Politics And Hope And Babies And A Turtle

I don't know about you but I loved Michelle Obama's speech last night. She is an amazing speaker. And she's just so filled with life force and yes, I used that term yesterday but no other one will do here for me. Of course she's beautiful- that goes without saying. And she has none of that beaten-down politician's wife thing going on. There is no trace whatsoever of the humble little help-mate in her. She's like Hillary Clinton in that regard. She stands on her own as a woman, as a human. When I look at her, when I look at Hillary, I see women whom only very strong, intelligent men could or would take on as life partners. Women who have definitely not drunk the Kool-Aid. Women who will call a husband out, even if he is the President, on bullshit, if she sees it.

I think my favorite part of the entire speech was when she said, "And he believes that when you work hard and have done well and walk through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed."

See? I think that sort of sums up the differences in the parties to me. It seems to me that so many of the Republicans (and especially the presidential candidate) have that crazy weird sense of entitlement which suggests that they have theirs and fuck you, they're keeping it.

I keep asking the question, "Is this really the best the Republican party has to offer?" when I think about Romney and Ryan and what I have decided is that no, of course they are not. Both come with problems galore which would stand in the way of their being elected. But I think they are the best that the Big Business Puppet Masters have managed to give us. The ones who want the Bush taxes kept where they are so that the middle class continues to fund the coffers while the 1% continues to accrue and keep their fortunes. The ones who will do their best to slash the power of the EPA so that they can wreck the planet in whatever form or fashion they want in order to manufacture their goods, if that's what they do to make their money. The ones who will do their best to keep minimum wages low and benefits nonexistent so that they can continue to get rich off the backs of their employees while keeping those employees in a constant state of fear over losing whatever pitiful jobs they do have.
It's not a conspiracy theory. I don't think I'm paranoid. I just simply think I'm being realistic.
Koch Brothers, anyone?

Anyway, it was a beautiful speech by a beautiful woman and she glowed from within and I have to admit, I cried a little. I thought all of the speakers whom I heard did well. I am not overly fond of the constant God Blesses that each speaker has to offer, I am not pleased that Obama has not gotten us out of Afganistan, I am not one who truly believes that American is the greatest country ever on this planet and the jingoism at the convention is certainly there, but...dammit...the faces in the audience were the faces of people who represent this country truly to me. All colors, all ages, all economic classes. Faces that looked as if they have known great sorrow, great effort and who stand behind the man who has offered them hope that the door has not been shut on them. That it is still open, if not for them, then for their children, at least.

That is what I saw last night.

And now I need to take my shower and get ready for my boys to come over for awhile. I am so excited to have them here. It's been too long. Owen's cardboard box house is still in the dining room, taking up a third of that space, just waiting for him. Gibson's walker is at the ready. Mr. Moon and Gary-From-Canada have gone back down to Franklin County to bring back the trailer full of their gear. They had to haul the boat back last night. They were so tired. I think they both slept very, very well. I slept well too and my spirits are good today. My walk was fine and I felt strong and I saw this little guy on the path.

His shell was so shiny it looked as if had been lacquered and he was being followed by a cloud of gnats and he looked more pissed off than frightened when I took his picture. I wonder where he was going and I wonder if he was curious about me.

I think it's going to be a good day.

Let us proceed.