As 2004 draws to a close, I look back with a mixture of wonder and bewilderment. To have done and grown so much in 366 days is quite an accomplishment. I don't mean only personally, but politically. Both I as a young Democratic activist and the party I proudly belong to grew as a whole in 2004. And yet at the same time, we suffered some stunning and depressing setbacks.
I had a lot more written here, but the length was too long and I didn't want to break it up. So I put it all on the flipside...please do click and read and hopefully take heart and draw strength from it.
You know you want to...what's below the fold is calling you...
On the plus side, we got a decent large scale organization. We matched the Republicans in fundraising. We got 60 million people to vote for John Kerry. We made important local gains in the Mountain West.
On the negative side of course, we lost. We lost the Presidential race, we lost seats in Congress. We fell further behind than ever in the South.
This, not surprisingly, has lead to widespread discouragement and disillusionment. I understand completely, for I experienced it myself. And yet, we must not succumb to cynicism.
To combat this, I offer words of encouragement and inspiration from a man who understood struggle and hardship better than many. A man who experienced dramatic ups and downs in his life. A man who is a hero to millions. A man who never stopped believing and never quit fighting the good fight.
Johnny Cash was an icon. When he died, a great void was left. To bring this year to a close and to steel our resolve for the many important battles in 2005, I offer his inimitable words.
Now listen up, boys and girls, for a wise man is about to speak. Pay attention and learn.
WHAT IS TRUTH
by Johnny Cash
The old man turned off the radio
Said, "Where did all of the old songs go
Kids sure play funny music these days
They play it in the strangest ways"
Said, "it looks to me like they've all gone wild
It was peaceful back when I was a child"
Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?"
A little boy of three sittin' on the floor
Looks up and says, "Daddy, what is war?"
"son, that's when people fight and die"
The little boy of three says "Daddy, why?"
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school
Being taught the golden rule
And by the time another year has gone around
It may be his turn to lay his life down
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking
"What is truth?"
A young man sittin' on the witness stand
The man with the book says "Raise your hand"
"Repeat after me, I solemnly swear"
The man looked down at his long hair
And although the young man solemnly swore
Nobody seems to hear anymore
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair
And the lonely voice of youth cries
"What is truth?"
The young girl dancing to the latest beat
Has found new ways to move her feet
The young man speaking in the city square
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
This old world's wakin' to a new born day
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
You better help the voice of youth find
"What is truth"
Next, the song I think should be the theme song of the Democratic Party and indeed all progressives. We must all be Men and Women in Black and never forget who it is we fight for.
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.
I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.
I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.
Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.
I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.
And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.
Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.
Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.
John R. Cash, 1932-2003. An American original. May we always honor your memory.
Make some noise and have fun on December 31st. Then be ready to make a different sort of noise starting the next day.