"Miss Jean Louise, Stand Up, Your Father's Passin'."

(I first want to apologize for posting about this topic yet again, after so much has already been said. But I have to get this off my chest.)

It takes awhile, they say, for the result of a debate to settle in. A bit of time for the words and images to weave their way into our souls and deposit there a lasting image – the impression we then take away for all time. I guess that is why the pundits get it so terribly wrong so very often. They’ve allowed no time for the settling. And anyway, they see what they want to see, what they’re told to see; and from there, try to influence and mold what we see.

I’ve been mostly sad today. I left the TV off. And I didn’t know why until I watched a re-run of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and was dumbstruck by this line, this scene:

“ Miss Jean Louise, stand up, your father’s passin’.”



The people relegated to the balcony stood in unison as Atticus Finch passed. A silent gesture of respect, of honor, to a man who struggled to do what was right, no matter what the personal cost. A man who fought for principles greater and far beyond himself.



And I cried, realizing then that I was thinking about Barack Obama and how hard it must have been for him to stand on that stage and talk to a man who refused to even acknowledge his presence. Who refused, out of a meanness of spirit unfathomable to me, to look him in the eyes, man-to-man; human being to human being, Senator to Senator. I realized then why the picture of him hugging Michelle afterward touched me so. She alone would understand how that hurt him. A hurt he would likely never voice to anyone but her. Yet he stood there, for 90 minutes, without acknowledgement from his opponent. Stood there brave and calm and unflinching, fighting for us and for the principles he believes in.



I turned, as I so often do, to “Dreams from my Father”, to Barack Obama’s own words to try to find some meaning, some salvation; perhaps to assuage my own guilt over the affront I felt was afforded to Barack Obama. And I found, in pages 156-158, words he wrote about people on the South Side – how they felt about accomplishment and the obstacles they had to overcome to be accepted; and how often they were not accepted.

“So, despite the deserved sense of accomplishment these men and women felt, despite the irrefutable evidence of their own progress, our conversations were marked by another, more ominous strain. The boarded-up homes, the decaying storefronts, the aging church rolls, kids from unknown families who swaggered down the streets – loud congregations of teenaged boys, teenage girls feeding potato chips to crying toddlers, the discarded wrappers tumbling down the block – all of it whispered painful truths, told them the progress they’d found was ephemeral, rooted in thin soil; that it might not even last their lifetimes”. (snip)



“As it had for the men in Smitty’s barbershop, the election had given these people a new idea of themselves. Or maybe it was an old idea, born of a simpler time. Harold was something they still held in common: Like my idea of organizing, he held out an offer of collective redemption.”




Even after this, when the man who refused eye contact stumbled painfully upon a name, this remarkable American said to him with a soul full of humility and compassion, "That's ok John, that's a hard one."

That is the mark of greatness. The man who stood there without being acknowledged, unflinching and without a spark of bitterness in his heart, is the next President of the United States.

It’s about Respect. It’s about Hope and the Future of a nation. It’s about the struggle for Human Dignity throughout the ages.

It is, most of all, about Equality.

“Miss Jean Louise, stand up, your father’s passin’.”

Tears come to my eyes at the point...

I have that pic of Obama holding the little boy close in as my screen saver.

Are for all of the pain and the lessons we have had to experience or watch others experience.

I never ever understood what it meant to be an American until one dy I sat inside a Danish cafeteria. I was just passing through that country with two friends. I would never see that cafeteria again.

But I felt oddly out of place. At first I didn't know why. Then I realized that with my NOT BLOND HAIR, and my NOT BLUE yeyes, I stood out like a sore thumb.

Everyone but me and my friends sat in that cafeteria looking pretty much like each other. I mean occasionally one person or another stood out slightly: somewhat too heavy set or somewhat too skinny. or way too tall or way too short. But the hair coloring was identical, the eye color was identical. Three hundred people and they pretty much looked the same. Basically cousins.

I felt so alien I cannot decribe it. And I was a white person sitting with a bunch of other white people. I cannot imagine how it would have been if I was totally different - Chinese or Black, American Indian, Muslim from Dubai. (Of course maybe a black person from the uSA would have been so familiar with the alien feeling I was experiencing that it wouldn't have registered for them.)

I was suddenly struck by a new found love and respect for my country. I believe that we all, as both individuals and as a people, choose our reality. And the most racist person in this country, on some level they are struggling with the concept of racism. Whereas simply by being born in Denmark they could have escaped that concept as an life issue.

