A Bright, Shining Moment

[marmar]

from HuffPost:


Jon Robin Baitz
A Bright, Shining Moment
Posted March 18, 2008 | 11:44 AM (EST)


Today we saw and heard a preview of our brightest possible American future in Senator Barack Obama's glorious speech. This, then, is what it means to be presidential. To be moral. To have a real center. To speak honestly, from the heart, for the benefit of all. If there was any doubt about what we have missed in the anti-intellectual, ruthlessly incurious Bush years, and even the slippery Clinton ones (the years of "what is is"), those doubts were laid to rest by Barack Obama's magisterial speech today. A speech in which he distanced himself from a flawed father figure, Reverend Wright, and did so with almost Shakespearian dignity and honor.

"This is it, it's here," I thought while watching Senator Obama lay it on the line. We are finally talking about race. Slavery, Jim Crow, economic enslavement, no FHA loans, the failure of affirmative action, busing, offended whites who match offended blacks in rage and fear. Obama shined a light on the conservative talk show hosts who fan white resentments, and at the same time, did not dismiss the reasons for the resentments. He reminded us that the dreams of black America do not come at the expense of white America.

Someone running for the highest office in the land finally talked about it -- the dark and secret swamp that we Americans dodge at every possible opportunity. As he finished the searing truth telling, I realized that this was not so much a speech but rather a unifying call to arms, an insistence that American people act on change. This was an order and a prayer from someone worthy of being called Commander in Chief -- an order that as a bruised and bloodied nation we finally discuss that what unites us, as well as that which divides us. So we can grow, together as a people.

Barack Obama's speech, perhaps one of the most important in modern political history pushed us as a people to move beyond race and gender, beyond Democrat and Republican, beyond politics and into reviving the spirit of the nation itself. To talk, to talk at home, at work, at the dinner table. To really finally talk. What a great day, and where else in the world but in the United States? Today I am very proud to be an American.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robbie-baitz/a-bright-shining-moment_b_92100.html

[K Gardner]

1. All of America, those with Heart, indeed see a Bright and Shining Moment. K&R

[polichick]

2. Yes, we do! :)

[meow mix]

3. K&R

[Window]

4. K/R.

:kick:

[zonkers]

5. kick.

[VolcanoJen]

6. I'm proud to be an American today, too.

Honestly it's been such a trying and awful seven years that I wondered when I would feel that swell of pride in my nation again. Or if I ever would.

This historic, exciting, amazing campaign has made me once again honored and proud... ever since that January night in Iowa where those caucuses taught me that it's ok to believe again. :-)

K&R!

[NJmaverick]

7. I can't wait until he is president!

So much promise! So much potential for positive change!

[Umbram]

8. Obama proved that he has what it takes to the the statesperson that we need. (nt)

[Jensen]

9. People are commenting and in large it appears to have been received

like the shinning moment that America can be again!Ladies and Gentleman that is call HOPE!
Check out the comment of a young woman fighting in Iraq, it really touch my heart. :kick:

[DerekJ]

10. Proud? Do you have a stronger word? Because "pride" is such a small word now.

[Coexist]

11. I am so glad someone posted this

it is wonderful

[NoBushSpokenHere]

12. kick nt

[saltpoint]

13. Agree, and recommended.

[Cha]

14. "A Bright and Shining Moment"..that's

an Awesome way to put this speech that Obama worked so hard on.

[1800flowers]

15. the Huffingtonpost looks like Barackobama.com

It's hard to tell the difference.

By the way, Obama posted a blog message in Huffington Post yesterday as part of damange control for the Wright debacle.

Looks like there is some sort of partnership between the website and Obama.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. ...

[Tatiana]

17. K&R. Because, yes, it was *that* good. n/t

[Swamp Rat]

18. k&r