Stellar
I hardly ever do political posts. The last time I went on at any length about politics was way back here. That was a bit ranty. This is even worse, it’s a bit ravey. Sorry ’bout that. I’ve posted a few incidental, political, spitty-spitty phthoo-phthoo paragraphs here and there on PCB – not many at all really considering I follow it all quite closely and sprinkle my political views around people’s comment boxes all the damn time – but every now and then I feel the desire to blog it out.
I’ve just watched Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for president. He’s the first black man in American history to win, win the nomination of a major party. This was not an appointed position, Secretary of State or Attorney General or such. He won the right to run after a long, hard campaign in which he consistently took the moral high ground and did not compromise his integrity.
Tonight his speech was not about his being an historic candidate though. It was hardly even about him being black. It was about America rebecoming the country the Founding Fathers envisioned. Obama is not merely an outstanding black candidate, he is an outstanding candidate, – he truly makes race not matter. If it is true that any minority candidate must be twice as good as any white male candidate then he is four times as good. He is an extraordinary person.
The speech was brilliant. He was subtle, he was strong, he attacked but did not slur. He said there was no one party more patriotic than another so quit that crap, Rove tacticians. He set a noble, high-minded but also very muscular and practical tone, and laid out 29 strong policy differences between he and McCain. He turned McCain’s perceived strengths and particular attacks back on him and ended up sounding by far the more honest candidate. He has single-handedly managed to raise the tone of American politics and be successful and sincere doing it – something I reckon most of us thought was nigh on impossible nowadays. His wife has that same deeply intelligent, articulate, measured and compassionate sense about her and, while I know this is politics after all and how politicians are wont let us down badly, I really, really find myself believing in these people in a way I thought I was much much too jaded to be able to. It seems very unlike me to be gushy about any politician and I am having a hard time recognizing myself.
Following that speech tonight, any of the usual attacks from McCain next week when he accepts the Republican nomination are going to look, petty, pathetic and desperate.
Obama is the American Dream incarnate. Not the trite, corn-ball, white-picket-fence dream I was encouraged growing up to think America was all about, but the old, original American Dream that anybody – even the black son of a single mother – willing to work, and given the right tools and encouragement can fulfill their personal dreams while at the same time increasing the common good. He has resurrected that second part. He declared old style models of trickle down economics and the “ownership society” as just no longer workable in these changing, globalizing times and that our personal “I’m alright, Jack, you’re on your own” hangover attitudes towards each other from the Reagan years must yield to a bit of collective purpose. Obvious, for sure, but not common from the mouth of such a high level politician. He called for a country where we are our brother’s and sister’s keepers, not in terms of personal, governmental or lifestyle intrusions but in terms of keeping us all economically and morally robust and accountable to each other.
While he used the language of hope, he didn’t sugar-coat any of it but called for serious, hard work, both individually and collectively to get stuff done. He invoked the generation of the Depression, his grandparent’s (“who were no whiners”) generation, when describing how the huge problems of the day require us all to pull together with hope and a common purpose to reach progress and better times in a socially and morally responsible way. And he was specific about how we can do that, outlining his plan for energy-independence from the Middle-East in ten years and an unprecedentedly huge investment in other energy sources, admitting that some of them would fail but, like in the development of any new technology, we have to go through that before we learn how to succeed with it. He called for a big election to be about big issues, not small wedge issues like in the last two elections, because the times are just too serious for that and the stakes too high.
Obama has changed minds by inspiring people, not frightening them and by talking to us like we’re adults, not children who need complex problems dumbed down for us. He does not pretend all will be perfect for everybody or that government is a panacea for all society’s ills but that we need a clear change in direction and in what we value as a society. He can admit his opponent is a good brave man who loves his country but says McCain just does not get the changes going on with the country economically, socially, temperamentally and globally. and he makes a damn good case in saying so, using McCain’s own record as proof.
I’ve listened to many political speeches and I am nothing if not a cynical European when it comes to American campaign hoopla, especially the cheesy rhetoric, but I cannot recall being so energized, inspired and excited by any candidate before, anywhere.
Obama is the man for these times. History is always ready to make fools of people who feel as convinced as I do about a poli-afterblinkin’all-tician but, despite myself, I really believe that to be true. I’ll be gutted for haggis if he doesn’t win in November.