America is a melting pot. Sit inside any cafeteria in any big city and you can see it.
Yes prejudice is alive and well. And every time I watch To Kill a Mockingbird i get the shivers when the people in the balconey nudgeing Atticus' daughter to rise to her feet. But we're all working on it. Some more than others.

And McCain is simply a bitter old man. He lost his prime years to a tiger cage.
Chances are good he will lose this election to Barack Obama.

It must rankle his heart and his soul, but I am not sure it is prejudice. I think it is the feeling of someone who has stayed in the political world months if not years before he should have gotten out. And so he cannot bear to see the young lion that is becoming the alpha male. While McCain retires to chew over a few odd bones and wonder why he didn't get his chance years earlier.

hard to be tough and macho when this guy and his family provide living proof that America can be America. It is just causing me to relieve decades of emotion.

and it was made more poignant when you realize that Atticus Finch never even knew that was all going on in the balcony above him. He never knew the love and respect that the people felt for him. and in the final analysis I don't know if it even mattered. The man did what he did because it was the right thing to do- the only thing he could do, being the man that he was. The parallel with Obama is well drawn.


This was a great post... really great. K&R

all made eye contact with him during that debate. God love him.

And I cried, realizing then that I was thinking about Barack Obama and how hard it must have been for him to stand on that stage and talk to a man who refused to even acknowledge his presence. Who refused, out of a meanness of spirit unfathomable to me, to look him in the eyes, man-to-man; human being to human being, Senator to Senator. I realized then why the picture of him hugging Michelle afterward touched me so. She alone would understand how that hurt him. A hurt he would likely never voice to anyone but her. Yet he stood there, for 90 minutes, without acknowledgement from his opponent. Stood there brave and calm and unflinching, fighting for us and for the principles he believes in.


I hope Obama can feel the love from all of us. And you're right about McCain's mean-spiritedness. It makes him so much smaller to those paying attention.

or if they are, it's sadder still that they are not outraged.

I makes me a better person.


Your OP was incrediable. A hearty kick and recommend from me.


kt

courtroom scenes. It's one of my favorite movies of all time.

that the movie is in black and white. Very effective.

While McCain was ripping into Senator Obama he stumbled on the pronunciation of Ahmadinejad and Obama interupts his rant to say "That's ok John that's a hard one."


It was pure Atticus Finch.



basically her only published work

thank you Harper Lee


and thank you for a masterpiece of a thread

If they gave Pulitizers for posts, this would be the first recipient. An absolutely beautiful essay, and truly moving.

I am literally out of words.

That was an exceptional thread K.

Best post i've ever read here.

thank you all

to remain The Invisible Man.

But he stopped being invisible a long time ago. And he will never be invisible again.

My favorite book of all time is 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. If anyone wants to know what true liberal values are, read this book. I had the same thought as you did when seeing that picture of Obama hugging his soulmate right after the debate. We will never hear from his lips how much McCain's disdain, no, utterly undeserved comtempt last night hurt him. This is a man of remarkable strength, and he's no doubt come across this kind of ugliness before. I would like to thank you for sharing your beautiful, unique perspective. I'm crying for the third time today. Thank you.

Thank you so much for opening my eyes to your perspective.

on edit - I meant to reply to the original message, but your post was great, too.

Also, I have never seen so many reply, using the word beautiful. You have deeply moved this community.

I think many of us felt what you did without having the ability to put it into words. I am so glad that you wrote this, and I feel that you should SEND it somewhere. I know that Thom Hartmann often quotes DUers, and I think he would appreciate this, and perhaps share it with his listeners.

It was simply beautiful.

I think that Skinner needs an entirely different class of rating for a post such as this. My simple recommendation just isn't enough. Your post is really something special.

K&R

I'm sobbing--and I like it.

k/r

Thank you for putting it into words. I think Obama is a great person, and his compassion shines through during these moments that almost get overlooked when there is so much going on.

We are Barack America.

My prayer is for my grandchildren to grow up remembering Barack Obama as the first president they knew, and for the America he brings for their future.

your writing is so evocative of the hope that I feel Obama represents for this country. Seeing Obama and McNasty standing side by side at that debate, I saw a man that was full of a meanness of spirit and one that represented a generosity of spirit. The same generosity of spirit that Atticus Finch had, while surrounded by mean, hateful people. That movie is also my absolute favorite, as is the book.

