Good for you Biko. I'm a Vietnam vet and I know the feeling, too. I'll share my morning with you:

I ordered an Obama '08 tee shirt on-line about a month ago, and had never worn it "out" except for a morning walk in our quiet (deserted in summer) gated development near Fort Myers. But this morning, still psyched up about The Speech, I put it on before going out to eat breakfast. I went to the Old 41 Restaurant on Bonita Beach Road, where I occasionally go for breakfast. (They serve Philadelphia style scrapple... no one else does.) There were only about three people in the place, when I got there, besides the owner and the usual couple of waitresses.

My waitress always comments on T-shirts I wear, and today she immediately noticed the Obama '08 and told me "I didn't have a chance to see him speak; how did he do?" The elderly lady (about 70) facing me at the next table down from me answered her question for me by saying "He gave a good speech; really gave McCain hell!" I added a few comments, which the waitress seemed glad to hear and she left to put in my order with a parting comment: "I always love your T-shirts; they really
make a statement!" The older lady then asked me: "I've never seen so many people... how many were there, anyway?" (She obviously is not a football fan!)

As I got up from my table and went toward the front to pay my bill, a guy was sitting at a table near the door and cash register, talking to the owner of the restaurant. As I passed by, he glanced at my T-shirt and said to the owner: "See, look at that there...he knows; I bet he saw it too." The owner just smiled, nodded and said back to usboth: "Yeah, well, far as I'm concerned you'd have to be nuts to think about voting for the other guy." I mumbled something about not wanting to put up with 4 more years of the same, and left... feeling pretty good.

I decided to stop in Barnes and Noble at Coconut Point mall and have a cup of Joe while finishing my NY Times. The cafe was completely empty when I arrived. The young woman barrista, while handing me change for my cup of coffee, glanced at my T shirt, smiled and just said "Cool".

I sat down to relax and read the paper. I was soon
interrupted, none too gently, by an elderly guy, (at least 70) walking toward the table behind me with his coffee, followed by his wife. He just blurted out, in my general direction: "Did you hear who McCain picked?" I responded: "No, who?" And he said: "The governor of Alaska; some woman;.... it's outrageous!! She's in her first term and is an extreme right winger.... two years ago she was mayor of some two-bit town in Alaska!! And now she could be a heart-beat away from being president. They make such a big deal about Obama's inexperience.... does McCain think we are all crazy?" He then told me about a book he had just picked up to thumb through... about the 25 dirtiest elections of all time, and how he thought the author should have waited to include this one.

His wife calmed him down, and eased him into a seat at a table behind me. He kept interjecting comments in my direction, saying he had "not been too sure" about Obama, until last night... and wound up by stating he wanted to move to Chicago, where he thought he "would probably be able to
vote for Obama 4 times."

As the man was venting, another woman, around 45, in black jeans and black blouse, was hearing
this. She was just standing there with her coffee cup in
hand, and lap top under her arm. Soon, she began putting her
two cents in... about how Obama "gave such a great talk", adding
that "Joe Biden and the other speakers did too."

So, this was my experience this morning, here in the belly of the beast.... Lee County, Florida... where Republicans far outnumber registered Democrats. But also it should be noted that Lee County leads the entire nation in its rate of bank foreclosures on homes. I am hopeful that a new day is truly dawning, and people here, some at least, may just be starting to see the light. Unfortunately, for many it is a painful learning process.

Anyway, I plan to wear my Obama '08 tee shirt more often in the next 8 weeks.... This could be fun!

Larry

It was amazing to watch on TV and I'm envious that you were there in person. I totally agree that what is inspiring about Obama is the fact that he has brought people together to believe in their own agency for positive change to solve the most urgent issues of our day. It was so touching to see so many faces tearing up watching the event. Historic not only for the fact that he is African American but even more significant is the fact that he is a blend of all that is great about this country. And he has converted my generation, Gen X, a generation of cynics and disappointed idealist to really believe in our country again because he had new ideas and methods for gaining support. Cynicism and whining is easy, doing something about it is difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw

I completely agree with everything. While you got a chance to be there in person, I watched the event unfold from the television in my basement surrounded by friends feeling truly inspired by how far we have come, energized by strong and widespread grassroots community efforts, and enthusiastic about the positive change that can finally be made to move this country and its citizens forward. We finally can realized our beautiful dream.

That was beautiful Biko. I was waving my flag watching y'all on C-SPAN from Indiana.

I support your organization tremendously but I would like to see a bit more open-mindedness about political parties. There are more than just Democrats, Republicans and Independents. There are Greens, Socialists, Libertarians and Communists. There are Anarchists, like myself, who believe that we must elect a President who values human rights, peace and justice. Young People come from all different political ideologies. It is very alienating for a young person who feels there vote doesn't matter and their voice doesn't matter to see an organization they support imply that because I do not support Obama or that I want a different type of change that I too will be left out of this political cycle. So please, in the future, keep specific candidates and political parties names out of your emails to avoid offending or alienating young people who are farther on the left.

