Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Lion in Winter

photo by Nancy Lane


“For me this is season of hope, of new hope . . . This is the cause of my life, that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American will have decent health care, not as a privilege but as a right.

“We can meet these challenges with Barack Obama. Yes, we can and finally yes we will. This November, the torch with be passed again to a new generation of Americans.”

My daughter and I watched first Senator Ted Kennedy's inspiring speech, and then Michelle Obama's equally inspiring speech. I wept openly as I listened to Kennedy speak from the heart, focusing on those things I grew up believing in: from his late brother's Inaugural Address, when newly-elected John Fitzgerald Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," I have believed that we have a patriotic duty to heal the rifts brought on by fear.

Kennedy spoke to that fear, and to that call to action.

And then Michelle Obama got up there and talked about walking away from her great job in a big Chicago law firm to do just that - to work out in the community to heal the rifts brought on by fear. She talked openly about how we are all connected - something I believe as well. We are all connected, no matter our race, no matter our choice of faith or not, we are connected be we straight, gay, or bi-; we are connected whether we live in the United States, or in Iraq, or in Korea. And my daughter, a single mom with a 3-year-old, wept openly while Michelle Obama spoke from the heart.

She spoke to that fear, and to that call to action as well.

You may not love Obama. But if you line up the issues, and call yourself a Liberal, or a Progressive, or a Democrat, you cannot support John McCain. John McCain will not support a health care program for all Americans. John McCain will not find a way to end this mistake of a war in Iraq. John McCain will not help people get to work, nor will he search for alternative energy resources. John McCain will continue the politics of fear that the current administration has played for the last eight years. So, if you are a Liberal, a Progressive, a Democrat, and you may not love Obama, please dig deep before you cast your vote in November. It is a choice between the politics of fear, or the politics of hope, and while the candidate may not be perfect, he is a far cry better than what the Republicans offer.

14 comments:

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Amen sister. If only the bitter Hillary-istas would heed your wise words.

Randal Graves said...

Um, directing votes to Barack Hussein X? Don't we want to win?

Fine, if you insist on living in reality. I've found it quite banal. Harrumph.

robin andrea said...

Right on, divajood. A great night at the convention. Two very fine, inspiring speeches.

okjimm said...

Ya, I perceive this election as not one of voting for the lesser of two evils, equating them as equally insipid candidates, but rather making damn sure I do not vote for one of the worst possible candidates ever.... John McCain.

His ads are smarmy, malicious, misleading, untrue, malignant,and generally, really suck ass.

I have more respect for a $10 Hooker..... and least she would not be pretentious

DrDon said...

In a true democracy we wouldn't be limited to only these two candidates. I don't have any real problem with Obama, though I also don't know that there's anything yet in his resume that really qualifies him to be president. In fact, I couldn't tell you what that something would be. I know that he doesn't inspire me as much as he seems to inspire some people. Working in a law firm, I guess I'm used to being around clever speakers.

That being said, I completely agree with you about McCain so I think Obama is the man. I just hope, as Dr. Monkey said, that the Clinton folks get over this spoiled brat attitudes and joing the party.

Billie Greenwood said...

Listen to The Diva, Folks.

Stella by Starlight said...

Diva, that's the sound of my hands clapping? I had goosebumps when Kennedy spoke. He completely disregarded his doctors' advice.

We just may change the course of negativity. Let's hope Hillary rounds up those Pumas. I think they're a Rethuglican plant from Turdblossom. Conspiracy theory? Nah. Would you put anything past the Rethugs?

Stella by Starlight said...

Yes, I missed that comment, divajood. It was hearing Teddy was like hearing John F. Kennedy again.

Now will you be speaking on Friday to accept the nomination?

Fran said...

Yes- the great Diva has spoken, listen to her please!

I could not agree more- great post my friend.

jmsjoin said...

He was great! The kids were great! Excellent! Hi Daddy!
I thought everything went well! Kennedy was great and Michelle was perfect educating about her and Obama!
Tonight hopefully Hillary will unite, tomorrow Biden will attack and then Obama can come forward with the hope and change!

susan said...

I can get on board with that.. but I will be tempted to write-in Jood/Nunley.

Dean Wormer said...

He is the king.

Utah Savage said...

Great first night.

Unknown said...

Ted Kennedy is a legend and our most treasured political icon here in Massachusetts. We're so lucky here to have such liberal legislators. Rather than writing to persuade them to vote my way, I find myself writing to thank them for doing so.

I thought his speech was phenomenal. I just love the guy...