Rather than paint the usual political familial pictures of Hillary the Hateful with Billy Sir-Lies-Alot and Chimpy McFlightsuit (not mine, but still hilarious) with his mute librarian wife, I thought I'd go for an 80s soap-style comedy routine.
What were the two most famous soaps running during that time? Dallas and Dynasty. Can't you see the two first couples as characters from those shows? Come on, work with me.
Dallas: The eldest son of a Texas tycoon, J.R. (as in Junior) is a greedy, scheming, cowboy hat-wearing oil baron*. Uh, W anyone? I can totally see Laura as his long-suffering wife clinking the ice in her never-ending glass of bourbon thinking "Why am I with this guy?" But instead of asking "Who killed JR?", we are asking "How many more has JR killed?"
Dynasty: You guessed it, the Clintons. The charming, silver-haired, short-tempered husband that was "ruthless in both business and family matters"* and the younger blonde wife that "found a hostile reception in the household"* (read: White House). I would pay to see Hillary with huge hair and shoulder pads...again. This is the show that had Krystle declaring she could "throw mud" too and the first on air use of the word "bitch"*.
I, of course, can't leave out our HOPEfully next first couple. The Obamas as, (I'm sorry, I had to) The Jeffersons. A nouveau riche African-American couple who were "Movin' on up"* (the political ladder, that is). One of the first programs to feature African-Americans in the lead roles and featured a mixed race couple (Barack's parents) in the plotline. I don't know about you, but I think if Barack ever called Mishelle anything close to "Weezie", he would regret it.
**All designated facts were taken from Wikipedia.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Waxing Nostalgic
While I was home for Christmas, I pulled out the old photo albums (like I do every year). At once heartwarming, humiliating, hilarious and sad, the pictures gave a glimpse of that "life flashing before your eyes" moment. Amidst the many images in front of me were my Dad's relentless documentation of our annual family vacations.
On the road at four a.m., crouched in the back seat for a cross-country excursion usually meant many things: games, songs, books, fights, nausea and a constant battering of the single question, "are we there yet?". I would come out of my self-induced cocoon of make-believe to join in the inevitable game of "Mom, he's on my side/drawing a line down the middle of the backseat" with my brother. (Really, Mike, how did you put up with me?)
But through all of the bickering and car-sickness a strange and wonderful thing happened. I got to see America. Well, a lot of it. I remember the Liberty Bell, the White House, Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Salt Flats, the Alamo, DisneyWorld, the beach, the ocean, the trees, the corn, the nothing in the middle, the desert, the mountains, the people and almost every ball park in between. Everything seemed so big and new and beautiful and far away. I was always very happy to come home, but each trip gave me more pride in my country. What a great place! America the Beautiful.
Of course now that I'm older I appreciate those trips more than I did at the time. I'm so glad my parents "made" us go and see and learn. I would've been happy at home hiding in my closet with a good book and a flashlight (yes, even in August). Now I see things differently. America seems so much smaller and, dare I say, ugly. I'm not only talking about the extensive damage we are doing to the country and planet environmentally. I'm talking about what we, as a people, are allowing to happen to our country. (Just when you thought it was going to be a nice blog with no politics...you don't know me at all, do you?) The hate, the violence, the lethargy, the gluttony and greed by all of us. It is destroying us. Look at how we are viewed by the world. We are no longer America the Beautiful; we are America the fat, lazy, spoiled rich bullies that hate each other and the world.
As you consider your ever-important vote this primary season, think about what you thought of US when you were young. Don't you wish we could restore that feeling of pride you felt when you were still required to say the Pledge of Allegiance even though you weren't quite sure what it meant?
I will leave you with someone else's views that reflect mine and that I hope you will reflect on too.
"Imagine an America that is once again seen throughout the world as a
beacon of hope and light, as an inspiration for human rights and
freedom, and as a liberator of the world from poisoned energy that
imprisons men and women everywhere, and ultimately endangers the very
existence of the world itself.
Imagine an American democracy that is greater than an exercise in
poll-taking, fundraising and the character assassination of fellow
Americans and becomes again a democracy in which politics is viewed as
a noble profession and Americanism is viewed as a call to share both
the sacrifice and the triumph, and young people are inspired to reach
for the stars in every endeavor in their personal and civic lives."
excerpt from The Hills' Pundits Blog - by Brent Budowsky
Oct 11, 2007
On the road at four a.m., crouched in the back seat for a cross-country excursion usually meant many things: games, songs, books, fights, nausea and a constant battering of the single question, "are we there yet?". I would come out of my self-induced cocoon of make-believe to join in the inevitable game of "Mom, he's on my side/drawing a line down the middle of the backseat" with my brother. (Really, Mike, how did you put up with me?)
