volunteer

I'd like to welcome Rachel Krause to the FM team. Rachel is a high school student interested in progressive journalism and she'll be compiling our Quick Hits from now on. --Mike

It'd be an understatement to say its been an interesting last few weeks. Bloggers and journalists have been busy sounding off on topics, such as the inauguration, Obama's plan for young Americans, and expectations for the 44th President.

• A New York Times editorial features Obama's call for young Americans to volunteer, including his plan to increase the size of service programs. It covers just one of the many ways youth can get involved.
• Newsday takes an interesting approach to Obama's call to "put away childish things"...and he's not referring to the youth vote.
• At the New Republic's blog, The Plank, Ben Adler notes that the Democratic Party should not take youth for granted, and gives a shout out to Future Majority.
• The American Spectator asks college Republicans what they think of potential RNC chairman, Ken Blackwell. The results may surprise you.
• Hip Hop Congress argues that Obama is not the first "hip hop President", and tries to argue that voter registration organizations don't create generational movements.
• Washington Post launches a database consisting of political who's whos.