And in the end, after all that’s happened these past 19 months, see the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago. He’s the same man who drove me and our new baby daughter home from the hospital 10 years ago this summer, inching along at a snail’s pace, peering anxiously at us in the rearview mirror, feeling the whole weight of her future in his hands, determined to give her everything he’d struggled so hard for himself, determined to give her something he never had: the affirming embrace of a father’s love.
And as I tuck that little girl in and her little sister into bed at night, I think about how one day, they’ll have families of their own. And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They’ll tell them how this time we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming.
How this time, in this great country, where a girl from the south side of Chicago can go to college and to law school, and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the White House. We committed ourselves to building the world as it should be.
So tonight, in honor of my father’s memory and my daughters’ future, out of gratitude for those whose triumphs we mark this week and those whose everyday sacrifices have brought us to this moment, let us devote ourselves to finishing their work…
Well written passage, and very well delivered. What did you all think?
UPDATE: And the kids are adorable. The "persistent president" line was priceless.
(YouTube is the pre-speech message that the Obama campaign sent out of Michelle Obama and the girls doing pre-speech prep.)
Related posts:
- Blowback Coming on Obama School Speech
- Obama’s Cairo Speech: New Directions, New Modalities, Renewed Hope?
- Early Morning Swim: Special Rachel Analyzes Obama’s Speech Edition
- An Offended Mother on President Obama’s Speech to School Kids
- Liberal Media Characterizes Obama’s Back to School Speech as “Controversial”
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i love her
those kids are BEAUTIFUL
Bravisima!
Press room erupts with cheers and applause at the speech
I have goooose bumps
tears again…of joy
Daughters bringing the house down
*sigh*
Downstairs we were passing around the “proud and happy” Kleenexes.
amazing goodness
wonderful speech.
Who can say now that they don’t know Michelle Obama
I’ll take ten of those, please.
All of the McCainStreamMedia, for starters….
Brilliant – and real. Wow
Here, have a box…
aww the girls!!!! so cute
soft-spoken and powerful at the same time. That’s a gift.
shut up Brokeback TOM…stfu
THX!
Sebelius closing.
OMG! I have been watching conventions since age 6 and I have never seen anything like this. Michelle AND the kids!
I think it got off to a great start with Michelle & Teddy
TOM you racist fuk
That was very powerful and the tone was perfect.
i am so thrilled, from Caroline to Michelle, and Teddy in between, i am so pumped about this election.
They just choose to ignore it, the intro has been made. They will do with it, what they will (crap on it)
Brilliant! Way to demonstrate vs. talk up family values.
GO OBAMA!
thanks for sharing this.
Recess!
So, Christy, where you partyin’ tonight?
And with who? Or whom?
*g*
Thanks for the updates, no TV here and I was eating dinner with my wife so it is nice to hear the positive assessment from you all!
But….they were complaining downstairs about the protesters being caged. That’s hurting the whole convention, don’t you think?
wonderful, wonderful
me too…hope streaming in
I can’t begin to tell you how refreshing and non-stressful it was to watch this on C-Span. They actually had NO TALKING HEADS. I love being trusted to make up my own fracking mind about what I’m watching. I’m certainly going to watch C-Span when they move to Minneapolis (assuming my stomach holds up watching “those people”).
“Not one of us” – WTF dude on PBS?
oh, AZ Matt – you must watch youtubes – way worth it.
Off to slumbers, you guys, it was such a pleasure sharing this with you all.
She was awesome…lots of less than dry eyes in the house.
See my #32…!
I have TV here and the best advice I took was to switch to CSPAN. No pundits. I think I can filter my own news, thank you very much!
On MSNBC, Harold Ford finally saying something useful. “America can be proud of her.” She blew him away.
It was a beautifully written and delivered speech.
The segment noted by Christy is about as good as it gets.
Pretty good speech, very good delivery. She’ll make a great First Lady.
yep
Yeah, that’s what I meant to say at 38.
