerica Way

Well folks it's been some time since my last blog post. But much has happened since then.

On July 5th I embarked on a journey to Washington, DC to work for a company called LeadAmerica. It was some of the best 3 weeks of my life and also one of the most arduous. It was hard, it was very stressful at times, but most of all it was an enriching experience.

When I arrived things already started to roll downhill. Things did not go to plan, essential items were late, students arrived early, it was chaos for the first 3 days. I will spare the details for those of you I will see in person, but suffice it to say I nearly lost it after the third day. I thought it was too much to handle and too much to do.

But then things started to go right. The students loved the program, the staff was getting into a groove, and most of all I felt like I knew what I was doing. It's easy to blame our bosses for went wrong but that's too easy. A lot of what went wrong was out of their control really. It was just a combination of various different problems all coming together at one time.

For my first "real" job I can say it was quite rewarding. I made friends that I'm sure will last a long time, and I felt like I really contributed to the world. As cheesy as that sounds - hell as cheesy as LeadAmerica sounds - it's true. I don't think that there could have been any other job where I would feel like the way I did at the end of my three weeks. The students are what make it worth it, though. If it wasn't for the good kids I don't think any of the staff would have been able to wake up every morning and do their jobs.

I wanted to attend a LeadAmerica conference when I was in High School. I couldn't because it was just too expensive. When I saw that they were hiring, I jumped on and applied. Thankfully I was accepted and now I want to go back and work for them again!

There is so much of the company and it's ways that is just cheesy, but it works. Somehow in the end, it works and the students leave feeling like it was worth it. Even from the staff end of things, I can see that it works. These programs do what they are designed to do. I'd recommend this leadership program to any student who wants an enriching, fun-filled, and insightful experience.

After my three weeks in DC I have returned back to New York satisfied with myself and looking forward to going back to DC and reunite with everyone from CUA.

August 22nd can't come fast enough!

I'm in the News!

Happy Birthday America!

Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, a group of dedicated citizens decided it would be prudent to declare that the 13 English colonies in North America were now independent from the King. And so on July 4th, 1776 the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence.

It was firm, it was strong, it was resolved. The United States of America was born. In its over two century history she has seen the hardships of war and the glory of victory. We have all seen America at her best and her worst. We have stood by her in her times of need and along side her as he flew her flag proudly.

We have so much to be thankful for today. We are so fortunate to be Americans, we are the envy of so many not because we are the richest most powerful nation in the world, but because we allow the free exchange of ideas, the freedom to believe in whatever you want, and because we are a nation of opportunity.

So fly your flag proudly, fly it high, fly it respectively. Because today we are not Republicans or Democrats, we are all Americans and we pledge alligence to the United States of America.

And so it is my pleasure to declare today, July 4th, a national day of celebration on the occasion of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America from Great Britain in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight, in the two hundred and thirty second year of independence.

Signed,
Chris Pierno

Keeping the Dream alive