The idea of having new perspectives on our planet, and actually being able to get that message out, gets me out of bed every day with a spring in my step.

My father was from the South and turned me into a news junkie at a very early age. I would sit and watch TV with him.

You know, I was a community activist, so I'm used to standing out in front of an elected official's office and protesting.

Its so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

Technology alone isn't enough. To really get the money shots, it's down to being in the right place at the right time.

I have been a lifelong community activist and frankly did not dream of being in public office.

When I was in my early 20s, I studied tae kwon do and hapkido. I earned brown belts in both of them.