But through all of the bickering and car-sickness a strange and wonderful thing happened. I got to see America. Well, a lot of it. I remember the Liberty Bell, the White House, Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Salt Flats, the Alamo, DisneyWorld, the beach, the ocean, the trees, the corn, the nothing in the middle, the desert, the mountains, the people and almost every ball park in between. Everything seemed so big and new and beautiful and far away. I was always very happy to come home, but each trip gave me more pride in my country. What a great place! America the Beautiful.
Of course now that I'm older I appreciate those trips more than I did at the time. I'm so glad my parents "made" us go and see and learn. I would've been happy at home hiding in my closet with a good book and a flashlight (yes, even in August). Now I see things differently. America seems so much smaller and, dare I say, ugly. I'm not only talking about the extensive damage we are doing to the country and planet environmentally. I'm talking about what we, as a people, are allowing to happen to our country. (Just when you thought it was going to be a nice blog with no politics...you don't know me at all, do you?) The hate, the violence, the lethargy, the gluttony and greed by all of us. It is destroying us. Look at how we are viewed by the world. We are no longer America the Beautiful; we are America the fat, lazy, spoiled rich bullies that hate each other and the world.
As you consider your ever-important vote this primary season, think about what you thought of US when you were young. Don't you wish we could restore that feeling of pride you felt when you were still required to say the Pledge of Allegiance even though you weren't quite sure what it meant?
I will leave you with someone else's views that reflect mine and that I hope you will reflect on too.
"Imagine an America that is once again seen throughout the world as a
beacon of hope and light, as an inspiration for human rights and
freedom, and as a liberator of the world from poisoned energy that
imprisons men and women everywhere, and ultimately endangers the very
existence of the world itself.
Imagine an American democracy that is greater than an exercise in
poll-taking, fundraising and the character assassination of fellow
Americans and becomes again a democracy in which politics is viewed as
a noble profession and Americanism is viewed as a call to share both
the sacrifice and the triumph, and young people are inspired to reach
for the stars in every endeavor in their personal and civic lives."
excerpt from The Hills' Pundits Blog - by Brent Budowsky
Oct 11, 2007
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
disappointed...
I know this is only the beginning of the process - and that he didn't lose by that much - and that he still has more delegate votes - and that what he has accomplished this far is huge, BUT last night's primary loss was disappointing. While only my close neighbors and my dog (sorry, G) can know what actually happened in my house as the results flashed and the pundits yapped, it is safe to say I did not accept his defeat gracefully (or quietly).
Fortunately, he did.
Sam Stein's blog on the Huffington Post today included this quote from Obama after congratulating Hillary on running a great campaign:
Obama, in his speech, offered no excuses or explanations for what had
transpired. Sensing, perhaps, the disappointment of the crowd, he
instead offered thanks for their support. "The reason our campaign has
always been different," he said, "The reason we began this improbable
journey almost a year ago is because it is not about what I will do as
president, it is about what you, the people who love this country, the
citizens of the United States of America can do to change it... That's
what this election is all about. That's why tonight belongs to you."
Fortunately, he did.
Sam Stein's blog on the Huffington Post today included this quote from Obama after congratulating Hillary on running a great campaign:
Obama, in his speech, offered no excuses or explanations for what had
transpired. Sensing, perhaps, the disappointment of the crowd, he
instead offered thanks for their support. "The reason our campaign has
always been different," he said, "The reason we began this improbable
journey almost a year ago is because it is not about what I will do as
president, it is about what you, the people who love this country, the
citizens of the United States of America can do to change it... That's
what this election is all about. That's why tonight belongs to you."
I believe...
"the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."
I know, quoting a sappy 1984 Whitney Houston hit is so not like me, however, at this time I think it's appropriate.
Much is being said about generational politics of late. The Boomers are pissed that the Gen-Xers are actually involving themselves in the political process. Funny, weren't they always harping about how Xers were lazy and apathetic and didn't care about anything? Well, guess what? We care and we want our voices to be heard.
