After many months listening to my excited rambles, and out of the goodness of her heart, my Lovely Little Pal Lorney (LLPL) agreed to attend the Obama rally in Asheville with me Sunday. It was an amazing experience and I can honestly say that I didn't give her enough credit for her staying-power. It was a long (hot & waterless) wait, and clear proof that she loves me because she wasn't nearly as pumped about it as I was to start out. But, as LLPL knows all too well, I am not good about going places and doing things by myself. So, first off, thanks to LLPL for being my steady :)
Brother Ben asked if the patchouli stench could be smelled for miles, thinking that it was, after all, held in Asheville. But the absolute diversity of the crowd was a real testament to Obama's message of coming together for change. Young & old with every color of skin (mine much more red after the fact), wearing everything from combat boots and sandals to high heels (it was just after church), tank tops to tunics, gathered to wait in line for hours with a common goal.
He spoke for about 35 minutes with the focus being on health care ... a big deal here in our mountains for both those in the industry and those struggling without it. I kept telling LLPL that it didn't matter if we couldn't see him ... I just wanted to hear him speak, in person. I just wanted to feel it deep down inside me like I have so many times watching him on TV. And he did not disappoint.
So, using Leahpet's "by the numbers" format, here we go:
Obama in AVL Rally ... by the numbers:
28,000: The estimated number of attendants. Local police said there were about 22,000 inside the stadium (which they predicted would hold 15K standing room only) and another 6,000 outside the gates, stacked deep with their faces pressed to the fence .... just to hear him speak.
1,000+: Times I felt really, truly grateful and excited to be a part of something so big and so important ... and all with my LLPL
30: Minutes we waited in line to pee once we finally got inside the stadium
22: Dollars spent between us (1 T-shirt, 2 waters & 1 Gatorade)
5: Number of Port-a-Potties ... seriously. Thousands and thousands of people who have waited in line for many hours, and there were only 5 Port-a-Potties!
4: Number of lines waited in ... 1) to get in ... 2) to pee ... 3) to get up in bleachers ... 4) to get out (though that was more of a moving mass than a line)
2: Number of hours we waited in line after about 45 minutes just trying to get there (with many thanks to AVL's Players' Express for the free shuttle ride up the big ol' hill ... that was 7 to a bench seat folks!)
• Also the number of peanut butter samiches consumed while waiting in line ... without water.
0: Pictures of Obama on my camera (the one above my boss took ... apparently my zoom not so good)
So, yeah ... it was a really good day. Sometimes it just takes a little effort to get moving and get there and the end result is just freaking beautiful.
And on a pretty amusing sidenote, my editor found this pic online and sent it along for my amusement ... yeah, that's Palin's kid giving her brother the finger while mom wears some weird egg/bubbly cloud/stupid coat and some little old lady smiles on. Love it!
3 comments:
Wow, Amy! I am envious of your passion! As you well know, I distance myself from the whole political realm for numerous personal reasons...But I find myself compelled to comment on your blog because your reactions to this political campaign completely highlight one of the main reasons I avoid the political arena. Politics divides people and contributes to the problems in this country rather than identifying the solutions! I know you as one of the most compassionate, kind, and tolerant people in my life...But I see you making mean comments about a woman who has done nothing wrong (from my ignorant view) except be asked to be a running mate for a political party you do not agree with! People may not agree on political issues but to hold resentment, judgement, and almost hatred for those who do not believe in the same political solutions is insane! We're all humans with opinions, and I think politicians are some of the most dishonest and untrustworthy humans, regardless of political affiliation! As you also know, I have no loyalty to either the Democratic or Republican party, any candidate will try to convince the public that the other is the devil! Politics brings out the worst in human nature, and I hate that! POLITICS SUCK!!
Ok rebuttal time, Nicki:
First off, I don't think saying her coat looks stupid was all that evil, but I shall offer my apologies to Mrs. Palin anyway ;)
I very much disagree with your point that politicians do not try to offer solutions to our issues. That's exactly what these folks are trying to do. If you haven't been watching the debates, I encourage you to do so ... both candidates offering their solutions to our problems, be it health care, the economy, the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, etc. That's what debates are for ... telling us who thinks what can be fixed and how they think it can be done. Now, I'm not saying either of these men know everything, but they are offering ideas on how to fix stuff. Debate is healthy and good and what makes us better, more informed people.
Next, Sarah Palin is no saint and has not, that I've seen, put herself out there to be much of a VP worthy intellectual either. I know you don't follow politics, but please inform yourself before you think that I'm being mean and just picking on her because she's a Republican. Fact is, I think she is extremely unqualified for the position of VP. If McCain had selected Lieberman or Romney or any of the other very qualified folks, I would not have these opinions. In fact, I think McCain would be worlds better than what we have now — he is a very intelligent and honorable man — but not with Palin as his backup (backup for a 72-year-old, the oldest in our history, who has already had cancer). I don't want him to miss a breath and her end up in charge.
You say that she has done nothing wrong except be "on the other's party ticket", but this just shows me that you aren't really following the race. Like I said, she's no saint, and she's no where near qualified to be second in line to lead this nation. Hell, her own party is second-guessing her being on the ticket (please do watch the Katie Couric interviews on YouTube from the past few weeks and you'll see why people on both sides are thinking this).
I don't resent her, and I most certainly don't hate her ... I resent McCain for choosing her when he could have picked someone much better qualified. He was being risky and daring, and in my opinion, not very smart. And I personally don't want someone to lead my country who is going to be risky and daring ... I like good, sound judgement and well thought out decisions.
And every person in the country has the right to use their judgement in deciding who should be leading our nation so yeah, I've been a bit judge-y, but that's what an election is about — judging who you think is best suited to be the face(s) of our nation. She ain't it ... and in a very amusing kind of way sometimes.
I really could go on for hours here. My point is, I know you hate politics but do please do be informed about her instead of just thinking I'm being mean. It's not because she's on the Other Team ... it's because she's not qualified to be running for the 2nd highest spot in our country's government.
And, that being said, I miss y'all and hope to see you soon. And I would be delighted to discuss this further next time you're in town ;)
I think she's doing something wrong when she provokes hate and racism:
http://www.nsnewstv.com/news/ns_news/index.php?article_id=216
And I think she's wrong when she's dishonest about the issues such as saying Obama/Biden will raise taxes, which just isn't true.
And of course I disagree with her and McCain on the issues themselves. Granted, I'm a loyal liberal. But I want to support the candidates who will do something to help the poor. Obama and Biden have promised to do that. McCain and Palin have promised the opposite and that, in my opinion, is wrong.
Anyway, hope you're doing well Nicole!
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