...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.'

beautiful.. you will be a welcome addition to DU !

Make a small correction: Miss Jean Louise, President Obama is passin'

what an awesome post you responded to for your very first POST!!! Welcome to DU and keep up the good work!!

ps, where have you been all this time?

K&R

I was so angry last night at the smallness of that over-privileged petty man, I was just livid. OUR Barack is such a class act, such a HUMAN being, not the robo-man he was debating. When he helped said those kind words to McCain when he stumbled over that name, that is a direct appeal to people's affective domain. Makes him so human and HUMANE to me.

I love your pics and insight.

I feel like crying.

Yes, I do believe we may have found one. Beautiful post.

Do you really think McCain's not making eye contact with Obama hurt Obama's feelings all that much, and that Michelle "alone would understand how that hurt him?" I mean, let's not get carried away here.

reading Obama's feelings being hurt and Michelle alone would understand. Please, the one thing about Obama is that he KNOWS his rival all too well, better than any of us. Not looking Obama in the eyes because of meanness of spirit, I doubt it. McCain was floundering and exposed for the fraud he is well before the debate. McCain knows and we know that at every turn during his politicking that he was bested by a superior candidate and still had to go through a debate he truly tried to avoid.

I'm going to venture to say, from my experience, I don't think many blacks can achieve a position like that of Obama's without at least expecting some form of mild, indirect, or blatant racism. There's no way to strive and progress without turning hurt feelings, of any kind from any source, into a strength; and I believe Barack is well beyond the hurt stage. While I truly think empathy is a great virtue, I don't understand why so many choose to believe that Obama was hurt. Why the transfer of hurt feelings to Obama?

I saw a weak, snarling insecure old man fighting any way that he could for his world to remain the same. And there was Obama totally aware and confident leading a crusade for a better world. There I fully agree with K Gardner that Obama is to Atticus as McCain is to the townspeople.

think my own feelings, I just transferred over to him

But IndyOp had a good post on this, down the thread a bit. Thanks for responding and sharing your viewpoint. It helps me understand my reaction to this.

loved here. I hate when tears spring up like this and burn my eyes. I was afraid to post and decided what the hell if I get flamed. I truly didn't expect such a kind response. Yeah, I guess we're all dealing with the same history and moving in the same direction even though we see it from different perspectives. So thanks for not being mad at me and keeping the conversation going.
Got to get tissues now.

but you spoke for all of us.

The infuriating disrespect shown by that old school pathetic creep hurt me for Obama - it angered me. I think you're right on some level it had some kind of effect on Obama - how could it not? However, he is one tough cookie and I'm sure he expects that kind of treatment from old codgers like McCain who see the tide turning. McCain is on life support in this election and he knows it. He's pissed and he can't keep his sense of entitlement under control.

I do it well

So did my man, Obama

check this reality...

John McCain wouldn't treat a beggar that way at a city bus stop without Secret Service protection

a Wino just might stab you

John McCain is a little bully and a physical coward

edited to add:

I'm sorry he got tormented for years and has PTSD

But the rest us aren't on the planet to restrain ourselves and maintain a safe environment for deranged little wack jobs like McCain

Talk to the docs... take your meds and for godsake, stfu and go home

Thank you.

I wish I could frame it and put it on my wall. And I wish somebody would get me a tissue!!!!!

This is, bar none, the most beautifully written post I have ever read here.

You reduced me to tears, my dear K Gardner!

I thank you...

K&R

I cried my way through it-- again. I think this may be the best post ever written on DU.

I couldn't watch all of the debate. I was too tired, and McCain was upsetting me so much I was afraid I'd throw something through the TV and I can't afford a new TV right now.

I wondered what it was about McCain that was creeping me out.

I have Asperger's syndrome. I am absolutely crappy at eye contact, but I know that so I will make the effort 'til it hurts. I kept looking at the debate and wondering, "what's wrong with this picture". Now I know. I didn't keep the DVR recording but I'll bet somebody else has it and can prove it.

McCain would NOT make eye contact.

They tell me that means something. McCain ain't no Aspie.

I am DXd Asperger's and had the same "something's REALLY wrong here" feeling while watching, but also couldn't figure out just what it was until Chris Matthews went on about it in the post-debate analysis. McSame is scared to death of Obama and resents him to to his miserable, rotten, sold-out core. He knows that O is a better, smarter, more accomplished man than he is and it is eating him alive.