Larry - it's good to see you illustrate the fact that whether a person is repub, dem, or whatever, human values, human rights and standards of living trump whatever label we choose to affiliate with. Enough with using our political party, or economical status or social placement to define what we think and how we act. The truth of the matter is, we've been consumed with labeling and branding and pledging allegiance to someone because they belong to a certain party. We want all of us to be happy, prosperous and safe, therefore it is ESSENTIAL to look at a candidate in-depth, with a critical eye and with an idea of how her/his policies will affect us long. More than that, put aside the game of politics and ask yourself if this person is doing what you really want them to do. I believe Obama gives a lot of hope to people and really inspires them to ACT. He reminds people of their civic duty and how rewarding it is to bear that responsibility and see the success of your labor. However, he has made some decisions that are truly shocking, and are at odds with the vision of personal responsibility, privacy, common sense and freedom that he is promoting. For example, he voted to give retroactive immunity to telecom companies for spying on us and also to change the law to make warrentless wiretapping and spying on us LEGAL. Where did this first come up? Nixon. Why? So he could win an election. Where did this also come up. Bush. Why? So he could push us into an illegal war. So, why is this being supported by this candidate? What his goal? How does this not enrage you all into action? These are our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS that are being trampled upon. This bill is unconstitutional!Research his voting record and hold him accountable. He is capable of getting people involved in politics, but he still doesn't deserve a free pass at the expense of ruining the Constitution. You can be a Democrat and still criticize your Dems in office. It's okay, really. Critical thinking knows no party lines. Make this country the BEST we can make it and not compromise with Bush's illegal, immoral and destructive polices. Peace.

I was born in 1972 and missed out on the legendary speeches given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy. I've seen exerpts on tv and read passages in books, but I did not live through the experience. It's left a void in my life, a sense of not understanding a critical link to the rest of humanity.
Last night I listened to a speech that filled that void. Future President Obama spoke from the heart and the mind in words and manners that are timeless. He spoke of the inherent responsibility our country has to create a community of caring for our brothers and sisters. All of our brothers and sisters. And he spoke of the personal responsibility each of us has to do our part to make the dream come true. Future President Obama was so right when he said that it wasn't about him. It's about something so much larger than one man...it's about us. The onus is on us to realize the dreams of those great American citizens who have come before us. The onus is on us to make those dreams a reality for all of the great American citizens who will come after us.
I have been an educator for several years now. I have diligently worked to serve the children I care so much about. But, I woke up this morning with an even greater commitment to fulfilling my responsibility. Future President Obama gave to us a gift last night. The vision has been painted and now the work must be done.
Thank God it is a labor of love...for all of us.
- My Brother and Sister's Keeper

Bill Romito
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Nepal '74 - '77)

I opened your email because I, too, waved the American flag last night for the first time...and I'm 60! I have always been cynical of flag waving and think that too much nationalism causes wars and is generally not good. But if the U.S. can live the values that Obama spoke of last night, I'll keep waving that flag. What an experience to sit with people from across the country, many traditionally disenfranchised, and join together to celebrate who we are and what the country can be. What a leader we have in Obama. I am so grateful he appeared at exactly the right time.

For a long while now, and sadly, I have been almost embarrassed to display the American flag. Recently, it has seemed to me that waving a flag symbolized blind allegiance with our government's decisions.

After Obama's convention speech, I am once again proud to wave that flag. I remember what it's about now. It's about freedom, and progress, and unity despite difference!

A man of African ancestry as president! I didn't realize that we had evolved so much in this country! What a beautiful thing. Obama has restored so much hope in me.

Even if he doesn't become president, I will always be grateful to him for opening my eyes about what CAN be, and what this country is really about.

Thank you Mr. Obama.

~Megan

Bendito Amor, Biko! Humanity STAND UP! & Save the Youth! Let's make history this year!!!!!!! OBAMA 08!

You have articulated so dramatically how I felt when I heard John Kennedy. Many of us in our generation had those same feelings of belief in change, hope that our country could be great, and resolve that we could make a difference as individuals. I know our ages are different, but our experience of having our expectations of what our country can be raised is the same. I am stirred once again to believe, hope and be resolute by having heard Barack.

It must have felt good to wave the flag. I used to display my in front of our house, but when I realized that this administration thinks they own the flag, I stored mine in the attic. When this country once again becomes the country I claim with pride, I will fly it again. I sincerely hope that will be in January 2009.

I am very touched to read your message. I do not know when i'll be able to wave a flag. America (thru its military and corporate expansion internationally) has been so jingoist and bullying for so many years. If we do change our direction, hopefully it will include some humility in our participation in the work to improve all environments. This last week has been so historic, and the speeches so inspiring. I am glad you have written of your inspiration. It rings so true.
Thanks again.

The Dream can be realized. Yes, it is inspiring to see change and differences being developed. A dream realized is contagious and hope filling. It can drive us towards fulfilling a mission toward a different reality that is at the present time. Something more positive. Something more effective. And something Beautiful.

What's beautiful to me is Positive Change & Growth.