You Had Me at Hamster

[RoyGBiv]

I re-watched last night's DNC coverage today. I had recorded the entire thing, from 3pm central until it was over, and my intention was to view it with a more critical eye tonight, trying to find weaknesses, things that could or would be attacked, things I might question myself. I wanted to remove myself from the party atmosphere and attempt to be a political critic.

I was doing well with this until his daughters spoke. I listened to the story about the hamster, which RW pundits have since tried to use as a source of criticism, playing off its sentiment as though compassion is a weakness. But, with me, when that story came through, when the subsequent story about the same daughter riding in the car with her dad, him telling her how lucky she was to be alive and be an American, my critical eye became clouded with tears ... for the second time in 24 hours.

I can't get past this point. I've re-wound the tape, watched it again, tried to dissect it, but every time I get caught up in it just as completely as I did the first time. I can't be critical of this. I can't be that detached, that cynical, and what I've realized as I've gone through all this multiple times is that I shouldn't even try.

I am a proud American. I love my country. And a silly story about a hamster followed by an image of a father and his daughter riding across the countryside discussing life and what it means explains why better than any detailed analysis of any policy position, any speech, any vote. Don't get me wrong. The policies are important. My belief in the goodness of this man is not based on this story. I choose based on the tangible, not the image. But I already knew I agreed with him in many respects, disagreed with him on a few, and was simply wanting some undefined something to make me feel right again. I wanted my pride restored. Without realizing I was ripe for the hearing the scripted message, I succumbed to it. All I want is to feel a sense of hope after years of feeling nothing but fear.

John Kerry may not be a perfect man, nor a perfect candidate, but that's just fine with me. None of us are perfect. That makes him like us. He saved a hamster because that meant something to his daughters. He will save our country because that means something to me.

[JohnKleeb]

1. they are using Kerry's compassion to portray him as weak

To me its the same thing as helping the family dog who would be trapped in a fire, its humerous but its also a testament to Kerry's caring nature.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. BLAM!!!

Roy, I think we must be related or something. So often you post things I could have said word for word.

When his daughters were speaking, I was in the kitchen, furiously trying to finish making dinner in time for Kerry's speech. I had the TV volume turned up really high so I could hear it in the kitchen and over two rowdy girls running around.

You described my reaction EXACTLY. I even posted about it last night. It's almost like there was a tangible MOMENT when my heart (as corny as it sounds) just went "I give up, I love the man."

Seriously. And it was when his daughters were speaking. The little film after that just sealed the deal. I had tears rolling down my face and I am NOT a weepy person. Kerry's speech just was icing on the cake for me.

GREAT GREAT post especially the last few lines. I couldn't agree more.

[JohnKleeb]

5. the one narrated by Morgan Freeman? Yes that was very touching

You know, even if he werent running for president or even if he werent a politican, I'd love the guy, he's such a great guy, I only wish the brave leader of men in his favorite story came home, that book and yes I mention it a lot, hey I have to brag about it, my distant relative is in it, but Kerry's closest thing to a counterpart in his favorite as is my fave book, flags of our fathers, the closest thing to a cuonterpart Kerry has, well my distnat relative Sgt Strank never got to see home, now he wasnt a Kerry clone of course, Mike was a miner's kid, a marine, but Mike and John have the same ethics and values, that is those of hard work, responsiblity, honor, service, and faith. I know its cheesy to cmpare Kerry to Sgt Strank, but I see a bit of resemblance in them, and I am glad to know Kerry has read my favoirte book and considers it his favorite as well.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Want to hear something funny?

Last night as I was almost randomly surfing DU, posting a few things here, reading a few things there, I kept noticing your comments, and they stuck with me.

Earlier today I read a thread in which you commented. I don't remember the context. That's not the point, but I recalled the previous evening, the unity and the kinship we were all feeling, and I looked over at my avatar and realized there was something wrong with it. It was personal -- it means something to me, but few others would ever get it -- and this wasn't the time for personal.

