Friday, August 29, 2008
'Beautiful Day'?
So I just got back from an Obama rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where we watched Barack Obama give his acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention. Personally, I am very uncomfortable with these types of events (and had a horrific headache to boot) so I couldn't wait for it to be over. I do grant something, though. It is a historic moment. This is the first time in American history where a sort-of-black-looking man has a real chance for the presidency. Oh, and whoever they put in charge of the music picked U2's beautiful day to play as Obama took the stage. I love that band.
Anyway. . .
All props to the group of 'ordinary' citizens that spoke before him, but they drew only mild bemusement from the crowd. In the highlight of their performance, Barney Smith got the entire crowd laughing by saying government should put Barney Smith before Smith Barney. He even had to pause briefly while the crowd chanted "Barney Smith, Barney Smith. . ."
Obama's speech, when he actually got around to it, disappointed. Here one has this great historic moment and all he can talk about is "America deserves better, Americans deserve better, etc, ad nauseum". Here is what I wanted to see: history. Fact. Those huge video screens? The ones used to show his magnificent face in glorious detail? Yeah. Perfect place to pitch his budget promises in black and white. Instead, it sounded like so many other empty promises. An excellent place to tell a story in pictures, figures, motion and color, the history of America in commoners leading to this moment. He is already hailed as the rockstar candidate, why not borrow some lessons from the ultra-political, ultra-popular band playing before his speech? ¶ 1:40 AM
Anyway. . .
All props to the group of 'ordinary' citizens that spoke before him, but they drew only mild bemusement from the crowd. In the highlight of their performance, Barney Smith got the entire crowd laughing by saying government should put Barney Smith before Smith Barney. He even had to pause briefly while the crowd chanted "Barney Smith, Barney Smith. . ."
Obama's speech, when he actually got around to it, disappointed. Here one has this great historic moment and all he can talk about is "America deserves better, Americans deserve better, etc, ad nauseum". Here is what I wanted to see: history. Fact. Those huge video screens? The ones used to show his magnificent face in glorious detail? Yeah. Perfect place to pitch his budget promises in black and white. Instead, it sounded like so many other empty promises. An excellent place to tell a story in pictures, figures, motion and color, the history of America in commoners leading to this moment. He is already hailed as the rockstar candidate, why not borrow some lessons from the ultra-political, ultra-popular band playing before his speech? ¶ 1:40 AM