The World According to Me

Keith Olbermann’s Commentary on Proposition 8:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27650743/

I’ve always felt that real change, significant change, really big change begins with small actions.  Whether it’s changing a mindset or shouting down a hateful voice, that action multiplied can lead to a wave that is unstoppable by any know means.  In attending a Join the Impact rally in Philadelphia against the recently passed California initiative Proposition 8 (aka Proposition Hate) which takes away previously ganted same-sex marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples there, I witnessed one small action which can lead to a much larger change.

As I mentioned, I was at the Philadelphia rally, mainly to snap a few pictures and for some observation.  As usually happens when more than 3 gay people assemble at a given place, a few backwards thinking evangelists made their way into the mix, three to be exact.  And as is their nature when confronted with that which does not conform to their world view, they began shouting and preaching their usual hate speech to the crowd.  That homosexuality is an abomonation, it’s a sin, God hates fags, AIDS is Gods punishment to the homosexual, etc.  As I’ve been to many Gay/Lesbian rallies and gatherings where these people inevitably show up, I’ve noted that the usual response is to simply ignore them.  However, today seemed to be different, as the level of anger and urgency in the crowd was taken up a notch.  As if some level of defensive telepathy worked its way through the crowd, it made its way towards where the evangelists were preaching.  First a few individuals, then groups, and eventually the entire crowd which I would estimate to be about several hundred at the time (official estimates put the crowd at a peak of 6,000).  It became clear to the three that they were hopelessly outnumbered, and after a period of shouting back and forth, the three with a tiny megaphone against hundreds, the three evangelists eventually gave up and were escorted away from the crowd.  The whole incident was relatively peaceful, but it underscored just what kind of fight we’re in for.  These three represent a mountain of hatred and bigotry that disguises itself Christianity and religion.  However, the thing about mountains is that eventually they erode.  They wear down through nature and time and other forces.  Mountains can be moved, one grain (or three) at a time.

Silly Sarah, Sinner Sarah, Sarah the Baracuda, Carribu Barbie, Dizzy Diva, Tina Fey.  Whatever name you want to call her, if the press coverage that Sarah Palin has received this week is any indication, the Wicked Witch of Wasilla (another good one) isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  While we all have lampooned her lack of intellectual curiosity, lord knows she’s provided us plenty of material to work with, I have to say that I am honestly afraid of this woman.

Lack of intelligence not withstanding, if there is anything I’ve observed from watching this woman it’s that she is rather shrewd, and cunning, and calculating, and she has the uncanny ability to inspire others to her cause.  Sound familiar?  Well, we just elected a new President who is shrewd, and cunning, and calculating, and has the uncanny ability to inspire others to his cause.  Not that I have any regrets about Barack Obama, but here’s my point.  Both Obama and Palin have the practical qualities it takes to operate at an executive level in politics.  And if there’s one thing that we’ve learned in the last 8 years it’s that it doesn’t really take a lot of intelligence to be the President of the United States, as long as you surround yourself with intelligent people.  Barack Obama has done that (not that he lacks intelligence), and Sarah Palin has the resources to do that.  Hence her appearance at this weeks GOP Governors convention in Miami.  This is a woman who has her sights on bigger things for herself (forget Alaska), and a wise observer would underestimate her at their peril.  Let’s face it, Sarah Palin is now a permanent part of our political lexicon.

Scared yet?