I recalled seeing an avatar that had struck me as the kind of thing I should be displaying, and it just so happened that all these thoughts came together at the time I was reading one of your messages. Kerry/Edwards. Simple. Perfect.

So at that very moment I clicked on options and changed my avatar to the same one you have. :-)

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

9. Aw, ROY

You had me at "avatar."

You rock, you know that? :loveya:

[RoyGBiv]

13. LOL!!!

I love this place.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[seabeyond]

3. ah the hamster story, telling my 6 and 9 year old

and i guess the mommy in me, talking of this dad who dives in to rescue the hamster, and here this girl is all grown up hearing this story again, and the tears in her eyes remembering her dad doing this for her...................i got all choked up, silly me and had a hard time finishing that silly story, lol lol

[iconoclastic cat]

4. Hamster, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

[sandnsea]

6. Bringing the foliage to his mom

Yes, the hamster story got to me and it's actually the one I told my daughter about because she doesn't watch this stuff. Although she gets very excited when she hears Kerry has done well. She even told a family friend of her fiance's, "well he sure isn't a Republican!".

But the foliage story touched me. Because moms don't need that from their children. All of us think, "wouldn't it be cool if I did such and so for mom", but too often we just don't. He not only thought "what if", he made it happen. From a place of pure love. The human heart just doesn't get any better than that.

[bpilgrim]

7. kerry NEVER gives up

me and the kids really loved that story.

some diva's were laughing about it at work today and it really suprised me, i thought everyone would be touched by that story, never did i imagine folks would poke fun at it :crazy:

:hi:

peace

[JohnKleeb]

10. the primary is proof alone for that

Remember when some thought hw was pretty much a dead man walking in the primaries, well you know what, he had the backing of one of the smartest men in american politics, Ted Kennedy and Ted went all out for him, a loyal supporter in Harold Schraitberger and his firefighters union who did all they could to see that John Kerry be our nominee, and the work of countless people who believed in Kerry on the crowd, and Kerry believed in himself. That story makes me laugh and it really shwos me who is.

[bpilgrim]

14. yep

good point, shipmate :toast:

:hi:

peace

[jean]

11. yes! The daughters really conveyed their Dad's humanity and

integrity.

I also loved the story of Kerry's tender care of his mother - making a small tree out of copper wire and leaves to bring to her bedside, because she 'loved the autumn' and was unable to leave her bed.

Kerry's description of being a boy in Berlin and riding his bike into the danger zone was thrilling - what a sharp young kid he was.

The daughters brought tears to my eyes, as did Wes Clark and Max Cleland, even as I yelled "Yes!' at the tv after nearly every phrase.

Being able to see everything unadulterated (c-span) was delightful and stress-free. The hugging and the body language - especially the hands - made that stage feel like my family was standing up there. So many of the speakers put one hand (or as Teresa did, both hands) on their chests - looking humbled in the face of the cheering crowd.

[RoyGBiv]

15. Absolutely...

There were so many great moments.

I thank whatever high power there is for C-SPAN. I never watched anything but. I semi-forced my daughter to watch some of it too, but she was far less resistant when she saw the girl that started Kids for Kerry. After that, she actually seemed to get involved in it.

She liked the hamster speech too. It made her think of Jennie, a hamster she once had that lived through the devastating tornado that hit OKC a few years back, how we all became focused on making sure she was okay and not outwardly worrying at all about the house or any object.

It was just a good night.

[ochazuke]

12. George Washington and your cherry tree, move over.

The hamster story was the high point of the entire convention for me.

Seriously.


If anybody makes fun of it, my little rodent friends will pay a visit to his attic.

[Sugarbleus]

16. Good Post

John Kerry may not be a perfect man, nor a perfect candidate, but that's just fine with me. None of us are perfect. That makes him like us. He saved a hamster because that meant something to his daughters. He will save our country because that means something to me.