The number of youth voters that have participated so far in the current election process is astounding. The candidates' ability to rally up grassroots youth support is going to be a deciding factor in this primary. It is a whole different game. With MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, the blogoshpere, etc. candidates are reaching the younger voter in their own world. Whoda thunk it?
Democrat/Republican, black/white, male/female, experience/integrity, christian/mormon, hope/fear, yada/blahblah. All of these are factors, but I think it is gearing up to be a generational war -- and a war of independents. I actually read a comment on the NY Times online today that basically said "young voters aren't knowledgable and don't know the ways of the world, so why should they get a say in the matter" (paraphrasing here, but that's the gist). WHAT? It is their right to vote - even if they have different views from you, old timer! Needless to say I had a few choice words in reply to the poor old sap.
That is part of the problem. The older generation doesn't think the young whipper-snapper generation is as smart as they are. Hmm? Ok, well, we've been doing it your way and look where that has gotten us. Boomed us right into debt, recession, climate crisis and a very good chance there won't be any social security left. Thanks. We appreciate the effort, but may want to try something new if that's ok.
As James T. Harris clarifies in his blog "The National Conversation", "the 'young people' are...adults". When did that happen? He goes on to talk about a "generational shift". It is this shift that is direcly going to effect this election. Those young people are adults now and it is their future we are gambling with. Most of the older voters are scared of change. Understandable, but we need to start the process to get the change we need for our future, and our children's futures now - and you might not be around to see it. Harsh, but true.
"Everybody's searching for a hero; people need someone to look up to" -- agh, there I go again.
Harris also says that "young people love the Chocolate Jesus" in obvious reference to Obama (who, by the way, he does not support). It's true and you might want to take notice why. He represents a new kind of politics, a new, positive way to the future. A way to potentially heal the wounds of our nation. A way to show the world what we really stand for...hope and change. The freedom to say what we believe even if it isn't what you want to hear. A face to show the rest of the world that we are not so different from you and we do care.
I'm not saying he can even live up to all of the expectations we've already put on him. I'm not sure anyone can, but to the younger generation he is someone they can relate to and not just another older politician telling them what they can and can't do. I can't pretend to be a part of the "youth" vote, for as I'm pushing 40, I'm reluctantly calling myself (wait, stop the car, I feel nauseous) middle-aged, but I do understand their excitement at what seems to be a movement toward a new style of politics. And, as an older GenXer, I'm just as excited as they are about being a part of it.
Do not underestimate the power of a youth movement. They have the intelligence, the belief, the need and the energy to do almost anything. It will be interesting to see what they do.
I know, quoting a sappy 1984 Whitney Houston hit is so not like me, however, at this time I think it's appropriate.
Much is being said about generational politics of late. The Boomers are pissed that the Gen-Xers are actually involving themselves in the political process. Funny, weren't they always harping about how Xers were lazy and apathetic and didn't care about anything? Well, guess what? We care and we want our voices to be heard.
The number of youth voters that have participated so far in the current election process is astounding. The candidates' ability to rally up grassroots youth support is going to be a deciding factor in this primary. It is a whole different game. With MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, the blogoshpere, etc. candidates are reaching the younger voter in their own world. Whoda thunk it?
Democrat/Republican, black/white, male/female, experience/integrity, christian/mormon, hope/fear, yada/blahblah. All of these are factors, but I think it is gearing up to be a generational war -- and a war of independents. I actually read a comment on the NY Times online today that basically said "young voters aren't knowledgable and don't know the ways of the world, so why should they get a say in the matter" (paraphrasing here, but that's the gist). WHAT? It is their right to vote - even if they have different views from you, old timer! Needless to say I had a few choice words in reply to the poor old sap.
That is part of the problem. The older generation doesn't think the young whipper-snapper generation is as smart as they are. Hmm? Ok, well, we've been doing it your way and look where that has gotten us. Boomed us right into debt, recession, climate crisis and a very good chance there won't be any social security left. Thanks. We appreciate the effort, but may want to try something new if that's ok.
As James T. Harris clarifies in his blog "The National Conversation", "the 'young people' are...adults". When did that happen? He goes on to talk about a "generational shift". It is this shift that is direcly going to effect this election. Those young people are adults now and it is their future we are gambling with. Most of the older voters are scared of change. Understandable, but we need to start the process to get the change we need for our future, and our children's futures now - and you might not be around to see it. Harsh, but true.
"Everybody's searching for a hero; people need someone to look up to" -- agh, there I go again.
