Here I Am Lord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was a Roman Catholic, and was convinced that my serving was through becoming a sister in the Dominican order, one of my favorite, no, not one of, but my favorite hymn was one called “Here I am Lord.” I think there are a couple that go by that name, but this one went something like, “here I am Lord, I have heard you calling in the night. If you call me, I will follow, I will lead your people. . . .” or something to that effect. It was the only hymn that would drive me directly to tears, for I felt that in offering myself to the convent I was in effect following.

The gospel passage that speaks of giving away all that one has and following Jesus, was and is connected to that hymn to me. It broadsided me I guess you could say the first time I remember actually reading it as a Christian. It frightened me, and at the same time compelled me to look deeply at my life and where I was going.

If you read the bible often, you will no doubt realize that throughout the Old Testament particularly, when God spoke directly to humans, they always, always responded with “Here I am Lord.” I always thought it a bit funny, given that God clearly knew where they were, a simple, “Yes?” would have been sufficient. But it seems the writers who wrote of these encounters with God always saw a sense in the recipient of readiness for service that the phrase seems also to convey.

In the OT reading today, Moses responds to God’s call of him from the burning bush with “here I am, Lord.” Oh indeed I suspect that at least initially Moses wished he hadn’t since God had a great deal in store for Moses, much of which he wanted no part of.  Mostly Moses felt inadequate to the tasks set before him. Yet, of course, God supplies us with what we need, when we need it. According to a Midrash comment about Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, the Midrash writer says that God did not part the sea when Moses raised his staff. No, not until Moses, in faith stepped forward did he do that. (I am stealing shamelessly from our Priest, Barbara today, who taught us this.)

And in the Gospel reading from Matthew today, Jesus tells us that we must lose our lives to save them. To become his follower, we must take up our cross and follow.  And it seems to me the message is clear. God will be there to both sustain our journey and will provide us what we need when we need it. All else may be quite mystery to us. We may know almost no details, we may not know the purpose nor the end. We need only have that faith that sustains and upholds and provides as needed to continue. The cross is the fearless going forth in the following, not having any assurance as to the destination or the means by which it will be attained. And of course, it also means it may be done against the good wishes of many or most of our friends, family or even strangers.

Therein of course lies the rub. Just how do we discern when we are following the call of God, and when are we merely allowing our own preferences to slyly dictate a subconsciously chosen path? I confess I have no real clue. I can say easily that it is a intuitive thing, a deep feeling, one that seems, feels, right. But truthfully, “entering the convent” seemed the intuitively right thing to do at the time.  Similarly, moving from Roman Catholicism to Anglican Episcopalianism seems the right thing to do as well right now.

I have turned this over a bit in my head lately and while I don’t have clear unrefutable answers, I think I many have a clue or two. I came from no faith at all, and with exposure pretty much only to Roman Catholicism as a child. It defined my concept of church. I don’t think it is possible that I would have entered the arena of “church” unless it had been Roman Catholic. So I can but think that God accepted me where I was and saw this as a beginning.

Now with a more mature outlook, having spend years trying to reconcile my faith, my Church, and my deeply abiding personal views about a whole range of social issues, I have come to see that I must release that “childish” adoption for a more mature one.

Now I in no way claim that adherence to the Roman faith is childish. But my reasons for adhering to it were in a sense based on childish misunderstanding of what constituted “Church” in the first instance. I have no bad feelings against the Roman Catholic faith, none whatsoever really. I just realize that is not for me. It does not fit my mind and heart. And a religion should do that it seems to me. And no I don’t mean that churches should be “feel good” places either. But I do mean that we, each of us, is like a puzzle piece looking for our place in the picture.

We must, it seems to me, find a place where doctrine, ritual and congregation intersect in a mutually rational way for us. I met with the assistant rector of my church last week. She said to me, that as much as she worked for interfaith dialogue, we put too much emphasis on establishing agreement on all kinds of doctrinal issues. There is nothing so very wrong about envisioning God and/or Jesus in multiple ways. What is important is that we respond to the call of service to our neighbor. That should come first, and in that I think she is very right.

Rome spends a lot of time working, so they tell me, to collect all of us back into the fold. I suspect it will never happen. And I suspect God is quite happy about the arrangements we have now. More than likely, not a single one of us with our massive or not so massive denominations behind us, is totally right. We each bring threads of “getting God” to the table. The sad thing is that instead of creating a tapestry, we try to get everyone to agree to dye all the threads the same color.

So I see myself mostly as just another fellow traveler, climbing the mountain, meeting lots of different folks along the way. Some crossing my path, some traveling with me, others along a parallel or angled path to mine. Some no doubt are confusedly backtracking.  I have, at least for now, found a community of fellow travelers who seem to see the world as I see, and who see God’s call the way I do. So I’m not traveling alone right now.  I’m in fact having a joyous time. God seems closer than he has in a very long time for me.