Also watched this on CSpan. Cannot remember when, if ever, I have been so affected by a convention speech. We should be so lucky to have Michelle Obama as First lady.
Ditto. I started off on MSNBC but they weren’t showing the convention at all.
BTW, did I miss Jimmy Carter or is he on another night?
you know, lots to criticize, lots to make better, lots we all want to change
but we change in steps … step after step … if we keep working at it
and some of us remember when this night, when a Michelle Obama would not be possible … and tonight she is
and that is amazing and wonderful and a sign – at least to me – that we keep working
there’s lots wrong – very wrong – but that’s been true for a long time – and it’s up to us to keep on, working for change … but also celebrating the steps forward
Really well crafted and well delivered speech but the clincher was the spontaneous reaction of the girls.
This is only the beginning. It is time for all good people to come to the aid of their country. Fired up? Ready to go?
An analyst on NPR just said that Michelle Obama had some facial tics during the speech and stepped on the applause a number of times, and that watchers at home might not be convinced that she is different from former First Ladies.
There’s nothing like a detail man, huh?
it is a true delight, isn’t it
My favorite part was….”And that’s why I love America”
Has anyone placed the folks at No Quarter on suicide watch after Michelle Obama’s tour de force?
-G
I will check them out!
It is only 9 pm in Denver so what are DFH going to do now? Party? Sleepy time?
Marathon, right Siun?
I’m in it for the long haul.
I was streaming it for awhile during Kennedy’s speech.
Joke ‘em if they can’t take a fuck!
If you were watching MSNBC you missed him entirely. I’m sure somebody (Crooks and Liars would be my first guess, and C-Span would be second) will put him up on the web. Do look for him. And for the rest of the convention watch NO CHANNEL other than C-Span. I popped back and forth between all the “usual suspects” all evening and C-Span gave complete, honest, and un-bloviated coverage.
Holy shit…sorry for the OT…my local news is reporting the thwarting of an assassination plot against Obama, with the arrest of suspects possessing rifles, ammunition, and drugs. Supposedly members of a white supremacist group.
Wow. They keep this up, I may not be able to maintain my customary curmudgeonly demeanor.
“In this corner… cranky mean-sprited anachronistic white-haired old guy. In the other corner, sweet happy googly kids who love their dad and The Brady Bunch.”
Any questions? Game frickin’ over!!!
much appreciated.
here marion, strawberry sorbet made with rose water. that’s the secret….a pup gave me the recipe, wish i could remember which one, it is delicious.
you got it!
This was a magnificent night for the Democratic party, and for America.
What the Villager’s don’t understand is just how much of an American story the Obama family is.
The democraphics are changing fast.
Cokie, Brokie and Limpy all think it is still Ozzie and Harriet 1950.
-G
I was surprised at how well he looked. I was expecting door-of-death. I thought he looked great, had good energy and I really truely believe he’ll be around in January for Obama’s inauguration.
Comedy central guys still having fun:
yep, kids don’t lie.
I love her! And the girls are adorable — Dad, too. I feel so filled with hope, which almost scares me.
Gargh. Just missed the speech. Gonna have to catch the speech on Youtube or something. Egads, all your comments are making me wanna see!
There. Small edit for accuracy.
Brian pretty boy air head
I cannot believe I missed it – had the DVR on pause – then it burped and the speech was already over.
Come on, YouTube!
Why? If that’s their choice, but as pro-lifers I wonder if that’s their choice… /snark
There was a video featuring Carter, and he and Rosalyn came out after.
JFC. thank goodness it was stopped (i’m assuming for the moment that the report is true). damn.
p.s. left you a short note epu’ed downstairs.
OK. That’s kinda funny.
Do we even want to know?
She did good, and did Illinois proud.
Michelle had a wonderful message. She kept on going on, and didn’t wait for the last of the applause. I appreciated that she respected our time.
AHA!!! Dessert for the blow-out brunch when we have Obamas in 1600! You’ll get credit for that lovely idea!