Harper Lee is smiling. Thank you for such a beautiful, eloquent post.

and so full of truth and hope. I am so proud of our president.

One of the greatest American books and films of all time. I even preformed in 2 different productions of the stage play, in 2 different rolls. A big K&R!

It was beautiful, poignant, and spoke the words that came also from my heart. It showed years of struggle of oppressed people of any race of any income back ground who fought for recognition and never got it. It showed the people fighting for recognition from the oppressive and unilateral government. I'm glad Obama is our voice and representation in big government, because we can't afford nor tolerate any more invisibility.

You captured the incredible integrity of our next President.

Thank You

thank you

the great liberals of my lifetime.
Your post was truly inspired and eloquent.
I feel that you captured the depth of feeling that Obama felt, and the relief of being able to find consolation in the arms of his wife.
A wonderful, memorable post.

his lack of love for his fellow human beings, and on top of that the phoney bastard is a jealous creep. Barack towers over him in so many ways that the cheap rich fuck couldn't even look him in the eye without imploding.

You are so insightful to point out the intersection of two indelible heroes, Barack and Atticus. To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite movie of all time, and I watch it every year or so. That courtroom scene is soul-wrenching. I will never be able to watch it again without thinking of Barack.

And now my mind is reeling with other parallels between that movie and this campaign. The lynch mob is not unlike the Republican attack machine, the bigots and bullies of that party. We, the people, are Tom Robinson, with freedom and justice denied. And the one man standing guard and defending us, of course, is Barack/Atticus.

And like Atticus on that porch, the hero on that debate stage was Barack Obama. McCain tried his best to make Barack invisible, and like Scout, we will shine the light where it belongs. The debt of gratitude we owe Barack..........

Your post has touched me more deeply than I can say. Thank you so much.

No words, only tears...

This was truly touching and it reaches that place that we sometimes
ignore, yes indeed, Thank you very much for such a wonderful anecdote.

God Bless...

Peace!!!

Of course I knew it instantly. THE best book written in the 20th century and your use of it was done in a very moving way. Thank you for the beautiful post.

BTW, I have a signed copy of the book given to me by my mother about 5 years ago. I was something I'd wanted for years. I will cherish it always.

Thank you.

Strongly recommended.

There is really no more that needs to be said.

The only difference is Atticus was am attorney and my Father was a computer programmer.

Thank you for such a beautiful offering to all of us on the DU.

Last evening, I was out to dinner with a friend. We are both white and we are both seniors. We both clearly remember the 1950s and 60s and the struggle for civil rights and we both commented on how we do not understand prejudice and discrimination. I said to my friend, "It is about time..." and we both knew that I was referring to having a POTUS who is black.

Yes, it is about time...and it is about time that repect is shown for what a person is and not what he/she looks like and most particularly, the color of his/her skin. It takes a small person, a VERY small person, to measure the worth of another by the color of his or her skin. John McCain has again proven that he is indeed a small man, a VERY small man.

I asked her if she watched the debate. She said she wasn't going to, and then she started and said it was so good, she couldn't flip the channel. She said before the debate if someone asked me 5 reasons why I would vote for Obama, I couldn't tell them... Now, I see what you see in this man. He's the one, he's the leader.. AND I get why he can't become the "angry" black man.. he has to let a few punches just land.. But she felt very comfortable with him as our leader and SO much less comfortable with McCain... She can't wait for the VP debate, she hopes that the little wood chuck falls flat on her face.

Bittersweet tears are rolling down the face of this ol' 60s hippiechick as I read and re-read your post. As someone who lived through the 60s assassinations, the riots, the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, the draft, VietNam--all of those memories have bubbled to the surface during this campaign, and I am easiily moved to tears. The reference to To Kill a Mockingbird put me over the edge. That movie and Mississippi Burning are my all-time favorite movies about civil & human rights, and activism and our responsibility to right the wrongs of this nation.

Thanks for an unforgettable post.

I doubt Obama was hurt very bad at all by McSames refusal to look at him.
He is a smart man who needs not to have the approval of Mr votes 90% w/Bush.

This is a wonderful thread..It teared me up a little. Thank you

he doesn't carry the "baggage" that Michelle and many of the rest of us multigenerational AAs carry and often internalize - the numerous stories of past hurt, oppression, anger, frustration, and unfairness heaped upon our elders during their lives here in the U.S., and this then piles onto our own heart-breaking experiences in our lifetimes. And although the message of hope and patience and determination and resilience resonate from those same stories, it has been difficult to see the light at the end of the long dark tunnel.

