How Long? Not Long.

[H2O Man]

"The law is clear that the right to petition one’s government for the redress of grievances may be exercised in large groups."
--Wallace v. Wallace; 240 F. Supp 100, 106 (M.D. Ala.)

When I watched Barack Obama’s presentation last night, it reminded me of one of the high-lights of the civil rights movement, the march from Selma to Montgomery. Older DUers will know exactly what I mean. And younger folks, who only know about this chapter in our history from books and film, would do well to study the march – for it was not only a great victory in the federal courts, but what many viewed as the most important political victory of the era. More, it can serve as a model for our activities in advocating for social justice after President Obama and VP Biden take office in January.

While Barack Obama was speaking at the beginning of the half-hour show, I thought about how improbable his march to the White House seemed when he announced his candidacy. The country was as angrily divided in 2007 as it had been in King’s day. And there were divisions within the civil rights movement at that time.

In every social-political movement, there are conservative voices who suggest that "now is not the time," and who advocate patience and reliance upon the older, more experienced leaders of the larger group. There were those who felt that while King was an electrifying public speaker, that it would be wiser to rely on the counsel of the more established leadership.

Others, such as a young activist named John Lewis, believed that the hostile crowds who opposed the movement had to be confronted directly. They knew that the grass roots members of the movement were not willing to follow leaders who were unwilling to accept the discomfort and risks involved in their daily lives. Lewis knew that Martin Luther King, Jr., was in a unique position to lead at that time.

The McCain-Palin campaign’s attacks on Barack Obama echo the attacks made on King: "he’s a communist," "he’s a socialist," "he has been schooled by subversives," and "he’s un-American." That attempt to stir up fear and hatred is why Rep. John Lewis compared the republican campaign to George Wallace.

The march from Selma to Montgomery was long and stressful. There were many people who did not believe that it would be completed. Last night, those of us who have been involved in the Obama march to the White House saw our destination coming into view. This includes those who supported Obama’s campaign from the beginning, and those who have joined along the way. We are all in this together.

On March 25, 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a triumphant speech in Montgomery. His closest friends called it his "Jonah in the belly of the whale" speech. Here are some of the high-lights:

"They told us we wouldn’t get here. And there were those who said that we would get here only over their dead bodies, but all the world today knows that we are here and that we are standing before the forces of power in the state of Alabama saying, ‘We ain’t goin’ let nobody turn us around.’ ….

"We are on the move now. … Like an idea whose time has come …. Let us march on ballot boxes, until the Wallaces of our nation tremble away in silence …. Until we send to our city councils, state legislators, and the United States Congress men who will not fear to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly ….

"My people, my people, listen! The battle is in our hands. The battle is in our hands in Mississippi and Alabama, and all over the United States. …. We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience. …

"I know you are asking today, ‘How long will it take?’ I come to say to you this afternoon however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because truth crushed to earth will rise again.

"How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever.
"How long? Not long, because you still reap what you sow.
"How long? Not long, because the arm of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Last night was proof that truth crushed to earth indeed rises again. How long? It looks like about five days away now. In five days, we will not be calling on the powers in Washington, DC. We will be that power.

Thank you, Martin Luther King, Jr.

[SeaLyons]

1. All I can say (because I'm an emotional wreck) is

I am of the age that I can remember the march to Selma.

This is a beautiful post, H20 Man.

Five days.....OMG!!!

[H2O Man]

3. Enjoy these five days.

This is a historic time, that provides great satisfaction for those who remember that march.

[Tuesday_Morning]

2. Five days....

Beautiful post. Thank you.

:kick:

[H2O Man]

4. Five days!

Hard to believe, really!

[Ian_rd]

44. Four Days!

And where the hell is that Bin Laden video?! Hellooooo! We're all waiting!

[H2O Man]

46. If there is

a bin Laden Halloween video, it will help Obama and Biden. That is something that I'm sure that the republicans are aware of, too.

[babylonsister]

5. Thank you for providing optimism - YES WE CAN! nt

[H2O Man]

6. "Yes, we can!"

It has a nice ring to it!

[formercia]

7. Truth to Power

Amen, Brother.

I have stared down the barrel of a racist's gun.

I looked him in the eye, and without fear in my voice, told him the error of his ways.

He lowered his gun and walked away, a beaten man.

You can kill the man, but you cannot kill the truth.

They are cowards at heart.

Show them no fear and they will respect you for it.

