John F. Freie is Professor of Political Science at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. He has written a variety of articles in the areas of civic education, technology, education, and electoral behavior that are linked by his concern about democracy. He is author of "Counterfeit Community: The Exploitation of Our Longings for Community" (Rowman & Littlefield 1998). An optimist, he believes that this is the year the Cubs will win it all.