The Emerald Thread

[H2O Man]

"All of us of Irish descent are bound together by the ties that come from a common experience; experience that may exist only in memories and in legend but which is real enough to those who possess it. The special contribution of the Irish, I believe – the emerald thread that runs through the tapestry of their past – has been the constancy, the endurance, the faith that they displayed through endless centuries of foreign oppression –centuries in which even the most rudimentary religious and civil rights were denied to them – centuries in which their mass destruction by poverty, disease, and starvation were ignored by their conquerors." – Senator John F. Kennedy; 1957

Today was a special day for those of us who went through that period of time known as "the Sixties." We had an experience this day which brought back memories of the promise of that young president John F. Kennedy; the power of ideas as presented by a young man named Malcolm X; the gospel – or "good news" – preached by a young minister named Martin Luther King, Jr.; and the passion for justice expressed by a youthful Robert F. Kennedy.

Our hearts beat faster on this day, when we had those memories brought back by Senator Edward Kennedy, who has been in the US Senate since 1962. His oldest brother died in WW2, and then JFK and RFK were killed when he was a young Senator. Yet he has continued to fight the Good Fight since. As the second-longest serving Senator today, Ted is the beloved Old Lion of the democratic party.

There are many today who only know of these legendary figures-- John, Malcolm, Martin, Robert, and the others who struggled in that Era of Hope -- from the text books and film clips. Today, they were able to experience what we experienced yesterday.

A person need not be a supporter of Senator Barack Obama to appreciate the power of today. Three of the adult children of Senator Robert Kennedy have endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton, and many people recognize that former Senator John Edwards is carrying on the struggle of RFK from 1966 to ’68. Our democratic family can, like the Kennedy family, respect that there are three good choices for the nominee of our party in 2008.

We must fight the Good Fight. Our dream did not die on the battle field of Dallas, or the Teresa, in Memphis, or Los Angeles. It did not die on an Ohio campus in May of 1970. No, for as a line that Martin loved to quote states– from William Cullen Bryant’s poem, "The Battle-Field" – "Truth crushed to earth will rise again."

We have seen the dream damaged, and endured the corrupt years of Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and Cheney. But we have survived, much as that young Senator Kennedy noted that the Irish had survived. And that truth that was crushed to the earth turned to seed, and a new and powerful branch is growing today.

When I listened to Patrick and Caroline speaking today, I remembered when my favorite politician used to quote Tennyson: "Come my friend, ‘tis not too late to seek a newer world."

[rosesaylavee]

1. Crushing has the opposite effect, doesn't it?

Look at the huge numbers of democrats who have turned out for this primary so far. I think if anything has been learned from the past 7 years, is that voting is very very important and not a right to be taken lightly. Missed seeing the endorsement today, will try and find it here or on youtube. Sounds like it was an incredible moment.

K & R

[H2O Man]

6. It was a moving

scene. I think that all democrats should be able to respect it for what it was. It doesn't mean that those who support Clinton or Edwards should change. But as members of the democratic party, we should appreciate what happened today.

[Me.]

2. It Was An Amazing Event

One couldn't help being impressed by Caroline or feeling the infectious enthusiasm of the students. Truly, what we need to get back to in this country. I also liked how Teddy acknowledged the other two candidates before his endorsement. Very classy move.

[H2O Man]

7. Caroline

is such an impressive lady. As an American, I thought that her speech today (and NY Times editorial yesterday) was a special moment.

[Me.]

18. We Stepped Beyond Today

The mists cleared and once again we saw the civility and hope that used to be

[H2O Man]

19. Right.

There is a good chance that some of the folks from one of the other campaigns will become desperate in their quest to find something to distract attention from this event.

[KoKo]

3. Ahh...Waterman..

There's Sinn Féin on one side...and William of Orange and folks thrown in Tower of London...and killed for heresy against the Pope on the other..Crusaders and Invaders..........all of it..

I'm a mongrel......and with Southern roots (ayyyyyyy) :eyes:.... I "tries me best..." It's a weighty burden...for one who loves history, heritage...to sort it all out it it's misbegotten trials and errors and fallen glory, and fighting for rights of persons. It's a long history....with the usual "horse thiefs" and "ill reputed,"
and intrigue and the rest......stolen lands, entitlements...priest holes..famines..being shut out and having to leave...... The American Story..... Always fighting against "Da MAN!"

I don't know about this Obama Guy......I will watch it a bit longer.

[H2O Man]

10. A lot of people

say that we are all part Irish on St. Patrick's Day. I think that today, all true democrats were part Irish. I appreciate that the party is a big "extended family" .... and just as in your own, there are many different influences. Both Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are very important parts of the party's extended family. But today, it was nice to listen to the Old Lion, one of the Family Elders.