While I could say, that this is me now, and that five, ten years from now, I might be some place else, I just don’t know. I tend to think my present Episcopal Church is broad enough, wherein I can lie with ease for all my years to come. I guess, it seems a church which continually calls itself to examine and re-examine itself. And that to me is essential. Times change, and God has new and previously unknown challenges for us.

In the end, I’m not sure that there is more that any of us can do than our best. I am here, Lord. I am doing my best, trying to discern your will, trying to uphold your will, and please you. Here I am Lord.

NO WAY

 I’m sorry, but where exactly does one begin? It has been less than 24 hours since John Sidney, in what can only be described as an Alzheimer’s moment, selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. Already the comics are having a field day, and indeed so are most of the mainstream media. This is just awful and proof once more that John McSame is  utterly out of touch with not only America but with reality. Is this one big cosmic joke played on the elderly man by his caretakers?

The Daily Show skewered her last night. Samantha Bee did a rock-solid display of how Palin is her girl, because vaginas stick together doncha know. Opening remarks by Jake Tapper this morning referred to the duo as looking like “father and daughter” to the uninitiated. The jokes just keep coming, with Palin asking “I’m waiting for someone to tell me what a VEEP does all day.” Some are now referring to her as “Quayle with a ponytail.” Others laughingly suggest that it looks more like McCain is back to chasing “skirts” again.

Bill Weir from GMA was relentless in his sarcasm. “How much time has Senator McCain spent with Gov. Palin?” No answer. “Why would Clinton backers want to vote for a woman who is against women’s right to choose, favors guns, believes that evolution is wrong?” Errr, Uhhh, well. Cuz they have vaginas too?

Here’s a rundown of what I have found so far:

• She’s been the Governor of a state with less than 1 million people for about 20 months.
• Before that she was the mayor of a city of less than 9,000
• Contrary to portrayal, she is in bed with big oil.
• She is for drilling in Anwar.
• She was against listing the polar bear on the endangered species list and is not considered a friend by environmentalists.
• She is against any abortion even for rape and incest, making an exception “for the life of a mother,” whatever that might mean.
• She is a happy member of the NRA and is opposed to gun legislation.
• She believes in creationism and wants it taught in schools.
• She is presently under investigation for misusing her powers and ordering others to do so as well in pursuit of having her ex-brother-in-law fired. This may be much bigger than many think.
• She has no Washington experience, and no foreign policy experience.
• She has precious few views on most anything
• She doesn’t believe in global warming (not convinced yet!).
• She secured her first passport in 2007 to visit Alaskan troops in Kuwait.
• Opposes gay rights.
• Supported Pat Buchanan in 2000.
• Refused to support John McCain as short a time ago as 7 months ago because of his refusal to push for Anwar drilling.

Of course, the issue of “experience” is now a dead letter for the Republicans. And they are going to face enormous criticism about this choice. As recently as August 10th, Karl Rove, unofficial but acknowledged advisor to McCain, had this to say about the possibilities of a Tim Kaine choice by Obama:

“‘With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he’s been a governor for three years, he’s been able but undistinguished. I don’t think people could really name a big, important thing that he’s done. He was mayor of the 105thlargest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it’s smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa or Gilbert, Arizona; north Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada. It’s not a big town.’
–Karl Rove, August 10, ‘Face the Nation’

Working around the conservative world, I found these remarks:

Two senior Republican officials close to Mitt Romney and Tim
Pawlentysaid they had both been rudely strung along and now “feel manipulated.”

“They now know that they were used as decoys, well after McCain had decided not to pick them,” one Republican involved in the process said.

Time Magazine‘s Mark Halperin, said this:

On the face of it, McCain has failed the ultimate test that any presidential candidate must face in picking a running mate: selecting someone who is unambiguously qualified to be president.”

Even the National Review‘s most rabid neo-con, Kathyrn Jean Lopez groused in anger:

As much as I loathe Obama-Biden, I can’t in good conscience vote for a McCain-Palin ticket.  Palin has absolutely no experience in foreign affairs.  Considering both McCain’s advanced age and the state of the world today, it is essential that the veep be exceedingly qualified to assume the office of president.  I simply don’t have any confidence in Palin’s ability to deal effectively with Iran, Russia, China, etc.  I certainly will not cast a vote for Obama-Biden, but nor will I vote for McCain-Palin.  Looks like I’ll either sit this one out or vote for Bob Barr.  Why, o, why, didn’t McCain listen to Rove and just pick Romney?

