Brewing over the bandwagons

Hating President Bush is like drinking Starbucks. It's getting too trendy.

As a college student, I strive to be an independent thinker. As a common person, my goal is to be different than the other common guy. As an indie-hipster-wannabe, I shun the idea of jumping on bandwagons.

So I've decided it is time to take a leap away from all things mainstream. That means leaping away from the come-hither addiction of corporation coffee and of Bush-bashing.

Why would a former cheerleader shun the tactics of rallying the team against the enemy? Because the skirt obviously doesn't fit anymore. And, more importantly, I was sent a sign.

(Actually, it was a runner in a sweaty blue T-shirt that read: Race Against Bush. But it was sort of like a sign.)

In a waft of sweat, he blazed past me. I had been walking on the wrong side of the path at Green Lake, obliviously drinking my dark roast Starbucks.

But even I couldn't help but notice the parade of blue-shirt racers who followed their leader. I wondered if they had gone to the T-shirt shop and had those specially made. I wondered if the blue-shirt runners were a part of Oprah's book club, too.

The runners, as it turns out, are a part of Race Against Bush, a grassroots organization that voices its dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration through running.

It costs $25 to become a Race Against Bush member -- and that includes the groupie shirt. The dues are donated to help Democratic campaigns in swing states and get-the-vote-out efforts.

On the Web site, the group features testimonials from runners. One runner, "Abigail," wrote this: "Either he loses and I've done my part to rid the country of the worst president in its history, or the idiots vote for him and he wins and I'll be in shape to run my ass right across the border."

OK, now it's time for me to throw down my liberal pompoms.

Did you know that, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was considered to be both spineless and incapable by both his supporters and his opposition? He was skinny and unattractive to boot. Today he is one of the most revered presidents of our nation. Don't get me wrong, Bush deserves a memorial like Shamu needs more whale blubber. But in time, we might have a new take on a too-close situation.

The only way Bush will win is if "idiots vote for him"? An idiot is someone with sub-par intelligence. I would say those who can't think for themselves and follow the groupthink fits that bill -- whether they be Bush-supporters or Bush-haters.

I've heard many put the term "idiot" to Bush's name. Whether we agree with his policies or not, we should have the decency to acknowledge his credentials. Check his education against yours: He went to Yale and Harvard -- two selective schools that aren't in the habit of enrolling or returning idiots.

And as far as running our asses across the border in the event that Bush is re-elected, nice try. If I became a citizen of Mexico, it wouldn't be long before I found I take a lot for granted.

OK, it's not like I plan on voting for Bush in the next election. I guess I'm just restless. I guess I want to put the declaration of an independent back into America.

See, the last cup of Starbucks coffee made me sick. I threw away the cup of mainstream joe. And the last runner I saw "Racing Against Bush" made me roll my eyes. Because I'm tired of those folks, both Republicans and Democrats, following a herd-like mentality of party lines, instead of forming an opinion based upon the situation.

It's time that we live up to our liberal talk and agree to be as open-minded as we claim we are. I think we can still race against Bush that way; except this time, we know why we are running.