So I listened just now to Richard Wolff - on with Lawrence - and here is what he said

[Mira]

"If you are in a tight election
and then something happens that your opponent is getting 78 percent approval for his behavior a few days before the election
that is what can be called a political disaster."

My own fears of the election's outcome are subsiding a bit. In my heart I have been expecting an unexpected landslide, but I'm old enough to know that godawful things can happen on election night.
(My memory goes to 2000. My grandson was 8 and sitting in the kitchen cabinet corner at 2 am staring at the little TV we were huddled around. On the screen was Bush / Gore, equal numbers. He looked up, wide eyed and said: "And I thought this was going to be boring.&quot

After I heard Richard Wolff whom I admire a lot say that, and my spirits rose a bit, I got an email to donate again.
So I did.

Then I started to look at my TV again and saw Chris Christie and Obama together and remembered something about my own life.

Once, after a dreadful divorce I was slaving away in my basement, self- employed, for unbearable hours for unbearable lengths of time. I was carrying a load that was, for my life situation, unsustainable.
Then my brother showed up, and offered a ray of light of relief for a short while, and I absolutely lost it. The load was shared. The burden not just mine.
I collapsed in tears, where Chris Christie collapsed in relief that translated into brotherhood.

It's been a day where much of my mental energy has gone to think about those who suffer.
I can't fathom being in NYCity in the dark. But I do know renewal comes, is at hand, and I do know that as our country struggles through a disaster of this magnitude we are in hands that are calm, hold the reign, and have our collective best interest at heart.

I don't know if I've actually free- associated like this before, on this board.
But while I'm at it, let me share with you that I visualize the private sector in charge of this monumental effort in so many devastated areas, and I challenge you to imagine the depth of my gratitude there still is "big" government in my beloved US of A.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. .

[fulllib]

2. This reduced the election to what matters- a leader

It ultimately isn't about tax returns, binders of women, or even tax policy when we need a leader, and only one of the candidates clearly is.

Mitt can't be trusted when it counts, and the public knows that now.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

4. Absolutely...

This crisis reminded Americans why they voted for him the first time.

No Drama Obama. He's as cool as they come.

[Cha]

8. Yes, it was almost like Mother Earth saying..

"Enough of this crap.. let's get it ON!"

[Spazito]

3. Beautifully written, powerful OP...

[Mira]

7. Thanks! I sit here and say to myself

"Did I really just get this maudlin"
The times are incredibly hard for all of us, and then comes this disaster at a time so critical that honestly it may help save so much because now the country sees a bit of light and helps pull this election out.

We have to realize that the whole world is watching.

My mother said to me today there was a 3 hour special on German TV. She said that she watched every minute of it - with tears. She loves the United States.
And she said the commentary was that the disaster may have preserved Obama for the WORLD.

[Cha]

9. "And she said the commentary was that the disaster may have preserved Obama for the WORLD."

So true it's eeire and gives me chills.

[CitizenPatriot]

42. so beautiful

thanks for sharing that. you did make me cry, though, and I have to hold that against you for a minute... Nope. Can't it was too moving and uplifting

[myrna minx]

5. I'm right with you.

[madokie]

36. Count me in too

President Obama is one of, if not the best, President we've had.

[Cha]

6. I like your free association, Mira~ Brought little tiny

tears to my eyes. New Jersey has gotten the very worst of the Storm Sandy and who wouldn't appreciate having help in the form of the giant advantages that FEMA and President Obama have in place?

I've been in a 4.5 hurricane before in '92 on Kaua'i and I still remember how grateful we all were to see the National Guard coming to the rescue by plowing the roads clear of Trees! We were waving and smiling and shouting Thank YOU!

Here's to Smart Government

[Tutonic]

10. Oh! Thank you for such an inspring post.

Uplifting.

[Stellar]

11. Beautifully written!

And beautifully said. Thanks for sharing that!

[George II]

12. Wolff is usually cool and calm, but tonight...........

........I thought he showed more emotion and border-line anger than I've ever seen.

[spanone]

13. k&r...

[triplepoint]

14. Remember that Danny Glover (as the President of the U.S.) scene in the movie, "2012?"

Last edited Thu Nov 1, 2012, 01:19 AM - Edit history (5)

Well, here's the movie....Watch for it--when Danny Glover as our President reacts to the oncoming tsunami et al:
.
.
.

.
.
Entire Movie:

"Mr. President...sir scene:"

go to this point in the movie: 1:28:18
.
.
.
.


Hurricane Sandy is President Obama's "2012." It is his final exam, and so far, it appears he's aced it!

[lucca18]

15. Thank you Mira....

You spoke from your heart....

[iemitsu]

16. As others have said, a wonderful OP Mira.

Nicely said and reflects my own feelings over the past few days.
While it seems as if Obama should have been a shoe-in, since Romney is such an embarrassment, I have been more than a bit anxious about the election outcome. I had begun to fear the worst, that the vote rigging and suppression of voters would lead to a republican win, but since the storm I have felt less pessimistic.
Thank you for the post.

[Mira]

17. To all of you who seem to understand me so well

[matt819]

18. You know what's really troubling?

Not having faith in roughly 50% of my fellow Americans.

I look at the pictures and news reports, and I see a leader. "They" look at the same and see a black man where he doesn't deserve to be.

I look at the polls and see a tight race with the President in the lead. "They" look at the same polls and see a Romney rout.

I look at the President and Vice President express support for women's rights (who knew we'd be discussing this in 2012) and gay rights. "They" express nothing but hatred and contempt.

We really are living in alternate universes. I keep picturing the Superman comics of my childhoold with the Bizarro world.