Also at the National Review, Ramesh Ponnura, said this:

Inexperience. Palin has been governor for about two minutes. Thanks to McCain’s decision, Palin could be commander-in-chief next year. That may strike people as a reckless choice; it strikes me that way. And McCain’s age raised the stakes on this issue.

Tokenism. Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?

This remark by Noah Millman is so absurd it begs the question: why did he pick her then?

I realize, of course, that she’s totally unqualified to be President at this point in time. If McCain were to die in February 2009, I hope Palin would have the good sense to appoint someone who is more ready to be President to be her Vice President, on the understanding that she would then resign and be appointed Vice President by her successor. (Lest anyone say that this is an absurd, unconstitutional or undemocratic scenario, recognize that this is pretty much what would happen in a Parliamentary system where, if the head of government dies, a successor is chosen by the party.) Palin is absolutely not ready to be President now, but that is a problem that is very easily dealt with if she is and the governing party want to do so.

As Ezra Klein points out, this suggests she was brought on as an intern for on the job training? What does this say about McCain’s judgment and his claim that he would seek the “most qualified” person to be president?

Gail Collins writing for the NYTimes had this to say tongue in cheek of course:

McCain does not believe in pandering to identity politics. He was looking for someone who was well prepared to fight against international Islamic extremism, the transcendent issue of our time. And in the end he decided that in good conscience, he was not going to settle for anyone who had not been commander of a state national guard for at least a year and a half. He put down his foot!

John Cole at Balloon-Juice put it this way:

It seems so transparently cynical, so deeply poll-driven and focus-grouped, and so manifestly just a bone to the wingnut pro-life base and the 8 PUMA holdouts, that I really can’t treat this pick seriously.

Even Alaska weighed in in the negative:

State Senate President Lyda Green, a Republican from Palin’s hometown of Wasilla: “She’s not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?”

The Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks: ” She has never publicly demonstrated the kind of interest, much less expertise, in federal issues and foreign affairs that should mark a candidate for the second-highest office in the land…. Most people would acknowledge that, regardless of her charm and good intentions, Palin is not ready for the top job. McCain seems to have put his political interests ahead of the nation’s when he created the possibility that she might fill it.”

Scholars also speak up:

“. . .[I]n the words of Joel Goldstein, a St. Louis University law professor and scholar of the vice presidency. “Being governor of a small state for less than two years is not consistent with the normal criteria for determining who’s of presidential caliber,” said Goldstein.

“I think she is the most inexperienced person on a major party ticket in modern history,” said presidential historian Matthew Dallek. “The fact that he would have to go to somebody who is clearly unqualified to be president makes Obama look like an elder statesman.”

At the Nation, William Greider pondered this:

The early returns I am hearing from people suggest that McCain’s gambit may prove to be a home run (mixing my sports metaphors) for Obama. One young friend first heard the news from his mother who called to say, okay, she was switching to Obama. For months, she had rooted for Hillary and insisted Obama was too wet behind the ears. “You can stop arguing with your mother,” she said.

The New Republic also decried this arrogant choice:

It may be John McCain’s birthday, but it seems like he’s the one giving out gifts today. The selection of Palin doesn’t simply, as others have pointed out, undermine the notion that Obama is too inexperienced to be president; it gives Obama the chance to actually take the edge on national security while making John McCain’s age a central issue of the campaign.

The Politico has an excellent article on what this choice says about McCain. Go and read it. It’s good and you need to.

Another good article is at Hullabaloowhich documents a good deal of Palin’s positions and looks more deeply into her ethics problems.

Bottom line: I think McCain is a fool. I think he is a misogynistic fool. I think he is a Alzheimer’s plagued, misogynistic fool. I’m insulted beyond belief. does he really think that he can woo me to vote for him because this woman has a vagina? Does he care so little about the dangerous times we live in that he will risk it all to win a campaign? Something he tried to vilify Obama over?

I think this may go down as the most impressive blunder in any campaign in history. And it’s well deserved in my opinion. Boy is this more of the same. Is there seriously something that Republicans keep eating and drinking that makes them stupid? At least one journalist wondered if by November she would even still be on the ticket? One can but wonder at the McCain campaign gone mad. Karl Rove must be packing his suitcase about now and looking for an exit strategy to keep what’s left of his tattered reputation intact.

**Feel free to steal as much as you wish to make the case to friends, family, or blogging readerships. I’d of course be happy for a linky but no matter. This is way to important.

Lil Bits of Rancor 8/29/08

Our normal Friday wrap up of news is up today since I was blogging the convention last week. Hope you find something of interest this week.