~oOo~
Been a bit busy lately and looks like it’ll continue through the end of next week. Prolly be around but not as much. Somebody asked but I’m not going off blogging. Not at all, I still love it. Especially because myself and the fabulous Devin have been invited to Ireland in February to watch the Irish blog awards again! And in October I’m going to meet a whole bunch of amazing sketch-bloggers and artist friends of the truly incomparable Crackskullbob!
I feckin’ love blogging!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:01 am
What did you think of the setting? Were the Grecian columns a bit OTT?
August 30th, 2008 at 4:02 am
You?ve just gone and made it too difficult for me to be smart or cynical in a comment, dam you PCB. My cynicism can?t reach up this high, I?ve got that bare naked feeling but not in a good flappy way, no , more that vulnerable ?Jesus Christ, why the fuck are these people looking at me ? way.
I?m with you Sam, I more than like this guy and what he?s about. ( even though he raced to middle in the past months which is what he has to do, to get in).
But, if he turns out be a charlatan and a me feiner ( all for me), if he does and betrays my trust in PCB and in him, there will be repercussions and consequences too.
BTW What about HIS hair ( your recent comment over on Bock!)
August 30th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Unfortunately, my “Show Me” inner Missourian approaches all politicians with grave trepidation. I’ve had too many of them — of all stripes and persuasions — look me in the eye and lie without blinking; seen too many say or do anything to obtain power. I await not a Messiah but a dull Cincinnatus to quietly and efficiently get a job done.
Thus, I shall wait and see.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Sorry Sam, but I cannot get over my feather-spitting annoyance with the entire thing. I simply do not understand why any would place in danger the winning of the election for factional gain. They have done was or should have been near on impossible, but it is unforgivable, because they have placed in danger the good that might have been done for the sake of having someone black or female in the WH.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Bock, way over the top but I have no idea who was responsible for that. To me, his speech rendered the surroundings immaterial.
Sniffle, I really really hope he doesn’t. I know it’s possible but hell, if he’s suckering me in with spiel, he’s freakishly good at it and I’m a sucker.
Rna, but don’t you think the times need strong leadership not just a rubber-stamper? These are bad times for the country and we need to be able to believe not only in our leader but in ourselves as a country again. It was the fist time I felt like I’ve been told to buckle down when after 9/11 would have been the time a proper leader would have demanded it of us.
Vincent, I take your point bit disagree that hillary was just a woman candidate and Barack just a black candidate – the two were the best candidates their party had with the best chance of beating Republicans, something their spineless party has not managed to do when the last election should have been a gimme. It sounds like you have another candidate in mind who you think would have been better. I don’t think think this is race pandering. I think he’s just that good becasue, believe me, this is a country that still has a lot of deeply rooted racial problems and not just in the South.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I remember Tony Blair’s speech the morning after he became the 1st labour prime minister for 18 years.
I so wanted to believe.
I so want to believe this time too.
Buggered if I can switch off that cynical voice in the background though. I need your enthusiasm, Sam. I hope you never grow old an cynical before your time
August 30th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Last time GW was running and its very difficult to dislodge the lad in the chair. But and here is the BUT, the Clintons had measured this, the eight-year all bets being off thing. And so I believe did BO. The thing is I like that, I like the measurement. It puts a scales on things. But they split it, forced people to decide and nail colours to masts using sledge-hammers, at a time when the fight should have been friendly.
Bets were placed by very big hitters and much further back than the last few years. But neither group would back down.
Must look up this Alaskan chick, moose burgers I hear. Do you think she has seen monty python ?.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Hmm… and just a bit more hmmm… jury’s out until he’s in. Until then it’s speeches and soundbites and sell, sell, sell. By his actions etc etc. Btw, who does write his speeches?
August 30th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Kim, I thought Tony Blair had the stuff too but was always leery of his smarminess and could never quite reconcile myself to how glib he could be sometimes. I really really hope Obama’s the new President but whoever it is they have a hell of a job ahead of them. Frankly I don’t know why anybody would want the job.
Vincent, I don’t know much about Sarah Palin except what I’ve been reading this morning. Stood up against corruption, including now indicted Alaska Senator/Crook Ted Stevens – good. Anti-gay-marriage and Pro-Life, a personal choice but she is ardently so and would legislate likewise – not so good.
