Thursday, July 29, 2004

Inconsistency noted...

Yes, I realize that at the end of my last post I say that we should be inspired by Kerry and Edwards and in the post before that I said the John Kerry does not inspire me.  This may seem inconsistent, perhaps even that I flip-flop or waffle.  That is not the case.  John Kerry does not inspire me...but I really really really wish that he did.  I know that despite my rather blah feeling about the man that I will vote for him anyway.  I'm not so confident about everyone else.  This country needs some inspiration.  The Bush Administration has been force feeding us fear and fear is not inspiring, fear will not get people to the polls, it will keep them inside with their shades drawn.  Perhaps Edwards is all the inspiring this campaign needs and despite my more cynical self feeling that his speech ran into some serious cheese last night, my more hopeful self wants more... more "Hope is on the way."  Still, it is Kerry who is running for the highest office and if I could have a do-over on my birthday wish (which was in May)... I would close my eyes and wish with all my might that people would be inspired by John Kerry.

[despite the lack of inspiration, Kerry is clearly the better candidate... high ratings from all the progressive organizations, a man with integrity, with brains, who can string more than a few words together without sounding like an idiot, and a long long record of experience and dedication to public service...and he's pro-choice]

Hail to the Duke!

Last night the dems at the dnc gave a nod to 3 men who would have been president, McGovern, Mondale and, my favorite, Dukakis.  Of course, the powers that be did not let them speak.  They have all been keeping these loyal dems at arms length because, well, they lost.  And it saddens me that we aren't allowed to be inspired by them.  No, they did not win their elections but they are good people, with integrity who might have something to say that's worth hearing.

I have been lucky enough to meet Michael Dukakis twice in my life.  The first time he was speaking at UAW event in metro Detroit (Dearborn maybe?) during his 1988 presidential campaign.  I was in the 10th grade and luckily my history teacher thought this would be a worthwhile field trip.  Being among the shorter members of the class (having not yet reached my full height of 5'3"), my classmates allowed me to stand in front of them, which meant I was standing along the ropeline as Dukakis entered the hall.  Not only did I get to shake his hand but I also caught glimpses of myself on the news.  I wish I could remember what he said.  I do remember being awed and inspired.  And being extremely disappointed a short while later when he was badly beaten in the election.  Still, that memory stayed with me through the years.

When I moved to Boston in 2001, I had the good luck to meet him again, at a much quieter forum, for a longer time, when we could actually have a conversation.  Over iced tea he told wonderful stories, about baseball, the history of Boston, the Big Dig, days of being governor and of state-wide elections.  He seemed professorial, smart, kind, sincere , funny and did I mention smart? wicked smart.  And again, I wished that 1988 election had turned out differently.

Last night, waiting for Edwards's speech, I was watching C-Span2 where they have been showing convention speeches of past elections.  Sure enough, just after publicly dissing ("honoring") Dukakis, Mondale and McGovern, on C-Span1 there was The Duke on C-Span2, smiling and waving to thunderous applause as he began his acceptance speech.  Sure, there were mistakes in the campaign, the tank, the death penalty question... we all remember those and perhaps there were smaller mistakes on the way.  But as I watched the speech I wondered if sometimes the best candidate, the best president, might be the one worst at campaigning....  Dukakis was attacked mercilessly during that election and he didn't attack back, believing that the truth of his message would win out.  In the end I still sometimes wonder why it didn't. 

The campaigns in presidential elections are just like any other ad campaign, trying to convince you that their product is the best.  Well, you don't buy a car based on a 10-second spot...you research, you test drive, you read consumer reports, you ask friends.  It is a thoughtful process.  When you buy a can of tuna, perhaps you don't check around as much, maybe you compare prices but that's it.  The next president of the United States will have a greater effect on  your life than a can of tuna or even your next car.  I don't know what could have been had we all been smart enough to be inspired by Michael Dukakis and elect him our President.  But it will be a long long time before we recover from the damage done to our country in the past four years.  Let's hope that no matter what the coming months bring, we allow ourselves to be inspired by John Kerry and John Edwards...

