I've known Matt Burden - Blackfive, of www.blackfive.net, one of the original milblogs - pretty much since I've started blogging.

He's a vet, and a tech guy, and a dad - and someone who's always stuck me as smart, honest, energetic, and most of all, practical.

So even though our politics don't exactly line up (remember, he's a Republican and I'm the Armed Liberal), I was thrilled when he told me that he was thinking about running for office. I may have even made encouraging noises - possibly loud encouraging noises.

Imagine my surprise to discover this post at Blackfive. The crazy SOB is doing it. He's running for the Illinois State Legislature.

And I think he can win. And more, that he should.

To do that, he needs your help. He needs 10,000 people (specifically, 10,000 U.S. citizens) to go to his campaign site give him at least $10. I'm in for $100. Step up, step up - and do the right thing.

Because I have this wildly optimistic idea that a whole new cohort of people are about to enter politics. People who are smart, honest, energetic, and most of all, practical. I'm hopeful that a decent number of them will be Democrats. But you know what? I'll support them when I see them, because I'm about being in the Party of the Practical. And I'll ask you - as strongly as I know how - to do the same thing.

Because my sons' Republic depends on it.
-