THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

I know, it's been a while. It's the old "writers make plans and God laughs" thing. Hey, at least, someone is laughing.

My last blog was about the wisdom of the elders at my health club and their growing frustration with President Bush, which was further inflamed by his State of the Denial speech. Like many Americans, it's almost inconceivable to them that Bush can continue to ignore the fact that the Republicans got trounced in the last election because of his Administration's failed policies in Iraq. Although raised in an era of unquestioned patriotism, these seniors are not content to let their country sail down a creek with no paddles. They are tired of not being heard and some have begun taking it to the streets (OK, their computers and phones, old age does have some limits).

Meanwhile, what's Generation Next in Line up to? What are today's youth doing about this war? And I don't mean the truly unfortunate ones who are being sent over to Iraq to fight. Is it just me or does today’s 18 and under crowd seem a bit quiet? Don’t they realize it’s their inheritance that’s at stake?

Just when I was beginning to really doubt the Red Bulling, YouTubing, MySpacing crowd, I had a conversation with one of our babysitters. A high school senior, Eva is the President of the Peace & Justice Coalition at her private high school and recently, she coordinated a symposium at her school to discuss the war, with differing points of view presented by an Iraqi Kurd, a former head of the local Republican Party, a policeman who recently finished a tour of duty in Iraq and a representative from Next Generation, a non-profit organization that supports youth leadership development. The goal was to expose kids to different viewpoints and get them thinking.

A few days later, she organized a candlelight peace vigil at the town square, which was attended by 75 people and covered by the local TV news stations. One of the reporters asked her why she felt compelled to undertake these projects and she replied that even though teenagers can’t vote, it’s still important for them to voice their opinions and show others who can vote to take action to influence Congress. I just hope the adults who were watching were paying attention.

On the flip side, many of Eva’s peers don’t seem to care that much about important issues because they’re too busy being teenagers. While that may be somewhat understandable, it’s also unacceptable. If teens want to be treated as young adults, they can’t expect their parents to do all the dirty work of citizenship. It's time to read the text message on the wall and have a voice in their own futures.

The good news is that there are more teens getting involved than we might think. Believe me, they’re out there and they’re committed. The question is whether we “grown-ups” are doing all we can. Part of being grown up is a willingness to own up.

There is one thing Eva said about youth activism that stuck in my mind and has partially restored my faith. “Sometimes, kids have to set an example for their parents.”