Harris also says that "young people love the Chocolate Jesus" in obvious reference to Obama (who, by the way, he does not support). It's true and you might want to take notice why. He represents a new kind of politics, a new, positive way to the future. A way to potentially heal the wounds of our nation. A way to show the world what we really stand for...hope and change. The freedom to say what we believe even if it isn't what you want to hear. A face to show the rest of the world that we are not so different from you and we do care.
I'm not saying he can even live up to all of the expectations we've already put on him. I'm not sure anyone can, but to the younger generation he is someone they can relate to and not just another older politician telling them what they can and can't do. I can't pretend to be a part of the "youth" vote, for as I'm pushing 40, I'm reluctantly calling myself (wait, stop the car, I feel nauseous) middle-aged, but I do understand their excitement at what seems to be a movement toward a new style of politics. And, as an older GenXer, I'm just as excited as they are about being a part of it.
Do not underestimate the power of a youth movement. They have the intelligence, the belief, the need and the energy to do almost anything. It will be interesting to see what they do.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mmm...kool aid!
Yes, I drank it.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353515028/bctid1333277839
Love him.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353515028/bctid1333277839
Love him.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Why?
Ok, here we go.
I support Obama for President (I know, shocker). This is why.
(And equally important - why I do not support Clinton.)
First some stats:
Obama has over 10 years of elected political servitude between his years in the IL Senate and US Senate.
Clinton has 7.
Committees currently serving on:
Obama (4)- Homeland Security & Government Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Veterans' Affairs and Foreign Relations (serving as chairman of the Subcommitte on European Affairs).
Clinton (4) - Armed Services; Environment & Public Works; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and Aging.
Money taken from lobbyists:
Obama - $76,859 ($6,755 form PAC's - 74% from ideological/single issues)
Clinton - $567,950 ($748,052 from PAC's - 56% from business)
**Opensecrets.org
Now, opinion.
I have been on both candidates websites. While similar in structure and spin, Obama's focuses on getting his message out in a positive way and does not include digs at the other candidates. Hillary's site has an entire section - The Fact Hub - dedicated to defensive counter attacks. The very mud-slinging she is complaining about.
(www.barackobama.com; www.hillaryclinton.com)
Added: **Oops, my bad. Barack has added a similar defense page to his website: http://factcheck.barackobama.com
Hillary keeps talking about how much more experience she has and touting against electing someone that will need "on-the-job training". Obama actually has more experience in elected office than she does. Her years as First Lady don't count. If she is claiming they do, she needs to provide documentation to support that fact. Why should we just believe her? I don't think it's fair if she's running on her husband's merits.
I see Obama's lack of experience as an asset. He is still new, fresh and relatively uncompromised. He hasn't been corrupt by the current politcal system that she proudly claims to have been a part of for 35 years.
I see Obama as a face to unify not only our country, but the world. He sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, co-wrote the Lugar-Obama initiative to prevent wmd smuggling, supports the Non-proliferation Treaty to eradicate nuclear weapons throughout the world and has written legislation to aid the conflicts in Darfur and the Congo. He has family living in Kenya and lived as a child in SE Asia. He understands what it is like to live (even if he was 10) in a culture other than the corporate corrupt America that the rest of the world sees. He can change the way we are seen by the world.
What I fear most about Clinton is the money she is taking from numerous lobbies (defense, insurance, Chinese and Indian companies, etc.). What has she promised in return for these donations? If she really has all of these years of experience in negotiating, how many favors does she owe - and to whom?
She is also the only major Democratic candidate to not support free presidential debates (maplight.org). Why? Without the money she doesn't think she can win?
She has been called a corporate democrat and linked to numerous troublesome people or companies (ie. discrimination at WalMart, outsourcing at Westin Hotels, Mark Penn on her payroll...), but in her defense, her voting record (aside from the Iraq War) has been pretty progressive.
I'm not saying she's the evil queen some are making her out to be, I just think Obama has a clearer vision of where the country could and should be. "A vision that draws from the lessons of the past, but is not bound by outdated thinking." (04/23/07 speech)
Obama was quoted on the campaign trail: "I will wake up every day in that White House thinking about 'How I can make your lives better.'" I believe him. I'm not so sure the same is true for Hillary. If I'm wrong, then shame on me for daring to hope for the America I dream of and know we can be.
I support Obama for President (I know, shocker). This is why.
(And equally important - why I do not support Clinton.)
