Monday, June 09, 2008
Rays of Light As Seen Through a Glass Ceiling
As anyone who isn't living under a rock knows, Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech on Saturday, giving the green light to Barack Obama for the Democratic candidacy for the next President of the United States.
Having a four month old, its kind of hard to follow any schedule that doesn't involve remembering the last time he ate or when he had his last diaper change. But on Saturday I made sure that I was in front of my TV to watch this woman, who has gone farther in the boy's club of Washington than any woman before her, bow out of this, the most historic bid for the Presidency of all time.
I'll admit it freely, I like Hillary Clinton. I think she would have been a GREAT President, even though some people are leary of her seasoned career in politics, thinking that even though she's a woman, that she's just as much a politician as the rest of them. That may be true, but I truly believe that she would have made a BIG difference in the climate of this country, for the better, had she gone on to be the Democratic candidate and, of course, beat the pants off of John McBush.
I also like Barack Obama. I was a bit apprehensive of him at first. I felt that he might have been a bit too green, and something in my gut thought that if he did win the Presidency that he'd be steamrolled into doing whatever everyone else wanted him to do and his promises of change would fall on deaf ears. But in the last few weeks my mind has totally been changed, and to me, it wouldn't have mattered which one out of Hillary or Obama won the nomination. I would have voted for either one and never looked back.
Of course, I'd vote for my cat for President before voting in John McCain, but that's not saying much.
But now I'm getting off track.
Hillary Clinton's concession speech literally brought me to tears. I have to agree with most of the talking heads that this was the greatest speech she's ever given. Every time she said that we MUST vote Barack Obama for President a chill ran down my spine. Her words sparked hope in me. Hope that has sadly been missing in my feelings for this country for the better part of 8 years. Hope that is very small, and very weak, because I can honestly say that if John McCain wins the Presidency it is hope that I'm not sure will ever be rekindled in my love for my country. I cannot even fathom another second of this regime after January 20th, 2009, let alone another 4 years of the exact same bullshit that's going on right now. I can say that I will truly be broken as an American.
But hearing Hillary speak so highly of the man who has been her fiercest competitor, made me cry, and my heart swelled and my mind felt wide open to the possibilities and wonder that I will see the first black President and most likely the first woman President in MY lifetime. Not even 50 years ago a black man couldn't sit at a lunch counter with a white woman, and that same white woman not even 90 years ago couldn't even vote or be counted as something other than property of her husband. I know that being a good President isn't about race or gender, the thing I'm most impressed with is the ability for our country to grow... to progress. For us, as a nation, to look past all the stuffy, old, white males that have dominated our government for so long, and to see that it's OK to change, well, that's a baby step that I am proud to be old enough to appreciate.
I look at my son and I see hope. Hope that one day, he will live in a world where his wife or daughter can be President. And thanks to Hillary Clinton, that day is even closer than I would have ever imagined.
So thank you, Hillary. Thank you for running for President. You didn't make it this time, but I agree with your speech that one day we will launch a woman into the White House.
Oh yeah, and Go Obama!
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I HATE Hillary, as is well known, but I made sure I had the TV on CNN (yeah right, it's always there....) to watch it, and I was REALLY impressed by her and ths speech.
The crowd on the other hand....well, booing the candidate you're "stuck" with isn't the way to get a democrat in office.
The crowd on the other hand....well, booing the candidate you're "stuck" with isn't the way to get a democrat in office.
Yeah I agree. I would never boo just because "my" candidate lost. We're all playing for the same team here.
But oh well, you can't expect everyone to be as eloquent as she was.
But oh well, you can't expect everyone to be as eloquent as she was.
Great post, while I am Obama all the way, it was great to hear your points on your feelings as an American and I agree 100%. I got chills reading your post, thanks.
Great post. Yeah, I would love either Hillary or Obama as a Presidential bid. People really stood behind their candidate. Let's hope people carry that enthusiasm to November's election. Young people just don't vote. Let's hope that changes.
Hi, I'm here to shake things up a bit.
I totally respect the fact that Hillary gave it her all and didn't give up early.
I guess I love the bullshit that has been going on for the past 8 years and would love another 8. So I guess you can say I'm a McCain girl!
I totally respect the fact that Hillary gave it her all and didn't give up early.
I guess I love the bullshit that has been going on for the past 8 years and would love another 8. So I guess you can say I'm a McCain girl!