I’m not one of those who considers the bible as historical authority in all respects. Depending on which book you are talking about, some are more reliable than others. Here’s an archaeological find that substantiates the Prophet Jeremiah’s book, in regards King Zedekiah. For those who don’t recall, King Zedekiah was the last Jewish ruler before the Babylonian destruction of the first Temple. It was claimed that one of his minister’s was named Ben Pashur. A clay seal found recently outside the Old City near the “Dung gate” confirms this. This is in keeping with a 2005 find which found the name of another assistant also mentioned in Jeremiah. The link is direct but I thank N.S. Gill’s Ancient History Blog for the heads up.

In Spain, the Parliament there has decided to give some rights to our cousins the apes. It seems they are persuaded that said creatures are sentient to a degree that should accord them certain rights in the world, among these are: the right not to be used in circuses, commercials, and movies without their consent, and the right to be protected for harmful or painful laboratory experimentation. As we learn more about the brains and abilities of creatures who are not human, it seems we are learning that it is just plain wrong to use them as machines. Those of us who own pets probably knew that already. It’s an interesting article, and I’m sure not all will agree.

I don’t have much to say other than . . . go read this. You will not be sorry. None of us knows what another goes through behind the scenes, beyond the blog. If you believe in sisterhood, or humanhood, then relate, comment, and support.

Distributor Cap NY does a fine job in explaining the Georgia/Russia mess. He did his research and you will definitely benefit by a trip over his way to read his analysis. He’s top notch in my book, and my book is carefully constructed to bring you only the best around the bloggosphere.

In Iowa news, the race between (D) Ron Hubler and perennial idiot Steven King in the fifth district, must be going well for Hubler. King is pouting and claiming that apparently the entire liberal world is attacking him. He says not only is MoveOn.org against him, but so is Soros, Michael Moore, Keith Olbermann and Rolling Stone. My my Stevie, aren’t we getting just a tad full our ourselves to think we are THAT important? We are loving to hear of your troubles Stevie. Got a job lined up for next year?

Many folks are starting to weigh in with on McCain’s relentless droning on about his POW status. If you can believe it, he used it again on Leno Tuesday night when asked about his monumental gaffe regarding ownership of his seven houses. “I didn’t have a house at the Hanoi Hilton, I didn’t have a kitchen table, I didn’t have a table, I didn’t have a chair.” Blah blah blah. Jesus John Sidney get off it will ya? So says Maureen Dowd as well. His cred it running thin these days. It is not the answer to all criticism! As she points out, his continual return to this subject for EVERY response, might well suggest that he is stuck in the past with no ability to see any way but fight, bomb, and search and destroy.

The Contrarian and I have had an ongoing “discussion” about what the Dems need to do to offset the vicious character attack lodged by Johnny Mac and his band of ruffians against Obama. The Contrarian favors sticking to the issues, and I favor cutting out his nuts, thankyouverymuch. I think Paul Krugman tends to favor the Contrarian’s approach to a point. Tarnish McCain yes, destroy him? Not necessary says Krugman. Just make it about the Dems versus the Repubs and things will go fine.

Steve Benen pulls no punches when he suggests that the McCain campaign has set the bar “exceedingly” high for lying and misrepresenting the truth. He looks at the “tiny” ad and weighs in with the actual facts of what Obama said. It’s a pattern as far as I’m concerned. I can easily now assume that McCain lies about everything. He really wants to be President you see, no matter the truth, no matter the facts, he just wants it, and he’ll steal it if that is his only option. Read the report and get pissed.

Happy to see that some in the media are finally recognizing the truth of McCain and his changling status from “good guy” to all-around deceitful wretch. The Times, Joe Klein claims he was “wrong to believe that McCain was an honorable man,” and Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter, admits he “misread McCain,” and “he may not be ready to lead.” Real finally somebody gets it! The second article in particular is really good. Also read the comments which are very telling, many from previous McCain backers.

Politfact says that McCain’s claim that Obama wants to increase government by 23%is so false as to be what they call, liar liar pants on fire WRONG. But Joe Biden was totally true in claiming that McCain in 2005 said, “On the most important issues of our day, I’ve been in total agreement and support with President Bush.”

The Art of the Possible does a pretty good analysis of the Ugly American abroad and claims that the Bush Administration and now McCain are among the ugliest of the ugly. Read a good report on McCain’s foreign policy and see why he does virtually nothing to repair our standing in the world. He would on the other hand make it worse.

Of course we all know McCain has picked virtual novice politician Sarah Palin, 24-month Governor of Alaska as his running mate. The Huffington Post gives the reactions of several prominent Democrats and media to this turn of affairs. This is without question a desperation move on McCain’s part. Apparently his caretakers told him the truth, that there was no possible way to win with any conventional choice.

