The Low-Tech Times

There has been a lot of speculation recently about who Senator Obama would choose as the Democratic nominee for vice president.

• Will he select Senator Hillary Clinton to solidify the Democratic party?
• Will he select Senator Jim Webb to add military experience to the ticket and improve his chances of winning Virginia, which is traditionally a Republican state?
• Will he pick Senator Joe Biden to add foreign policy experience to the ticket?
• Will he choose a Republican, Senator Chuck Hagel, to showcase a new, bipartisan leadership style?

As it turned out, the pundits were all wrong. Since the theme of the Obama campaign is change, it should come as no surprise that Obama would choose a fresh face. While his pick does not add much in the way of Washington experience to the ticket, his VP nominee selection fits the Obama mold perfectly. He opted for someone who is young and energetic, with an ability to draw large crowds. Low-Tech Times sources have learned that Obama has selected M.R. Cyrus as his running mate.

Daniel de Vise at The Washington Post reports that Montgomery County (Maryland) Schools may increase the distances that students have to walk to school. The potential change is a result of record high diesel fuel prices:

The Montgomery County school board last night approved a change to its transportation policy that gives officials emergency powers to extend the distances that students walk to school next year if rising diesel prices leave the school system in fiscal distress.

Students typically have bus service if they live more than one mile from an elementary school, 1 1/2 miles from a middle school or two miles from a high school. The board last changed walking distances in 1996, extending the greatest walking distance to high schools from 1 3/4 miles to two miles. Dozens of parents telephoned the school system to protest, and several petitioned the board in person.

Staff at The Low-Tech Times are not enjoying the recent higher fuel costs; however, the Montgomery County move is seen as a positive development. With more pre-teens and teens having to walk to school, this move could not only save the suburban county outside of Washington, D.C. some money, but may also help combat childhood obesity. In this age of video game addictions, children spending more time outdoors is definitely a good thing.