An indication of how many people really want my registered vote can be seen by the number of election time shirts in the free shirt archive; only one candidate ever wanted my support. Even then, I received the shirt very indirectly because some people that matter managed to snag an extra after the election.

I have yet to miss an election where I could vote in my precinct, but I personally tend to be an issue voter. Therefore, there are a couple of primary elections where I as unable to 'Round here, any jackass with a (D) after their name on the ballot will win the election anyway. The Mahoning Valley is too corrupt and needs any change it can get, but likely will never snap out of its ways.

This is sad for I have voted in every possible election since I registered and have still only captured one election related free shirt. Not even Hannah cared about my voting record and made me fill out a new voter registration card in her electoral zeal. I complied, even though I knew she does not have any free shirts to give me.

Understand that I will not just repeat a line for a shirt. Doing so is a price I will not pay. The free shirt archive is not for sale even if indirectly products and ideas get exposure. I have not been given anything but the shirts one would see while perusing the archive.

Likewise, I would only be willing take this shirt off the free shirt archive out of the complete collection if those who have an interest in their own past wish it to go down. The corporations have no such leverage. The companies knew something was going to happen with their shirts when they printed the shirts for the public.

I recall that I did not cast a vote in the particular race. At the time, neither Sracic nor Reese had earned my vote. I did not know enough about either choice to make an informed decision on my preference as commissioner. Really, it was me and not them.

Oddly enough, two years later I started taking classes Sracic taught at the local univesity I attend. This is an entirely odd intersection that I did not intend to cross when I set up the free shirt archive. The idea was hilarious enough to do it. So I ran with. Oh, my friend, I could run with it. The guess would be that the enthused reader of the free shirt archive would know by now that I let my opinions fly where they may.

I enjoyed his classes, which center on law and political thought. He is a rare professor in that he not only completly knows his way around the subjects he teaches, but he can explain the concepts in terms that nearly everyone can understand if they aren't sleeping.

Sracic is also a good person in that he obviously cares about doing a good job and making sure those who have questions get the answer. Once, at the local library, he had his three children in tow and still opened the door for me.

If I were more of a schmoozer I'm sure I would have other stories, but I tend to keep a professional distance while I am in class or work with people who have more authority than I. I want to know for myself that merit is what got me to where I am, wherever I happen to be.