According to our fellow Darfur activists: yes. The United States is still the most powerful country in the world, and the next president of this country did not face one question on genocide, global poverty, and AIDS.

This was supposed to be THE debate that focused on foreign policy. It’s more than understandable that due to the current financial crisis, there was a great deal of time devoted to the economy, however, here’s what’s not okay: genocide, poverty, and AIDS are issues that are affecting BILLIONS of people. Well over half the planet are living in life and death situations that should not exist at all were it not for the greed, manipulation, and messed priorities of other people.

So. I think that’s something that should be addressed in one of the next debates. The HPA’s partner groups think so too. If you, my fellow members of the real world Dumbledore’s Army agree, join us in signing this petition.

People deserve better.

I’d like the HPA to address the issue of global warming. Talk about the need for a Dumbledore’s Army to wake the world up! It seems that each day that we don’t see a green revolution global warming grows more powerful.

Our warmest wishes to all Muslims and Jews as the world celebrates Ramadan and the Jewish New Year.

After this post our web designer Acacia let me know that a person’s Patronus is not necessarily an animal reflection of their personality (that would be an animgus).

According to Acacia and her husband Jason, a patronus is about an animal that serves as your protector. Harry identified his father as his protector, so his Patronus was a stag. What do you think of this take on the Patronus? If you agree with it, this takes us back to the question: what would your Patronus be?

So the US and Canada are getting ready for elections. Did the Wizarding World have elections? Was Rufus Scrimgeur elected or appointed? And if appointed, by whom?

Someone asked me this recently and I’m having a really hard time settling on one!

While in the Golden Compass series a person’s daemon keeps changing until they reach adulthood, a person’s Patronus can change too. However, for now, do you know what yours would be?

Check it out. It should be really interesting and goes from now until December 31. Medieval science, magic, and Harry Potter? That rocks!!!

Contrary to popular belief, Gringotts can be broken into. And contrary to popular belief, the banks of our world that were once thought to be unstoppable are collapsing. While I’m not an expert in expert in economics, I hope you and your loved ones are doing okay as the Gringotts of our world collapses.

Those voting in upcoming elections in the US and Canada: try and educate yourselves on which candidates will be best suited to rebuilding the Global Gringotts.

Crack out some firewhiskey and butterbeers, because today a very special Chapters Coordinator is celebrating her birthday! Without her hard work and selflessness, the HPA’s chapters would hardly be what they are today and the Harry Potter Alliance would be one (amazing) ally short. As such, we hope you’ll join us in wishing Karen a very happy birthday, and many happy returns!

The last Wizard Rock the Vote wrock show was the NYC Wrock Festival this past Sunday and it was a great culmination to our summer concert series! We’ve worked with fantastic volunteers, amazing bands who were so great to let us tag along, and we registered well over 200 people. But now what, you ask?

Well, the Wizard Rock the Vote doesn’t have to stop now! Next up in the Wizard Rock the Vote campaign: Debate Parties! That’s right - get together with your friends, watch some television, eat some snacks, and then talk about what happened at the debates.

Before you can have a debate party, you need to know when the debates will be happening. To help you out, here’s a handy little calendar.

• Friday, September 26th 9:00-10:30 Eastern
• Thursday, October 2nd 9:00-10:30 Eastern (Vice-presidential debate)
• Tuesday, October 7th 9:00-10:30 Eastern
• Wednesday, October 15th 9:00-10:30 Eastern

Now, what exactly will you do at a debate party? That’s pretty much up to you! But here are some ideas to get you started. First, have some good old “American” food…apple pie, hot dogs, or whatever you like. (People always like tasty treats at a party!) Fun parties also have games, and a debate party is no exception. Here are a couple of party ideas, courtesy of Brian of Draco and the Malfoys.

1. You Be the Judge - Get every person a pencil and paper. As a group decide on some judging criteria and then have each person keep score throughout the debate. At the end of the debate, each person can give the candidates a score (like an Olympic judge after an event) and the candidate with the highest scores is the winner!

2. Debate Bingo - Choose some talking point/key words, such as conservative, liberal, oil, recession, and so on, and make bingo boards with one word in each square. (Be sure to make each board different!) Throughout the debate, every time a key word is said cover it up. Be sure to have prizes for everyone who gets a bingo!

When the debate is over be sure to discuss it with everyone at the party. What do you agree with, what do you disagree with, did they avoid certain questions, and anything else you can think of to discuss! When you’ve finished talking amongst yourselves, be sure to log on to the forum to share your thoughts and opinions with others. Also, be sure to take pictures of your debate parties and send them to us at samantha@thehpalliance.org or post them in the forum!

Can’t make it to a debate party? We’re going to be having virtual parties through our forums! Just join us online at the same time as the debates, 9:00 Eastern. Look for the thread titled “Presidential Debate Virtual Party” in the Wizard Rock the Vote forum section. Find out what other HPA members and staff are thinking, and share your own opinion on what’s going on!

While debates and debate parties are the next step in wrocking the vote, it isn’t the last. To find more ways for you to get involved in Wizard Rock the Vote, check out this awesome pdf document put together by Karen, our Chapter Coordinator. And keep checking in for more information on concerts and parties currently in the planning stages!

~Samantha
Wizard Rock the Vote Coordinator