Login HereIt is because of the inspiration of those who fought long and hard before my time that I can do so.
One of those people -- on whose shoulders we all stand in this nation -- is Rep. John Lewis, who still bears the scars of the beatings he sustained marching for civil rights in these United States.
Watch history speak through the words of an American hero. And pause for a moment...just a moment...to contemplate what a decent person working for the betterment of others can do. The key word there, though, is DO.
Dare to dream, and then go out and make that dream happen. For yourself, for those you care about, for your community and family and world. Think about what you can do...then just do it.
PS -- For our readers on the Gulf Coast, please stay safe and take every precaution you can. You are in my prayers...
Spotlight
Support this site!
Keep
up with news
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About Firedoglake
Advanced search
RSS/XML Feed
lovely post, Christy.
Christy!
Can’t just talk the talk, ya gotta walk the walk too. I think I’m going to be busy this weekend doing voter registration.
Christy - thank you so much for bringing this evening to us.
John Lewis is my congressman! Thanks, Christy!
Thank you Christy!
The last remaining speaker from the March on Washington!
Yes. Once again, so glad I got to see it. A speech I’ll be able to tell the grandkids about.
We on the Gulf Coast thank you.
Yes, yes, yes! That’s all that matters at this point. Right on.
ya know - I really did have some question as to whether Obama
couldwould match Hillary’s speech.silly me.
Gracias Christy for your, as always, wonderful work!
Ya know, Obama coulda made at least a brief mention that his opponent voted against MLK day. Don’t see why not. Simple fact.
John McPhony trotted out Lewis to score some political points. Lewis smacked McPhony down quick and said McCain never called him for advice.
A moral giant of a man, that John Lewis.
-G
Lawrence ODonnell saying it (speech) did all it needs to do. Was able to make the place intimate.
Beau Biden still had the biggest impact on me. I have kids about the same age as Joe Biden’s were when the accident happened. Just can’t imagine…
Watched it online today, and became a blubbering mess again. So proud of my Party.
Just got back from Mile High. It was Kick Ass. We were probably among the first few hundred people in, so we saw the whole day. It will take a day or so to process it. We are still buzzed. I am so happy at how the whole week has gone, it’s been great for Denver, and great for the party.
yeah! so wish i was there but i had a pretty good seat in front of the telly watching cspan
PeteCo- sounds like you had an amazing day!
A moving and important night in America. Now I need to head for bed as I have innocent and unsuspecting young minds to corrupt again tomorrow.
Thank you, Christy, for posting this. I hadn’t seen this speech, and it’s wonderful!
I love that.
Christy,
Do you ever think about running for the House? You could offer so much, and you know you’d have our support.
Now that is a noble mission in life.
Do your best.
PeteCo, I am so glad you were able to be there.
I am so glad you had the experience. unbelievably special and meaningful. Thank you all for sharing it with us as well.
Goodnight, Dr. Dick.
Christy Hardin Smith for Congress. The time is now.
Thank you Christie, Jane, and everyone else at FDL. Sincere humanity prevails at FDL. It has a chance to support the increasing of sincere humanity in Obama. This high will last. So comes the Age of Aquarius when peace, love, and harmony begin their reign among mankind. Namaste, gang.
It really was. We sat next to a woman who we found out is a neighbour of ours. She is ninety years old, she was there with her grandson. She said we were watching history being made.
Turdblossom is carping about the hurricanes of wrath set to rain on the GOP hatefest next week.
Says the poor GOPuds can’t get a break.
McCain is so dense he’s taking political advice from Karl Rove, the great destroyer of the modern GOP.
Rove has taken the mantle of The Most Stupid Fucking Man on the Planet from Doug Feith.
-G
This whole week has truly been such a privilege for me. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed — money or comments or whatever — to get us here.
Truly, an amazing week. Will have some further thoughts on this tomorrow — but I have to get my ass in gear and pack or I’ll never make my plane home in the morning. And Mr. ReddHedd and The Peanut would be severely disappointed if that happened! And so would I… *g*
If you watch the last ten minutes of the speech again, ask yourself if it could have been delivered in the same manner indoors- I don’t think so. The venue made the shouting appropriate and doubled down on the emotional payback…VERY well orchestrated.
