You just can't get the scale and gravitas of this convention on TV -- what little televised media show of it on our public airwaves.
Fomer senator from Georgia, Max Cleland, just gave an emotional introduction to John Kerry. And now, John Kerry is being welcomed into the arena by a standing ovation and cheers from thousands of hysterical supporters. While I am quiet and still, I am still moved by this highly scripted and Spielberg-produced moment. So, you could say that this seamless convergence of the Beltway and Hollywood has made me take a wee sip of Kool Aid.
The preparation, technology, and logistics behind this 4-day extravaganza is mind-boggling. But tonight is "Oscar night" of American politics.
It's import on the folks in this arena is palpable. And while the vast majority of attendees here are political stalwarts and civically engaged in their respective communities, you'd have to be Spock not to feel the sublime weight of this imperfect, but elastic democratic exercise I am witnessing now.
In a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal, I was asked for whom I would vote. My tongue-in-cheek response was anyboby but Bush or Nader. But there is no question that I will be voting for Kerry -- perhaps even twice (as is my right as a native Chicagoan).
The Kerry-Edwards campaign needs help towards meaningfully working with communities of color in enlightened, timely, well-funded, and non-paternalistic ways. And I am committed to working with them to that end. It appears that this Afro-Netizen community is an ideal and vital means by which this can be done.
player, did they make you wear a tie?
Posted by: adam | Tuesday, August 03, 2004 at 07:21 AM