Netroots Nation- Former Vermont Governor, Howard Dean spoke at Netroots Nation in Austin, Texas yesterday and it was streamed live into Second Life.  Also speaking was General Wesley K. Clark, a retired officer of the United States Army.

Both men gave their support to Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, and spoke of the change they hope to see if Obama wins this year's election. The speeches included the usual mudslinging politicans throw at the oppossing party; however, both Clark and Dean had come to Austin with another message: blogging is changing the face of politics in America today. Both men gave long speeches touching on popular issues, and all speakers touched on the impact blogging has had on Dean's career and on American politics.

The event opened with comedian, Baratunde Thurston, doing parts of his stand up comedy routine. He next introduced Brandon Friedman. Friedman is a political blogger and author of, The War I Always Wanted

, his memoir of military service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Friedman in turn introduced Clark.

Clark warned of the dangers of going to war with Iraq; he said today members of the Bush cabinet are talking  in Europe with officials of Iran. This talk would not have been possible if it had not been for bloggers nation and worldwide who spoke publically about American war policies.

Clark also spoke about the issues that are on everybody's mind this election season. A good energy policy, access to healthcare for all people, and taking care of the American education system  should be priorities, according to Clark.

Clark then credited a friend at a local university who did some important research which showed "When [humans] hear new information that conflicts with what they believe, that information can stop being processed intellectually and starts being processed emotionally."   Psychologists call this type of logic emotional intelligence.

Clark believes emotional intelligence is the cause of communication breakdown and strong political opposition.

"We can do better," Clark said. He hopes for better education and a stonger America in the future.