(((Christy)))
thank you. sounds like you had a blast this week and worked your tails off.
just when I think y’all can’t top something - BAM!
mr cbl and I invoked you, (((Jane))), (((Pach))), and (((the crew))) many times during the speech. we knew it was all the more a joyful experience because of all we have learned here.
thank you for all you DO -
mad love to you gal
Hope the goopers cancel their convention out of political fear- and then have the next hurricane cripple them anyway.
awesome!
I enjoyed the crowd reaction shots during the speeches and music. Such a mix of folks! (And so unlike what we’ll see from the GOP in that regard.)
But the MSNBC producers were having fun, too. When Stevie Wonder was singing up a storm, the producers were watching Rachel, Norah, Eugene, and even Pat getting down on set. Says the producer: “Go to split screen . . .”
Screen left: Stevie Wonder at his piano, head back and swaying as he sang.
Screen right: Rachel, Norah, and Eugene dancing in their seats at the MSNBC desk, and Pat wearing a pair of sunglasses, grinning.
LMAO!
Sweet dreams. How could we not?
Sleep well Christy and safe travels.
I certainly didn’t start out as an Obama supporter- but his continued competence has won me over.
Can hear the ads already, “I’m Christy Hardin Smith, and I approve this message, capiche?” ;)
There’s no reason they both can’t share that mantle.
How very cool!
You know, Howie asks me that a lot. *g* But The Peanut needs her momma at home at the moment and, frankly, after walking past the “money pit” officially known as the DNC Finance Committee Lounge (sponsored last night by Lexus. I kid you not.)…I’m much happier being on the outside glaring in.
i’m so glad you could be there. you’ve been working so hard, for so long, it’s very nice to see you excited and happy and being able to be, not just present, but a participant.
Thanks. When MrsCO gets the flickr page up I’ll post a link.
The buzz around town has been great; we caught the train to Mile High from Union Station, which is now famous to viewers of MSNBC. They’ve had a consistent crowd all week.
SO glad you got to see some of the convention first hand. It’s been a truly amazing week on so many levels.
Pass the freaking mantle.
Yeowzzza ! so happy for you and yours.
The discussion of the goopers considering moving the date of their convention at the last minute (probably not possible logistically) shows cowardice and guilt like nothing else.
Christy and everyone at FDL, thank you for another stellar performance. Another stitch that weaves the American tapestry.
What’s a mantle?
Um, that’s close enough to dispute…perhaps a run-off is in order, preferably on Celebrity Deathmatch.
Ditto
It was brilliant. I told my teammates to expect fireworks.
And go Rachel!
LOL Rachel is feeling seismic too.
What?
No pillow fight?
Cheeze!
I was hoping for a good pillow fight from the convention.
Wolf Blitzer and Donna Brazile were dancing to Stevie Wonder, too. Hilarious.
Seriously? They are thinking of moving the date of their convention?
Very happy for y’all. Phenomenal convention. Another unsung hero in all this is Howard Dean. Lest we forget how close it was that he would ever become DNC Chair, and how much of the “Dem establishment” (DLCers) tried to remove him even after the historical Dem gains in the 2006 elections. Dean made it through the minefield, and I was thrilled to hear Obama thank Dean with right outta the gate tonight. Grassroots, people-powered politics is the key to it all, and without it, not sure we’d be where we are right now.
For you, I’ll talk to Jane and see what we can do in the future… *G*
How cool would it be if this came from the Dems?
per the wapoo
Guess they don’t want to be seen “celebrating” McC when that storm hits NO. Was just looking at the NO newspaper and that is an awesome storm headed right for the coast. We better all pray for those folks.
Rachel: Republicans started believing their own spin (obama not tough enough)
I’m thankful and relieved that the week went so well with the city maintaining the spirit of the occasion. Unfortunate and crazy things can always happen, but this week has been great to follow.
I’ve lived here for 13 years, my wife has lived here most of her life, and has family connections going back almost a hundred years. The longer I live here, more more I love it, and to have the opportunity to share it with our peeps has been a true pleasure & a privilege. Today was the icing on the cake.
no. but Chimpigula is gonna Cut and Run
Remember the James Dobson crowd had a video encouraging people to pray for rain during Obama’s speech? Didn’t work out too well for them, did it?
Let’s pray that this thing (Gustav) fizzles. No one needs this and I feel bad that I joked about it a few days ago.