[Mira]

20. I get it. Here is my take on your points:

We see a leader, and they do as well.
Which means another seed of the many that have gotten thrown under the snow has sprouted.
Not only that, exposure alone makes them start to forget that this is a black man.
Heck, he is biracial, as most of the US will be before too long.

The other points are all seeds under the snow waiting for or beginning to sprout.

Such is evolution.
And damn, is it ever slow around my parts.

[loudsue]

39. Because money buys the fox "news" lies that they hear every day,

and that appeal to that personality type that is so mentally ill.

[nevergiveup]

19. Oh my! What a beautiful post.

Thank you so much.

[SaveAmerica]

21. Very lovely and perfectly said, been there when I had to do it all.

It is always so much better with a team.

[pnwmom]

22. I think you're right about Christie.

Much as I haven't like him till now, I think his appreciation for Obama now and the support of the Federal government is very real. I don't think he wants Romney to come in to replace him.

I suppose he's doing everything he can now to make that clear except for an actual endorsement -- which might even be redundant at this point.

[eridani]

23. We absolutely have to get Congress as well. Please don't forget that n/t

[Hekate]

24. Beautiful OP, heartwarming thread

No drama Obama, indeed.
KnR

[LibDemAlways]

25. One need only remember Katrina to recognize the

value of leadership. Bush was AWOL. His FEMA Director was incompetent and thousands suffered needlessly as a result. It's wonderful that the adults are in charge this time around.

[PCIntern]

26. Great, heartfelt post...it is much appreciated

here.

Thanks.

PC
P.S. k and r

[mountain grammy]

27. From the heart, thank you, my election fears are subsiding again also.

The thing is, we had a natural disaster when the threatened area did not get prompt assistance from the fedral government; it was called Katrina. The people suffering with no leadership, over 2000 dead, and the president's response to the head of FEMA? "You're doing a heck of a job, Brownie" Surely Christie and all of the East Coast remember.

[fleabiscuit]

28. Thank you

...

[limpyhobbler]

29. that was cool.

[liberal from boston]

30. Richard Wolff

I also watched Richard Wolff on Lawrence's Show & agree w/another comment posted here that Richard showed rare emotion when he said that President Obama getting 78 percent approval for his behavior a few days before the election is political disaster. Thank you Mira for your eloquent & uplifting comment.

[defacto7]

31. Du hast ein schönes Herz.

Danke..

[Mira]

35. Thank you

Ich danke Dir.
I read your profile and you sound like a person I would like to meet, lots of fun, diversity and humor.

[defacto7]

49. Well, thank you, Mira.

We always need more friends and acquaintances. It keeps the human race happy. You sound like someone who reaches beyond the trappings and grasps life in the moment. You also sound like a learner and a seeker. I think these are the best of qualities that sometimes seem lost in a world more concerned with being right than just on a path.

Maybe we will meet someday. In the mean time, this is a nice sand box.

[Carla in Sequim]

32. That, Mira, was the best thing I read all day.

Thank you so much.

[The Traveler]

33. We got to see both these guys at their best

Christie ... who has shown in the past there are limits to his willingness to pander to the RWNJ's ... is a partisan. He is an asshole. He is a rampant conservative. Never forget that. But ... yeah. He is not a monster. And he showed us that when the evil wind is up a) he cares intensely about the people under his care and b) those considerations outweigh the demands of partisan politics.

This dude can barely walk 100 yards without breaking out into a sweat. He is morbidly obese. And from what I hear he really did go 48 hours without rest. People, I am very fit. I practice martial arts. I weigh in at a lean and mean 175 pounds. Not sure I would have looked any fresher than Christie after that shift. Point is, at some point the work he has been undertaking exerts a huge physical toll, and this dude is not in good shape to begin with. So from this we can conclude is concern for his people is genuine.

But then Barack Hussein Obama showed up. Christie was at the end of his rope. It was like Obama was giving him energy ... that big grin, that steady hand. And Christie ... he revved up and returned it. Look at the pictures. The dude looks better as the day goes on. Obama does not have his back exactly ... but he knows Obama has his back when it comes to facing this huge responsibility he, as governor of New Jersey, now bears in the aftermath of this catastrophe. He ain't facing this alone. And he is clearly not shy about expressing his gratitude for that, on behalf of himself and his people.

This was a beautiful moment. I'm sure eventually everyone will settle into their ideological corners relatively soon ... but for a minute, two guys sharing a heavy load of responsibility looked the evil wind right in the nasty eyes, and knew they could do a lot together to make things right. We need to see more of this.

Trav

[NewsCenter28]

34. Beautiful posts all

Sandy truly did change everything and is a defining moment in American history. Also, finally, President Barack H. Obama gets the bipartisanship that he has greatly deserved for over 4 years.

[lunatica]

37. Yup. My gratitude is pretty profound right now too

this is what government is for. Literally.

[Bluenorthwest]

38. Thank you for this post.

nt

[Delphinus]

40. {{hugs}} Mira.

Thank you for telling us your story - I know that feeling you speak of - and, oh my goodness, bless you. Bless us all.

[Mira]

41. ...

[klook]

43. Beautiful post

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Many of us can relate our own life experiences to what is happening on the national stage right now. This is why we must win.

[southernyankeebelle]

44. thanks for sharing your story. Yes there always are sliver linings. It will get better.

[snagglepuss]

45. Well said. nt

[Skittles]

46. you're awesome Mira, and so is your brother

[sonibeth]

47. Thanks for sharing that about your brother and I believe your right about Christie.

[Honeycombe8]

48. Excellent post.nt