Would it hep if I slapped you upside teh head?
Love to see him at the Inauguration.
a brilliant, wonderful speech ! What a great start for the convention.She did a superlative job, & her children were just darlings.
And OT: “Cindy McCain is on teh way to Georgia to “access civilian casualties”?? WTF?!!!? Does she have the best pocket calculator or something?
Hopefully she’s better at numbers than her hubby is.
Brian Williams, incredibly wealthy asshole, tries to summarize the Craig Robinson and Michelle Obama speeches tonight. Epic fail on Brian’s part.
are the dems marching out to dismantle the free speech area? how can it be a magnificent night for the party and the country when dissent is not tolerated? we rightly condemn the Rs when they do it.
i take for granted that there are many….even white guys get death threats.
and i left you a comment in the last thread of what this is all about.
Take a deep breath, wait for the rumor to start being separated from the facts. Cops stopped a car on traffic violations. They had two rifles in car one of which was described as a “sniper rifle” feds brought in to investigate. Cop types have been hyperventilating for weeks.
Kos link to a reported assssination plot.
These are going to be some tough times folks.
Let’s be very vigilant.
-G
Duh.
They did a film; he did not give a speech though he and Ro. made a stage appearance. Then he did interview.
Is Cindy McCain going to do the GOP response on Larry King tonight?
Also an incredibly inept dildo.
-G
Oh, baby Jeebus on an innertube.
If she’d stopped to anticipate the applause he’d have carped about how she was too slick and show-bizzy.
Phhhhhbbbbbttttt!
I didn’t see the facial tics. And she just nailed the delivery, imo. Really great use of her voice for emphasis.
Color me impressed.
FunnyDiva
Sounds like Obama may have a difficult time topping Michelle’s speech. I’ll bet he does though.
Wow, Brian Williams just did everything he could not to say Michelle was great. Talked about the teleprompter, her style on and on but no compliments. Wouldn’t even compliment the kids. When asked, he said something like ‘give a kid a mike, they’re going to use it’. Anyone else see him?
What’s one more monitor, what the hell!?!
Would it hep if I slapped you upside teh head?
Well, for better or worse, I doubt it would hurt anything…
You sure sound eager to “help”…. *g*
agreed
I look forward to hearing the reality of this, Ron. Hope it’s not close.
MSNBC chyron: “Republican protesters riot one mile from Democratic convention. Riot police use pepper spray.”
MSNBC chyron 10 minutes later: “Protesters riot one mile from Democratic convention.” I wonder if the blurb was sanitized?
What an amazing speech! Even my 14 yr old thought she rocked!
On a completely different topic, my new wheelchair has arrived! Adoption pictures here. And the story of its arrival is here.
Is Cindy McCain going to do the GOP response on Larry King tonight?
She hasn’t left to go solve the crisis in Georgia yet?
I refer you to GSD (GregB) at 91.
total airhead…………..just slime
NPR often can’t see the forest for the trees, or wants to cut them all down and make plywood.
Well, I’ve missed you jayt. Pardon my over-exuberance.
(Fork spell-check)
Loved It ! as always sigh the wrong spouse is running
hey Jane’s twitter page has redstate (yeah, that one) listed as “followers”
and via the same page – Ben Smith of Kewl Kidz Klarion also listed as “follower” from his page – describing the week which included McKept’s titanic housing gaffe – “Back on the grid after a week fishing. Great relief, mostly, to see I’ve apparently missed very little“
dishy little bitch, aint I *g*
Brian Williams will have to reserve his judgements on the speech until after he listens to Rash Limpballs analysis.
-G
Well, now, that would be a gag-fest. I haven’t been able to tolerate King for, oh, actually, I never could. I have very, very sensitive “schmuck” radar. My alarm clock will go off in 6 hours, and I’m supposed to be at my desk, alert and able to function, in 8 hours, so I’m signing off now. Remember — tomorrow watch ONLY C-Span. It will do your sanity a world of good!