Thanks, Christy and FDL. I was feeling so remote from the convention, but the forum here brought me in and hearing from our uber-capable, astute and wonderfully-at-times-wise-ass leadership and commenters keep “it” real and moving for me.
Good night and nice closure for convention.
madmommy & i are communicating via cell phone and she’ll let everyone know when they evacuate and when they get to madgranny’s house
Looks like the sky God’s are responding with a series of storms for the GOP-ers though.
If I beleived stuff like that.
-G
Why does Jesus hate Dobson?
If the Republicans delay their convention how many will go to the Gulf Coast to lend a hand? They’ll go to the Gulf to sell $10 bottled water. Never underestimate a Republican in making a quick profit. It’s the market, baby.
Christy, thanks SO much for all your work this week!
Thanks to all of FDL ((Jane))) ((EW))) ((((((Pach, and we miss you2!))))
I’m getting a bit slow of foot for basketball- so I play golf. I’ve discovered that most golfers would prefer to let the other guy putt first- see what they’ve got to beat, get a read on the green, let the other guy screw up first, etc.
But there are a few who would prefer to putt first, sink a snake and put the pressure on the other guy.
This year the dems putted first.
The goddess was too busy watching the convention to make it rain. Smack ! from her to Dobson.
They Were For The Rain, Before They Voted Against It
:D
Good conversation on Charlie Rose if it comes on in your area.
Big storms here right now, with lots of lightning. Gotta shut down before the computer gets fried . . .
G’nite, all!
Jindall has canceled but there is no way they can move the convention dates, maybe they should just cancel it.
*wavin g’nite to the leaving sleepy pups*
I was wrong. GOP is considering delaying the opening of the convention.
Feinman stole my quip. They should just cancel it.
I’m looking forward to the Republican Party being cancelled on November 4th!
So what’s Nooner gonna say tomorrow?
I hope Gustav fizzles for the sake of the people on the coast, but also so the goopers can’t blame a natural disaster for their convention sucking.
wow… wowwowwow. Maybe the rethugs should just forget about having a convention next week and try for their long-threatened coup d’etat instead. That speech was truly impressive.
the hurricane is gonna be the gop excuse for low turnout
Well, hopefully sometime in the future you’ll run for Congress. (soon please!). Don’t hold yourself back over Miss Peanut. Human kids are the most adaptable in the entire Animal Kingdom!. Peanut will be fine if you should decide to run. She’s got the mom and dad to shine.
It’s time.
The GOP wants to postpone their convention until the week of 9/11.
McCain will deliver his speech from a bullhorn on a pile of rubble.
-G
Let’s see if Nooner has the balls to write that Obama looked like Hitler tonight- that’s what she “feared” this morning.
Anyway, they should delay it, until 2012.
Oh, that old chestnut?
Halperin says O. poised, conversational, could not have done better…and difficult in that venue. Good language in criticism of Mcc.
“bullhorn on a pile of rubble”
well.. there is rubble. Wasn’t minneapolis-st paul where that bridge collapsed as a result of rethug budget-cutting and infrastructure-neglect?
They’re blaming it on the hurricane, but what’s the point in having it now? No one is going, including many repub candidates, and no one will watch. They’re done. They’d be smart to cancel it and not waste everyone’s time. IMHO. (hee, hee!)
It seems Cindy McSame is passing her self off as an only child but she has a half sister and a nephew who are voting for Obama.
http://www.usmagazine.com/news.....-for-obama
Indeed it was.
KO says that Dobson prayed for rain today- praying that almighty God would foil the democratic convention…
It’s hard to figure these guys. God a gooper?- or open to the highest bidder?
What the fuck are they THINKING?
Heard that they can’t even give away tickets to the arena where McCain will announce his VP choice.
And it looked like a beautiful day and night in Denver.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
They’d have to figure a way to get Cindy’s coke connection in to the residence.
So God’s a dem?
One other comment; MrsCO sent Obama a donation for his Senate race after his 2004 convention speech. She wore the button she got today. In late May/early June of 2007 we went to a fund raising speech Obama gave to a crowd of about 1000 in a hall here in Denver. We’ve done some volunteering for the campaign, hosted an event at our house.