Monday, July 26, 2004

Convention Watch

My darling husband is simultaneously listening to the Red Sox and watching replays of old conventions (conventions where something actually happened, where decisions were made)...the current one got, well, a little boring.  I gave up midway through Carter's speech.  I'm a fan of Carter, the only good president of my childhood.  And, I think he was a better president than many give him credit for.  I got a little bored.  There are only so many speeches I can watch and tonight is the first night.  Perhaps I'll tune back in for Bill and Hillary.  I could use a little inspiration these days, and they can be inspiring speakers.  What I find a bit depressing, and more than a little alarming, is that Carter, who is really old right now, is more inspiring than our presumptive nominee.  Don't get me wrong, I like Kerry, I think he will be a good president (p'haps more on that later).  But inspiring he is not. Sigh.

What was also more than depressing was the 10-15 minutes given to the Democratic Women of the Senate. Glenn Close introduced them.  There are 9 of them.  Yep, folks, that's it... 9 Democratic women who are senators.  That figure alone is pathetic.  It's the 21st Century.  Where are all the women.  By the way, the Republicans have 3 women in the Senate, bringing the grand total of women in the senate a whopping 12%.  Second, it is pathetic that all the women were given one spot.  It felt patronizing.  Like little pats on the head.  Granted, some of the women are probably speaking later on in the convention.  And there are some women Representatives who will also speak.  But to have a showcase of the Democratic Women of the Senate just makes clear what an oddity they are, a freak show, a rarity.  I do not aspire to be a politician.  But where are the women who do?  Tomorrow I'm going to an event sponsored by Revolutionary Women, a new organization dedicated to supporting women in politics.  Jennifer Granholm will be there, and Madeline Albright, and Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer and others, I'm sure...But I hope that in my lifetime we won't need such an organization because we (women, especially progressive women) will be fully represented in all levels of leadership, government and otherwise.  As Abigail Adams said, over 200 years ago, "...remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.... If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation."  And in this election, I certainly hope that we remember our voices, because another four years of Bush is good for no woman.

Friday, July 16, 2004

I'm back (again)

It has been far far too long since I have last posted.  And, I have no good excuse.  I have been out of work since June 18th and therefore should have plenty of time to write... but it's amazing how the days just get frittered away when you have nothing to do but watch bad daytime television, apply for unemployment and send out endless resumes. sigh.  but enough of that, I am turning over a new leaf and getting back to blogging (especially now that my earlier reason for not blogging, not wanting to do it at work, has now vanished).
 
So, for part of my new found freedom... I headed back to Great Lake State for a week... Yes! Michigan!  (Anyone remember that ad campaign).  Usually I find the visits to be rushed and hectic weekend or holiday visits with many family obligations, no time to relax and no quality time with old friends.  This week was much needed. 
 
During the visit, Dad took the afternoon off and we headed to Henry Ford Museum (we were supposed to go to Point Pelee but the sky looked threatening).  They were having a special exhibit on Disco... Now, for those of you who don't know, The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is an historical experience (it's billed as "The world's greatest historical attraction"... no humility there).  In the village there are many many houses of famous dead people or houses that are historicall architecturally significant: Edison's Lab, Stephen Foster's home, a working historic farm,  one room schoolhouse etc.  On one visit my mother overheard the  following comment: Isn't it amazing that all these famous people lived right here in the same neighborhood?!  And the speaker was not joking... but I digress...
 
The disco exhibit was quite interesting, discussing the politics, culture and music of the era.  There was even a mock dance floor and booth where you could try to be a dj and sync the records as a real dj would when mixing.  What was strange was, the exhibit was about something that happened in my lifetime.  The museum, like the village, is dedicated to historical things, nickelodeons, steam engines, old household appliances, etc, all well before I was born.  Is it that I'm getting old (no) or that they are running out of material??  What was amusing was that, most of the songs I remember from college when I went dancing with friends (we are family, i will survive, ymca... all standards)... and the Mickey Mouse disco album.  Embarrasing but true...but my best friend Jean and I loved that record and I can picture us dancing in her room as we played it over and over again.  The Sesame Street Disco album was also a hit.
 
I would definitely recommend a visit next time you're in town.  For those of you in the know, yes, Henry Ford was a rabid anti-semite.  The tour guides, however, do not now much about this.  A cousin of mine (who is my father's age) once went with her children who were mortified when, at the end of a tour she asked, "could you please explain Henry Ford's relationship with the Nazi Party?"  Good question but not covered in the traininng of tour guides.
 
Also, if the weather is fine... do check out Point Pelee