Conan, he wrote that one himself.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
If you ask me, cynicism results from having unrealistic expectations. We humans, all of us, even blog commenters, are susceptible to frailty, hypocrisy, selfishness, deceit and greed. And gluttony. Also lust. Have I left anything out? Barack Obama will often succumb to human failings, just as we all do. But since he comes from a different place than any Republican, each time he succeeds it will be a step, however small, in the right direction. All y’all cynics out there can steep in your own bile if you like, but it’s not good for your health.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Oh yeah, now I remember: we also covet our neighbor’s ass.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Sam, I’m not suggesting a “rubber stamp,” but I have a visceral distrust of those who desire to lead. The idealistic part of me wishes to be inspired by an ideal, worthy of pursuit. Yet, there are too many examples in history where where such leaders wind up pursuing a path which is not in the best interest of those who were initially inspired.
I’m not saying Mr. Obama is one of those. Indeed, I find his victory to be well deserved and impressive/inspiring on any number of levels. (I pulled the plunger for him in the Missouri Democratic primary, BTW.) Yet, I remain wary, because my own personal freedom is the most important thing to me.
Cheers, dear, and I hope you get to cast your ballot this election.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
This one goes out to all the purists over here. Gotta tell all you guys and gals that I?m gasping for life giving air at this high moral altitude.
I?m inclined to say kop the fuck on.
This here blogger puts her heart on sleeve and tell us why, actually why, BO should be president. Her shit makes sense.
And what the fuck, from both Vincent H and R Sherman, vague, ambiguous mumbo jumbo.
The girl said the time is now and that he?s the man.
If you disagree, say the fuck why and why the other cunt is better. PCB said exactly why she believes this fucker to be the better candidate.
Where the fuck you guys at? I can?t make out from your replies. Hey, maybe it?s just me.
Weasel words, ambiguities and cheap shots are what I read as commentary here, mostly.
August 30th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
C.S. Bob, isn’t coveting our neighbour’s ass just the same as lust though? Making it a redundant sin? Redundant lust? Maybe a redundant ass? I forget now which that is, but I do know it has nothing whatsoever to do with donkeys despite the ass bit. Only it does! It does! The Democrats are the party of the Donkey right? Republicans elephant, Dems Donkey! But what does it all mean? Surely Barack doesn’t fancy Hillary! Could all this just be an elaborate way to ask her out? Oh Lordy lumme, won’t someone pour me a mind-altering beverage!
Rand, you’re right, it is a peculiar notion, wanting to be a politician. I don’t get it myself but I reckon that there are those who at least start out with the idea of doing some real good. Obama could have easily gone to Wall Street and made a packet, paid off his student loans in a jiffy, but instead he went to Chicago’s South Side and organized among the poor and unglamourous. Sure he might have said, well some day I’ll be President but that was a hell of a chance for a young black man to take. But if he did do it all with some grand plan in place, then he’s a hell of a guy for getting unlikely things done and I’d have to admire him all the more for that.
Sniffly! You on the hooch this Friday evening? Nothing wrong with that but steady there, toots! Randall and Vincent are good sorts, both. US politics have been such a head-scratching affair for so long now, I reckon, we’re all at sixes and sevens trying to tell who’s bullshitting us and who isn’t. I thought Colin Powell would keep the Bush Administration steady and about a year ago I thought John McCain was an OK guy. I also thought John Edwards was a good guy if a bit smarmy looking. So far that’s 0 for 3, I’ve got right. I can understand cynicism; I’m astonished I don’t feel more that way myself but Obama’s reeled me in, suckered or not remains to be seen. I really think not though, I really do, and it’s not something I’m sure I can entirely explain.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Sniffle, my friend.
I just read your comment.
I was not being critical of my friend Sam. I’ve posted things at my place with which she’s disagreed. I respect her views. I think and reexamine my thoughts in light of her remarks.
But I don’t lob F-bombs.
Sam, dear, I’m sorry if I’ve caused a problem.
Cheers.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Rand, no problem at all, hun, and there’s no need to apologize. Sniffle’s a good sort himself although he’s a bit fiery tonight, right enough. The Irish curse a hell of a lot more than Americans though and think nothing of it. What sounds violent to US ears is common parlance in any pub over there and more so on the internet. Some of my American friends who I’ve tried to turn onto the Irish blogscape have shied away from it because it is a boisterous, combative place and they can’t take the language. That’s fair enough. It’s not for everybody and even for the bold it can take some getting used to. I hang out there because it is vibrant, quick-witted and irreverant but also thoughtful and enlightening and I have met some terrific people in Irishblogland. I feel at home there and am ever fonder of my Irish blogpals the longer I know them, Sniffle included. There is no real Scottish blogscape but Irish bloggers speak the same diffident, wry cadences I am used to hearing in Scotland, the pop culture references are the same, and I never have to explain my sense of humour there as I sometimes feel I need to here. Nor have I ever with you Rand, me old blogging chum, or my husband or any number of Americans I know but I do with some. It’s natural. It’s just that slight variation in the cultures of English-speaking peoples that tells you if you’re home or thereabouts.