It’s easy to be cynical, I’m the absolute worst. What we witnessed today was beyond anything I had ever hoped for.
excellent analogy.
may I play through here ?
a little thing that will probably be lost - but mad props to Obama and Axelrod for sandbagging. by that I’m talking about press releases in the past few days - the ones that said The Speech was to be outreach and appeal to middle class voters - no one anywhere had any clue of the truthful assault we witnessed tonight :D
Great night- but let’s remember that this thing is just STARTING–still- we should have a good feeling about the Obama team’s competence.
Yep
These guys pulled it off with rare professionalism and competence from start to finish.
It was.
St. Paul next week- if the goopers have the guts for it.
I can’t BELIEVE that they let a story leak that they were considering postponing- incredibly stupid-highlights their cowardice.
Why does Jesus hate Dobson?
Ha! You good.
Rest well. I want to keep listening and watching….A wonderful day. Pray for New Orleans and the coast. I have friends who are already starting to evacuate. Peace.
God is friends with Tony Rezko and Richard Daley, so therefore they colluded with Her Highness to make Obama look good. Damn her!
It was wonderful. It echoed so many people I’ve heard talk about lack of health care, loss of jobs, and so many things.
Interesting analogy.
So God plays favorites? Should have known it- he has his chosen people after all.
Take good care.
they are scrambling madly looking for any excuse to not have to face the real question in their minds: how the hell do we top that?
Good night, fellow firepups. Sweet dreams of a new and better day. We’re off to a really good start. *mwah*
Isn’t that bizarre. Cindy refuses to acknowledge her father’s other children, who were born before Cindy?!?! Apparently she’s been doing this her whole life.
Makes you wonder what kinds of things Sindy was saying and doing over the years to make daddy take the first daughter out of his will essentially. Cindy wanted to have daddy (his money especially) all to herself, and didn’t want to share. A real daddy’s girl…on speed.
Cuckoo…
MSNBC re-running speech. Interested to see it on tv.
Oh quit rubbing it in…ha!
That would be so fun!
pirate radio upstairs
It’s absolutely incredible that they let this word leak about post poning.
It’s likely an impossibility- all the facilities need to be booked a year in advance- delegates have bought tickets- some of em are probably already there- so to leak the word that they are considering cancelling is a no upside- lots of downside move. What it says is that we are so afraid that americans will remember what our piece of shit president did LAST time that we would rather fuck up our whole convention than have it during a hurricane…what cowardly, foolish, assholes.
Not a cracker jack in a boxful
rw- ya got me laughing at that! You resident cynic, you! ;)
I’m sorry, I can’t help it!
Obama should send Biden to St Paul next week, stand at the site of that collapsed bridge during the convention, and make the rethugs eat their fiscal priorities
In Minnesota? Hey the Hurricane is way down at the other end of the continent … If they cancel it they just show that they are just the Weenies we know they are!!
There’s no making sense of it. Give it up.
I so wish we find out in December that the Dems planted the story.
No joke? That is rich.
I know what you mean, dems need some confidence that their team has some game
Perpercasious Profundity maybe we can extend it to Universe, Certainly the Neocon think tsnk that dreamed up this 8 year nightmare could share in some of the stupidity credits.
moxie
This isn’t tiddly-winks.
Alas.. just checked the wires.. RNC bigwigs appear to have started talking about delay 5 hours ago. Maybe the mere fear of Obama’s speech was sufficient…
Charles Krauthammer gives his response to Obama at WaPo
Short version-
Pay no attention to that man on yer teevee- Obama has no accomplishments.
As a side point- Kraut-Hammer has the distinction of having features that could well have been fashioned by a broad axe- in the hands of a psychopath.
what sort of name is “Krat Hammer”? Did his ancestors pound pickled cabbage?
OK, shoot me - I went over to No Quarter just to see…
Reading Johnson’s begrudging respect for the night was like listening to someone describing shitting a baby grand.
And he quotes Krauthammer.
Surprise.
Hi Christy - you’re up late.
Yes, this is a historic thing that’s happened. Not only did a black man win one of the major party’s nominations for President, but his principal opponent was a woman. From that perspective, it’s a great day no matter what.
It doesn’t surprise me. Remember the primaries, we had many more Dems turn out, in some states twice as many. I posted this around May 27.
Hope so…
My daughter’s high school, located in suburban VA just outside DC, brings fabulous people to speak. During her time there, John Lewis came. He was fantastic. It was great to see the girls getting an up-close history lesson.