Mary Lyon, From The Left -- World News Trust
An awful lot of childish behavior has been on parade on the campaign trail this year. Well, yeah, pretty much every campaign season we see that, but this year has seemed even more juvenile than usual. Are we getting beyond that, at long last? Did we just take a big step?
There’s one way in which we certainly should be trying to grow up as a nation: It’s long past time for us to get over the racial issue. Do we really want our nation to cling so tightly to the bad old ways? Is it just that doggone critical to maintain the pout on our collective lips about a tarnished few still-cherished old grudges and grievances? Or do we really want to move forward? We come far enough by now -- crossing over into a completely new millennium, numbering 350 million, venturing to the moon and back, presently on our way to Pluto, celebrating the first woman Speaker of the House, and honoring the first viable female candidacy for President. But can we push farther -- can we go all the way -- perhaps beyond the old boundaries of a societal solar system? Were we, are we, fully aware of the threshold leaped and the distance traveled on this third night of the Democratic National Convention?
There were two major events to distinguish the day, and the principals involved looked pretty darn grown-up. After a long and nauseating obsession on whether the Barack-versus-Hillary would slice the party like a sushi chef filets a fine fish, it seems a lot more cool to link arms with some strong leadership and kick our differences into the corner.
There didn’t seem to be any traces remaining of a family squabble. Hillary Clinton was hardly half-hearted when she spoke for the New York delegation, shortstopping the delegate tallies to nominate Barack Obama by acclamation. It was a vigorous and enthusiastic follow-up to her rousing speech of the previous night. Then, the rabid speculation about “What Would Bill Do” was firmly ended.
No wavering from him after his lead-off sentence, once the screaming standing ovation died down. President Bill Clinton’s second line was a straightforward declaration of support for Barack Obama, and then a pledge to work with Hillary and her “18 million” to help get him elected. He left no doubt about his resolve to join and work hard for the team. Throughout Clinton’s speech and that of Joe Biden afterwards, there were more detailed remarks -- statements and phrases that the rest of us in the trenches in the days ahead are going to need to maintain our resolve and answer some nasty email or uninformed claim borrowed from conservative hate radio. More of the red meat that many of us have been yearning to bite into was indeed served, and on a fairly large plate. If not quite beefy enough to come with candles, good crystal, and Grandma’s sterling silver flatware, then at least it was presented on some nice place mats with clean stainless steel knives and forks.
more
http://www.worldnewstrust.com/wnt-reports/commentary/dem-convention-day-3-is-this-the-day-america-started-growing-up-mary-lyon.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