Sniffle, Randall is one of my oldest and best blog pals and we have had many, many long and fascinating discussions on lots of things. Although we differ on some things, his reasoning is always considered and I know him to be a very good and decent man and a rigourous thinker. He has challenged my ideas on a lot of things, convinced me of some and caused me to trim and refine my opposing argument on others. I have utmost respect and affection for him and his independent thinking and always value hearing what he has to say. His own blog gives me a lot of food for thought and my opinions, although sometimes different, have never been made to feel unwelcome. The opposite, I’ve always been heard out and, although, I hate to admit it, probably indulged in my long-winded comments over there. Rand, really is a good egg and not the enemy. So how bout we sheath swords. I’m not saying don’t argue, I’m just saying lets keep it respectful because we’re all used to different ways of talking.
And that’s all the defending I’m going to do, one to the other. Funny thing is, if you met in real life, Vincent too (who is Irish as well), you would get on like an abode ablaze, I know it.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:43 am
I’m using the Bart Simpson defense.
August 31st, 2008 at 10:14 am
I don’t even like people anymore, let alone politicians.
August 31st, 2008 at 11:09 am
“I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything.”….USED AS A JOKE
Well, since this morning I’ve had a bit of a think, and in no way have I trashed Sam or her stand. Nor do I see how feather-spitting could be seen as ambiguous.
But I do agree with you Sam, there is a better than evens chance that we all would get along swimmingly.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Unreserved apologies for any hurt or embarrassment caused here. To Sam and to her commenters.
In our home, there is no such thing as ?bad? language, only context.
As I saw it, PCB sent out a clarion call, a rallying call for support for BO. Even if you are sceptical, he is without doubt the best worst option. That?s pragmatism. I thought PCB?s piece to be excellent in its research and construction. I didn?t see the same effort in the comments.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Vincent, It’s been known to work!
Eolai, now that is bleak, buddy! What gives?
Sniffle, I’m not embarrassed by my friends. Neither by you, nor Randall. You are from pretty different cultures, your both being english-speaking notwithstanding. I tried above to explain a little about you to each other by way of bridging the barrier between your cultures and habits of speech but that’s it. You will draw whatever conclusions you like about each other and short of speaking up for you both, I can have very little to do with that. Neither do I need to defend my friendship with the other, which you are both too decent to ask anyway. I am very rarely embarrassed by my friends. Unless you say you enjoy thinking about Pope Benedict rolling around in whipped cream and swastikas as naked as his mammy birthed him. Then I’m afraid I will have to be rather embarrassed by you. And then if Randall pipes in adn says he’d like to add some fudge sauce and a maraschino cherry to the same scene and think about that for a while, well, I fear I’d be equally embarrassed by him.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Sniffle: some of us are old blogging friends and have the luxury of being able to speak openly to each other without having to censor ourselves all the time. There is a good deal of good will and respect and sometimes good natured joshing. It’ a happy state to be in. Maybe you didn’t realise that?
September 1st, 2008 at 1:57 am
Don’t you think the fact that he’s rather good-looking gives him a bit of an edge? I’m with Kim on the post-Blair disillusionment. But I’m all for a triumph of hope over experience, which pretty much sums up Obama.
Some wit on BBC radio 4 said “The question is not are the Americans ready for their first black president, but are they ready for the assassination of their first black president?”
In his place, gun control would be pretty high on my agenda.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:15 am
I’d like to think that Obama would win, but after eight years of Bush and his henchmen stoking the national paranoia, it’s hard to see the US breaking free.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Wonderful summary, Sam.
The man was on fire.
Even batshit insane Pat Buchanan was blown away.
I loved his smackdown of McCain when he said McCain vowed to follow bin Laden to the gates of hell but won’t look for him in the cave he lives in.
Zing!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
and he’s pretty.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Sam, I will vote for him too. And with all my heart I want to believe that he is sincere and will do his best. For the time being, it is good enough for me that he is a lot more who I want in the White House than the other guy. Sometimes I feel like Charlie Brown and the football against Lucy when it comes to voting in the national elections, but I’ll probably always keep hoping. And voting.