[H2O Man]

14. I can remember

the disappointment I felt when I read the results of a survey, taken somewhere around 1989. It showed that college students identified the thought of spending a weekend alone, with no tv or stereo, and only books, as being something the vast majority found intolerable.

In their world, dulled by the social novocaines of mind & body altering substances, bright lights, loud music, and intoxicated crowds, they had no understanding or appreciation for the sacrifices made by a previous generation, which made what they mistook for "comfort" possible.

Other generations had very different experiences, of course, from WW2 to Korea, and then the decade that redefined college life. Students had been among those who struggled, suffered, and died in attempts to change their society. Many spent weeks and weekends in jail cells, without tv, stereos, or books.

I am convinced that the young folk today have a greater appreciation for the connections between that era, and what they are working to bring about today. They appreciate the sacrifices that were made. And they know that inaction today could result in McCain & Palin insisting that they go and experience both ends of those gun barrels in some insane war.

This is a wonderful time. Intense, no question. But beautiful.

[Me.]

8. Reaping What You Sow

RepubliCons have been presented with a unique opportunity, to look at themselves in the mirror and assess what they have in fact sown. They are being given the opportunity to change course, the question is will they. I don't think so. The big secret meeting in Virginia that everyone knows about and which will take place the day after the election sounds to be more of the same. A lot of jockeying for position and a whole lot of power grabbing from the different factions.

They, and the pundits and number crunchers have all missed the true point of this election. They've ignored the faces upturned with hope at Obama rallies and just counted how many thousands that showed up.

I was doing errands yesterday and passed Gray's Papaya on the upper west side of Manhattan. It, known for it's hot dogs, has been there for decades. I was really struck by a huge ot had in one of the windows. YES, Senator Obama. We can finally believe again.

[H2O Man]

15. An old friend

once taught me that, "Sometimes readiness and change only come because of all the heartache and pain and deep frustration that has come before us. That is to say, every sin, every disease, every disappointment, every failure, every bit of difficulty that has ever touched our lives have all been a very necessary part of our entire existence, without which we would not have been made ready or prepared to receive the unfoldment of a truly spiritual message. And I say this knowing, just as you know, that some of us have been down and are presently still down, in the very depths of human existence. ... And yet whatever degree of difficulty each one of us has had, then it was perhaps that degree of difficulty that each one of us needed."

I suspect that this is as true of groups as with individuals.

[Me.]

19. I Think It Is Too

You can see it on their faces. And why, have the huge numbers at rallies been dismissed as not having an impact when they actually tell the story?

[understandinglife]

9. One of your very best! Thank you.

Peace,
Bob

[H2O Man]

16. Thank you.

This is an amazing time in our nation's history. It has us all thinking strange thoughts!

[immoderate]

10. Recommend.

--IMM

[H2O Man]

18. Thank you. n/t

[Gregorian]

11. The battle is universal.

I have been awake most of the night. Something didn't sit right with me in Obama's speech. I am not represented. This is also why I like the success of Obama. He comes from those who have not been represented. But I still fear that even if he does manage to take that oath, all will not be righted. But that's another subject.

I've been listening to David Barsamian interview a woman from Tibet. It struck me just how similar the aggression has been there as compared to the demonizing of Democrats here. It's so similar it's frightening. China has a high speed rail that goes near Tibet that serves little purpose other than to dissolve the Tibetan culture.

What I now realize is that this is not a war that will be won. Not ever. I see so easily and so clearly just how things work. How they could be. It's trivial. Except for those who would ruin. It's what usurps and engulfs my entire life. It's all I think about. How things could be. It's sad, in a way. But no sadder than what Martin Luther King or the Dali Lama experience. The difference is they made a difference, and they were gracious doing it. Although I suppose they are frustrated in their privacy.

So just what will we have in five days? I support this future administration. Although I am not represented in the slightest. A single man without children. All but forgotten in a society of growth. But the things you mention are those which bring me a smile. I would like to see intelligence used for better purposes than war and greed. Maybe that's the answer to my question. But I do worry that we will never reach a real mountain top. Maybe it's just a never ending journey. I guess it obviously is. I'm probably just saying the obvious. But there is that chance that this is something better. Maybe there is a real destination.

[H2O Man]

20. Democracy

is constant struggle. When that struggle ceases, democracy ceases. There is no other way.

One of the things that we will be working on in the next eight years (and more) is redefining family and community. The shattering of the family unit -- a direct result of economic "progress" -- and the break-downs in community are the result of a weakened democracy.

