"Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable character. The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men." - Samuel Adams
We're all Sam Adams fans here at GrassRoots. Sometime into the second pitcher, we might drift into a discussion of why GrassRoots exists at all.
If one follows the thread back far enough, past John Smith and the 70's Aspen radicals who founded the first community-operated access station in the country we might go all the way back to Sam Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who really, really disliked not having the right to vote.
That's the GrassRoots Idea's origin. We believe that if we all exercise our natural freedom, use it to think, speak, and vote our conscience, then we will collectively create the best possible society.
Today in the GrassRoots Red Brick studio, the ever curious Brent Gardner Smith finishes up his ProbeLine interviews with all nine candidates on the May 7 ballot in Aspen. The idea of a probe line is to find something hidden under the surface of a jumbled pile of debris. Maybe we'll find an exceptional character, a barely breathing body, or even a skeleton or two.
These hour long interviews, an in-depth format that does not exist on any other channel, in any other medium, give us a chance to get to know the candidates as caring neighbors, posturing new comers, thoughtful leaders or fascinating visionaries. One thing for sure, every one of these candidates is running because they honestly care about the collective future of the people who chose to live in a very weird place.
Watching GrassRoots on cable or broadcast, or here on this website is your best opportunity to satisfy your curiosity about their character. Only on GrassRoots can you see and hear these candidates tell their stories, express their visions, veil their political tendencies, and wonder out loud how they'd regulate hash bars. You will also get a feeling for who they are as humans... because its TV! TV is awesome! You get to analyze their expressions... their calm, purposeful eyes or quivering, sweaty brows. Can't see that on radio! No hems and haws in the newspaper!
GrassRoots will also be airing candidate forums, Squirm Night, ACRA interviews, and of course, live election coverage from City Hall on May 7.
Be curious. Judge character. Exercise your freedom. Vote your conscience. Drink beer. Watch GrassRoots.
