>Convention Day 3

>What a moment! None of the fighting and kicking and screaming that the Republicans were hoping for. The level of emotion was palpable, and many delegates, black and white and tan were seen teary eyes or almost bawling as Barack Obama was nominated yesterday.

But throughout the afternoon, while watching the process, I kept returning to the nominating speech. Michael Wilson, an air force medic, Iraq veteran, (did I mention he’s a republican?), had the honor.

Although the economy is now the number one issue to voters, for years the unjust and unnecessary war in Iraq has been the headliner. Here is some of what Wilson said:

“I support Barack Obama because America needs a president who has the strength, wisdom, courage to talk with our enemies and consult with our allies.”

“America needs new leadership in the White House and that leader is Barack Obama. A president who has the judgment to use war as a last resort, not as a first resort.”

That can not be good for the Republicans, to have “one of their own” nominate the Democrat.

Michael Wilson, thank you for your service to our country, and for having the courage to speak up. We need more like you.

Rock Star

Bill Clinton takes celebrity to a new level. He was allotted 10 minutes to speak, and if you counted the three minutes of raucous applause that greeted him he would have only had seven minutes to speak.

He used about 22 minutes of convention time to make the strongest case yet for choosing Obama over McCain.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/26430180#26430180

“He is ready to lead America and ready to restore American leadership in the world.”

And he was followed by VP candidate Joe Biden. Fox must have watched this speech, because Fred Barnes said democrats “got the whole cake” from Biden.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/26431231#26431231

“These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader. A leader who can deliver change. The change that everybody knows we need.”

Tonight

Barack Obama does not have an easy task tonight. The crowd won’t bother him, he’s addressed larger crowds than this before. But the pundits are saying he has to make the case tonight. The campaign says this will be a differnet type of speech than what people are used to and expecting.

I have no doubt that Barack Obama will bring the house down. And while waiting on the nominee, 76,000 people will be learning to be activists by calling and texting friends from the stadium.

Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson will lead the convention in the Pledge of Allegiance. I remember thinking when I saw her talking with Bob Costas that she could be a force outside of her sport because she had the guts to wear the peace symbol earrings in her interviews with Costas and others.

And before people start criticizing Obama for speaking in front of Roman columns, take a look at George W. Bush giving his acceptance speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Those look like columns behind him, and besides, don’t we have lots of columns all across America?

And the rain that Christian extremists were praying for will stay away. Instead, the big weather story continues to be Gustav heading for the Louisiana coast.

Update: Hurricane (now tropical storm) Hanna will likely be approaching Florida during the Republican Convention.

Bill Clinton Makes Alabama Happy

It is probably safe to say that never before in the state of Alabama have so many happy Democrats been in one place as were last night at The Cahaba Grand where Bill Clinton was the speaker at the annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner. After the party’s victories in 2006 in Alabama and across the nation, Democrats have a lot to smile about.

From Sue Bell Cobb who gave the call to order, to Rev. Steve Jones of Southside Baptist Church (whose remarks included the words “gay and straight,”) who gave the invocation, to the 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, who gave the keynote address, democrats re-affirmed their inclusiveness, their faith, their committment to the truth, their ability to solve problems and to find solutions and their ability to unite rather than divide.

Bessemer was well represented. Sunny Lippert was glad to be there,

as were the Brite Blue Dots, Jason and Glen. (Want some Blue Dot merchandise…go here http://britebluedot.com/).

Bobby and I enjoyed ourselves as well.

Artur Davis can’t believe the crowd.

Remember when our senator Richard Shelby embarrassed us by switching from the democratic party to the republican party? Clinton said that in Kansas republicans are switching parties to get elected because they realize that if they want to get things done they have no choice but to join the democratic party. We haven’t seen that in Alabama (yet) with elected officials, but voters sure seem to be leaning to the left.

Patricia Todd enjoys star status as a recently elected representative from Birmingham.

Clinton spoke of what America needs to do in the years to come to regain our status in the world. He referred to the Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/) which if met would solve most of the public health issues facing developing countries. By spending a small percentage of the money we are spending in Iraq, we could help literally billions of people and meet these goals.

He said that we need to address the inequities in our society by increasing wages and making college more affordable for everyone. We need to confront the issue of climate change and rather than ignore it or deny it, embrace it and use the challenge to develop new energy sources, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and in the process we will be creating jobs, jobs, jobs. Third, we need to address the rising costs of healthcare and the growing number of uninsured and underinsured in our country.

All in all it was a great night for democrats and a great night for Alabama. If this is any indication we can look forward to a great 2008 as well.

