This is a first diary for me, do have mercy...
I can date my interest in Barack Obama to a very recent day in history, namely, his speech at the Democratic Convention. Before that day, I hadn’t cared much about the race.
The moment he began to speak, I felt something I had never felt in my 45 years, listening to a politician. There was something in his every carefully chosen word, the perfect tone of his delivery, that let me know it came from a warm, caring heart. I was mesmerized until the very end, and as it ended, I felt as if he had lifted my spirit onto a different plane, a higher one, lit by purity, and lifted by hope. I thought, this is what Jesus’ disciples must have felt, when they left everything to follow him all over Palestine.
Today, someone posted some pictures of Barack with children, and once again, I was struck with awe.
The way he touched them with his hands, and the expression on his face, was one of serenity and protection. Again, I could not help thinking of Jesus with children, Jesus with the sick, Jesus with the sinners in need of forgiveness. This man CARES about people. He has THE TOUCH.
And I’m an atheist. I have been for 35 years, since I reached the age of reason.
Here I am thinking that the man is a gift, just short of a gift from God. He inspires a trust unlike any other; I know the man would never do anything contrary to the interest of the more vulnerable members of society – he has made me feel that he genuinely cares.
How can anyone say they do not trust him? I purse my lips, and cannot help but think this is a code word for racism. And then a step further; maybe his race is a test for the nation. Are we truly righteous, and on the side of angels? Or are we hypocrites in the devil’s pocket?
After observing McCain and Palin’s appalling lying, their worship of political expediency over ideals, and petty, childish antics, I can say that never has an election so obviously pitted black against white – as if the light was fighting the darkness. And like any good test, the answer is not skin deep, for in this instance, the light shines from a black man, and the white man is like a black hole, a body from which light cannot escape.
If we fail to elect Barack Obama, I’m afraid we will be severely punished for our amoral foolishness. If not by God himself, by the playing out of the forces of Good and Evil, the eternal cautionary tale that dwells in the subconscious of every man, believer or not.
I'd be very pleased if this diary was used to post some of those inspiring photographs of Barack, those that show his unique soul shining through.