[KoKo]

13. He is an old lion....

but shares part of the past...of which I speak. Great Old Lions...are wiley...and they live long because they are the best...they vanquish all foes.

I take this as more cynical than you...not as the "Great Uplifting"....and the "Roar of the Old Lion" as the call to Truth from Wisdom...but the Roar of the Old Lion...whose been wily enough to survive.

I am perhaps too jaded.... the Bush years....

I understand that having youth involved in the Process is an incredibly good thing...and that's what you are pointing out. :hug:

[Coexist]

4. I feel you. There is a thread around here somewhere

that I penned about how it all made me bawl like a little baby.

[H2O Man]

11. I think that

you spoke for a lot of people, who felt some strong emotions today.

[H2O Man]

5. JFK at American University

This is from JFK's most visionary speech, from June 10, 1963.

"What kind of peace do I mean? What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children--not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women--not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.

"I speak of peace because of the new face of war. Total war makes no sense in an age when great powers can maintain large and relatively invulnerable nuclear forces and refuse to surrender without resort to those forces. .... Today the expenditure of billions of dollars every year on weapons acquired for the purpose of making sure we never need to use them is essential to keeping the peace. But surely the acquisition of such idle stockpiles--which can only destroy and never create--is not the only, much less the most efficient, means of assuring peace.

"I speak of peace, therefore, as the necessary rational end of rational men. I realize that the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war--and frequently the words of the pursuer fall on deaf ears. But we have no more urgent task. Some say that it is useless to speak of world peace or world law or world disarmament--and that it will be useless until the leaders of the Soviet Union adopt a more enlightened attitude. I hope they do. I believe we can help them do it. But I also believe that we must reexamine our own attitude--as individuals and as a Nation--for our attitude is as essential as theirs. And every graduate of this school, every thoughtful citizen who despairs of war and wishes to bring peace, should begin by looking inward--by examining his own attitude toward the possibilities of peace, toward the Soviet Union, toward the course of the cold war and toward freedom and peace here at home.

"First: Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable--that mankind is doomed--that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade--therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man's reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable--and we believe they can do it again.

"I am not referring to the absolute, infinite concept of peace and good will of which some fantasies and fanatics dream. I do not deny the value of hopes and dreams but we merely invite discouragement and incredulity by making that our only and immediate goal.

"Let us focus instead on a more practical, more attainable peace-- based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions--on a series of concrete actions and effective agreements which are in the interest of all concerned. There is no single, simple key to this peace--no grand or magic formula to be adopted by one or two powers. Genuine peace must be the product of many nations, the sum of many acts. It must be dynamic, not static, changing to meet the challenge of each new generation. For peace is a process--a way of solving problems. ...."

[babylonsister]

8. Great post, H2O Man. I too was moved today; must be

the Irish in me! :D

[H2O Man]

12. Ted did a great

job of describing the many different groups of people who are being crushed by the republican machine. These different groups of people have all suffered, and today our common enemy would pit one group against another, in order to continue oppressing all. Ted's speech showed the need to unite and fight for the common good. That message has a great appeal!

[Tatiana]

9. Teddy gets that this is more than presidential politics.

There are also some incumbent republicans up for reelection. It would be very helpful to our cause if we could pick up those seats and relegate Benedict Lieberman irrelevant (to either side).

What's a good way to ensure a "clean sweep?" Have a candidate that can inspire independents and Republicans to cross the aisle, as well as enthusiastic young people to vote for a party of "hope and change." Kennedy sees the long-term goals as well as the short ones. A democratic president will not effect any sort of visionary change if the appropriate legislation never makes it to his/her desk for a signature. Clinton learned early on when we lost Democratic control of Congress how frustrating it can be when you have grand ideas but can't get them implemented because you don't have the legislative support.

If we get a Democratic president, I support Kennedy or Dodd as majority leader. I grow weary of the constant appeasement.

[H2O Man]

14. Right.

I can remember in the late 1970s, Ted Kennedy saying that the nature of the entire congress was being changed, by the unhealthy influence of corporate interests. Few Senators were saying this at the time. He understands the need to have reform, in order to repair the damage done to the foundation of our Constitutional democracy. That includes the type of changes that you speak of here.

[Tatiana]

15. 1996

Far across the political spectrum, President Clinton's liberal Labor Secretary, Robert E. Reich, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts have called for using tax policy to encourage corporations to treat their workers better. Mr. Kennedy recently spoke of a "quiet Depression" and said government policies should provide "incentives for good corporate citizenship."

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E6D91239F936A25751C0A960958260

"Quiet depression" has a certain resonance, does it not?

[CatWoman]

16. poetry

what a beautiful post.

:hi:

[H2O Man]

17. Thank you!

It's a good day to be a democrat.

[Theres-a]

20. Thank you for this. nt

[Tatiana]

21. KICK

:kick: