THE NEW MECCA: WASHINGTON, DC

USA Today, for Friday-Sat, 11/28-30, 2008 ran an article about traveler heading to DC on the bottom of their backward six …. Meaning it was their second ‘best’ article. (This blog was written then and I waited to post it).

The National Park Service is expecting over a million attendees. It is a historic and monumental event for America. I am totally excited for these individuals and could only imagine the amazing feeling that they will experience. As history is written, they may say that “they were there.” How cool would that be?!?

America is entering a new era; “the sky is the limit” is what one interviewed individual mentioned. Obama, who is African American, made it to the highest office in the land. Another individual stated that this event is like Martin Luther King’s speech – “a once in a lifetime event.”

Wait a minute…who am I fooling! I can’t even continue writing in this fashion. Playing the devil’s advocate on this one is not easy for me. I have erased several sentences and started over again.

I look at this article and think “You’re kiddin’ me. I am totally amazed at the cult following." I was speaking with a close friend of mine while first reading the article and stated, “It is not like he got there on merit, knowledge, integrity and experience. Had a Chinese American, an Indian, a Spanish American or even a plain white man or woman had been in the running with his lack of qualities….they’d have been laughed at and never would have made it from initial campaign push.”

America did see the glass ceiling shatter in many ways this year. For that, I am glad - 'Cause now, no one can really say that they are being held back because of race, color, beliefs, gender, etc. But, as the following paragraph illustrates, if someone had just done it, the ceiling wasn’t really there in the recent past either 9deep thought). Think of the guy who first broke the four minute mile….that same year over a dozen other runners broke the four minute mile with him.

Let’s pretend a moment: Condoleezza Rice. Need I say more? I mean really, there is an African American with experience, character, integrity and influence. She would command respect. I would be much more excited about what history would write with her in office. Or, Collin Powell….now you have to take out the fact that he endorsed Obama, but he would still be historic. Though he may be a closet liberal, I would be much more impressed to teach my kids about his accomplishments. And even JC Watts…where did he get shoved off to? And why?

“You are just prejudiced.” NO! Dab-gummit! Why is it that no one can see these things? Obama got into office because the media failed to do their job, further, they forced him on America. Further, Republicans voted against Clinton in Texas – this was the clincher on Clinton’s downfall. Finally, ignorant media-minded individuals voted for “change” and charisma. Finally, African Americans (PC language kills me) voted en masse because Obama is black….or nearly, mostly, partly, half black anyway. Never mind his ties to the Chicago thug underworld; nor the fact that even his family is in the slum; that his charitable giving is minimal, yet preaches redistribution of wealth; that he hasn’t been in the Senate for the last few years, accomplished nothing of major importance in the Senate and votes ‘present’ more than not (just like recently….some change there); his friends/pastor/acquaintances are treacherous and one is even proud of his attacks on America.

So. Enjoy the pilgrimage to DC for the crowning of Obama, the heralded Messiah. I just hope that we wake up from our wide-eyed fascination and realize what we have put into office in the name of "historical." Hopefully, America’s foundations can withstand the next four years. We have had some tough one’s in the past (Republican and Democrat)….we made it, but collectively, we were different then….anymore, I have no idea who we really are....