John Goodman? No not Roseanne’s TV hubby. John Goodman is Johnny McCain’s health care expert and the one who crafted his healthcare “plan.” Seems Mr. Goodman thinks that contrary to popular belief, there “are not uninsured” in America, because “everyone has access to an ER.” Doctors of course are somewhat shocked at this revelation. McCain has disassociated himself from the statement. That makes two now, since he disassociated himself away from Gramm, his economic expert a few weeks ago. Moreover, Goodman also claimed that way to remove the entire subject from the table was to “remove the question about insured, uninsured from the next Census.” Neat huh?

Out of the Dungeon At Last!

Some few of them call him Just an orator. Indeed. As I turned over in my mind a list of other orators such as Julius Caesar, Cicero, Patrick Henry, Daniel Webster, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, I struggled to recall whether just  was also attached to them. I could not come up with any instances.

So I am compelled to conclude that the adjective just  does not in fact fit with the noun orator, at least insofar as bonafide recognized orators go. Most it seems have been well known doers in their respective milieus. So for those who want to continue that phrase, I say, beware.

They say beware that Barack Obama is all talk and no substance. I say beware, because if last night is an indication, you have unleashed the dogs, and they and he are coming after you. And they will devour you.

I started out somewhere in the final convention night, midway in Gore’s speech. He did, as he is wont to do, a fine job, but to tell the truth I didn’t pay that much attention. The same could be said as I listened to another speaker here or there. My mind was restless, and somewhere else. I wanted to get to the main event.

I decided not to waste time with Fox or MSNBC and the silly, pedantic, and all to often self-serving one-up-man-ship that one is likely to find. I turned to C-Span and watched with no commentary at all. The cameras panned slowly around this huge stadium, filled to the rafters it seemed. Flags waved everywhere, from the top to the bottom. I am told that everywhere there was a sense of intimacy, though how that was possible is hard to explain.

I watched passively for a good long while. Then Joe Biden took the stage and introduced a series of about five average Americans. They spoke of their own private lives, and how they had been harmed by Bush/McCain policies. Some did splendidly, others were not so good, but they were authentic. No doubt a speechwriter or two, gave them a zinger to present, and all it seemed were eager to do their best for Team Obama.

While many might call it silly and smarmy, there was something to it nonetheless. There was a serious attempt on the part of the Obama team and also the DNC to really bring some sense of the average American into the realm of political action. These “little” people did just that, along with the tens of thousands who had offered service in exchange to be a part of this signally amazing moment in time. Can YOU imagine giving a speech, let alone one in front of 85,000 people? I bet not.

As I looked across the faces, among the delegates and the general public, I was struck by a dramatic thing. Gone were the stupid hats, glasses, and clothing. No vests full of badges and over-sized Texan hats. Just folks, like you and me, swaying, dancing, high fiving, but most of all smiling and laughing, hugging and grasping shoulders and kissing kids.

For all the world it looked like people who had been imprisoned for eight long years, finally coming into the light, free at last, free at last. Jubilation abounded. This was the finale, the end of a glorious week, one that had gone off without a hitch. One in which everyone who was supposed to, did their part and did it better than could be hoped for.

 African Americans stood next to Latinos and Asians, and Greeks and Italians, and Koreans, and women and, Catholics, and Lutherans, and Methodists. All stood as one, here to celebrate returning to life again, after eight misery laden years of depression, war, and being beaten down by a government that thumbed it noses at people and raked in the dough by bucket fulls as others went hungry, and grew more ill, and became homeless.

Finally he arrived on stage. And the applause, and the screams of happiness were there. But in truth, they did not last as long as one would have expected. No, the people were too hungry for his words to delay too long. Hungry to be upheld and ready to be carried aloft. Ready to be made to feel that they COULD make a difference, this time. Ready to believe that all was not lost. Ready, so ready.

Sure, he took his shots at John S. McCain, and he measured the man well, and took direct and careful aim. If the Maverick has voted over 90% of the time with Bush, what does that say about HIS judgment? Does anyone seriously believe that George W. Bush has been right 90% of the time? Do we want to take a 10% chance on change?

Did John McCain seriously want to discuss whether Barack Obama was ready to be commander in chief? Yes, we are ready to discuss both YOUR TEMPERAMENT AND JUDGEMENT to be commander as well.

If John McCain says he will “follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell,” then why does he support policies that “won’t follow him to the cave where he lives.”

But Barack had much more than that to say to US. “We are a better country than this!” he shouted. “We are more compassionate than this.” It is time to make them “stand up and own their failures,” he claimed. “Now is the time,” to make America again, the “last best hope for peace.”

