That's What We're Talkin' About

From the lion Teddy Kennedy to the not so silent lamb Michelle Obama, that is the way to start a convention. Baltimore's favorite Californian Speaker Pelosi let the convention know that we'll get to take on John McCain, later. [Just heard the Tonight Show audience's response to Leno's question to McCain about houses and his POW answer - Carson would have thrown them out of the theatre] Back to what I was going to say. The themes they spoke about are the ideals that first brought me to the Democratic Party. First family, seating down to dinner together, helping kids with home work, helping neighbors when they need it. The other ideal, that to who much is given, much is expected. There are two views of America - one that looks at the shining city on the hill and the other stands on the shore looking out on the horizon.

I grew up in one of those post World War II neighborhoods that could see neither. What we saw was one red brick row house attached to another red brick row house. We didn't get to see the individuality of each until we were let inside. Then we saw Early American furniture or modern furniture ar even yes furniture covered with thick clear plastic covers so the furniture was never enoyed. Ours was Early American/Colonial. The rugs were red and the walls royal blue and white - go ahead laugh I understand. Heck I first learned about the Revolutionary War from the lampshades with scenes of the signing of the Decalaration of Independence and Washington crossing the Delaware.

Those who could see the shining city on the hill from their little wooden boat wanted to get there. Why, because once your on top of the hill you can look down on those looking up. Guess what they are still on top of the hill and they are still looking down. Those are the people of Regean/Bush/Bush. But we were (are) Irish Catholics.

As such we were pointed in a different direction. We were in our little wooden boat looking out to the horizon. Stand on a beach, East Coast, West Coast or Gulf Coast in doesn't matter as a rule there's nothing as far as the eye can see. You know for some of us that is the most beautiful sight in the world. Do you know why? Simple there is something out there and all you have to do to find it is set your course for that horizon. Do you know why some people in their little wooden boats look to the city on the hill. Becasue the horizon scares the shit out them.

Here's the thing, Jack, Bobby and Teddy showed us that if you live in those red brick row houses you too can see the vast horizon of an open sea. It is in a school book or a painting on the wall of the bank or the illustrations in the family bible. They taught us that once you've scene it, it is always there in your memory. You know like ET said "I'll ... be ... right ... here." Then when you first stand on the beach and look out on the vastness of an entire ocean you realize that it was pretty fucking amazing that someone in a wooden boat sailed off to look for something they weren't even sure existed.

Teddy and the incomparable Ken Burns reminded us of that tonight. But Michelle proved to us that it is possible. Now I don't know if you can see to the Canadian side of Lake Michigan from the Chicago but I'm pretty sure you can see the Michigan side. Like looking out across Chesapeake Bay it is not the same. But Michelle's parents, and my parents and your parents assured you that there is a place where if you look out over the water you won't be able to see the other side. They taught us that even though you can't see it, you don't know what it looks like, it still is there. They taught us the journey is just as rewarding as getting there.

Awhile back I was beginning to think I would never ride in an airplane. I would never see a Caribbean Island. Yet just before Barack Obama announced his run for the White House I watched from an airplane as the island of Jamaica rushed up out the window. Later that week I jibed a 12' catamaran to the west and sailed out on to the Caribbean Sea. Was I thinking about rogue waves, vicious squalls or hurricanes. Not for a second, I was thinking I wish I had a bigger boat.

Being President of the United States of America, now that's a bigger boat. Barack Obama is ready at the helm to steer the boat towards a new horizon. Michelle has already signed on as mate. Me I'll gladly cut bait because it is time to go fishing. Fishing for the soloutions to many problems, justice for all, energy independence, global warming and many more. Here's the thing alot of people sailed west from Europe but it was only the crews that worked together that reached the West Indies. They didn't always agree, they were even ready to throw Colombus overboard. But when the wind rose, and the seas swelled they worked together because if the didn't they would die.

Islamic terrorist want to destroy our way of life. Russia wants to put the Soviet Union back together. And the Republicans are doing everything they can to spur them on. Heck right now they are Knute Rockney cheering from the bench. Only this time an actors rhetoric isn't going to get it done. This time the world needs a real leader. One that is not a hawk and not a dove. A leader independent of big business and the MIC. We need a leader of men.

Tonight Michelle Obama and Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy reminded a nation that when those with much do what is expected and when families work hard at being a family this nation does great things.