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Despite having much to say while following this week's Democratic Convention fairly closely in the print and online media, my time has been demanded elsewhere for the better part of the week. In a good way. Still, I'm frustrated by my unfortunately minimal ranting and raving time. And yet I'm undeniably (and hopefully not unrealistically) optimistic about the future of our country after listening to such insightful, inspiring and electrifying words from the mouths of some remarkable individuals. How different the world would be if our president were even half as thoughtful, articulate and respected as some of those working so diligently to oust him.
The Convention has provided a few surprises:
- Al Sharpton, someone I've never had much use for and generally considered the epitome of buffoonery, brought the damn house down. I was moved.
- Teresa Heinz Kerry, richer than Christ and something of a snob, but damn, she's got a fire under her ass that should be a requirement for every First Lady. We've had many intelligent, well-meaning First Ladies but she's more worldly and better educated. Yes, Laura Bush is pleasant and respectable, but what has she done in her years as First Lady besides praise her husband?
- Barack Obama was inspired and inspiring; one of the brightest political voices we've heard from in years. As
- Madeline Albright, the most fiercely intelligent and classiest woman ever to grace the U.S. government, made a thought-provoking speech, summing up the frustration of countless Americans (and people around the world) thus: "I have to tell you, as somebody who's been involved in foreign policy my whole life, this international situation is a mess -- that's a diplomatic term of art -- and it requires new leadership."
There's no better way to put it, is there?
Posted by ayelet at July 29, 2004 04:22 PM