Bobby – this one is for you.

[nini]

I was 11 years old when I volunteered for Bobby Kennedy’s campaign office in the town I grew up in. Even at an early age, I saw the greatness of that man. I gladly walked over to his campaign headquarters every day after school and stuffed envelopes, or did whatever else they had me do. My world was shattered the night he was murdered and I will NEVER forget Teddy Kennedy’s voice cracking while giving his eulogy – it still breaks my heart to think of those days and I didn’t think I would ever get over it.

Thanks to republican rule we seen the core of what this country was founded on gutted and damaged to where we are at risk of losing our republic. I truly believe what happens tomorrow will be a defining moment in the history of this country – we simply cannot afford to fail this test if we truly believe in what is right in this country.

We have a long way to go to undo the damage done by the greed and abuse of power by the republicans. I feel their grasp loosening. I feel hope for the change we so deserve. I honestly did not know if I would ever feel that again.

For the first time since I volunteered for Bobby Kennedy in 1968, I volunteered my time for Barack Obama. I nervously wait for confirmation of the goodness of America tomorrow night when this country breaks the pattern of hate, greed and abuse of power.

What motivated me to give so much of my time for Barack Obama is the same feeling that drove me to RFK some 40 years ago. I didn't realize at the time that I was drawn to what is good in people and I recognized greatness in those leaders that only come to us every so often. We have been given the chance to stand behind a gifted leader and I am confident the American people will not let this opportunity slip away this time. Our future depends on it.

Bobby – this one is for you from the bottom of my heart.

[Lifelong Protester]

1. I will be thinking of RFK when I cast my vote tomorrow also

Barack Obama has the same vision and charisma as RFK... I'm glad he will fulfill the dream

[DebbieCDC]

2. Amen

I was 15 that summer and I'll never forget either. My parents were strong union democrats who had been devastated by JFK's assassination. One of the few times in my life I ever saw my mother cry was when RFK was killed.

RIP Bobby. Let's hope tomorrow brings us the America he would have brought us.

[YDogg]

3. We had a 5th-grader in phone banking yesterday for Obama. I hope the results will carry her forward

... with the same spirit of hopefulness years from now. She is helping to shape history, as you have.

[nini]

9. A woman came in yesterday with 4 kids at the call center

from about 8-15 and all of them helped out - it was great to see.

[kestrel91316]

4. I am your age. For the first time in my adult life, I feel REALLY optimistic

about my country and the future. The Republicans have been running (and ruining) things most of my adult life.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I was crying at the end of Obama's half-hour talk the other night because something he said reminded

me so of Bobby... it's the hope thing, the vision of a better USA.

[calimary]

27. Yeah. Me too.

I kept thinking - "I WANT This Man To WIN!" Over and over and over.

[Mme. Defarge]

6. For Bobby, and for

Abraham, Martin, John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_OqdHMoTxE

Abraham, Martin, and John
Sung by: Dion
Words and Music by Richard Holler


Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
You know I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonna be one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin, and John

[nini]

7. I love that song

It makes me cry every time I hear it :cry:

[Mme. Defarge]

8. Me too,

and I'm at work right now trying to hold it together.

[nini]

11. me too..

my emotions are just raw and I just want to have a good cry - especially with Grandma just dying. But if someone walks in my office they'll freak out :-)


:hug:

[barbtries]

22. good to know

i'm not the only one :cry:

been that way for years, and still.

[fla nocount]

10. Bobby...

was an enemy of corporate crime, was disgusted with the Military/Industrial Complex, wanted to dismantle the Federal Reserve and avenge his brother's death; he knew the killers by name and reputation. It ain't the same. You glorify one and denigrate the other by making the comparison.

BO is simply the best we can field in the current climate. He's not Bobby, John nor Ted. He belongs to Richard Daley and the DLC.

[Mme. Defarge]

13. Love your screen name!

Barack is NOT DLC.

[fla nocount]

15. Yes, after 7 1/2 years the screen name has served DU's original purpose.

Now I need something that suggests shooting blue dogs from a helicopter and turning in a foreleg for bounty. You've a fitting name yourself.

http://www.wisegeek.com/who-is-madame-defarge.htm

[fla nocount]

20. Wondering why Alert don't work? Haa, try Ignore...it never fails.

It's chicken-shit but it never fails.

