http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=435407486A9972C09573B8297FFA6A3B?diaryId=5068I Felt the 'Fierce Urgency of Now' in Dallas
by: Todd Hill
Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM CST
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The clearest distinction between Obama, Clinton, and McCain is the War in Iraq, which Barack articulated very well. He said, "I opposed it in 2002 and I will bring it to an end in 2009. I will bring our troops home." Considering he exercised sound judgment from the beginning on this issue I believe him.
As we know, Obama has galvanized our generation like no candidate has in decades. What is unique about that is the fact that Obama challenges our generation to give back to our country and he'll give back to you, despite the fact our generation is often labled as lazy, apathetic, and unwilling to lift a finger for our fellow humanity. He said, "if you invest in America by volunteering at a homeless shelter, VA hospital, the Peace Corp, or other community activity I'll invest in you." Obama proposes covering up to $4000 in expenses for the first year of college for students, and cover up to 2/3rds the cost of tuition at most community college and universities in America through the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Without a doubt the 21st century version of "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."
With all that said, I wish to end this experience by articulating to you what I believe Obama articulates better than anyone, and that is the message of hope. He did so again today. Clinton and McCain both hammer at Obama for daring to challenge the spirit of America with a message of hope, but let me tell you folks something, the one thing that we as Americans have always turned toward as our North Star in times when odds seemed insurmountable, has been the spirit of hope. You've heard Obama's story of hope so let me tell you mine.
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The power of hope is what has sustained my family and defined my life. It is what has managed to build the foundation from which my 28 years of life bore, thus far, for all to see. Hope is all that millions of Americans have these days after the eight years of pure hell we've experienced under Bush administration policies. Hope is what leads me to believe that, with hard work, a little intelligence, giving back to my community, and a bit of discipline, that a gay man from Euless, Texas, can be president some day.
This, all of these thoughts, are what wound through my mind as I listened to Obama. It is what I reflected on as we drove home this afternoon. It is what has tears in my eyes as I write. My life is hope.
And hope is what is sending me to the polls 10 minutes from now to cast my vote for Barack Obama, and caucus for him at 7:15pm on March 4th.