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Land O' Lakes Students Launch 'Students Against Romney'

LOLHS student get politically active using the force of Facebook!

Within the last week, news of Mitt Romney's Saturday, Oct. 27, rally, which is to be held at Land O' Lakes High School, has been a hot topic among students at the school. As news of the presidential candidate's visit diffuses throughout the buzzing halls, student interest rises.

One particular student, Zach Conn, took a giant leap for politically active high-schoolers in challenging the policies and platforms of Mitt Romney. Conn, a Senior at LOLHS and the creator of the "Students Against Romney" Facebook group, has collected the support of 229 members. This number continues to grow as students become aware of the unique opportunity to be represented and heard. Even as I am reporting this story the member count increases, as it is now 230 members.

Conn and other LOLHS students, including eager underclassmen, will participate in the rally protest on Saturday beginning at 4:00pm. The Students Against Romney protest will feature a line-up of student speakers opposing key issues of Romney's campaign. Zach states "...protesting isn't illegal. Our group isn't going to do anything illegal. We won't be storming the bastille or anything. It's just peaceful, loud student protest." 

With little more than a weeks notice to organize, Conn has single-handedly established a well-received group on Facebook, set up times and locations for group meetings, and made the appropriations necesary for the protest to run smoothly. Zach's determination and affinity for politics has drawn the attention of more than just his fellow students. Members of the Student Against Romney group include students from other schools in the area, college students, and even a reporter from the Tampa Bay Times.

Zach Conn encourages anyone interested to join on Facebook, and stay politically involved: https://www.facebook.com/groups/130696920412922/

