Senator Obama in Sarasota, Part 1

‘Twas just last Monday (27th October 2008) that we learned that Senator Barack Obama would be visiting SRQ today (Thursday 30th October 2008) – just five days before the General Election.

I so much wanted to attend, but not alone. So I was pleased to hear that my friends Mike and Charles would attend. We walked together today to the Ed Smith Stadium, just over a mile away from my home.

We arrived at 7:50 a.m. and already there were about 2,000 people in line ahead of us. And they began to arrive, thousands and thousands in the line behind us.

The Stadium gates opened as promised at 9:00 a.m., and the line moved quickly through “security”, staffed by Sarasota Police, (who were incredibly polite, professional, and efficient).

Mike, Charles and I were in our seats by 9:30 a.m. with an hour and a half to wait.

In the crowds streamed, ‘til we totalled nearly 13,000.

The program started on time with “wind-up” speeches by local politicians. A great cheer erupted when we saw the arrival of Senator Obama’s entourage!

Senator Nelson (D) who represents Florida in the (national) Senate, welcomed Senator Obama, who sprinted from the tent where he had been waiting – to the podium. We went wild!

Barack Obama offered his 40 minute stump speech. We had heard it all before on T.V. But today it was electrifying to hear it in person, from the Democratic Party candidate himself.

“WE” were black, white and Hispanic.

“WE” were abled and disabled.

“WE” were folks older than I, down to babes in arms.

“WE” were many College, and very many High School students who had skipped classes for the day.

I was so happy to see so many people under the age of 25 - perhaps one quarter of the crowd.

I have been “pumped” all day.

See my second blog of the day for some photo’s of the event.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shoe insults

Last year I consulted with a local podiatrist: Dr. Robert F Herbold Jr. D.P.M. 4717 Swift Rd., Sarasota , FL – 34231  because I was being bothered with a couple of bunions  (yes I am at that age). I was very impressed with this Doctor.  He agreed that I had bunions, but he ventured that it was much too soon for surgery. (Now there’s a first). Instead he recommended some “arch supports” to relieve the tension for my feet, a tension which was exacerbating the bunions. What’s more -  he told me that he sells these arch supports at the miserly sum of $2.50 each (about 1/5 of the price in the local pharmacies). He is an honest man, and I recommend him to anyone with foot problems. So, a couple of weeks ago, having purchased some new walking shoes, I knew that I needed to buy a couple of new arch supports I took myself to his office. Once there, my mind went blank. I wanted to ask his front desk Clerk if I could buy some “shoe inserts” , as I could not remember the words “ar
Read more

The background, the couple, my friends, the wedding ceremony, the Shaykh, the Priest,

Image
The background   I have known the Keller/Bonsey family since 2000 when I became the Rector at St. James's, Cambridge, MA. They (Elisabeth Keller and the Revd. Steven Bonsey with their four children Noah, Sam, Josiah and Annie) had come back to Cambridge from Hawaii where Steve had been the Rector of an Episcopal parish. Steve had just been appointed as a Chaplain at Tufts University (no Sunday morning duties) so the entire family was able to enrich our common life at St. James's - which they did with great love and joy. I count them as friends and have stayed in touch with them since my retirement.  Noah, the oldest son is eloquent in Arabic (he spent a year in Damascus when Syria was a safe place).  He has developed a super career as an analyst of social media in the near East.    Noah worked in Tampa for a while a few years ago, so he and I were able to get together a few
Read more

It began in Bristol U.K. "A man dies" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Image
I well remember the swirling controversy in Bristol, U.K. when a (Presbyterian) Minister the Revd, Earnest Marviin created a ":Rock Opera", called "A Man Dies"  in and for his congregation in the Lockleaze area of Bristol, U.K. Earnest Mrvin I was a sixteen years old member of the Plymouth Brethren Church back in those days, so I most likely disapproved of "A Man Dies" .  We, (the Plymouth Brethren),  disapproved of everything! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had forgotten all about "A Man Dies" until earlier today when saw these pictures on the "Bristol, Then and Now"  Facebook page.   St. James Presbyterian Church, Lockleaze, Bristol  The Bristol Then and Now page includes the following commentary: Lockleaze, Bristol  -  'Jesus Christ Superstar' began at St.James (Presbyterian) Chur
Read more