Yet we have solid examples to model our efforts on. For generations, for example, gay & lesbian people have attempted to expand the definition of "marriage"; the goal being to have it based upon love and commitment, rather than appearances and prejudices. Likewise, in the 1960s and early '70s, those people called "hippies" rediscovered community in the way of communes.

We have an enemy that has attempted to inflict a stark and barren definition of both family and community. It has to be one of our priorities to move beyond the narrow thinking that marginalizes any person's rights to family, and denies a sense of community to any segment of society.

A single adult without children must not be "alone." They are our brothers and sisters, and aunts and uncles. It is a possibility that will soon be recognized as reality. We see a hint of that power on DU, when, at its best, there is a sense of a compassionate community.

[Gregorian]

30. You're so gracious.

Today I thought about asking your forgiveness. My post was cynical. To me, family is a bad word. Having seen Obama and his family, I saw, for the first time ever just how beautiful family could be. I am still marveling at that. I'm not young. I remember the hippies. I even made it to a few Height Ashbury parties. A little after the scene, but nevertheless wild. But I have an almost angry view of the family. That nuclear unit. Something that is almost a requirement. Almost automatic.

I have watched firsthand the quality relationships of gay partners. I see something so different and so full and real. Clean, even. Although I've heard they too can argue. Haha.

I want to thank you for your insight. And even for accepting some of my posts which I believe are sometimes less than additive. I'm kind of fighting life. I'm like a fish swimming upstream. I'm doing anything automatically. As a result I probably won't do anything at all. Haha. I shouldn't laugh. Also as a result, I left a woman who would have been the perfect wife, nearly a quarter century ago. How many girls like crawling under the pickup to do repairs with you. Pretty rare.

Obama is big. My cynicism is a reflection of my inability to be like the man he is. But, and here is the one big thing I love about him, the mere presence of a leader doing exemplary things is enough to create followers. I mean that people will emulate. And that is something young as well as old could use. I can. Because what he said in his 30 minutes last night was quite remarkable, even if I came away bruised. I need his support. And so does the nation. This is what I've been calling a trickle down psychology. I hate paraphrasing Republican economic terms. This could be the healing we need.

[myrna minx]

12. Thank you for this essay.

Five days. We're near the summit.

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you for reading it.

Five days: will they be longer for those anticipating Obama's victory, or for those dreading it?

[Lochloosa]

13. I've been to the mountaintop

Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Five Days!

[H2O Man]

22. I think that

a lot of people across this country are thinking of those words, late at night when they are alone in their thoughts.

Five days!

[WeDidIt]

17. Rosa rode so Martin could walk.

Martin walked so Barack could run.

Barack is running so our children can fly.

[H2O Man]

23. Isn't that

the truth?

[Johnny Noshoes]

35. Yes

So much beauty in so few words. Thanks :thumbsup:

[grantcart]

24. sometimes

sometimes the system works

sometimes the good guys win

and somtimes are the 'good old times' and these are those times.

[H2O Man]

26. This is a time

that people will tell future generations about with pride.

[EFerrari]

25. And Mr. Lewis, too. He's still marching even after all these years.

:toast:

[H2O Man]

27. Yes, he is.

Among all the figures from leadership roles in that era, he remains one of the most dignified. He continues to fight the Good Fight, and serves as a voice of conscience, even when that is not easy. He helped make this entire election season the success it has been.

[knixphan]

28. Big ups, H2O!

I'm sharing this post far and wide.

Excellent use of recent history, and perfect timing. Just the shot in the arm we need to strike the killing blow to this GOP fear-march.

Hope will win this year!

[H2O Man]

29. Good!

I'm glad that you would think enough of this to share it with others. Thank you.

[Kaleko]

31. Epic times with enormous consequences

for everyone who comes after us. It's good to know there are people who can feel deeply the importance of these last few days before the world changed, like you, Waterman.

The Greek word Armageddon means "lifting of the veil", and we are the ones who are lifting it from this nation's eyes just a little bit more every day. It's so ironic that the fear-mongering end-timers will be the ones that are left behind, left to live in a reality that the vast majority of earth's inhabitants no longer shares.

[H2O Man]

36. Great point.

Thank you. There is an awakening going on today. It's happening among individuals, households, villages, cities, states, and on an international level. It is the sum-total of the millions of ripples that RFK spoke of in his speech in South Africa, capable of washing away the walls of tyranny.

