Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hit Me!


Last night, T. and I celebrated at the Seattle Obama Ball. After a church member and his pastor decided to organize a celebration, over a hundred volunteers contacted them offering help. KPTK 1090, Seattle's progressive radio station, got wind of the event and offered to help publicize it. Ribbins Bar-B-Q catered soul food, and a big band, a funk group, a poet, and a company of Eritrean dancers provided the entertainment. A documentary filmmaker shanghaied partygoers to appear in his film. A local TV news team interviewed T.'s son. People arrived dressed to the nines or in jeans (guilty as charged). Children of all ages danced and wandered about. Everyone was happy. Can you imagine Republicans partying with such diversity and elan?...

Mouse (aka Kimy) and her friend Joan went to the inauguration. Read about it here...

This morning, it hit me: The 30-year spasm of anti-intellectualism that has afflicted this country is at an end. The leaders of what a friend calls the cult of stupidity have left Washington in disgrace. The right-wing media is isolated and discredited. We have a president who does not walk around with a chip on his shoulder and who addresses the American people as responsible adults. This is great...

Musician and author Ned Sublette (The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver To Congo Square) talks about his the past and future of New Orleans here. Sublette argues that using "Katrina" as a catch-all term risks leaving the impression that Katrina was a natural and not manmade disaster. As he points out, the floods occurred under a clear sky...

This morning, it hit me: I'm proud of our President. Our country is in the hands of someone with ability and intellect and who intends using them for the good of all Americans...

The picture above is from the White House web site at whitehouse.gov. While you're there, check out this slide show of presidential portraits from Washington to Obama. John Kennedy was the first president to smile for his portrait. Richard Nixon looks to have attempted a smile and fails...

This morning, it hit me: I don't have to walk around angry at the leader of the free world and embarrassed over what he has done to my country...

Renew America Together: "President Obama believes that we, as Americans, have a responsibility to help our communities and fellow citizens. In summoning a new spirit of service, he is calling on us to make an enduring commitment to our neighborhoods..."

This morning, it hit me: We have our country back...



Thanks, Greg. You sang for millions of us.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I caught myself thinking the same things about Mr. Obama recently. And it struck me that this confidence is a result of great election campaign and good PR management. Also I think this is some kind of irrational hope for the change for the better. What gives you such confidence in Mr. Obama?

Sylvia K said...

Sounds like a fabulous party! I'm with you all the way, K. the same things have been tapping on me for the past couple of days!

Frank Partisan said...

I've never in my life, seen such excitement for a president.

Greg Brown lives near me. He runs a recording studio I believe.

I guess we met through Ned.

Anonymous said...

extended meta4 : this p.m. i had a nasty old molar yanked out. it hurt like hell and the kid had to stop 3 times and reshoot me with pain killer. He had to cut a little too and after what felt like about 8 yrs he exhaled and said, o.k. it's out my friend. Still hurts like a mofo and i do have some ty 3's for the pain. It's out though and at least now it can start to heal. I had no urge to look at it think about it or speculate if i originally broke it opening a bottle with it when i was 18. in short it's no longer a part of the experience that is me. I am glad it's gone and willing to suffer a little or maybe even a lot in the next short while. how can i not make the comparison to a certain former executive whose name I have no urge to write ? your party sounded like a great time, mama worked so i was tending the sheeplings here. Peace

mouse (aka kimy) said...

now that we have the country back, we best hold on.....

thanks for the post and also the plug!

sounds like a mighty fine party!

wv: nospin - i kid you not!!

K. said...

Kimy, have you been watching the O'Reilly report?!

Rasta, you make He Who Shall Not Be Named sound like a tumor. Oh, right...

Ima Wizer said...

Ohhhhhhh, this is such a wonderful post! Pinch me! Can it be true we really do NOW have a Leader again? Someone with a brain, heart AND courage????

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill said...

Thought I'd stop by as I like your work over at Ren's, we need another voice of reason over there.

I'll check back often.

K. said...

Thanks Ima!

Thanks, too, for stopping by, Daniel. Ren has created a great forum. I usually comment there only when I'm familiar with the subject. I like following the battles, though!

Anonymous said...

I liked:

"we will restore science to its rightful place."

K. said...

I'm with you, John. In many ways, that was the most resounding shot across the conservative's bow. The larger implication is that Obama will not politicize anything that shouldn't be politicized. At least, I hope so.

K. said...

Kristopher: Actions speak louder than words. I hope you read my post of today.

Roy said...

I discovered you through Kimy, and I like what I'm reading. Good blog.

Yup, ol' Greg sang it so well. And now he, and we, got our wish come true - we have our country back. Yippee!