Fortunately Obama's father didn't have that background nor did his mother. And this I think is why he can float above the nonsense so casually. This does not diminish the fact that he has his own negative experiences through life. But he's not weighed down by his family's history, and is thus able to rise up and lift the rest of us up with him.

first-hand experience. While I have not suffered as an AA, my Creator gave me an activist's broken heart and a fighting spirit to stand up against oppression and those who perpetrate it.

me understand just a bit better how and why Obama is rising above. He must still be feeling the punches at a deep, deep level.

The shame I feel when I see McCain beating up on Obama is the shame I feel when I think of whites who disrespected Martin Luther King. Courage is when a great person stands up again and again after having been figuratively (or literally) spat upon. When I think about MLK having been so profoundly disrespected and how he stood up again and again I feel great, great shame.

I come back always in my mind to Booker T. Washington's eternal observation, "You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." It stuns and saddens me that McCain and others don't see this, but they don't.

heart.. there has been some discussion about what was probably my transference of my own pain at watching this, to Obama. So, I apologize if I seemed to be projecting feelings onto Obama that were probably mine. Did McCain's "diss" hurt him?

I have no idea. But as you just said, Indy Op, I do think he must at least "feel the punches at a deep, deep level." I thank you for those words, for that further explanation. I'm still struggling with my own shame, as you are. And I'm proud we have a hero who will stand up and take the punches, and not complain.

That's why he reminds me of our best leaders of the 1960s. They had that quality too, which hasn't been seen in a long time. I was struck by it right away like a pitch on a tuning fork, when I saw his Keynote Speech in 2004. He has something very rare, something we need at this moment of history. I found it so interesting that the Kennedy family recognizes it too, and said so. All of us who see it can't be wrong! (And I'm sure we're not.)

I wonder that I didn't think of the parallel between him and Atticus before. Of course you're so right. I think you put your finger on what bothered so many people about the lack of eye contact during the debates that we couldn't "place" exactly.

It's funny how a moment of thinking about that, and then having the movie happen to come on as it did, can open up a truth. Thank you for "receiving" it and sharing it with us, because I believe that's just what it was. Very beautifully expressed too, and thanks for the extra effort of adding the pictures. Beautiful. And so true.

The funniest thing to me, is that some of the pundits are still saying that he "doesn't connect with people". Are they paying ANY attention? Look at his supports, everywhere the same. Are we not touched by him, do we not feel a connection? OMG! And this is not a "flash" thing, this has been a long election race.

What an extraordinary gift you have! I don't think I've ever read a more moving and eloquent post anywhere before. I had to read it over and over again, and it's just as powerful the last time as the first... just like both the book and the film To Kill a Mockingbird that you referenced. You chose the perfect photos to illustrate it as well... it's almost as if the photos were made for the sole purpose of accompaning your words.

I can't even come up with a response fitting enough on my own, but it did make me recall the reaction of Antonio Saliari from the film Amadeus to the work of Mozart - "It is miraculous." To me, your post is indeed miraculous. I am in awe.

Too good to just keep it here.

Obama and his family symbolize to me what is great about America. A man who loves his wife and kids and tries to better other peoples lives as well.

A perfect example for "family values" voters to chose right?

But no..

They would rather have a 3 times married, white, rich, angry, sullen, insulting man like McCain instead. I would say their politics outweigh their religion and morals.

Your OP is a great gift to all of us -- as is Obama.

Thank you

Not only is it a well-written essay, but it really touched me, and reminded me of what it is about Obama that I find so appealing. It is the essence of his humanity, his ability to go beyond prejudice, beyond insult, beyond inequity to persevere for what is right, fair, and just for all Americans, no matter how "ugly" they may be. He believes, and so those of us who listen, believe, that a better America is possible. And a better America means a better world as well.

I'm saving it to read again and again.

Simply beautiful. K&R!

It was indeed a pleasure to scroll through and read such an original post. Sometimes our artistic interpretations are more profound than we know.

What a great movie!

I know and I hope you know that this is purely quite profound.

Beautifully written....heartfelt thanks.


peace~

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, K Gardner.

