Reply #33: This is an absolutely beautiful post ...

[samilla]

...about one of the finest human beings we've nominated to the office of the presidency in generations.

Last night I listened to the post-debate roundup wanting to hurl every time one of the white, geezer male pundits took Barack to task for not cleaning McCain's clock. Not one of them considered the delicate tightrope Barack has been forced to walk this entire election season. Had he pounded McCain as they advised, Barack would have been excoriated as an angry black man picking on a war hero.

Racism is alive and well here in the US of A.

I've seen it first-hand in my northern suburban community when my one of my good friends who is black and I decide to window-shop together after lunch and an overly-solicitous saleslady rushes to my friend's side asking if there's anything she can help her with. I know what the sales woman is thinking. And I marvel at my dear friend's quiet composure, dignity and grace when she replies - usually with a smile, "Thank you. I'm just looking." I saw that same composure, dignity and grace - along with a keen, measured intelligence and judgment- in Barack Obama last night. It's no surprise because that's who Obama is.

I really do wonder if we Americans are worthy of this man who has stepped forward with courage and at great cost to everything he holds dear to lead us through this horrible mess we're in.

So, K. Gardner, I stand with you and Miss Jean Louise. Mr. Barack Obama is passin.'