I wonder if the chinos were stained.
Betsy! You raised a good kiddo there.
I agree. I didn’t think it was as great as everyone here thinks. I also noticed the facial ticks and my wife said that even though you know know she isn’t, her facial expressions made her look angry at times.
I give it a 6 out of 10
I can’t wait till Bic starts making disposable monitors.
Tell me, cuz I missed the immediate response on the networks. Did anyone say she was great?
Hey doodle! Enjoying the job?
God she will come back with descriptions of having to dodge sniper fire to get to the wounded
Olbermann!
Wonderful! I hope it’s a true source of comfort and mobility for you. Now I’m really off to bed…
Keep it up, grrlll!!
Brian W. is always fixated on the shift lever of his Porsche. He could drive through Rocky Mt. National Park and think of nothing but where’s the next McDonald’s or the nearest gas station.
Really? I’d give it a 9. And, if we’re going to talk about visuals, she looked beautiful.
just Keif
It pays for air conditioning. But really, yes.
about sums him up
Inspirational. Makes me want to be a better person.
Protesters being caged is commonplace these days. Unless they want to “break the rules”, that’s the way it will be. Name a high profile meeting in the last two years (e.g. G8) which drew protesters that didn’t proscribe where the demonstrators could rally and protest.
Dear gawd. Are you trying to make sense of what Cindy Lou would say?
I’d be humbly honored, you. Anytime.
(((selise)))
There goes my third monitor tonight.
Yes. The PBS thought she was great, Shields, Brooks, Lehrer + the historians. And Judy Woodruff reported on the delegates and teh Press in the house; they all loved it.
He had a walk on, following a video profile.
‘zup Ms Doodle !, didn’t know about the new job – eggsellent.
Sweat dreams, Marion.
Now I’m torn…Olberman or Colbert?
Goodness! Behaving like a first lady, and hubby’s not even preznitwit yet! How presumptious! Uppity woman!
FunnyD
Not holding my breath waiting for the McCain-stream press to spin it this way…
On first read, I thought Brooke Shields had become a pundit.
BLORT!
It’s a good thing, but it conflicts with my pie plans.
I had had that reaction once as well; it’s a funny take, I think. Maybe that’s why they say “Shields and Brooks.”
I do not approve of the free speech area crap. But I see this as a symptom of the specialization that has occured in our society. These guys on the law enforcement side have gone to school for years learning about the Kennedys and MLK assasinations; seeing the 1968 convention. Their focus has been how to avoid. Consciousness streams are directed to their defined goals. Those goals are not how to get the word out about issues but rather how to maintain order and protect.
Lookout Georgia she’s coming to steal your meds. /s
No Colbert tonight. They are new Tuesday thru Sunday this week.
The Kennedy speeck on Nightline…
Well pups I bid you a fond adieu. Press room closing down and I’m going to go collapse in a small heap. Til tomorrow.
I am all for protecting people but I can’t help thinking what those protests through the 60s did. They changed this country a lot. Finally stopped a war and made it clear (at least at that time) that plain ordinary citizens would take to the streets. I would have joined them if I could.
Great!
Brooks and Shields sounds like a circus act, don’t it?
make that Tuesday thru Friday.
Sleep well. I am not far behind you.
All governments prefer injustice to instability. However, instability is inherent in participatory democracy,as the various forces constantly create equilibrium. The only way to get messiness and dissent out of democracy is to stomp on it until it is no longer recognizable as a democracy.
Thanks, egr. Rest up so you can keep us informed!
I’m hitting the pillows as well…
g’night, egregious!
What’s up with Matthews going gray?
-G
I’ve been switching through Cspan and all the other channels too. Even Faux. Juan Williams (with tears in his eyes) said that Michelle’s speech was a momentous event for all black people in America. That this family role model, this moment, was historical for black culture. I felt for him. He was truly moved. Then Hume and Williams started smacking him around…..
