“Yes We Can!”
Consider what Obama and his campaign have done - something I haven’t witnessed since JFK came to office in 1961 - nearly 50 years ago! I was but a child - not old enough to comprehend the excitement of that inaugaration. I only reflected what my elders radiated. What Obama has done is rekindle a feeling that died on November 22, 1963. He has re-engaged the American people - the average man on the street - the ”Joe the Plumber” and the Mike the Machinist” - in their government.
This disengagement of the American people began with that murder of ”Camelot”. Then it was Vietnam, The Civil Rights Movement, The Democratic National Convention of 1968 in Chicago, LBJ not seeking re-election, pulling out of Vietnam like a whimpering dog and the tide of despair that Nixon rode in on. Whatever hopes we ”little people” may have had were dashed in those excrutiating Watergate hearings. Bill Clinton teased as the next JFK - but it all deteriorated into “policy wonks”, and, finally, Monica Lewinski - the bilous by-product of The Great War - not WWI, but The War of Partisan Politics.
I take great exception to something Tom Brokaw said on “Meet The Press” yesterday - that the Boomers had their chance to shape history during the administrations of Clinton and George W. That for all our storm and thunder, what have we accomplished? And now the torch is passed to the next generation. But wait one minute, Tom! Even though Barack looks a boyish 37, he is actually 47. He was born in 1961 - which makes him a Boomer! Granted, it’s the tail end of the Boomers - but our 3rd and last hurrah.
And anyway, who ever really thought of George W. as a Boomer? He always seemed like a throw-back. Which is exactly why the Conservative Right love him.
The “We Are One” concert that kicked off the Inaugural festivities yesterday was terrific. Generational disputes notwithstanding, it was delightful to have Pete Seeger - nearly 90 years young - lead us in the classic “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land” written by a fellow that Pete actually shook hands with - Woody Guthrie. What a fantastic way to bring home the point: “E Pluribus Unum” - from many, one!
“All Things With Exuberance!”
mary!