[DrZeeLit]

12. Whoa! I was 16... Walk A Mile For Kennedy... I'm getting goosebumps!

Don't. Make. Me. Cry.

(ha ha ha -- I will never stop crying... and fighting... and marching... and writing ...)

It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance--Robert F. Kennedy

[nini]

14. You know.. I feel privileged to be old enough to remember him first hand

When I look back at the things that have happened in my lifetime it's mind boggling. I truly hope were are finally taking the steps back to what is good.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. K & R. Once again, we have HOPE for the future...

[EFerrari]

17. I was about that age, too, in 1968 and me, too, nini!

:hug:
:grouphug:

[Are_grits_groceries]

18. "What a long, strange trip it's been....." nt

[blue neen]

19. Your post brought tears to my eyes.

I was 12 that year...Bobby and his campaign affected me greatly. I have never, ever forgotten about him or truly gotten over what happened.

May we pray for a historic day tomorrow.

From the bottom of my heart--thanks so much for posting.

:patriot:

[nini]

24. I think those of us around our age have a special place for him in our hearts

He was our first political hero and was so tragically taken from us. I barely remember JFK getting shot, but Bobby really touched me in a way that has stayed with me all these years.


Thanks

:patriot:

[barbtries]

21. beautiful post

thank you.

[nini]

25. thank you

I read your profile - I am so sorry for the loss of your child :cry:


:hug:

[barbtries]

30. thank you

miss her every day....

[nini]

32. *cry*

She is so beautiful and born a few years after my son.

I simply cannot imagine your loss.

:hug:

[deutsey]

23. One of my first memories, unfortunately, is of Bobby's funeral

I hope tomorrow will be a long overdue counterbalance to that memory.

[Libertyfirst]

26. As much as I loved Bobby, this one is for our country.

When JFk was killed, I wept and went to DC the day they moved his body to the capitol. When MLK was killed, I wept and placed the flowers on my front door as us southerners do when a member of our family dies. When Bobby was killed, I didn't have any tears left, but I stood by those railroad tracks as the train took him on his final journey to Arlington. And standing there I swore that someday I would run for public office and attempt to speak for the people he spoke for. Six years later I sought and won the democratic nomination for Congress. I lost the election, but I kept my promise. The dream never dies, and I am now an old man who cannot read or talk about Bobby without weeping. Unashamedly, for all that has been lost and could have been.

This will probably be my last presidential election. I will vote for Obama because his vision for our country has inspired a new generation and new hope that we can realize our promise. And I will read the ballot with that hope and through tears.

Damn, I love the promise of America.

[renate]

29. wow. thank you.

I don't have the words, so, sincerely, ... :hug:

[nini]

33. Yes - It is for our country and all those like Bobby who fought the good fight

your words -- "I will vote for Obama because his vision for our country has inspired a new generation and new hope that we can realize our promise"

that was my point - that we have seen another special leader before us and this time will be able to look to the future with hope again for all of us. I thank Bobby for giving me first love of this country and belief we can be better than we are. Obama brought that part of me back to life.

Thanks for all you done over the years - you lived what those we lost encouraged us to do.

[Virginia Dare]

34. Wow, that is truly beautiful....n/t

[Cetacea]

28. K+R n/t

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

31. It's for so many...MLK, Paul Wellstone, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King

Kurt Vonnegut, John Lennon, Johnny Cash, Paul Newman, Studs Terkel, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Andy from DU, Obama's grandmother...the list is endless

All those we lost fighting the horrible course our country has been on since 1968 (and especially since 1980)
all those who wanted to se this moment but didn't make it long enough
and for all those still here and fighting on
We;re gonna win this tonight, I know it!

[nini]

35. Yep

When Paul Newman died I thought it was sad he couldn't hang on a bit more.

All of these people and more would breath a sigh or relief to see this.

I am still holding my breath a bit until it's over tonight, but at least it looks like HOPE is not dead.