The republican fear-mongers view everything through a dense fog: in their minds, it is Barack Obama who is "causing" this problem in the United States ..... Obama and those darned left-wing, America-hating folks who pull his strings. In reality, Obama has a quality found at various times in history, when a man or woman understands the flow of energy, and is able to ride on it.

[intheflow]

32. That post brought tears to my eyes, H2O Man.

What a powerful essay and witness. Thank you. :hug:

[H2O Man]

37. Thank you.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. This has been a sometimes strange, yet always fascinating presidential election campaign -- including the democratic and republican primaries, and the general election. One of my favorite parts of it is that I've watched my daughters, now 11 and 14, being involved in what is going on.

At a time when I was donating to a number of candidates in our primary season, they had already begun to put pictures of Barack Obama up on their bedroom wall. They have a heck of a collection of magazines, etc, they have saved over the months. They not only watched his speeches, and the debates he participated in, but they taped them. Both enjoy talking to other kids and with adults about the campaign. And both volunteer at the local campaign headquarters.

This election will help them to grow into the type of adults who I am already fully confident that each will be.

[BlooInBloo]

33. Another reason I love RATM.

[ClayZ]

34. The little line I filled out in blue on my mail in ballot

only about 1/2 inch long, was the most important mark, to me, that I have made thus far on this earth.

I thank my lucky stars to have had the opportunity to have made it.

I work with clay, and I have made many marks on many things that will stand the test of history.

That little tiny 1/2 inch line is my BEST mark so far.


Rosa sat, so Martin could walk…
Martin walked, so Obama could run…
Obama is running, so our children can FLY!




Thank you, H20 Man

K and R

[H2O Man]

38. Right!

It's interesting: I talk to young adults who are preparing to vote on Tuesday. I mention the "long lines," to see how they might respond to having to wait. And they all say the same basic thing -- that they are used to waiting in lines, from signing up for classes in college, to attending sporting events and concerts. Hanging out with friends while in line, they assure me, is part of the "event." And they all say something similar to what you say so well here -- that this event is so important, that the wait is absolutely worth it.

[OneGrassRoot]

39. "We will be that power."

Indeed. How fabulous it shall be...to be empowered once again.

Thank you, H20 Man.

:)

[H2O Man]

41. Long time coming.

This is something that we've all been working for, for many years.

[BelgianMadCow]

40. The ad (inappropriate word, but..) had a profound effect on you too

right?

I know it brought a tear to this cynical and depressed foreigner.

On belgian tv, BO was likened to MLK and Nelson Mandela. He is equally electrifying, and he has the unfathomable power of righteousness behind him. His composure will determine the fate of many, including in the case of severe election disruption. I wonder if he would lead non-violent protest if need be.

regards
bmc

[H2O Man]

42. The half-hour ad

reinforced my opinion of Barack Obama, and of what he represents to the good people of this nation and the world. I think that he is leading a non-violent protest, in a progression from the works of Martin Luther King, Jr., and others.

A number of progressives and liberals, including the left wing of the democratic party, had urged King to consider running for president in late 1967 and '68. He had actually considered the possibility of running a symbolic campaign. President Johnson had concerns that King and RFK would form a united anti-war front (though not an actual RFK/MLK ticket) and challenge him in the democratic primaries.

In 1984, Jesse Jackson demonstrated the potential strength of a "rainbow coalition" that might unify the progressive left with the progressive/liberal wing of the democratic party. In 1988, he was able to add a large segment of labor to this coaltion.

Obama has built upon the foundation that these men and others created. And he is making it possible for the next generation to carry progress forward in years to come.

[democrank]

43. Thank you for this, H20 Man.

We are what we`ve been waiting for.

[H2O Man]

45. Yes.

It is a simple concept that is absolutely true. We are exactly what we've been waiting for. It's our turn.

[Bluenorthwest]

47. wonderful post

I feel this election. There is an elctricity to this moment that is keeping me up at night. No sleep till Washington...
I have never seen so many people eager to vote, chomping at the bit to vote for Barack Obama. We are going to win. Barack Obama will be President. If only we could swear him in, say Thursday the 6th, and get it over with!

[recovering democrat]

48. Ain't no line too long

Two things inspired me this morning. Your post with the words and the tribute to Dr. King. The other, from the Diddy Blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_VhZGyS4rs

One of the You Tube comments reads No line is too long. As Diddy says, imagine what it would look like now in our world if Martin Luther King Jr. had said, "Ooh, my feet hurt, I can't march today."

Ain't no line too damn long.

Thank you also for your inspiration.