He chastised how this campaign by McCain was being run. “We are all patriots, we all put our country first.” This was a “big election” wherein the Republicans were making it about “small things.” When you have “no fresh ideas” you resort, he claimed to “stale tactics.”

“Something is stirring” he said. It’s is time we moved to a common purpose. What McCain and the Republicans cannot get, it seems, is that Obama is not taken with himself. What John can’t get, he said, was that, “It’s never been about me–It’s about YOU.” They can’t get that, and perhaps they never will.

We cannot turn back Obama tells us. We cannot stop now. If we don’t do it now, it may forever be too late. This is our moment, this is our time. We CAN DO THIS. YES WE CAN.

Barack Obama has made us believe in ourselves again. That in truth is what a great orator does. He does not speak for his own glory, that is a byproduct of, and often comes long afterward. He speaks to rouse the audience to believe in themselves. For Barack Obama cannot do a damn thing on his own. He is wise enough to understand this. He can only be the voice in the wilderness calling us to repentance and service and action. The God within each of us is to whom he speaks. The God within us aches to act. Will we give God that opportunity to answer the clarion call?

If not now, when?

The Envelope Please!

The Contrarian made a salient point last evening as I groused about some of the usual media nonsense we have so come to expect during this convention. I of course am alluding to the fact that Fox Faux News and MSNBC, and others for that matter, continue to try to set up dramatic scenarios that never seem to come to pass, but are designed to create concern for the viewer that their team is on the precipice and might well self-destruct.

Day by day, the pundits have argued that the DNC was not defining and contrasting the two candidates sufficiently, although the Obama and Dean people continued to patiently explain that day one was devoted to laying out the Obama story. Then it moved to speculation as to whether Hillary would indeed gracefully withdraw, would she encourage her followers to keep fighting somehow in some subtle manner? Would Hillary believers be persuaded or would they “walk” out. We heard of a group that was trying to get super delegates to change their proposed votes.

These first two were, in each case, laid to rest and abandoned by the media on the following day. Because in truth, a new “created” speculation had been dreamed up. Day three saw the speculation about Bill Clinton. Would he seize the podium and refuse to leave? Would he talk about himself too much, Hillary too much. Would he endorse in the “right words.” Remember Hillary had failed to say the magic words, “he’s ready to lead.” Would Bill?

Of course, as we saw, Bill sunk the putt, hit the bulls eye, threw the touchdown, whatever you metaphor might be. He was magic as only Bill can be. He said all the “right words” and in the right order too. He was gracious, clearly perturbed at the over exuberant reception, urging everyone to sit down. He was funny, he was angry, he was direct, he was logical, he was plainly just good old fashioned convincing. He was everything that Obama and his people could have wanted. He clearly made Howard Dean happy. He was Bill as only Bill could be, the man who actually can convince people that “it depends on what your definition of is, is.”  I kid you not, as we used to say. He can charm the petals off a rose. He can convince that black is white and white is black.

He did it. And of course, it was not good enough. No, Foxy’s Hannity was left stammering, almost comically, “Well, well, just because he SAID Obama was ready to be president, doesn’t mean he is does it?” Poor Sean, in fact it was poor Fox all evening, as we tripped over quickly at the end of each speech to get their silly reaction.

But the evenings festivities were far from over. Next up was Beau Biden, son of Joe, Attorney General of Delaware, good looking and articulate. He brought the house to tears as he related the story of his youth, his mother and sister’s death in a car crash, the months in hospital for him and his brother, the Dad who was always there. And in the most precious moment, he exclaimed, “and then, some five years later, Dad met Jill and we got married.” What a story, what a family. Michelle is crying, and so is half the audience.

While Biden didn’t give nearly the speech Bill Clinton did, who could? He was sincere, he was real, and he connected I suspect with the working class family. His remarks about his mother and the things she taught him resonated as true. He hit McCain and hit him hard, prompting Fred Barnes on Fox to be nearly apoplectic with anger. “He challenged Senator McCain’s Judgment!” he sputtered,  “not just his policies, but his judgment!” Indeed he did, and he was right. McCain was dead wrong on a number of foreign policy decisions–such as the war with Iraq and his statement a couple of years ago, that Afghanistan was a “success” and competed pretty much.

I thought by and large that most of the speeches were excellent last night. John Kerry did an excellent job, especially in finally defending himself against the vicious attack machine of Rove/Bush. That stands well as we face the new onslaught of vile crap from Rove/McCain.

Why do we thank the media? Their relentlessly lazy journalism, that raised suspicions and speculation about all kinds of issues that “might” derail the convention, might backfire, might indicate this or that split in the Democratic fabric, never materialized. But most of us knew that they never would. But they sure did make a lot of otherwise uninterested folks watch didn’t they? And for that we thank them. Unintended consequences can be such a bitch sometimes.