Mark Newman October 27, 2012 at 01:35 pm
Ms. Hall, are you voting for Obama because he is black? Sure you are. You can't have any sense of a working government while supporting this disgusting President.
Lisa Du October 27, 2012 at 02:08 pm
Re: supporters of the group include... "Even a reporter from the Tampa Bay Times" ... is that a surprise to anyone, really? Not really very impressive, but kudos to the boy for the initiative of taking on a leadership role. I'd love to know that these students are actually politically educated and practicing their own independent, rational thinking about their future, rather than taking on the roll of follower.
Anjonette H. October 27, 2012 at 07:45 pm
I am reporting a story, not presenting my political views...
Dave R. October 28, 2012 at 09:14 pm
I'm curious about the comments stating that the students should "do their homework" before supporting one side or the other. What makes you think they haven't? My guess is they've done more"homework"on the issues than the average voter. Keep in mind that there's still 20% of the country that thinks Obama is not an American- including the moron Trump. Like him or hate him, if you think Obama is not an American you're too dumb to vote. But its these kids that don't do they're"homework". Please!
Drew Kennedy October 28, 2012 at 09:16 pm
Teachers had no idea about the Students Against Romney protests until the day before. It was the Teacher's Union who was contacted by the group, not vice versa.
Devin Strausbaugh October 29, 2012 at 12:24 am
I am appalled by such rude and inconsiderate remarks.
Mark Newman October 29, 2012 at 12:25 am
Dave R. A famous saying is that "if you aren't liberal when you're young you have no heart....and if you are liberal when you're older you have no brain"....and I'll ride with that. Been there and done that.
Mark Newman October 29, 2012 at 12:27 am
Devin Strausbaugh, I am appalled that you are appalled.
jamie leggett October 29, 2012 at 03:11 am
umm excuse me but ser I would like to tell you that we are students just against Romney and his policies we were not for any of the 12 candiates on the presidential balet and not one of our signs said that we were pro Obama.
jamie leggett October 29, 2012 at 03:13 am
we did all our reseach that is the reason we went out to protest
jamie leggett October 29, 2012 at 03:18 am
would like to say that it doesn't matter the "STUDENT" is voting for the reason we were all there to protest is because Romney "doesn't know how to realate to me" me referring to us the students against Romney and also what does race have to do with anything?
jamie leggett October 29, 2012 at 03:47 am
even though we are students and yes alot of us can't vote but our signs told the people exactally why we were there. the very few people that we were capable to stop and interview we are thankful. but i am proud at what we did at OUR SCHOOL and also am glad to be apart of the STUDENTS AGAINST ROMNEY!
Mark Newman October 29, 2012 at 11:18 am
Jamie, your consistant punctuation and spelling errors ( Apart is actually a part) proves Romney's point about disbanding the teachers union.
Dave R. October 29, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Mark, Are you saying I'm a liberal? I'm neither Left nor Right. I'm one of those folks in the middle that makes up their own mind on each candidate, not a lemming voting down the party line. I honestly feel sad for people that think that every Dem (for the "down the line" Dems) or every Repub (for the "down the line" Repub) is the best choice for each and every position/office out there. Look at each person, how their views align with yours and vote. The issue I have with some of the comments towards the students that are protesting Romney is the ASSUMPTION that they don't understand the issues and didn't do their homework. Just because they don't agree with you doesn't make them wrong. Doesn't make them right either. It's the fool that only listens to one side of the conversation.
Mark Newman October 29, 2012 at 01:40 pm
Sure Dave. Sure.Whatever you say. The only thing that happens in the middle of the road is you get run over. When you grow up you'll liely have convictions. Middle of the road isn't conviction. It is the inability to formulate a decision.
Dave R. October 29, 2012 at 01:52 pm
Mark. You are apparently so far to one side that you can't even see the middle, much less the other side. You and people like you (from both the right and the left) are one of the problems with this country. You are not willing to admit the other side has the right to not only disagree with you, but to offer up another opinion. The person that thinks they are always right is always wrong.
Mark Newman October 29, 2012 at 03:18 pm
Dave, you may well be right. The 2000 election changed us all. watching Algore try to hide the miltary vote and have re-counts done in only Democratic strongholds could be responsible for this. watching the left leaning Florida Supreme Court literally break the law in trying to give Gore a decision while the Federalo Supreme Court had to rectify their bias.......Yes, the country won't be the same with the exception that i am voting for the possible best solution to the malaiese. Mitt Romney is NO far rightwinger. If anyone is middle of the road it is he. so why don't we cast our votes and see who is right. You are mightily opinionated as well. But not in the middle. You are no more middle than I.
Dave R. October 29, 2012 at 04:05 pm
Mark. I can no longer continue wasting my time here so I 'll conclude with this.
* If you vote for all Democrats because they are Democrats - You are a fool. * If you vote for all Republicans because they are Republicans - You are a fool * If you look at each candidate and vote on the issues, values and stances that person has taken and still vote 100% one way or the other, you just don't know you're a fool. It's just about impossible for every nominee for 1 party to be a better choice that every single nominee of the other party in every position on the ballot. FYI - My ballot (voted over the weekend) was 60/40. You can guess which party got the 60%, but I'll bet you're wrong. Have a nice day and whatever happens in the elections, God Bless America!
Kevin Lane October 29, 2012 at 05:18 pm
This is insanely rude and you should be ashamed.
Kevin Lane October 29, 2012 at 05:23 pm
Mark, you also had spelling errors and punctuation errors in your past posts.
Kathleen Cain October 30, 2012 at 01:16 am
