"Can you lead where you don't go?" Thomas Christie challenged Boys Staters last week.

Christie, T. J. McDowell, Frank LaMere and Don Wesely spoke to the Nebraska high schoolers about diversity as they do each year.

Two African Americans, one Winnebago Native, one white on stage. An overwhelmingly white sea of boys from communities all across Nebraska in front of them.

It's always a powerful moment at Boys State.

Twenty-four percent of the kids in Lincoln Public Schools now are non-white, Christie told them.

One Boys Stater asked the panel how Barack Obama's election may be a reflection of the nation's diversity.

"This country will never be the same," Christie said.

"People will have to figure out how to do things cross-culturally," he said.

Particularly if they want to lead, he said.

That was a pointed message to young men who may aspire to be among the future leaders of the state.

"Obama is held to a much higher standard than our last president," LaMere said.

"But that's good for all of us."

His parting words:

"You have to be good to one another.

"You need to look out for one another."

In your Facebook

Here's a very intriguing item.

A new group is forming on Facebook called "Nebraska Needs Kim Robak for U.S. Congress 2010."

The site is designed to encourage Nebraska's former Democratic lieutenant governor to consider a bid for the 1st District House seat held by Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry.

"Change has come to Nebraska," the site declares.

"The people that first got involved in politics by voting, volunteering and donating a year and a half ago because they were excited about Barack Obama will remain excited for another year and a half if, and only if, we are able to field an amazing candidate" like Robak, it states.

"The Facebook group is to simply demonstrate the amount of grassroots support that (Robak) would have already behind her."

As of early Sunday afternoon, 204 supporters and potential workers had signed up.

We'll give Robak a call today and see what she thinks.

Flag Day Riot

Next Sunday marks the 75th anniversary of a fascinating moment in Nebraska history.

On June 14, 1934, Loup City was the site of what became known as the Flag Day Riot on the courthouse lawn.

The violence erupted when left-wing political supporters of women poultry workers at the Fairmont Creamery plant gathered for a march in the midst of a growing movement to organize farmers and workers in Nebraska during the Depression.

Among the marchers was "Mother Bloor," a nationally known leader of the American Communist Party.

The "girls" at the creamery were talking about a strike to demand higher wages, an eight-hour work day and sanitary working conditions.

"A march from (the courthouse) to the creamery and back culminated in a clash with local residents," an historical marker erected by the Sherman County Historical Society and the Nebraska State Historical Society states.

What historical records describe as "a disturbance" erupted on the courthouse lawn.

Burt Sells was taken to the hospital with a broken leg.

Seven people, including Mother Bloor, were arrested.

"Harry Smith was not found," the record states.

"The resulting jail sentences and fines levied upon Mother Bloor and others in her group marked the end of the attempt by the far left to organize farmers and workers in Nebraska," the marker concludes.

Thanks to Wayn Blazey of the Sherman County Historical Society for sharing this terrific tale.

Cost of campaign

Some new campaign finance data from FollowTheMoney.org.

* Average cost of Nebraska legislative race in 2008 was nearly $41,000, up from a $25,000 average in 2004.

* Three legislative candidates raised more than $100,000: James Jeffers, who lost to Ken Haar; Mike Gloor of Grand Island; Tony Fulton of Lincoln.

* Top contributor to Democratic Party committees: Richard Holland of Omaha, retired ad executive and philanthropist, $80,500.

* Top contributor to Republican Party committees: John Templeton of Bryn Mawr, Pa., identified on the site as a Christian conservative, $70,000.

* Covering its tracks: Union Pacific, $22,500 to GOP, $21,500 to the Democrats.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.