Tonight the finale. Of course McCain folks are squealing like stuck pigs. All I hear is a deep envy that they can’t do the same. Their games begin to appear more and more childish in light of the serious business Democrats are about, talking about real issues that affect real people. McCain and his band of buffoons can continue with the “emperor” jokes, the “Barakatheon” and the toga jokes, and we will address issues of health care, veterans care, the oil crisis, and rebuilding our standing in the world of nations. McCain can click his heels together and try to wish us away, but alas for him, we are here and here to stay. Oh, gosh John Sidney, you scuffed those $580 pair of Farragamos? I”m sure Cindy can fly in the family jet and pick you up a new pair before your next rally at a minor league field.

Conventional Thoughts

She hit it out of the ballpark! It was brilliant, touching, uplifting, and aggressivHillary did what everyone knew she could, and most knew she would. She left no doubt that she was behind Barack Obama. “No way, no how, No McCain!”

We watched via MSNBC, mostly because I was interested to see what Rachael Maddow might have to say. Sadly that was pretty much a bust, given the venue, outdoors with a “peanut” gallery of boos and yeahs depending on who was speaking. It was not worth the effort.

The speech however, was breathtaking and had everyone on the edge of their seats, and many in tears. In the most dramatic moments, she lined up all the reasons she had run for President. And then said, “And for all these reasons, I’m supporting Barack Obama.” More specifically, she challenged any recalcitrant follower with: ” Did you just vote for me?” The implication was clear, if you voted for her policies, then there was only one answer, vote for Barack as the only candidate who conceivably could carry them out.

She finished with a flurry, referring to McCain/Bush as  aptly meeting in Minneapolis/St. Paul, for like the twin towers, they were so alike it was hard to tell them apart. She ended with reference to Harriet Tubman: “When you hear the dogs, keep running, when you see the torches, keep running, when you hear the voices, keep running, keep running, if you want freedom, keep running.” And then she made it even more clear. “The fate of our country depends on it.”

Of course, Fox-Idiot land had its own take: Bill Kristol, self-styled author of the Iraq war, which undoubted gives him huge credit as a savvy person, said “Hillary gave the most minimalist speech she could get away with.” Mort Kondraky echoed this. By the morning Foxy was dragging out “body language” experts to analyze the correct height of Hillary’s eyebrows to determine if she really meant what she said.

Even MSNBC by morning had run out of accolades and was trying desperately to manufacture some sort of theory that would give them a topic of conversation until the next legitimate piece of real information came across their desk. Lots of speculation now as to whether Hillary and Bill REALLY mean their endorsement, or whether they are just doing enough to get by. Lots of speculation as to whether they are already underway to prepare for 2012. Speculation, is in the end all it is.

Of course, even more speculation about what Bill will do tonight. My thoughts are simply this. Politicos are ego driven animals. Bill has to know he rather severely damaged his credibility among many of his supporters. His personal issues with not being given enough credit for the 90′s by the Obama campaign has worn thin with voters. He started making mistakes in North Carolina and has made enough since then to make many of us shake our heads in dismay.

Thus, I think that Bill will be very conscious that his legacy hangs in the balance here. Any suggestion that he or Hillary did less than they could in hopes that Obama would fail, will essentially destroy any chance she might otherwise have should that happen. He will, I believe, do his best to top his wife in throwing his full weight behind Barack’s campaign. To do less, will brand him forever as a sore loser and a man interested only in the Cult of Bill.

We might do well in actually listening to “Hillary” supporters who said two things I recall last evening. The first was that the media seemed to be making a much bigger thing out of all this divisiveness than they were actually seeing or experiencing themselves. Secondly, those who were interviewed after the speech were solidly moved to Obama by Hillary’s words. Enough said on the topic.

As to the other participants last night. Mark Warner gave the keynote address. It was an excellent speech, touching all the points required, but it lacked any real pizazz. It was delivered in a dull fashion. This was predicted by Carville who knows Warner well, and says that he doesn’t have that flair. He correctly said that the speech would be excellent in every respect but not a foot stomper. Warner is running for the Senate from Virginia, and thus could not hammer Republicans hard since he needs them as voters to gain the Senate seat. He did contrast effectively McCain’s stances versus Obama’s, but with little rancor or meanness.

Warner’s best moment was in shaming the Bush administration. Following 9/11 when every American was willing to sacrifice for the country in any way at all, here was the time, Warner claimed, that Bush could have asked America to move away from dependence on foreign oil. We could have begun then, and every American would have looked for ways to help. Instead, Bush led America down the path of useless war. Bush, Warner claimed, didn’t believe in the American people enough. By implication our oil crisis today is the result.

