Read about three bills I think are pretty cool which need support: mandating voter-verifiable auditing of votes, reigning in an excessive term of copyright, and universal single-payer health care.

I first posted this article on my website, mediageek.org, but would like more people to know some of these methods, especially in my own back yard.

As I mention in the article, the Internet provides lots of great tools for doing research on the media quickly and easily. But the Internet doesn't have it all.

As with most research, the library is one of your best resources. Both Urbana and Champaign have great libraries, and you don't have to be a City resident or have a library card to walk in and use them.

The U of I and Parkland also have great libraries, with a lot more research-oriented tools. Although it isn't widely advertised, all local residents have the right to use these libraries, and even check out books. I know that at the U of I you have to get a special card, but they are free and available -- ask at the 2nd floor information desk.

Unfortunately, only U of I students and staff can get on-line access to all the databases from home. However, these databases are also available on computers in the library -- and last I checked, you didn't need any kind of logon to gain access. So, even if you can't do it from home, you should be able to walk in and use great resources like Lexis-Nexis, which I mention in the article below.

Go forth and investigate, then share your findings!