Jim Hightower, political populist, national radio host and noted author, spoke and signed his new book, Swim Against the Current, on April 3, 2008 in the SJA Gym before several hundred apparently like minded folks counting down the days left for the Bush Administration.

Hightower writes of people who are doing that which others say cannot be done: telling of those who dare to be disobedient. Among his examples of aggressive activism according to Hightower are people who have brought evangelism to the environmental movement and therefore caused heartburn for some of the more prominent Evangelists. 

The Texan author talks of people  "bucking the system" in any number of ways.  High on his list of priorities is public financing of political campaigns.  In his opinion, public financing would greatly reduce if not eliminate the influence of corporations and return power to the people.

All in all it was an entertaining half hour spent with the author of a book which provides an insight into our country, a country undergoing political upheaval.

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Julie Vogl has been a member of St. Joan of Arc since 1981. Her family includes her husband, Frank; children, James and Christina. Julie was part of the Arm In Arm In Africa 2007 delegation. She is a tutor at Carondelet Grade school and a hospice volunteer.