The best of the “other speeches” was given by Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer’s speech was terrific. Homesy and slightly “Rodney Dangerfieldish” in presentation, it went over well, and had them laughing and shouting in the aisles. Even President Clinton was seen to be laughing and clapping enthusiastically. I thought he overshadowed Warner’s more quiet and thoughtful presentation. In reality, the Montana Governor gave the real “keynote” address. He tied McCain and Bush together at the hip and called their oil interests the “petro dictators” which was met with a roar of approval.

All in all, I think the night was a great success. I look for the drama to build again tonight as both Bill Clinton and Joe Biden take the stage. All is being readied for the big event. So far, I think that Howard Dean and Barack Obama’s teams have done a stellar job.

Two asides: At or near the end of Hillary’s speech, Bill Clinton could be clearly seen mouthing: “I love you, I love you, I love you.” And– I’m told that at the Twin Towers, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, overlooking the Republican Convention site, is a new billboard just erected today–George and Johnny in the famous embrace, with the words “This is change?” I love it!!!!!!!

My Unconventional Wisdoms

Yep, she did it! She captured the audience at the Convention and wowed ‘em. At least by my account she sure did. Following in the steps of Edward M. Kennedy, lion of the Senate, patriarch of the Kennedy clan, and acknowledged promoter of health care as a human right, Michelle simply was dazzling. “Wow what a speaker,” I exclaimed over and again as her speech went forth, striking just the perfect balance between pathos and over-the top maudlin sentimentality.

Now of course, if you missed it and went to Fox Faux News for analysis, you got quite a different take. “Hokey,” described that Katzenjammer guy, “but it worked,” he admitted. So basically it was brilliant and he’s mad because it was. “Not focused on what the change is about,” smugged Chris Wallace, “wasted the entire day one.” One has to laugh as Foxy contributors again and again failed to find anything specifically wrong, just grumped that things were missing.

The retrospective on Ted Kennedy was the tear jerker than everyone would have assumed it would be. Caroline introduced him, and he gave a strong, fighting speech, one everyone responded to with cheers and an outpouring of love. The film show of his life was spectacular, especially when you realize how many in his enormous family have been lost, starting with older brother Joe during WWII. The tearful father of a son killed in Iraq, who saw how Senator Kennedy could relate to his pain, was especially moving.

Jim Leach, Republican from my district in Iowa who lost his seat in Congress in the “cleaning house” election of 2006, gave an important speech but one I suspect was lost on most folks. It was highly intellectual in presentation and basically showed how the Republican party of both Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan is no more. He of course endorsed Obama. But for those who really listened, his words were pointed and direct, and he made excellent arguments.

Who was a total bomb? Nancy Pelosi. She was utterly nervous, and frankly looked scared and unsure of herself. She had no rhythm at all, and looked big eyed at the audience, apparently looking for some cue as to when to get loud and when to be soft. She failed miserably in my opinion. She was early on, perhaps placed there by folks who knew she couldn’t speechify her way out of a paper bag.

Another unknown, at least to me, was Obama, half sister, Maya I believer her name was. Excellent speaker, who spoke well of her brother and well, was just at ease and relaxed. Also a guy who did a good job was Michelle’s brother who introduced her. The other memorable speaker to me at least was Jesse Jackson Jr. He sounds much like his dad, but clearly speaks to a new generation.

All in all, I think it was a fine beginning. I suspect we shall start tonight to see the heavy hitters who will begin attacking McCain in earnest. It is Hillary’s night of course, and many are suggesting her speech will be simply the best. Word has it, none in the DNC or Obama campaign have as yet seen it.

While I’m at it, just a word about George Stephenopoulos show on Sunday. I always particularly like the “roundtable” discussion. But George seriously you have to think about your regulars. Some of them are close to be idiots and it’s time to change. Cokie Roberts needs to go. After her comments a couple of weeks ago that Obama shouldn’t have vacationed in Hawaii, because, “you know, it’s a state and all, but too exotic. He should have gone to Myrtle Beach or some place people can relate to as American.” Sure Cokie, and you’re NUTS.

But the cake was taken by Mark Halperin this past Sunday who made the startling and revolutionary revelation that the “McCain housing fiasco” would be the undoing of . . . . OBAMA???????? Yep, it would “open the door” for McCain to get into Tony Resko and Rev. Wright?????, and that Weatherman dude.  Will you please give me a break? Donna Brazile looked like she was gonna have a cat! Even George couldn’t wrap his head around this stupid remark. Halperin needs to be given his walking papers. Oh and Cokie jumped up with a “right!” when he said it as well. They both need to go.

Tomorrow we will update Day 2 of the Convention from our prospective. Happy Day!