How did you become interested in politics?

[Techie2000]

For me, I'd say it probably started at a young age when I was interested not so much in politics but just in news. I'd read the paper and watch the news on TV. Although I may have been too young to understand what exactly was going on, I followed the Lewinsky scandal, and became kind of disgusted that such a private issue became so public and garnered the attacks that they did from the Republican party. I recall the 1996 election and remember liking Clinton, mostly because he was the incumbent and I didn't really see him as doing a bad job. I also followed the 2000 election and if I recall correctly, I sort of decided which candidate and party I liked based on a side by side issue comparisan page between Gore, Bush, and Nadar in the local paper. (Yes I know that reading the newspaper and watching MSNBC at age 12 is not normal :nut: ) I would also say the 2000 election was a factor. And then aftering discovering the internet and BBR and the EL and then coming here, the rest is history.

[joseftu]

When I was in fourth grade, we had to do a weekly "news broadcast." The teacher had set up a "news desk" with a big old-fashioned microphone. We had to take turns doing the national report, sports, international, weather, and so on. For various reasons, I got assigned to the national report more often than not, and my brother, who was in the same class (it was a combined 3rd/4th grade classroom) usually had that assignment on the weeks I did not.

So we read the newspapers, and talked and argued, sometimes when we should have been sleeping, about what we would say in our reports the next day.

By coincidence, the major national news story just about every week that year was Watergate. We didn't really understand what it was all about--but we had a lot of fun trying to figure it out, and as we got older, we both got very involved in various political causes--continuing through our teens and beyond.

I think my first march and demonstration was against the UN Resolution equating Zionism and racism (that would have been 1975, I think). Througout high school I was active in the United Synagogue Youth, which was social/cultural/religious and political, too.

My first active political campaign work was for Barry Commoner in 1980. I was (of course) active in the pro-choice, anti-apatheid, gay rights, and nuclear disarmament movements after that.

When I came to NY in 1984, I worked very hard in local political organizing in Chinatown and the Lower East Side.

It's funny, though, even when I was most active, I didn't really think of myself as being "interested" in politics, or even political issues. I just wanted to change the world! :)

[cdw]

I was born in the '50's. Coming conscious during the later '60's. Viet Nam, women's rights, divorce, sexual revolution. You couldn't miss it. :)
It was...everything political.

[ShinyTop]

The oratory of John Kennedy, the promise for a better world through the efforts of Americans working together awakened my naive political conscience at the age of 12. Within a few years the political landscape was ready to send me and my classmates to war and this awakened even more interest. I was and remain a staunch believer in my country and its promise although I must admit to severe depression about the current election cycle.

[mers2]

I was raised in a home where the news was watched every evening. The fact that civil rights, Viet Nam and Watergate were the issues of the day made politics an important issue.

[dliw]

I was born in the '50's. Coming conscious during the later '60's. Viet Nam, women's rights, divorce, sexual revolution. You couldn't miss it. :)
It was...everything political.Amen my friend, except you forgot disco. :friggin:

1963 in Manhattan, Kansas. Just before we moved into the NCO quarters at Ft. Riley. President Kennedy had just been assassinated, my Dad disappeared for about a week because of the alert and my Mum was very upset. I was ten years old. From that day forward I watched the news every night. My interest and political awareness intensified when my Dad and the Big Red One were shipped to S. Viet Nam in 1965.

Ever since then, in my heart and elsewhere, I have sworn death to the enemies of America.

[dliw]

The oratory of John Kennedy, the promise for a better world through the efforts of Americans working together awakened my naive political conscience at the age of 12. Within a few years the political landscape was ready to send me and my classmates to war and this awakened even more interest. I was and remain a staunch believer in my country and its promise although I must admit to severe depression about the current election cycle.So worthy of a thumb. I salute you Sir.

[ravital]

I was almost conditioned for it. I grew up in a society, which anyone observing it from the outside, says the only thing they need is a good night's sleep, instead of debating everything till 3:00 am every night (it's a proud cultural tradition, folks). It was all around me, inescapable. Voter turnout used to be constantly at around 95-98% (though I understood later that it's a dissatisfaction index at least as much as a sense of civics). I've seen all the tricks and then some, believe me, Watergate was child's play compared to some of the stuff that still goes on over there.

[Piobaireachd]

As is the case in many instances, I had a great teacher. We took apart the election process and studied the candidates and issues. We followed the primaries closely and did a mock election. This was the 1968 election. The teacher's name was Mr. Chello. I've been hooked on politics and current events ever since. I can't imagine not listening/watching the news or reading a newspaper every day.

[bruzzes]

I must echo ShinyTops entry.
It was the first election for a Catholic and I backed Nixon only to be contrary in my Catholic Elementary school.

The nuns were furious at me.

I was a rebel even before Johnny Yuma.
(old timers may remember that TV show)

We were sitting in class (7th grade) when news of the assasination came. Like most people, I was in shock for several days.

I have been following politics ever since then.

[Suchaknight]

Like many, I think I really did not become interested in politics until I realized how disgusting it had actually become. Not that disgusting things attract me, but I think you know what I mean. :thumbdown

[Cousin Dave]

I became interested politics when George Wallace ran as a third party candidate.
The debates at the barber shop in my part of the south were quite interesting.
Even to a 9 year old.

[Sarge]

I grew up with a communist grandfather, socialist grandmother, liberal mother and conservative father, so family gatherings were always interesting to say the least. I think I became conscious of politics when Nixon resigned - may father sat me down in front of the television and said "you're watching history."