American Dreamer: Man in the Middle
Steven T. Jones and Kid Beyond are driving to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, stopping by Burning Man on the way there and back, reporting on the intersection of the counterculture and the national political culture.
By Steven T. Jones
Barack Obama finally took center stage as the Democratic National Convention drew to an explosive close tonight in a packed Mile High Stadium. Most on hand thought he gave a great speech and left smiling and enthused, but I and some other progressives had a few cringing moments that left us slightly unsettled.
While Obama and the Democrats made a clear and compelling case for how much better for the country they are than McCain and the Republicans, there were also many points of concern for progressives and the alienated Left. Obama did little to address their issues while reaching out to Republicans, churchgoers, and conservatives.
“All across America something is stirring. What the naysayers don’t understand is this isn’t about me, it’s about you,” Obama said in one of his biggest applause lines of the night.
If this is really about me and my people – those in the streets protesting war and the two party system, people at Burning Man creating art and community, those of us on the coasts frustrated by the political influence of heartland voters – then it appears the election of Obama is just the beginning of the work we need to do.
In the hour after Al Gore gave a knockout speech, urging our country to “end out dependence on carbon based fuels,” Obama said, “As president, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clear coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power.” Progressives everywhere cringed at a statement that McCain will probably also speak at his convention next week. He also channeled the Republicans with his promise to cut the taxes of 95 percent of Americans and with a call to repeal the capital gains tax for small businesses.
And while the Democratic Party speakers have been forceful in their criticism of the Iraq War, Obama and many others have also by repeating the mantra that a President Obama would “end the war in Iraq responsibly.” To much of the anti-war movement, that is going to sound like wiggle room for not completely ending the war.
As Tom Hayden wrote recently in an essay in the Guardian, Obama needs to be pushed by people’s movements to speed up his proposed 16-month withdrawal timeline and pledge not to leave a small, provocative force of soldiers there indefinitely. But the Democratic Party isn’t willing to question the basic paradigm of the so-called “war on terror,” or truly purpose the path of peace.
Even Gore, in his speech, praised the Joe Biden speech the previous night, when the vice presidential nominee urged our country to more aggressively confront Russia and send more troops into Afghanistan. Frankly, Biden scared the piss out of me at certain time.
During one of the most high profile points in the convention, halfway between the Gore and Obama speeches, a long line of military leaders (including Gen. Wesley Clark, who got the biggest cheers but didn’t speak) showed up to support Obama’s candidacy. And they were followed by so-called average folk, heartland citizens that included two Republicans who now back Obama. One did have a great line though. “We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney,” said Barney Smith, who added, “The heartland needs change and with Barack Obama we’re going to get it.”
Of course, these are all just the concerns of a progressive whose big issues (from ending capital punishment and the war on drugs to creating a socialized medical system and fairly redistributing the nation’s wealth) have been largely ignored by the Democratic Party. I understand that I’m not Obama’s target audience in trying to win this election. And he is a historic candidate, as the emphasis on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech demonstrated.
That included video montages of King and a speech by King lieutenant Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) followed by back-to-back speeches by two of King’s children.
“I was there when Dr. King delivered his historic speech,” Lewis said in commanding tones, later calling on everyone to hit the streets again to get Obama elected, just as they marched on Washington D.C. to promote civil right. “We must march as we’ve never marched before to elect Sen. Barack Obama the next president of the United States.”
Bernice King echoed her father by triumphantly announcing, “Tonight, freedom rings.” She said the selection of Obama a the nominee was “decided not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. This is one of our nation’s defining moments.”
She then introduced her brother, Martin Luther King III, who called on the crowd to work hard for social justice. “America needs more than just a great president to realize my father’s dream,” he said.
One of the things the country needs is inspiration, and he Kings were followed up by the most inspiration song of the Obama campaign: “Yes we can,” performed by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend. Even months after the song became a huge Internet phenomenon, it still packs and emotional wallop.
But there is still much work to do in convincing Obama to adopt a more progressive vision once he’s elected. As Lewis said during his speech, “Democracy is not a state, but a series of actions.”
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Comments (2)
This certainly is interesting and important, about the Democratic national Convention in Denver and some cool young people going on a road trip, to check it out. I went to the one up in New Hampshire when Howard Dean was on Fire, month's before the blood curdling yell.
It is great that we can have the event and the coverage in dignity and, as you note, that ingredient or needed Integrity is what the smartest youngsters seek (before they become dissillusioned, later; at the intrenched apathy and corruption too appearant on the part of the confirmed 'insiders').
It will be a great task for Barrack if he can stay true to his game and make it the game of integrity
(rather than just turning to 'the other side', the side of oppulence and special interest) after riding in on the indignation of the American people. Peace.
Posted by William "Tharon" Chandler | August 29, 2008 11:53 AM
In a last-minute flurry of activity, the California Senate and Assembly have each passed SB 60, the bill that would give driver's licenses to illegal aliens. It now goes to the Governor.
This represents a major step in the wrong direction. The current law, which CAPS helped pass fifteen years ago, requires that applicants show legal presence in California before they can obtain a license.
In order to comply with the federal Real ID Act, the licenses given to illegal immigrants will have a different appearance and may not be used for federal identification requirements. However, the federal law does not require issuance of these second-tier licenses.
Inviting more illegal immigrants, as this bill does, into an already crowded California is a poor idea. California is doing an inadequate job of providing for its current population. Schools are crowded, infrastructure is crumbling, and open space is disappearing.
ACTION NEEDED
Gov. Schwarzenegger needs to hear from you. Praise him for his previous vetoes and urge him to again veto the driver's license bill. Send a fax or an e-mail by clicking the link below:
http://capwiz.com/caps/issues/alert/?alertid=11874786&type=SW
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Posted by Larry Lopez | September 3, 2008 07:09 AM