A former Alaska senator and presidential candidate will visit Ball State University today to speak about the National Initiative for Democracy.
Mike Gravel, known for opposing the Vietnam draft and helping release the Pentagon Papers into public record, will be speak at 6:30 p.m. in Pruis Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Graham Watson, Web development specialist for the Center Business and Economic Research, said he wanted to bring Gravel to campus to talk about the initiative, which isn't well known or well understood.
The National Initiative for Democracy is a proposed Constitutional amendment that aims to give individual voters the ability to play a more direct role in the process of making and altering federal laws through a ballot process.
Watson said learning about the initiative will be "empowering to all Indiana citizens."
He said he was impressed by Gravel when he watched the 2008 presidential primary debates.
"He won several debates," he said, "and he was aligned with my own political views."
Gravel will also make a guest appearance on FM Music Live, which broadcasts from Doc's Music Hall downtown. Watson said anyone who is 21 years old can go to Doc's for a relaxed Q-and-A session after the show.
Gravel gained national attention during the 2008 presidential election for his strong support of universal health care, same-sex marriage, an end to the war on drugs and the FairTax proposal, which would replace federal income and payroll based taxes with a broader national retail tax, according to a press release.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
