I haven't changed my avatar for nearly four years...

Some may remember me as family doctor (old school Clarkies may, anyway) and I came to this board as a staunch supporter of Wes Clark. I was sad to see him unable to achieve the nomination that we all worked so hard for him to achieve. In retrospect, I think it may have been folly to think he would ever come close, the way politics really work.

After the nomination of John Kerry (who was a decent choice), I've taken a very reserved view of politics as I feel our country has been sundered and torn apart for the petty and selfish interests of Party Politics. Both the Democratic and the Republican parties are equally guilty and have blood on their hands.

I tried up until very recently to put my heart behind a candidate (other than the non-candidate, Gore). For better or worse (and rightfully or wrongfully) I blame my wife in pulling me to a tepid degree back in.

And with Obama's win in Iowa, I began to hope...

Then with his speech last night, I began to believe... I began to believe that we can elevate ourselves out of partisan bickering over the scraps of a tattered democracy. I began to believe that our greatness as a people and as a beacon of freedom and hope around the world could be restored. I began to believe that a great person, with great vision, and great ability could achieve the Presidency against nearly insurmountable odds...

And with that I have changed my avatar and now throw my full support behind Obama. Not in protest, but in earnest.

He is not without flaw, he is not with a degree of the same politicking that all politicians are guilty of. But his words inspire me, inspire me with the sense that this country can and will be better and that we will start to recognize ourselves again.

I think he can do this more than Clinton and more than Edwards, though I think they would all be better than what we have now or what the Republican party will offer come this fall.

I hope with my heart of hearts Senator Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. I stand shoulder to shoulder with all liberals, progressives, independents, Democrats, and any other American that wants a whole country again that works together to make this country better for our children and our grandchildren.

I reject the notion that we have to fight fire with fire or to take an eye for an eye. I embrace the teaching of Jesus, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King that truth and faith in perserverence will win the day and that love for our fellow person will allow us to achieve our dreams.

People may reject what I say as "nonsense, poetry, fairy tales, or insubstantial" but its not to me. It's not to my wife. It's not to anyone that really listens to what Obama's message is all about. I know a lot don't "get it" and that's ok. Some never will. But don't mistake Obama's message for pandering or vote triangulation. It's not about that, it's about healing the country and in order to really get anything real or substantial done, that's what we really need.

I stand with you in believing it can - and will - get better. :hi:

K&R

But your post was thoughtful, too. :blush:

I love that kind of spirit that I can feel through words. I am not always very good at expressing myself...so I'm going to return your gift with the words of others..

I'll update it after someone wins the primaries...unless Hillary wins and asks Clark to be her VP...that's possible but not likely. She'll probably make him SoS and pick someone younger for VP. Someone who could carry the Dems to victory following her 2 terms...like maybe Obama! I'd like that and he'd have lots of experience and be ready and so would the country in 2016...if not before.

:hi:

YOu won't regret. I smell something that might just happen in our lifetime, if we let it!

your post and this thread was the perfect one to click on before calling it a night-

I agree- and I'm encouraged by the replies that have followed your well spoken thoughts.

Maybe it's time to think about changing my Amnesty candle :hi:

Thanks for the great post
peace,
blu

I'm not changing mine until after the nominee is chosen.

"it's about healing the country and in order to really get anything real or substantial done"

Hillary is a terrible polarizer, even among us Democrats. Obama manages to inspire much greater unity in the general population, and if our country is to survive the rocky days ahead, Obama is the type of leader we desperately need.

I was just too exhausted by the fighting and bickering. I've always liked Obama and was hoping to see him win but I truly started to feel energized when Barack won Iowa. I think he has the chance to really CHANGE America for the better. Take this country into a new direction of good and really repair much of the damage the republicans have dropped on our door steps. I think I will be changing my avatar too.

Haven't changed my avatar in 4 years either.