Maybe when your sons are drafted into another war, the environmental hazards increase while preserved land disappears, and the extremely wealthy become the only ones who can afford a college education and medical care, you will wish you did YOUR homework. I am proud of these young adults and they certainly don't need a tongue lashing from someone who comes from the land of oblivion.
Kathleen Cain October 30, 2012 at 01:27 am
Shame on you, Mark Newman. Your arrogance is topped only by your ignorance. It is obvious by your posts that these young adults have more heart and brains than you ever will. They should be applauded for there courage, strength, and wisdom and as an adult you should be ashamed of yourself.
Kathleen Cain October 30, 2012 at 01:29 am
Good for you, Jamie! Stay involved and stay true to yourself.
Marika Pythagoras October 30, 2012 at 02:27 am
I am an Australian. I cannot vote in your election, however, I am PASSIONATE about Obama's re-election because I care deeply about the future of the American people. I have lost FB friends because of my political views; I have gone head to head with Romney supporters and have been reported and even got a FB timeout. This, however, has not stopped my passion, nor has it stopped me living my truth. I understand that a group of students who oppose Romney were at a peacefully rally and were verbally attacked by cowards and bullies, calling them “ Satan's spawn” and told to shut up. Well, I have a message for The Students Against Romney: DON’T SHUT UP; DON’T BE BULLIED BY THESE NEANDERTHALS. Have these people ever heard of freedom of speech? Um, isn’t that the first Amendment of your Constitution? Perhaps these people should go back to school and get themselves a proper education. While they’re at it they should learn some manners. Just know that you have love and support for your cause all the way from Sydney, Australia.
Brooke October 30, 2012 at 02:46 am
Obviously Mark has no concept of reality. He demonstrated that he is a racist and ignorant of how far we have come in 4 years. The truth eludes him. He is lucky that this is America and even the dolts have a voice.
Brooke October 30, 2012 at 03:12 am
Kudos Marika
Kudos Students against Romney. I remember when I was in high school (late 60's). We stood up for womens issues and sometimes the respect for our generation (music, hair, age of Aquarius, la la etc). I respect your right to stand up for your beliefs. I am very proud that it is for something more important then music and hair length. You are strengthening your minds to knowing how to research, comprehend and lead (not follow) with confidence. I know you won't let the ignorant sway you.
Brooke October 30, 2012 at 03:25 am
Jamie,
Mark is just an angry man that never learned how to lead like you are learning. The only reason a person is that negative is because they have very little pride in themselves. He is enjoying the fact that he is getting people to converse with him. The more people answer him, the happier he is and will continue to do so. If you don't feed his anger, he will finally give up and go somewhere else. Before he gives up, he will try harder to irritate. Remember: Don't feed his anger and he will finally go away.
Marika Pythagoras October 30, 2012 at 05:45 am
Brooke,
I am a product of the very early 1960s. My mother taught her girls to be strong, independent, free thinking women. She used to tell me her unhappiest times were during the 1950s when women were supposed to be Stepford Wives. I applaud these kids and what they stand for. I have no problem admitting I am liberal in my politics. You might be interested to know that my husband, a lawyer, is conservative yet he would NEVER be disrespectful to me the way these hooligans were to the Students Against Romney. It seems there is no vaccination for stupid.
John Walker October 30, 2012 at 10:27 am
Mark Newman- are you voting for Romney because he is white? Sure you are. You sir make me sick! As a Veteran of this Great Nation I can truly say that if you were to be chucked in a hole in the earth and covered by your own CRAP that seems to come out of your mouth at a pace OLD FAITHFUL would be proud of, I would still give you my hand and save your life, but it would haunt me for the rest of my day's. I look at each man or woman that would run for any public office and try my best to cast my vote for the person who "I" believe will make a difference for the good as a whole in MY life. To judge other people is wrong. Judgment is Gods work, My job is to love, and try to understand how to love the unlovable people on this earth. Some people make love difficult. If you want to know who these people are you should look into a mirror. After the election is over, and it can't come quick enough for me, maybe you will have some spare time on your hands so you can party with your KKK and Skin Head Buddies.
Jerry Blackburn October 30, 2012 at 02:02 pm
Mark, Jamie chose to communicate in this ONE instance in the way that Jamie did, how is that the teacher's unions' fault? How do you automatically know that? Like when you automatically assumed that Ms. Hall was voting for Obama because he's black. Has it never crossed your mind that perhaps people vote for Obama because he is the proven Best Choice for America instead of the coreless, profit-harvesting, job outsourcing, flip flopping Medicare ending evangelical appeasing Romney? Oh wait, it's Tuesday, so today is Moderate Mitt. Tomorrow is Reactive Mitt and the next day will be Tea Party Mitt. Who knows what we'll have the next day... time for an Etch-a-Sketch Reboot! Maybe instead of assuming, one would actually spend a little time googling and researching how Teacher's Unions actually benefit the student and school as well as the overall educational experience. You could a lot better than automatically assuming everything is the Teacher's Unions' fault or that the only motivation for people to vote Obama is because he's black. Are you voting for Romney only because he's white? That's all he has left that hasn't changed on him (except when he sprayed himself orange for Univision's Meet The Candidate Lie-a-thon). Every position that could be taken, Mitt has taken it, sometimes within minutes of taking the exact opposite position. One think you can guarantee, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer under another Bush/Ryan term.

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We are in Wesley Chapel right behind Sam's Club in Summergate Professional Park