First some stats:
Obama has over 10 years of elected political servitude between his years in the IL Senate and US Senate.
Clinton has 7.
Committees currently serving on:
Obama (4)- Homeland Security & Government Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Veterans' Affairs and Foreign Relations (serving as chairman of the Subcommitte on European Affairs).
Clinton (4) - Armed Services; Environment & Public Works; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and Aging.
Money taken from lobbyists:
Obama - $76,859 ($6,755 form PAC's - 74% from ideological/single issues)
Clinton - $567,950 ($748,052 from PAC's - 56% from business)
**Opensecrets.org
Now, opinion.
I have been on both candidates websites. While similar in structure and spin, Obama's focuses on getting his message out in a positive way and does not include digs at the other candidates. Hillary's site has an entire section - The Fact Hub - dedicated to defensive counter attacks. The very mud-slinging she is complaining about.
(www.barackobama.com; www.hillaryclinton.com)
Added: **Oops, my bad. Barack has added a similar defense page to his website: http://factcheck.barackobama.com
Hillary keeps talking about how much more experience she has and touting against electing someone that will need "on-the-job training". Obama actually has more experience in elected office than she does. Her years as First Lady don't count. If she is claiming they do, she needs to provide documentation to support that fact. Why should we just believe her? I don't think it's fair if she's running on her husband's merits.
I see Obama's lack of experience as an asset. He is still new, fresh and relatively uncompromised. He hasn't been corrupt by the current politcal system that she proudly claims to have been a part of for 35 years.
I see Obama as a face to unify not only our country, but the world. He sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, co-wrote the Lugar-Obama initiative to prevent wmd smuggling, supports the Non-proliferation Treaty to eradicate nuclear weapons throughout the world and has written legislation to aid the conflicts in Darfur and the Congo. He has family living in Kenya and lived as a child in SE Asia. He understands what it is like to live (even if he was 10) in a culture other than the corporate corrupt America that the rest of the world sees. He can change the way we are seen by the world.
What I fear most about Clinton is the money she is taking from numerous lobbies (defense, insurance, Chinese and Indian companies, etc.). What has she promised in return for these donations? If she really has all of these years of experience in negotiating, how many favors does she owe - and to whom?
She is also the only major Democratic candidate to not support free presidential debates (maplight.org). Why? Without the money she doesn't think she can win?
She has been called a corporate democrat and linked to numerous troublesome people or companies (ie. discrimination at WalMart, outsourcing at Westin Hotels, Mark Penn on her payroll...), but in her defense, her voting record (aside from the Iraq War) has been pretty progressive.
I'm not saying she's the evil queen some are making her out to be, I just think Obama has a clearer vision of where the country could and should be. "A vision that draws from the lessons of the past, but is not bound by outdated thinking." (04/23/07 speech)
Obama was quoted on the campaign trail: "I will wake up every day in that White House thinking about 'How I can make your lives better.'" I believe him. I'm not so sure the same is true for Hillary. If I'm wrong, then shame on me for daring to hope for the America I dream of and know we can be.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Knock, Knock Barack
This is opportunity. Please, I beg you, don't waste me.
Do not listen to the polls. Do not listen to your strategists. Do not let your opponents drag you down into the mess. Listen to your heart, your soul - run on what you believe and know. Let the rest of us step up and elect you.
I know this is wishful thinking. I know this is not how our current election process (for lack of a worse term) is run. I know you will have to pander and make mistakes and "get dirty", but I wish it weren't so. I wish for everyone to simply and clearly understand what you bring to the table. For you, for me and especially for our world.
Tom Hayden's article, "An Appeal to Obama" (11/09/07 on Huffington Post) discusses problems with the campaign's strategies from lacking a definitive constituency to trying to distance itself from the 60s generation. While most of the article is critcal of these perceived missteps, Hayden also offers a succint glimpse to your unique promise:
"The greatest gift you have been given by history is that as the
elected tribune of a revived democracy, you could change America's
dismal role in the world. Because of what you so eloquently represent,
you could convince the world to give America a new hearing, even a new
respect. There are no plazas large enough for the crowds that would
listen to your every word, wondering if you are the one the whole
world is waiting for. They would not wait for long, of course. But
they would passionately want to give you the space to reset the
American direction."
