You found us! The Political Awareness Committee (PAC) has found its way to the Manitou Messenger, and with typical bureaucratic skill, you'll have to cut our budget to get us out. From this pulpit, we will rain down our expert opinions. And as the April rains give strength to flowers, our words will inspire students to be better citizens.

Okay, maybe we political people need a collective lesson in humility. Seriously though, PAC is all about dispelling the nasty connotations that students have of politics and creating interesting forums for ideas about American society. We don't want to bicker about partisan issues. We're interested in examining key values of Americans and how they can be reflected in good public policy. Do you think education is valuable? Are individual freedoms more important than liberty? Who should decide whether abortion is a legal medical procedure or akin to killing? PAC brings speakers to campus, sponsors weekly discussion dinners, and otherwise attempts to get average St. Olaf students thinking about the implications of government in their lives. Our column here will be informative. We'll tell you about upcoming events and perhaps you will see some guest writers offering some choice opinions about our eclectic governor, American foreign policy, or getting a polling place in the Pause.

At any rate, if you like politics, this column will probably be something you'll enjoy in the Messenger. If not, we're working to find ways that you can think about politics without even considering the "p" word. If you are daring enough to come and see what PAC is planning already this year, check the following schedule and visit our web page! There will be much more to come.

-PAC Dinners are Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Valhalla Room. Bring a tray and participate in discussion about values and issues in modern America.

-Local candidates for Minnesota House and Senate will be in Boe Chapel at 6:00 p.m. on October 9th to debate how they can best serve Northfield and St. Olaf.

-Tim Wise, founder of the Association of White Anti-Racist Education (AWARE) will speak in Holland 501 on October 10th (the time is to be announced).

-Don't forget to check out PAC on the web. Visit www.stolaf.edu/orgs/sga/pac and check out our guide to American politics.