Senator Obama, those of us who have believed in you and your candidacy from the beginning took Tuesday's "losses" (as they have been portrayed by the media) as quite a blow. I have seen many photographs of you looking wounded, down, disappointed and worried. My immediate reaction was worry for the election, the future of America for my daughter, my wife and eventually my grandchildren.
As the initial feelings have subsided, I am still seeing the media play out the "upset victory" with little or no regard to the slash and burn politics you have worked so hard to avoid; The insipid racism that permeates Senator Clinton's disgusting campaign tactics. The lies, innuendo that she and her husband decried for so many years now their best and only strategy. And the imagery used to illustrate each and every article I have read has been pictures of you looking a little worried and defeated...
Well...listen up bucko! (as Richie Cunningham from Happy Days would say), this thing isn't over!! You started something and now you need to finish it.
You have given me and countless others in this country who opine the memory of the high standard of integrity that America once stood for a reason to take heart. You restored "hope" where we thought none existed anymore. You gave us faith in a possibility for a better future. You have stood up and said all the things that millions of Americans have been wanting to say and who have have been wondering why they have not been said before. You have stood up and pointed out the egregious incongruencies in our supposed democrataic system that all have noticed but few have had the courage to state. You are an anomoly and a threat to the establishment. Of course they are going to throw the kitchen sink at you!
Do not let this get you down.
You Gave us hope now take hope from us! This battle is not lost! Your fight is not over! True change is still possible! You asked us to take a stand and we have. You have believed in us and given us a glimse of possibility; A shot at a better future; The prospect of a new paradigm and you sir, are not off the hook yet!!!
When your opponents try to use fear as a motivator, remind the voters--proud Americans one and all--that Americans are not moved or shaken by fear just as Americans are not cowed by terrorism. As Americans we stand up to our fears and confront them. We are a proud nation built on rushing into the fray not backing down; by marching forward with bravery, fortitude, faith, and love of our way of life.
Those who look to make us afraid look to control us. Those who look to make us stand up and take responisbility, look to inspire us.
Can we still be that America? Yes we can.
Can we find unity in strength and not in fear? Yes we can.
Canwe overcome our fears and embrace an unknowable future with courage and clarity? Yes we can.
These are your words, Senator. This is your call. You have bellowed this from the edge of a canyon, and we now echo them back to you that you are not alone, your fight goes on ansd we are behind you.
You gave us hope. Now find your hope, your fight, your courage from those whom you have inspired; us.
Go Senator. Go with hope.