I saw pieces of this video on the NBC Nightly News tonight, and felt I needed a place I could get back to it and watch it when I wanted to. Earlier tonight, Cheerchick said "I don't think we should celebrate Veterans Day." I asked her why, and she said "Because we shouldn't have the war in the first place." Though I couldn't agree with her more on that point, I asked whether she thought it was important to remember all those people who have died in wars. She said yes, it is important to remember them. I then explained that we don't really "celebrate", but we remember the sacrifices made by people who have served our country in the military.
There will be some deep and amazing discussions in the not too distant future as my kids attempt to figure out when--or if--war is ever justified. Unfortunately, I think war is part of our DNA, but the idealist in me says if we didn't have willing warriors, we couldn't have war. And then, of course, there are the battles that have to be joined, even when we're reluctant, because evil must be met head-on. I only hope that we are entering a phase of foreign policy where we will only enter righteous battles. I am tired of any blood--American or otherwise--being spilled needlessly.
At any rate, this video grabbed me. Black and white. No sound. And it is real.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Change Has Come.
Wow. 11pm, and NBC has declared Barack Hussein Obama the 44th President of the United States of America. I am in tears.
Grant Park East
The entire family is in the living room, watching the returns come in. 270 is the magic number, and if you trust MSNBC, there are fewer than 100 to go (currently Barack 175/McCain 70). I'm hoping to get the kids off to bed by ten. That would be a landslide, in my book.
On the Dole
Elizabeth Dole, who ran a MORE shameful campaign than Soo-Sin, appears to have been defeated in North Carolina. Kind of makes me wish Collins had called Allen "godless", or something equally meaningless. It might have turned the tide.
Soo-sin Wins.
NBC projecting Soo-Sin Collins as the winner over Tom Allen. Her campaign was shameful, but effective.
Meanwhile, Virginia numbers don't look all that good for Barack UNLESS...you realize that the precincts reporting are the rural precincts, and Northern Virginia hasn't reported yet. As someone on fivethirtyeight pointed out, the "fake" Virginia takes longer. I still have hope...and that's what this is all about.
Meanwhile, Virginia numbers don't look all that good for Barack UNLESS...you realize that the precincts reporting are the rural precincts, and Northern Virginia hasn't reported yet. As someone on fivethirtyeight pointed out, the "fake" Virginia takes longer. I still have hope...and that's what this is all about.
Virginia is for (Barack) Lovers
It looks like the night could be very short if Virginia goes Obama's way. I've become a serious junkie at this site and they are also reporting some encouraging happenings in Indiana, where they say he is "substantially outperforming" John Kerry's 2004 performance in that state.
Dare we hope?
Dare we hope?
A Change is Gonna Come
It is 6:46 pm Eastern Standard Time, and the results should start rolling in soon. My stomach is fluttery. I'm unbelievably nervous about this election, though everything I'm seeing is treating an Obama victory as a foregone conclusion. I can't let myself believe it, and I'm simply in awe of what might happen tonight. Below is a video of Sam Cooke performing "A Change is Gonna Come". The story goes that Cooke wrote it in reply to Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind" in 1964 because he was so amazed that a white man could write such a powerful song about race relations.
I can't believe this hasn't registered with me before now that this has been such a staple in the Obama appearances, but it is perfect. Of course soul greats Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding recorded their versions of this song, and it has been a touchstone for the civil rights movement. But it has also been an iconic song for all Americans--and others--seeking true freedom: some of my favorites on my iPod have also recorded their own takes on this song, including Billy Bragg, Cold War Kids, and Arcade Fire, a Montreal band that is so fervent in their support of Obama that they recorded their own version. I'm going to be blogging this election night live, so feel free to keep checking in if you're so inclined. Meantime, here's Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come".
I can't believe this hasn't registered with me before now that this has been such a staple in the Obama appearances, but it is perfect. Of course soul greats Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding recorded their versions of this song, and it has been a touchstone for the civil rights movement. But it has also been an iconic song for all Americans--and others--seeking true freedom: some of my favorites on my iPod have also recorded their own takes on this song, including Billy Bragg, Cold War Kids, and Arcade Fire, a Montreal band that is so fervent in their support of Obama that they recorded their own version. I'm going to be blogging this election night live, so feel free to keep checking in if you're so inclined. Meantime, here's Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come".
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