I just watched Obama's speech online...

[Writer]

Seriously, forget about the ridiculous astroturf campaign. 'Tis the age of the Internets. Parents can allow their students to view the video if their school did not show it, and students can view the video if their parents would not let them. No longer should we view such media hysteria with a strict top-down approach to power, but understand that there are opportunities for those at the "bottom" to make decisions themselves about what content they wish to view.

Anyway, I loved the speech. How pragmatic and down to earth Obama is! He doesn't dick around, either, with his message. It's up to YOU, he says. It's YOUR responsibility.

I also loved his reference to those in the past who sat in the same seats as high school kids today: Students who fought a depression and a world war, who fought for civil rights and equality, and who became the founders of today's Internet infrastructure. I was one of those latter kids who, in 1989, sat in the bleachers as a freshman in high school. I recall a few in the media calling us slackers - that we were behind because we weren't as civically engaged. How wrong they were! At the time I was depressed - my family were not the most supportive people in my life. I took daily hits to my self-esteem, and most of the time I felt alone and alienated from society. But I kept trying. I'm now a doctoral student at a major research university, studying the one thing which I took a shine to early on, and for that I'm proud. I overcame serious depression, social anxiety, terrible self-doubt and extreme insecurities to get to where I am now. I still struggle with these issues from time to time, and I have failed often because of them, but that does not define me as a person. At 34, I keep moving forward.

Obama's words really struck home with me, and I have to admit, I teared up a bit. I'm very proud, however, that someone is in office who - at his own level - shares some similar challenges to mine. I don't feel so alone anymore.

~Writer~

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Good for you!

I'm anxious to watch the speech tonight.

Glad you don't feel so alone any more.

:hug:

[Arctic Dave]

2. kick

[PopSixSquish]

3. Bravo Writer - Keep On, Keepin' On!

:grouphug:

[TxRider]

4. And I'm a high school drop out...

Who now earns 6 figures with my own company..

I left school at 16, got my first job at $1.16 an hour cleaning toilets and waxing floors.

It took a long time to teach myself what I needed to learn to start and run a high tech software business, and even longer to succeed at it. It was really my only option being shut out of most good jobs not having a high school diploma much less a college degree.

I thought it was a good speech but could have been better. I don't know how well it will reach kids who are like I was at that age.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Ben Franklin once said,

"Those who will not be counseled cannot be helped."

In other words, even the greatest speech in the history of the world would have no effect on some people. This speech, while perhaps formulaic, was written for the others.

It sounds like you 'got it' on your own, so :thumbsup:

[Gregorian]

5. Wow. What a cool post.

That's a great approach to getting what one wants regardless of what the media spews. Being bigger than we're told we can be brings freedom. But I think having Bush for a president did far more damage, even if tacit. Just a crappy example.

And that you made such significant progress in your life. A doctorate. Not too shabby. I don't feel proud very often. It feels good if it's warranted. I know what kind of effort is required in order to get to where you are. I may only have a couple of degrees, but I've had several roommates who ended up with phd's.

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

7. The roundtable with the students before the speech...

does anyone know where I can find the video for that? CNN showed some and it was very interesting.

Thanks...

[GivePeaceAchance]

8. Great to see some positivity and motivation on the board. It keeps us inspired.. K&R

[Whisp]

9. wonderful post, thank you for telling your story.

made me feel great with possibilities.
and I can always use that. ;)