I was really angry with the disrespect John McCain showed to Barack Obama too but I hadn't had time to analyze it so thoroughly as you did, and I too felt sad about the debate the next day despite polls saying Barack had won. Now I know why. I think if McCain loses the election his debate performance will be a big reason why. The disrespect shown to Sen. Obama will resonate with the majority of Americans. He has shown the US and the whole world that he doesn't have the temperament or the character to be President.

Just outstanding.

No words I could ever say would give justice to the beauty of this piece.

and felt slightly overcome by the emotion that Barack has brought to the world, let alone the USA.

When it is quiet at night, I find my thoughts drifting to the 4th of November, and saying a few words to the world spirit: "please rid us of this evil, bring us all hope and change."

had forgotten you were there! Do you know anything else about how this picture came to be?

It so represents how the world must feel !

most of the people thought Obama would be going in on the front side of the building, MHC and I were walking through the Holocaust Memorial, when we came out at the end near the Adlon we saw a small crowd and many Police cars. There were dozens of photographers behind the barriers and we heard buzz that Obama would be coming soon, so we waited. There were several people from Africa up close to the metal crowd control piece, and I believe this man was one of them. The other guy had on a similar t-shirt, but I think his had a graphic with the African continent on it (?) After BO waved and went into the hotel these guys just broke into song, and were swooning. It was really cool.

D.H. ! You scamp!

. . .because your comparison underscores what I've thought all along. . that Obama's natural statesmanship comes from having to be challenged all his life as a mixed race person. . .adjusting to all the subcultures that he was a part of but had to work at being FULLY accepted into.

Practice makes perfect. . .he's not afraid of failure because he knows daily how being magnanimous wins your enemies over every time.

This statesmanship naturalness is the very thing that makes other politicos pea-green with envy. . .and makes some give tepid instead of unflappable support for Obama by saying ambiguous comments. . .or some who cannot look him in the eye. . .these politicians are

P R O F O U N D L Y J E A L O U S.

These less "centered" politicians are intimidated by Obama and won't ever admit it.

BUT. . .yeah, there is a big "BUT". . .how are you coping with the huge possibility of electronic voting fraud looming ahead because the Democrats still haven't rallied for a nationwide supervised paper ballot after all the fraud revealed since 2000?

I'm saddened and sickened at the thought that after all the wondrous goodwill and fortitude of Barack Obama and his supporters for the past 17 months, these damn voting machines could hijack the true will of the people ONCE AGAIN come November 4, 2008!

Really. . .I'm depressed about this possibility. . .because we are so powerless in the end. . .how, K Gardner, are you dealing with this possibility?

I need your further inspirational analysis. . .thanks. . .

election is going to be close enough to rig. I fully agree the last two WERE. I think Obama will win in such a landslide that it will prohibit any fine tuning.. not there there will be SOME tinkering, there will.. but I simply think it is going to be a blowout. I hope I'm not proven wrong. We do need to keep our eyes and ears open, stay vigilant, monitor polling places and spread information about voting.. there are wonderful groups and advocates out there that are truly on top of this. Bobby Kennedy recently did a great radio show on efforts of the Republicans to vote cage.

There are more of us.. and I do believe we're ready for them, this time.

God bless you and the wonderful state of RI.. I spent a year there and would love more than anything to go back someday, to live !

Your comparison to my hands-down-all-time-favorite movie still has me with goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. I'd never made the connection between Atticus and Barack but it is breathtakingly spot on.

Just absolutely beautiful! Thank you.

Gregory Peck was wonderful in the role. He PERSONALLY wanted to play that role, and he did an excellent job ! One of his best performances ever, really deserved the Oscar for it, and a really terrific person both on and off the screen. He was perfectly cast, and captured the character spot on. Indeed, everyone in the cast did a great job, as did the film makers. I have the DVD version with all of the "making of the movie" footage. A great book which I read TWICE in both grammar school and high school. Nice analogy too. McCain is taking heat BIGTIME for being so sour as to not even look at Obama. I'm not saying it was necessarily a racist thing, but VERY undignified nonetheless.

I too have been haunted by this debate. Thanks so much for the cry. It was a cry I needed.

You know how it is? When you love something, you want to share the experience with someone you love? When I read your post, I had no choice ~ I went to the kitchen and said, "Baby, can you spare a minute? I've just got to share something with you."

We sat together as I tried to read aloud your words, viewed the pictures, wiped our eyes, re-committed to one another to do whatever we can to get Obama elected. Your contribution has some far-reaching, positive effects. I'm grateful for your insight and your sharing.