Granted, I'm only 25, so I haven't had many opportunities to see hate. But what I witnessed tonight in watching the RNC was just too much. I would write a long diary expounding on the hurt and the hatred, but those people are NOT going to steal my joy. This election is not about building up America to those people, it's about tearing apart our will to fight. They want us to quit, to give up. They figure if we see them being "strong" we'll retreat and let them have their way. They think they can bully their way into the White House. Well I have 3 words for any of those hateful, mean, spiteful people if they are reading this: Not. This. Time.
I have a candidate I believe in. I have donated more than I ever thought possible to a campaign that I feel really cares about what happens to me, and what kind of country will be left for any children I'll have in the future, and I will be donating more.
The convention I saw tonight is a marked difference in what I saw last week. Last week it was a celebration, yes there were some punches thrown, but nothing like the vitriol I saw tonight.
Well this is tonight's therapy. The haters will not win this time. We will not give up this time. Our will to fight will get STRONGER not WEAKER. In the words of our candidate (who is being disrespected and belittled left and right but still manages to treat people who don't deserve it with respect). ENOUGH! We will not allow fear to defeat hope.
So in the spirit of this campaign, no matter how much I want to rant and rave and damn them to hell, I won't. Negativity is draining.
And because I love music, a song that I think adequately reflects what's going on in America today:
Lyrics:
1, 2... 1, 2, 3, 4, Ow!
Eddie: People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin.
Run, run, run but you sure can't hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Vote for me and I'll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on.
Dennis: Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the...(preacher.)
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the...(teacher.)
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation.
Ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey.
Paul:
The sale of pills are at an all time high.
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky.
The cities ablaze in the summer time.
And oh, the beat goes on.
Dennis:
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul.
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon.
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything.
Melvin:
And the band played on.
So, round and around and around we go.
Where the world's headed, nobody knows.
[Instrumental]
Oh, great googalooga, can't you hear me talking to you.
Just a ball of confusion.
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today.
Woo, hey, hey.
Eddie:
Fear in the air, tension everywhere.
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas.
Dennis:
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation.
Melvin:
And the band played on.
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors,
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills,
Hippies moving to the hills. People all over the world are shouting, 'End the war.'
Melvin:
And the band played on.
[Instrumental]
Great googalamooga, can't you hear me talking to you.
Sayin'... ball of confusion.
That's what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin'... ball of confusion.
That's what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin'... ball of confusion.
It's eerie how relevant those lyrics still are
___________________________
Thanks to fedupcitizen for reminding me of what Hillary said last week.
This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up.
How do we give this country back to them?
By following the example of a brave New Yorker, a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad.
And on that path to freedom, Harriet Tubman had one piece of advice.
If you hear the dogs, keep going.
If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.
If they're shouting after you, keep going.
Don't ever stop. Keep going.
If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.
Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going.
I've seen it in you. I've seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military -- you always keep going.
We are Americans. We're not big on quitting.
But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president.
You know, if you would have told me in April, that I'd be quoting Hillary in September and NOT in a negative way, I would have thought you were nuts. Unity rocks!
_______________________________
Bonus Slideshows:
Biden Announcement:
More from the convention:
~EDIT~ I just thought of what watching that reminded me of. If you've ever seen "The Chronicles of Narnia" it was like the White Witch (no pun or anything like that intended) celebrating with all of her evil followers before "killing" Azlan. If you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about.
UPDATE I don't know how many of you saw this, but this was from his speech on Monday in Detroit:
:o)
UPDATE BTW, THIS is how you surprise a convention! Listen to that excitement :o) Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but don't imitate if you can't even compete:
And lets not forget arguably the cutest kids in America:
(this one gives you a different angle):
Notice how they were blowing kisses at him? Too cute!