2. Later that day I had to address all the males in my school at an assemby without warning (stuff like that just has to be accepted at my school). So I decided to connect some of what Obama said in his speech the night before into my impromptu speech. When I prefaced it with the same question I had just asked my kids, I was greeted by hundreds of hands raised. Aside from the fact that I doubt in my middle school back home I would have come close to getting the same kind of response, it again hit home how Obama affects communities like mine.
All around town there are Obama posters put up outside the few storefronts still dotting downtown Clarksdale. There are t-shirt stands with Obama's image on them and at all the blues festivals around the area, one cannot miss the vendors selling all sorts of Obama apparel (not alll of it officially sanctioned gear :D)
Race is still an undeniable issue down here, although I've been here for too short of a time to make too many judgements. Mississippi isn't exactly a battleground state currently , although I personally believe it's going to be far closer than the polls currently indicate and I wouldn't be too suprised to see an Obama upset. What I do know is that polls do not capture the enthusiasm and pride Obama gives to entire communities, even especially in some of the most rural areas in the country.
And hey, the first debate is in Oxford in a few weeks. Obama upset in MS anyone?
“They may not know his policies or stances on the issues, but lets remember to not always dismiss symbolism as something unsubstantial or insignificant.”
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p>Yes – hopefully, the American people will not let an ill experienced celebrity running on symbolism ruin the country
McCain chose Caribou Barbie as a running mate-a woman who has only been in the office of Governor for 18 months. Prior to that, she received 600 votes to become Mayor of Wasilla, and left the town 20 million dollars in debt. So much for fiscal responsibility.
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p>A $20 million debt, the Ted Stevens’ VECO scandal (Steven’s endorsed her just yesterday), Troopergate, censorship of library books-the list goes on. What Palin lacks in experience she makes up in baggage.
I know that she’s no peasant
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p>She’s a woman who understands, she’s a woman who loves her man!
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p>(Lennon / McCartney)
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p>But Kathy – it doesn’t matter – she’s a woman!
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p>and in the end, she will succeed.
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p>And its driving the moonbats insane!!!!!!
Women are not a monolithic voting bloc. I didn’t see too many African-Americans running out to vote for Alan Keyes.
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p>The issues will bring her down. Can’t wait for the liberal 527s to do their work.
I appreciate his time serving this country. Too bad he didn’t really even stand up for John Kerry’s service in 2004. (Spare me the claim that he spoke against the swift lying scum – he didn’t DO anything to defend the honor of either Kerry OR the other swift boat crewmen that the lying scum attacked.)
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p>Yeah, when spine and integrity was needed in 2004, McCain didn’t show any. I think the man who withstood torture at the hands of the North Vietnamese is no longer with us, and I hope the American people see through McCain’s celebrity and symbolism, and vote for the candidate of substance – Barack Obama.
Do you really think Michelle allows barack to balance the family checkbook. She makes three times what he does. Barack was a community organizer, and he organized. Then he was a state senator and did the exact same thing Massachusetts state senator does———- stuff, for a few years. Then he was elected to the US Senate and was awol for a few years whilst he was running for president. Barack’s voting record in the US Senate is testament to his political stances (present) Yup—-Biden and Obama are quite the pair. Can’t wait till Kim Jong-il must be shuddering in his shoes come January. And the Iranians are preparing the white flags. Should be quite the fireworks display in Washington in February.
That Kool-Aid must be really strong, especially if you think the experience of running a small town in a sparsely-populated state even comes close to Obama or Biden’s senatorial experience.
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p>If I wanted to hear intelligent RW talking points, I’d watch Fixed News.
He was chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
Barack has never spent more than he took in, unlike McCain whose campaign’s past financial woes are well-known.
And thank you for doing what you’re doing. I’m thinking you’re young, given you’re doing a gig with Teach for America? At any rate, it’s wonderful to see kids excited about a candidate like this. I’m seeing Obama shirts at the high school I teach at, and the kids I’ve talked to just think Obama’s awesome. Straw poll today in one class of 18 seniors: 15 Obama, 3 McCain. We’ll see if that changes as we get closer to the election.
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p>P.S. Don’t let the Republican crank comments get you down, either. There’s not much happening on their own site, so they like to come over here to annoy the locals. (shrug)
Obama wins a straw poll of high schoolers!!!!!!!!!
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p>Also, your Negro comment is racist and uncalled for.
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p>The hate coming from the left is the REAL desperation.
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p>You can’t stomach the thought of LOSING this election and it has you in a tizzy.
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p>Please delete your racist byline
to silence my speech?
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p>Your zero is in violation of the Rules of the Road. Please remove it.
no worries. It’s just odd that I was talking about 12 year olds being truly inspired by a politician, which is something that doesn’t happen too often, and people need to immediately bring up Palin and the rest of the current nonsense.
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p>And yes, I’m pretty young. I’m 22; although if you asked my kids they would guess anywhere from between 25-40.
If only more young, bright teachers would choose to go out of their way and teach in areas where disprortionate amounts of students are disadvantaged. The trolls with the nasty comments should be thanking you up and down, for doing your country a service, instead of derailing this thread with muck and insults.
And I agree that inspiration is a key attribute, no matter how some may try to belittle it. But what would you expect, it is the Republicans who have managed to transfer wealth from tomorrow’s citizens to today’s fat cats, so I think a little inspiration for that next generation is in order.
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p>When you say the Mississippi delta, I thought of Louisiana, but I see that Clarksdale is well north in Mississippi. Good luck with your work down there, and thanks for passing something good onto the next generation.
is more of a cultural region than anything else (the The Berkshires for an awful awful analogy). It’s not the actual river delta but a flood plain that’s both in Arkansas and Mississippi. It runs from Memphis on down to Vicksburg. It’s home to the blues and is seriously a world in and of itself. It’s like nothing else.
is below the road
At all.
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p>Show some evidence and I’ll change my rating.