This is what we want. This is what we so desperately want, yet the need to campaign is getting in the way of the message you radiate. America is a skeptical bunch. One that is undertandably weary and leery of what seems to obviously be "the answer". It's too easy and we've had our hearts broken too many times before. As huffpo blogger akhinaten says: "Obama is a manifested impossibility that is slowly being deconstructed to find his tribal allegiance." It is safer for us to break you down into systematic categories and pick your every detail apart. We feel the need to define you in a way that makes sense to us instead of believing in our own ability to transcend definition. That way, we can see your shortcomings and somehow justify relinquishing our hope for the future we really want and need.
Barack, you alone find yourself in this precarious position. As the first African American man that has an honest chance of winning the presidency, you are our history and our future. People ask "Is he black enough?" or " Can a black man be elected to the highest office?" Instead of thinking of this as a liability, we should be honoring the fact that we have grown (albeit slowly) as a nation to a place where this is even a possibility. Sad, but true.
Can you live up to your enormous potential? Will you even get the chance? Can we, as a people, put aside all of our prejudice, ignorance and greed and truly step up and start to heal the extensive damage in this country that we say we love? I hope so. It will break my heart if we (you and me) let this opportunity pass.
Hayden also included this memory in his article.
"I sat listening to you last year at an RFK human rights event in our
capital. I was sitting behind Ethel Kennedy and several of her
children, all of whom take more progressive stands than anyone
currently leading the national Democratic Party. They were applauding
you, supporting your candidacy, and trying to persuade me that you
were not just another charismatic candidate but the one we have been
waiting for."
That is pretty huge coming from the Kennedy clan. Let us remember the words spoken by one of their own:
"So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
(JFK's inaugural address - 1961)
Do not listen to the polls. Do not listen to your strategists. Do not let your opponents drag you down into the mess. Listen to your heart, your soul - run on what you believe and know. Let the rest of us step up and elect you.
I know this is wishful thinking. I know this is not how our current election process (for lack of a worse term) is run. I know you will have to pander and make mistakes and "get dirty", but I wish it weren't so. I wish for everyone to simply and clearly understand what you bring to the table. For you, for me and especially for our world.
Tom Hayden's article, "An Appeal to Obama" (11/09/07 on Huffington Post) discusses problems with the campaign's strategies from lacking a definitive constituency to trying to distance itself from the 60s generation. While most of the article is critcal of these perceived missteps, Hayden also offers a succint glimpse to your unique promise:
"The greatest gift you have been given by history is that as the
elected tribune of a revived democracy, you could change America's
dismal role in the world. Because of what you so eloquently represent,
you could convince the world to give America a new hearing, even a new
respect. There are no plazas large enough for the crowds that would
listen to your every word, wondering if you are the one the whole
world is waiting for. They would not wait for long, of course. But
they would passionately want to give you the space to reset the
American direction."
This is what we want. This is what we so desperately want, yet the need to campaign is getting in the way of the message you radiate. America is a skeptical bunch. One that is undertandably weary and leery of what seems to obviously be "the answer". It's too easy and we've had our hearts broken too many times before. As huffpo blogger akhinaten says: "Obama is a manifested impossibility that is slowly being deconstructed to find his tribal allegiance." It is safer for us to break you down into systematic categories and pick your every detail apart. We feel the need to define you in a way that makes sense to us instead of believing in our own ability to transcend definition. That way, we can see your shortcomings and somehow justify relinquishing our hope for the future we really want and need.
Barack, you alone find yourself in this precarious position. As the first African American man that has an honest chance of winning the presidency, you are our history and our future. People ask "Is he black enough?" or " Can a black man be elected to the highest office?" Instead of thinking of this as a liability, we should be honoring the fact that we have grown (albeit slowly) as a nation to a place where this is even a possibility. Sad, but true.
Can you live up to your enormous potential? Will you even get the chance? Can we, as a people, put aside all of our prejudice, ignorance and greed and truly step up and start to heal the extensive damage in this country that we say we love? I hope so. It will break my heart if we (you and me) let this opportunity pass.
Hayden also included this memory in his article.
"I sat listening to you last year at an RFK human rights event in our
capital. I was sitting behind Ethel Kennedy and several of her
children, all of whom take more progressive stands than anyone
currently leading the national Democratic Party. They were applauding
you, supporting your candidacy, and trying to persuade me that you
were not just another charismatic candidate but the one we have been
waiting for."
That is pretty huge coming from the Kennedy clan. Let us remember the words spoken by one of their own:
"So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
(JFK's inaugural address - 1961)
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