I like that paragraph........

I also relate to what you say about needing to feel a sense of hope..

Fear is wearing us out--at least it's wearing me out. I lost my job today. It was only part time as I'm partially disabled but it came as a surprise all the same. The place where we live is not a sure thing anymore; it could end at anytime. Our different healthcare insurances in the family (each covered under something different) are offering less and less services. I won't go on, you get the picture.

We CLING to that hope....

[RoyGBiv]

17. I do, and please go on if you need to...

I've been unemployed since April. I quit my last job because of a case of discrimination I witnessed and for which I was asked either to lie or shut up. I refused, chose to quit instead, and all hell broke loose.

Oklahoma laws are all geared towards the employer, so not only did I suffer the consequences, but the people I was trying to support with my action got hurt as well. Not being with the company, my testimony in their behalf was framed as the words of a "disgruntled former employee" and essentially ignored.

I was offered and accepted a job last week. Had that not happened, in a few weeks I would have been on the street or on my way to another state, far away from my family, and relying on the kindness of a very good friend just to survive.

It many ways, DU helped me survive through all this. Finding people with whom I could share let me know I wasn't alone.

We all need to be able to hope.

[Kool Kitty]

18. Bless you, Roy.

It's people like you that make DU what it is. :loveya:

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

20. Here ya go...

A toast to ya, Roy. Never give up.

:toast:

[RoyGBiv]

23. Great Pic!

Thanks.

A toast to you as well. :toast:

[Sugarbleus]

24. Thanks Roy and ...

A toast to all of us

..............:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:.......................

[fujiyama]

19. Several parts:

The flag being struck with bullets, flying tattered...and then mentioning how he had friends that were buried with it and died under it.

-The line about a future of freedom, not of fear...

-appointing an attorney general that UPHOLDS the constitution.

-taking a jab at saudi royal family...

but finally, the Lincoln quote. Edwards had used that line in the final primary debate. I was so happy Kerry used it. It's from one of the greatest speeches in American History -- Lincoln's second inaugural address.

Kerry's speech was something that really surprised people. I hadn't seen that kind of passion in him in years. I remember Kerry was always the one I wanted as president, but never had any confidence he could win. Of all the candidates I had seen him on TV for years, mostly on Hardball appearances (I hate to admit it but when I first got hooked to politics I would watch it regularly). I remember thinking, he would make a good president, but he can't win because he's a liberal from Massachusetts.

I now believe he has a very good chance of winning as well. I hope the American people don't squander this chance of putting a great man into office.

[RoyGBiv]

21. The Lincoln Quote

I wrote some rambling thing about this yesterday. I'll just summarize what I said then.

I've seen many try to quote Lincoln for effect. I've seen almost as many fail. Not everyone, or even most, can do it. Lincoln spoke words that required conviction and honesty. I don't idolize the man -- he had his significant faults -- but I recognize his ample, stunning talent and integrity. Of the ten greatest speeches in American history, Lincoln has at least three of them. His oratory skills are without equal, and his integrity was not for sale. Both were required to achieve his status.

I write not as a partisan but as someone who has studied rhetoric closely. Kerry not only pulled off the Lincoln quote, he equaled it, came close to bettering it, and generated a few quotes of his own in the process that will go down in history.

The RW pundits screwed up. They raised the expectations so high for Kerry's speech that it was almost a given that no presentation he gave could meet them. But, he met them the moment he walked on stage and exceeded them in the first five minutes. He'd been set up to fail, and he blew everyone away, even by-god-Pat-Buchanan. "Nailed it," doesn't begin to describe it.

I'm rambling again. I guess the long and short of it is that I've not been impressed by a political speech -- the entire presentation -- like the one I heard last night ever.

[Piperay]

22. I LOVED the hamster story

I love animals anyway but I guess since the RWingers candidate tends more toward blowing up frogs they wouldn't care about a hamster. :-(