@aveutter: "Time to take off our Republican Hats, and put on our American Hats. McCain said that."

I've worn an American Hat for nearly five decades, i.e., since I was born. I've never worn a Republican Hat and there's no way I would put one on during this crucial election.

I sincerely appreciate the sentiment you expressed (caveat: if it was sincerely offered) because I am saddened enormously by what's happening on the Gulf Coast and by New Orleans being vacated--again!--even if more "efficiently" (time will tell on that, though it doesn't spell "redemption"). However, I find McCain's plea, given this particular timing, to be disingenuous for several reasons--e.g., getting elected, showing concern, showing off his VP pick, getting Bush and Cheney out of the convention (that's my cynical side), etc.--but mainly because I'm not politically ignorant.

Obama is organizing volunteers and donors to help with this natural disaster. I like that. Seems a lot more good than a photo op. And yes, as should be obvious, I'm a Democrat. American first. But of the Democratic party.

isn't McCain being "presumptous" and "arrogant" in acting so "presidential" now...?

I meant no injustice to Joseph C. Merrick and certainly didn't intend to be flippant toward him or his life, character, and ability. I agree that he is someone to be admired.

As for the commentator here, I don't extend the same.

Barack is organizing his donors and volunteers to help in whatever way they can to help those affected by Gustav.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080831/D92TDPPG0.html

"I think we can activate an e-mail list of a couple of million people who want to give back," [sic: Obama] said. Donations could include cash, goods and individual labor, he said.

Ignore or deride this post of mine if you want, but IMO it sounds like a much better way of generating actual aid than just showing up for a photo opp. Too little, too late come to mind? New Orleans is vacated again. This is sad, sad news.

As for ElephantMan....the movie was worthwhile; the poster on this site? Not so much.

Meant to say much thanks for your RFK/Sheriff posting. And now a thanks to Kitt for acknowledging it.

Obviously Neil Young’s “Four Dead in Ohio” applies—but, IMO, moreso as a big “red flag” to heed in this situation, by comparison to the specific incident and general atmosphere in 1968. Much different, even though similar in tactics and encroachment on basic Constitutional rights

I’m wondering if the Crosby, Stills, Nash anthem of “Teach Your Children Well” (and, not incidentally, teach your parents well, as per the lyrics) is rendered moot by this MN activity. I choose to believe NO. I witness and experience a lot of that song's energy around now, despite the fear-mongering, war-mongering current administration and its adherents.

If you’re a person who *does* feel any kind of outrage, my suggestion is to express it. If you are able to, and believe it is appropriate to, donate to the cause of those being held or to their getting legal help or to saving the impounded bus, etc., fine. Otherwise, use your voice. If you support Obama (or, even if not), make your opinions about this known by contacting his web site (an aside: upset by FISA? Tell him so! Use this situation as an example!). Contact the usual suspects of cable and network media outlets. Contact the prominent web/blog sites of your choice. Contact newspapers. I believe in strength of numbers. It does absolutely no good to just sit back and watch and cry foul or wring your hands.

At the very least, this story deserves coverage, regardless of what facts or fictions emerge as it unfolds. Activism can take many forms. You don’t have to go out and march to make your opinion known. Since we still have freedom of speech, in theory anyway, I say exercise that however possible for you and given your circumstances.

Thanks, GG, for the “heads up.”

Really liked your post!

You were there and I am jealous!

But, I'll look at it positively, that you represented me (and many more). I was raised in Colorado, on the western slope, have family from there and still living there, so yeah, I was proud of "our" convention, too.

from the War Room... ;)

No, I didn't.

Thanks for your post. Good thoughts.

I think you should have said "EVEN if delusional..."

My last words on this OFF-topic topic. Don't forget, please, that you're the one who brought the Kennedy's into an article thread about Michelle Obama's speech.

I am an American, and around 3/4 Irish in my heritage, and proud of that. I, too, have read extensively about the Kennedy's. I, too, was disheartened by many things I read, saw, heard.

You wrote: "Of course, I wanted to believe in them, considering my nationality, but a person's ethnic background means nothing to me if I discover that the person is a hypocrite."

That's logical. You drew your line in the sand that you could not cross, in your own conscience.

As for myself, I will not discredit the good that has been done by several Kennedy's, and certainly not only the most famous three brothers. I do not canonize. And now I return to my original point: no legacy is perfect. No person is perfect. I do not necessarily condone if I forgive. I hesitate to finish with this, but maybe all the good that's been done can be reckoned as doing penance or paying back?

You risk becoming part of THE ONSLAUGHT...whatever the heck that is.

Me, myself, I said nothing against Mother Theresa. My point was obvious--it's rare, if not impossible, to find a perfect legacy. Everybody is free to focus wherever they want on the spectrum of individual imperfection.