Glad to see the DNC adopting those “free speech zones” again to keep reality away from the convention.
And by the way, what kind of “radical” protester would actually go to one of those free speech zones in the first place?
Anyway back to the important stuff: Michelle was beautiful, the kids are adorable – God Bless America!
‘night, wangdang.
Hi Rev,
I thought pbs heads were lukewarm. Maybe that’s because I was blown away by everything about her. Brooks of course repeated his old line; Obama needs to show voters who he is and Michelle didn’t do it. Just the opposite of what she actually did, she gave superb character reference.
Judy at lease averred that the cynical (er skeptical) press liked it.
Obama missed what ought to have been his punch line: “Am I a lucky man or what?”
Nighters, Ron. I’ll ruminate on your #148 as I drift off…
Good for Juan. Who is the other Williams?
Schmuckdar…..?
What t.f. is wrong with America? This sweetish drool by candidate’s wife does not belong into the public sphere. This is complete bull. I am not interested in it, it has nothing to do with ‘issues’. This is for people who have not outgrown their Barbie phases. America has sunk very low catering to the Soap Opera crowd.
Then Hume offered to hose him down.
-G
Pat Buchanan’s pissed Michelle didn’t mention Christianity in her speech.
Earlier in the evening, he complained that the speech would be scripted.
Female commentator said well of course it’s scripted, it’s a speech!
IIRC he was a speech writer earlier in his career. Guess it’s impossible for him to admit a black woman can shine.
I did join them after I got out of the army. I am not saying that I concur with the solutions that they have arrived at. If I were a delegate and/or politico I would go out to the free speech areas. What I am trying to say is that before we condemn we should try to understand where they are coming from, and avoid a situation of Bush like confrontation
s
c
r
o
l
l
Persistence paid off, though.
Didn’t expect to be caught emotionally in tonight’s stagecraft- but it got me..Michelle was absolutely incredible..
I really thought Shields et al were blown away; except for Brooks’ remark about that part it didn’t do. Even he thought it was a good speech. I thought the historian group was truly astounded and pleased. I also thought they were shocked.
Then Hume and Williams started smacking him around…..
what assholes!
You, sir or madam, are not human. You are being paid to post here. Over at Huffington, all your friends lined up hours in advance for a chance to stab a good woman in the back. I couldn’t let your comment stand without response. We will win and you need to crawl back under your warped rock.
Are you lost?
Good night firepups. Must sleep. Early day tomorrow.
Eagerly awaiting Pach’s tape of him asking Bill-O to sign his loofah.
Buchanan was expecting Michelle to open with the Black Power salute and close with “Whitey let New Orleans drown”.
No wonder he’s a tad flummoxed.
-G
You spent entirely too much energy on that thing
Pain free sleep for you, Betsy.
I suppose different people find meaning in different things, and while I might freak out about a candidate’s views on an eviscerated Constitution and the spectre of looming war in Eastern Europe between Russia and NATO, others place an immense amount of importance on the candidate’s family or religion,I guess. BTW, the Soap Opera crowd has as much right to vote as anyone, so it behooves us to speak to them. Just MHO.
Perhaps you could go in for a DNA test- check for human species genetic material.
Michelle’s speech?
Extraordinary.
Billy. Smarmy Will was not impressed.
Heh.
Hey, don’t Bogart that thang!
Americans pick their presidents based on how they “relate” to them and their families, and then dress up their choices based on their agreement on issues. It’s sad, and maybe someday we can change it, but for now, that is just the way it is.
Good night, Betsy.
do not feed
It all sort of dares the Mcsames to tell the story of their romance. You know the part where he falls in love with her, sweeps her off her feet, romances her and then tells his wife, who lost her statuesque good looks in a car crash that left her five inches shorter–
“Honey, I want a divorce.:
Not very much in keeping with the image.
Oh I mean William Crystal!! It’s late.
pain free sleep wishes tex
g’nite to any leaving sleepy pup i may have missed
You guys know what to do.