# posted by 
: June 18, 2008 9:52 PM
: June 18, 2008 9:52 PM
Thanks Ryan! I don't know that I've ever given anyone chills before. Rockin'!
I don't know David, I think more young people than ever are voting now. People our age that are just now starting to be old enough to have things that go on in the government start to affect our lives. I think our generation is THE generation of change, and that more and more of us are tired of what's going on and are now at the point that we realize that WE have the ability to make that change a reality.
Hey Laura, I know you're all for McCain so I knew I didn't have to debate with you since I know how you feel. But since you're here, I just can't help but wonder if you're voting for him and are OK with how the country is being run just because you think they are being conservative or are you OK with the economy and the war and all the other things that go along with this administration?
I ask just because I honestly don't think this administration is even remotely conservative so I wonder what it is about them that makes you think they are conservative.
I don't know David, I think more young people than ever are voting now. People our age that are just now starting to be old enough to have things that go on in the government start to affect our lives. I think our generation is THE generation of change, and that more and more of us are tired of what's going on and are now at the point that we realize that WE have the ability to make that change a reality.
Hey Laura, I know you're all for McCain so I knew I didn't have to debate with you since I know how you feel. But since you're here, I just can't help but wonder if you're voting for him and are OK with how the country is being run just because you think they are being conservative or are you OK with the economy and the war and all the other things that go along with this administration?
I ask just because I honestly don't think this administration is even remotely conservative so I wonder what it is about them that makes you think they are conservative.
I am voting for McCain because I respect him, that fact that he comes from a military background and his sons are also serving today. I can also say that I would feel safe if he was running the country cause he has the experience with war. Yes, I support the war. I belive we are fighting evil people. If I had the chance I would try to join the Navy again, that's how strong I feel about protecting this country. Yes, I am ok with this administration. The ecomony has been amazing (despite 9/11 and the war) until just a few months ago.
Not only is Obama the most left wing member of the US Senate, but he has very questionable friends and mentors including America hating racists and terrorists. He has shown himself to be a typical politician, not some miraculous agent of "hope and change." (whatever the hell that means)
Not only is Obama the most left wing member of the US Senate, but he has very questionable friends and mentors including America hating racists and terrorists. He has shown himself to be a typical politician, not some miraculous agent of "hope and change." (whatever the hell that means)
# posted by : June 19, 2008 11:01 PM
: June 19, 2008 11:01 PM
I would support the war too, IF we were actually going after the people who attacked us. The true reason for the war has been speculated all along, and it finally came to light yesterday.
Oil. The war in Iraq and the thousands of our soldiers have died for one thing and one thing only. Money.
And Bush has stated several times that Osama Bin Laden is not even on his list of things to do. McCain has also said that it's not important on when our soldiers are going to come home from occupying Iraq.
I guess we'll disagree about that and the economy since China basically owns us now and we're in so much debt that our grandkids will be paying it off. Having most Americans choose between feeding their families and buying medication to me is not a good economy. Not having healthcare for our children because employers can't afford to give it to their employees to me is not a good economy. And so on and so on.
And as for Obama, I guess I'm OK with him being left wing, since I am too. If you're talking about Reverend Wright, I think Obama has made it crystal clear how separate he is from him. And McCain's friends are Bush and Cheney, who, in my opinion, are criminals and belong in jail.
And by keeping us in Iraq and holding people in Gitmo with no due process they are creating more and more terrorists. In my heart, I just can't see how that makes us any safer.
::shrug::
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Oil. The war in Iraq and the thousands of our soldiers have died for one thing and one thing only. Money.
And Bush has stated several times that Osama Bin Laden is not even on his list of things to do. McCain has also said that it's not important on when our soldiers are going to come home from occupying Iraq.
I guess we'll disagree about that and the economy since China basically owns us now and we're in so much debt that our grandkids will be paying it off. Having most Americans choose between feeding their families and buying medication to me is not a good economy. Not having healthcare for our children because employers can't afford to give it to their employees to me is not a good economy. And so on and so on.
And as for Obama, I guess I'm OK with him being left wing, since I am too. If you're talking about Reverend Wright, I think Obama has made it crystal clear how separate he is from him. And McCain's friends are Bush and Cheney, who, in my opinion, are criminals and belong in jail.
And by keeping us in Iraq and holding people in Gitmo with no due process they are creating more and more terrorists. In my heart, I just can't see how that makes us any safer.
::shrug::
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