The Nita

Been listening to people I know talking about the Black Bloc riot attacks. What disheartens me (beyond people being wantonly stupid in the situation and hurting people on either side)?

That both sides of the philosophical equation are using it as proof they were always right.

Those that thought there would be riots and that the security measures might be justified are looking at the rioters and saying "We were right to be scared."

Those that thought the riots would be staged to justify the security measures have started speculating that the rioters were on a payroll somewhere.

I take a deep breath and think that the only people who know the truth are the people who created the damage - and pray that I don't know anyone with so little regard for their fellow man.

I wish that it wasn't so, but the divide will get no smaller because both sides seem to see things to suit what they want to believe. I grok deep heartfelt emotions. I just don't happen to like this.

Flame as you will, if you will.

Interrupting a political newscast for a 5 second bit of silliness that involves rocking out to 80's British punk bands while trying to explain the various "Gangs" in the US government just entertains me.

but on last night's Countdown, Keith Olbermann became someone I will respect for the rest of my days.

A man explaining how his father fell ill and his experiences within the US health care system and his anger and frustration, delivered without the shouting he occasionally resorts to, at a system that prevents anyone from effectively complaining about it.

Hon - you may not have liked the man when you dealt with him as a sports caster. Really? You might want to check out last night's show.

here, if you want

Just watched it (cause I knew that I was waking up at 5am,I wasn't staying up all night, not with the joys of the internet to help me).

Damn, but that man's a fine orator.

Because it wasn't that inspired a speech. He's definately done better.

It covered what it needed to: kudos to his defeated opponent, thanks to his running mate, family, and staff, call to both sides of the partisan divide, an initial statement of essentially "I may not be everything you want me to be" and a very inspiring, but ultimately non-specific call to the people for coming together as a nation.

It was on message (how many times can you say "Yes we can" and attribute it to iconic figures of american history?)

But at the end of the day, it wasn't a brilliant speech. It did what it was supposed to do, and that was all.

I still had tears in my eyes at the end of it. And that's the difference between someone who can deliver a speech and someone who can orate well.

It also distresses me, and at the same time I grok utterly the need, that the whole thing was buffered with bulletproof glass.

I long for a day when a leader doesn't have to be encased in security when they go out in public. I doubt we'll ever be there, but damn, it would be nice.

I really really want Obama to be for real.

He's likely going to be the boss in the US for the next 4 years.

Please god, let the world not have been sold a brilliant bill of goods. Let the marketing and the oratory skills and the rest be reflective of the truth, and not give us "yet another politician".

I know he'll have to be a politician - it is what he is. Let him please be a new kind - or at least a portion of one.

I have tremendous respect for the way he and his handlers have marketed him, and how they have handled his campaign.

The marketing, the organization, the oratory skills, the ability to recognize most of the pitfalls.

Please, please, please - let it be real.

I've been doing a lot of paper crunching today for work.

What have I had in the background to keep my brain from getting tired?

Debates.

Canadian. US.

It is an interesting way to spend an afternoon, listening to politicians discuss paperwork while you do it.

Copying straight from much_ado's post....

Olbermann saved his most vicious scorn for Bush's no-golf pledge. "Golf, sir? Golf sends the wrong signal to the grieving families of our men and women butchered in Iraq?...You, Mr. Bush, let their sons and daughters be killed. Sir, to show your solidarity with them you gave up golf?" He then went on to lambaste Bush for failing to keep to that pledge — ostensibly made in August 2003 — and showing photos of Bush playing golf in October 2003. [...] "But the war in Iraq is not about you....It is not, Mr. Bush, about your grief when American after American comes home in a box." The directive to "Shut the hell up!" came soon after.

the full 12 minute video isn't up on YouTube yet, but you can catch it in its entirety here with an attendant article from the Huffington Post.

Obama addressing the question of race.

I really really really want this man to be for real.

I suspect someone in the security system is getting their ass chewed today.