An Eloquent Endorsement

In today's New York Times Op-Ed section Caroline Kennedy (daughter of JFK) wrote a moving and eloquent endorsement of Barack Obama. I hope that regardless of your political leanings, you'll take the time to read it.


A President Like My Father
Caroline Kennedy

Over the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

AND He Has a Sense of Humor!!!

My Last Football Post Until Training Camp

So the Steelers season is over. It was a respectable year for the first year with a new coach. We need lots of work in this off season - especially our offensive line. If we lose Alan Faneca (which is pretty much a foregone conclusion) then we will really need to beef up the line so Ben has a chance to work his magic next fall.

So now, I turn my attention to the tundra known as Green Bay, Wisconsin and throw all of my support behind Brett Favre and the Packers. As much as I might like to see Eli Manning make it to the big show and beat he who shall not be named but goes by the initials TB - I think it might be Brett's year. In '06 when the Steelers brought home the Lombardi Trophy, it was Jerome Bettis' year of destiny. I think this year might be just that for Favre. He wasn't expected to do anything of substance this year...in fact many people thought he should have retired. But he seems to be possessed by something greater than ego or himself - what it is I don't know but it is inspiring lots of people.

So in addition to routing against the New England Hatetriots I will be routing for the current hero of everyman, Brett Favre, to lead his team to victory. Let's go PACK!!!

Celebrating Zachary and Ethan

On January 6th of last year my dear friend Sarah gave birth to twin boys, Zachary and Ethan. They were born at 28 weeks gestation (normal is 40 weeks) due to the fact that the bag of waters around Ethan had been leaking for 10 weeks. Sarah endured a lot in those 10 weeks including bed rest and a 4 week hospitalization. Both boys were very small when they were born and rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where they were attended to by their mom and dad as well as some of the most gifted doctors and nurses in the city.

Sadly, the struggle for life was just too much for little Ethan and he passed a way on January 7, 2007...one year ago.

Zachary has thrived - he is a normally developing one year old who has the most amazing eyes you've ever seen. His mom calls him a superstar and that title is so very accurate for this little man. He is a wonderful child. Yesterday we joined in the celebration of Zachary's first year. Their house was filled with people who love Zack and were eager to party in honor of his birthday.

Then today, with a smaller group we joined in on the celebration of Ethan. We went to a local park and after Sarah and her mom read a Jewish prayer of mourning in Hebrew balloons were released. Even the weather was perfect...it was warm and cloudy with some peeks of blue in the sky. It seemed to be saying that it understood what was going on. Zack held onto the balloons with his mom and dad and when they said so he let go and then we all watched as they soared into the heavens...a birthday present for an angel baby who was with us for far too short a time.

Happy Birthday to the little superstar, Zack and also to his angel brother, Ethan.

Thank You Iowa!!!

A huge victory for Barack Obama in the Iowa Caucus last night! Winning by 9 and 10% over Edwards and Clinton gives amazing momentum to this candidate of hope in what is being called the most important election in modern history. I encourage all of my readers (even if you think your mind is made up) to go to Barack Obama's website and listen to some of the speeches they have there. Even if they don't change your vote, they will make you think and re-evaluate where America is headed and the "audacity of hope" that Obama hopes to bring.

Here is a great song about voting and Obama:


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Another Contest!

Kim the owner of thebabymarketplace.com - a great online spot for Baby Clothing, Shoes, Toys, Gifts and Cloth Diapers is hosting the January Gift Card Give-Away @ mommyknows.com go on over and comment and be entered to Win one of two $100 Gift Cards!