>Bill Clinton Makes Alabama Happy

>It is probably safe to say that never before in the state of Alabama have so many happy Democrats been in one place as were last night at The Cahaba Grand where Bill Clinton was the speaker at the annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner. After the party’s victories in 2006 in Alabama and across the nation, Democrats have a lot to smile about.

From Sue Bell Cobb who gave the call to order, to Rev. Steve Jones of Southside Baptist Church (whose remarks included the words “gay and straight,”) who gave the invocation, to the 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, who gave the keynote address, democrats re-affirmed their inclusiveness, their faith, their committment to the truth, their ability to solve problems and to find solutions and their ability to unite rather than divide.

Bessemer was well represented. Sunny Lippert was glad to be there,

as were the Brite Blue Dots, Jason and Glen. (Want some Blue Dot merchandise…go here http://britebluedot.com/).

Bobby and I enjoyed ourselves as well.

Artur Davis can’t believe the crowd.

Remember when our senator Richard Shelby embarrassed us by switching from the democratic party to the republican party? Clinton said that in Kansas republicans are switching parties to get elected because they realize that if they want to get things done they have no choice but to join the democratic party. We haven’t seen that in Alabama (yet) with elected officials, but voters sure seem to be leaning to the left.

Patricia Todd enjoys star status as a recently elected representative from Birmingham.

Clinton spoke of what America needs to do in the years to come to regain our status in the world. He referred to the Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/) which if met would solve most of the public health issues facing developing countries. By spending a small percentage of the money we are spending in Iraq, we could help literally billions of people and meet these goals.

He said that we need to address the inequities in our society by increasing wages and making college more affordable for everyone. We need to confront the issue of climate change and rather than ignore it or deny it, embrace it and use the challenge to develop new energy sources, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and in the process we will be creating jobs, jobs, jobs. Third, we need to address the rising costs of healthcare and the growing number of uninsured and underinsured in our country.

All in all it was a great night for democrats and a great night for Alabama. If this is any indication we can look forward to a great 2008 as well.

Bill Clinton Returns !

This past weekend we saw Cirque Du Soleil’s Delirium at the BJCC in Birmingham. Part musical, part concert, and part circus, the performance can only be described as weird. In a good way. The story is the main character’s dream (a key element I did not realize until I later read a review) so I guess the possibilities are unlimited. I mean, add a trapeze artist and some acrobatics and hula hoops and even my dreams could be turned in to an entertaining show.

Why can’t people just accept John and Elizabeth’s statement that they can and will continue this campaign without trying to second guess their decision? These are strong people; they have suffered through tragedy, and are well educated and understand her prognosis and are aware of what may happen. Unexpected things and adversity can happen to anyone at any time, and a lot can be told about someone by how they handle such situations. Don’t we want someone to lead our country who can remain calm when facing adversity? Then to criticize someone when they actually show these qualities does not make sense. Oh, this is not an endorsement of John Edward’s candidacy.

President Bill Clinton will be the guest speaker at the Alabama Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson Jackson dinner. The Dinner will be held on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 at the old HealthSouth conference center (that reception hall has a new name, but I can’t remember it). Tickets are going fast, according to party chairman Joe Turhham. The ticket price is $150 a person. Go to the Alabama Democratic Party site for more information: http://aladems.org/.

Will Birmingham make history today? Stay tuned.

>Bill Clinton Returns !

> This past weekend we saw Cirque Du Soleil’s Delirium at the BJCC in Birmingham. Part musical, part concert, and part circus, the performance can only be described as weird. In a good way. The story is the main character’s dream (a key element I did not realize until I later read a review) so I guess the possibilities are unlimited. I mean, add a trapeze artist and some acrobatics and hula hoops and even my dreams could be turned in to an entertaining show.

Why can’t people just accept John and Elizabeth’s statement that they can and will continue this campaign without trying to second guess their decision? These are strong people; they have suffered through tragedy, and are well educated and understand her prognosis and are aware of what may happen. Unexpected things and adversity can happen to anyone at any time, and a lot can be told about someone by how they handle such situations. Don’t we want someone to lead our country who can remain calm when facing adversity? Then to criticize someone when they actually show these qualities does not make sense. Oh, this is not an endorsement of John Edward’s candidacy.

President Bill Clinton will be the guest speaker at the Alabama Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson Jackson dinner. The Dinner will be held on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 at the old HealthSouth conference center (that reception hall has a new name, but I can’t remember it). Tickets are going fast, according to party chairman Joe Turhham. The ticket price is $150 a person. Go to the Alabama Democratic Party site for more information: http://aladems.org/.

Will Birmingham make history today? Stay tuned.