Deny them food and they wither and go away.
I heard Buchanan say that about Christianity. I distinctly remember Michelle talking about getting up on Sunday morning and going to church. Then, of course, Tweety reminded Pat that Thomas Jefferson ensured there would be no religious test for public office in America.
I think Chris and Keith have had their fill of Buchanan. I know I have.
whacka, whacka, whacka
*g*
Must.Not.Feed.
So Sooooooory!
Yeah, that was the sharpest elbow I’ve seen Tweety throw.
But, mommmmm, it’s so much fun!
Hello, Suzanne.
Has there been a post on Obama asking the DOJ to stop the Ayres ads?
Billy Crystal?
Where?
Huh?
Tweety looked and sounded righteous.
….but he’s still a jerk.
Why is that fucker at our convention?
dont make me stop this blog young man *hands on hips*
Excellent speech, brilliant delivery. Cute ending.
What did he say?
Brooks must be having a hard time digesting what’s happening.
He knows the GOP is in trouble.
And, FWIW, Jim Leach gave a cerebral — but very decent — speech that I thought spoke to a lot of what I’ve felt and seen the past few years. I have a lot of respect for him for doing that; I really felt that he was speaking on behalf of a lot of people.
I thought Michelle’s speech was very respectful of the people who find themselves feeling what Jim Leach articulated: we have to do better, and we can.
*slinks away to nightey-night land*
I hope Jane knows that her nemesis Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood is speaking tomorrow at 4pm local time.
My thoughts exactly!
I was listening on the car radio, driving home. No facial tics — and I seriously doubt that there were any. Pounding the steering wheel and cheering a lot.
Reply and show text seem to be forked.
Suz gives the LQQK.
Doodle dodges.
Really going to bed now.
Wow, Tweety just said something interesting…
“If Hillary Clinton had voted against the War, she’d be the nominee tonight.”
He’s right, too, I think.
whomever the guy is, the gy who said he is gay, that just spoke, i like him.
tv in other room , can’t see thenames.
g’nite dr bong
Now this: In response to question about Hillary, Pelosi gave alittle lesson about women getting over being a victim, blah blah. Not helpful, I’d say.
*yes, ma’m*
{fiddles quietly in corner, sets down stick, puts tongue out at troll}
You guys are hilarious — do not feed. Not me, Suz!
Goodnight, Dr. Bong. Sleep well.
He has been saying that for eighteen months.
this look? or this one? g’nite wangdang
adieu
William Kristol. On Faux. Being mean to Juan Williams who was tearfully in awe of Michelle and the family model they showed tonight. He thinks it an historical moment in American Black culture. William Kriston.. feh.
The only gay man who spoke today, if you are watching or listening to a rerun, is the treasurer of the Democratic Party, Andrew Tobias
I got home from work tonight just in time to see the film introducing Michelle and her speech. She’s marvelous!
The most important thing that came across was how normal they are. Won’t it be great to have a regular, smart family in the White House again?
es is upstairs with late nite
True but you know how it attracts bottomfeeders.
Did Pach really ask Bill’O to sign his loofah?
Time to watch my stories. Almost.
Panel on Charlie Rose….loving the Michelle speech. Humanizing Obama: No way to paint them as “elitist.” Family/spouse important part of the equation, have pride in the family. Part of “voting equation.”
Damn! I missed half of the convention because my phone was ringing all night. Most people don’t even know there is a convention going on.
