Greetings... My name is Chad Thiesen and I am excited to be starting the Australian chapter of EAB. I think that this is a great forum for U.S. citizens living abroad who share some of the same views about the direction of our homeland under the current Bush administration.
I don't think that its a coincidence that I have yet to meet a single American expat who is in favor of the Bush administration. I am sure they are out there, but I think they are very much in a minority. As expats, we have a very unique perspective on both the U.S. and the world at large. When you are brought up in the U.S. which is such an insular culture and society and then get a chance to see it on the outside-looking-in for a period of time, it enables you to see things from a new and important perspective.
Historically, I have not been a politically active person. In fact, I have never even voted. I took an apathetic philosophy at a younger age that my vote or actions simply wouldn't make a difference, so why bother. With everything that has occurred in the last three years, starting from the tainted election to the most recent deaths of soldiers and civilians in Iraq, I can no longer remain inactive in the face of such turmoil, corruption, and incompetence.
The Bush administration has taken the highest level of collective goodwill from the global community since at least WWII, if ever, and completely inversed it to probably the lowest ever in the space of about a year. It is truly remarkable... and truly frightening. There are a multitude of other issues to highlight, but I think seeing some former Repbulican voters getting involved in this site, as well as other related forums, is a true sign that this whole issue goes beyond Republican vs. Democrat and left vs. right arguments.
For all of those getting involved in this movement, I look forward to working with you all collectively over the next year. We can.... and must... make a difference.
welcome Chad,
ditto on what you said. easily 9/10 Americans abroad whom I have met share your view of the Bush administration.
Posted by: jack | December 09, 2003 at 01:49 PM
Well-said, Chad- and welcome to EAB. Am glad you're there to represent expats in Australia:-)
Posted by: Harmony | December 10, 2003 at 11:41 AM
Hi Chad. I'm an American expat living in Sydney. Like you, I've been fairly politically apathetic in the past... but maybe it's time for that to change. I don't know how much I'm prepared to be involved, but I'm definitely supporting the EAB movement.
Posted by: Kris | December 14, 2003 at 07:32 AM
Perhaps we ought to have a little campaign action in Sydney? Anybody up for a meet-up? At least the pubs won't be closed on Election Day!
Posted by: Greg | February 04, 2004 at 10:13 AM
Good stuff Chad...I'm of the same opinion and am happy to see other Americans disproving the "septic tank yank" stereotype = ) I'm workin' on www.oftheworld.tv to get some of the indie media out to people in the States in an effort to lessen the ignorance...hope you take a gander. Cheers ~ brycen
Posted by: Brycen | April 22, 2004 at 11:29 AM
Hey guys!
I already got a response from Voting2004@aol.com
Sent Friday, June 4, 2004 5:08 pm
Subject Re: Notary needed to sign FPCA
We realize that some states require a notary and are working hard to change this. At the last Presidential election, there were approximately 10 states requiring a notary and we have had success in changing their requirements.
We ask all people who need a notary to write to their governor, senator and even the local newspaper and call it a "poll tax".
We have convinced the Embassy or consulate to notarize these for free while they charge a fortune for other notary services.
Frances Deak
Voting Registration Officer
Democrats Abroad
Posted by: eric peterson | June 04, 2004 at 10:55 AM