and post in this den of ....well, whatever....

I am old enough to remember JKF. Not the politics. I'm not that old. But I remember Dallas. I remember the hospital. I remember sitting in Ms. Goldfarb's third grade and hearing the announcement over the loudspeaker that the President had been shot. I remember the dungeons of the jailhouse where hell broke loose. Only through time do I remember Camelot. It probably wasn't true.

The special tonight was...well, special. Yes, it was a slick, political, ad. Well, done, by the way. I am not seriously moved by something like that although portions could bring a tear to my eye.

The last eight years have been filled with gloom, despair and an unfathonable, continuous, stupidity that one who didn't know better would have to conclude was intentional.  Intentional from the perspective that it was a purpose to enrich and embolden only those chosen few who shared the same selfish ideology, goals and personal enrichment.

 Against my better judgment, I have lurked here the last several days. I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the intelligent and civil discourse. I, likewise, have been shocked at some of the absurd and not so little dangerous thoughts. Views based on some inane but fervent religious context that ignore the absolute illogical and hypocritical context in which they are presented. Views based on "kill now and let God sort out the guilty"....which God.?...which guilty? Views that simply perpetuate the absolute disaster of the last eight years.

How does that happen? Why? Most are reasonable, intelligent people. We don't have many uneducated idiots that frequent the VS (all Semiholes and Dawgs aside).

In making this post, of limited substance to some if not most, I am reminded of GC's post of a day or so ago. Of how proud and special he felt in finally voting for someone he felt truly moved him to believe again. For someone that he felt held out the prospect of actually moving this country forward. This is, after all, and contrary to the views of some, our country....for better or for worse...it is us, it is what we know and love...sometimes more than in other times. To disparage in times of abject woe and stupidtiy is somehow considered to be by some as, well, I'm not sure....not a true patriot, I guess. Please. Help me here. I truly don't understand.  Is it not the ulitimate in being an American? It is not a refusal to relinquish our responsiblity as Americans? I have been in the streets...protesting... when it is necessary. I am not afraid to do it again.

I. as GC, have voted in and for hope. I am much, much, older than GC. But, as he, it has been a very long time since I last felt this hope. This possibibilty that we can actually do something positive to move this country, our country, to something that in reality matches our spoken ideals and beliefs with our actions. To live our goals, ideals, and beliefs rather than use them as a facade to pertpetuate our individulistic wealth, singular and misguided idologies, and private and personal motives.

I'm not entirely certain why I feel this way. I am old enough to be skeptical of all political spiels. Somehow, for some reason I can't specifically explain, I think this time is different. Maybe I'm being fooled by something that is simply so distantly removed from the abject stupidity and ignorance of the past eight years. I mean, c'mon, the bar isn't far high, is it?

Naive? Possibly. Hopeful? Yes. The proof will come after January, 2009. As with GC, I hope I am not let down.