I did see Michelle and the kids and in 24 hours almost everyone with a TVwill see that clip.
http://find.myrecipes.com/reci…..id=1598627
marion, can’t find the real ‘pup’ recipe right now, but this one is close, don’t bother straining the strawberries, not necessary…just make a pulp….if i recall right it was 1 1/2 cups puree..and rasberries work, too.
and pups, i had a shithole of a day, truly rare, doesn’t happen often, but it did. and it was….i got slam hammered…truly an awful day………then right after had a day that rejuvenates, and the convention on top of it.
my oh my. such things right after another. i truly was winded. and full of tears.
hitting the feathers, and i’m ok, don’t worry. i’m fine……just a craphole of a day… but people rose up and landed me on the dock. cuz i landed them before…………just something to think about when you stick your neck out, someone does it back………really. it really happens that way.
fucked up people can influence your life, but people who love you influence you more.
that’s about it.
go dems…
go pups.
nite
A brilliant speech but now it’s time to take off the gloves and give the Republicans what they have deserved since the days of Nixon. Call them out for what they are and expose them to the American public for the criminals and traitors that they are.
Michelle Obama: “How this time we listened to our hopes instead of our fears.”
Absolutely!
Brian Williams? nuff said. Corporate shill on his knees servicing his master.
Suzanne, ‘mot sure the 2nd one is a LOOK – can’t you hear the ROAR?
Ummm, not “mot”, “not”. [hangs head.] Perhaps I should head to bed, too.
oh, for crying out loud. i thought personal attacks were not permitted? or does that only count for people who tow the party line/
perfect response.
No, just tryin’ to wrap my haid around a reason for the wife of a presumptive presidential nominee to go to Georgia at all. Isn’t that what LIE-bermann is for? =)
here, Joe
here,Joe
FETCH!
Yes, Pach really did ask BillO about signing his loofah. Video tomorrow.
Well written passage, and very well delivered. What did you all think?
Caroline, Ted, and Craig all got hits and Michelle knocked it out of the park for a grand slam. I’m actually starting to believe that America isn’t doomed.
… at this late point on this post, don’t know if anyone will see this, but — besides her amazing delivery of a well-crafted speech — Michelle Obama’s talk gave the Democrats a “top this” challenge to the lovely Sen. McCain and his present wife:
Cindy McCain’s version?
“Good evening. I remember meeting John as if it were yesterday. We’d exchange hidden glances, leave the gala hoopla, and hide in the nearest bathroom. Sometimes we even had to arrive separately — John in his car, me on the plane — at an agreed upon locale . . . and, remember, this was all before cell phones and text messaging!
Those early days were tricky, yet beautiful . . .”
Family values?
American dream?
Go Sen. and Mrs. Obama!
I believe the point of this speech was three-fold:
a) remind people why they supported Obama and his campaign in the first place;
b) reduce the scary factor of millions of voters to the notion of an African-American family residing in the White House;
c) what I said in my post above: Prove with personal history which of the potential First Families has shown over the years the character, determination, drive and action that bolsters the American dream.
The protests did not stop the war and they were counterproductive. Unlike the early Civil Rights demonstrations, they were undisciplined and unfocused. Many of our subsequent problems, including the unfortunate culture war that brought the thugs into power for 30 years were direct or indirect consequences of those protests. They were not peaceful, and they did not help.
OK thanks. I’m not a troll, although not much here on this site these days. I am probably in an antagonistic phase…I just ’strongly dislike’ that all things private are being dragged into the public sphere. Media forces everyone to be a kind of emotional exhibitionist.
What to make of Michelle Obama’s use the terms, “The world as it is” and “The world as it should be?” From whence do they originate? Try Chapter 2 of Saul Alinsky’s book, Rules for Radicals. In last night’s speech, Michelle Obama said something that peeked my curiousity. She said:
“Barack stood up that day,” talking about a visit to Chicago neighborhoods, “and spoke words that have stayed with me ever since. He talked about “The world as it is” and “The world as it should be…”
And, “All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won’t do – that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.”
Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Saul Alinsky’s book, Rules for Radicals:
“The means-and-ends moralists, constantly obsessed with the ethics of the means used by the Have-Nots against the Haves, should search themselves as to their real political position. In fact, they are passive — but real — allies of the Haves…The most unethical of all means is the non-use of any means… The standards of judgment must be rooted in the whys and wherefores of life as it is lived, the world as it is, not our wished-for fantasy of the world as it should be.”