Selected as one of the Lenza Six 
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I had some free time this afternoon, so I drove over to Arlington Cemetery. I visited the grave of Bobby Kennedy. You can't read the marker. It says:
""He who learns must suffer and even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget , falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes Wisdom to us, by the awful grace of God."
The author is Aeschylus.
In the spring of 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Bobby Kennedy was scheduled to make a campaign appearance in Indianapolis. Everyone told him that it would be too dangerous and that he should cancel. He did not. Bobby went out and addressed the assembled crowd.
He stood before the mostly African American crowd and told them that King had been shot. I am sure there is a copy of his speech on the internet. I remember it. He spoke to the pain and he spoke to the dream. He shared the poem by Aeschylus. He didn't speak long. When he was done, the people went home. Riots broke out in cities across the country.
Indianapolis slept.
Bobby Kennedy was that kind of man. He offered hope for a better tomorrow and a large portion of America believed him. Charisma is a powerful sedative and an electrifying stimulant.
Bobby was killed the night of the California primary. As life left this vibrant leader, the dream of a better tomorrow faded into the cool California evening. I worked for his campaign locally and I was one of those that believed in him, in what he represented and in the country he promised to lead.
As his brother Ted eulogized:
" My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.
Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for all the world.
As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him:
"Some men see things as they are and say why.
I dream things that never were and say why not."
Last night, I felt a rekindling of that dream. I was jarred from my complacency by those that stood in caucuses all across Iowa. I had to pinch myself. Had an African American really won a primary? I flipped from channel to channel and every station was reporting the same thing.
Barack Obama had won the democratic primary in Iowa.
I listened to his victory speech. I watched the crowd. I heard about the cross section of people that had supported him. I remembered Bobby Kennedy. Charisma is a powerful sedative and electrifying stimulant.
I was moved. I don't know that I will support him in the primary. I will forever be grateful to him for reaching his historic victory. I will forever be grateful that Americans, young and old, black and white, rich and poor, male and female left the comfort of their homes on a very cold day in Iowa and made their voices heard.
At some point, Tim Russert was on my t.v. sharing his views on the events of the evening. He spoke for me when he summed up the results and the impact of the unspoken statement shared by the voters. He looked at the camera and said "That is the kind of America I want to live in."
Mr. Russert.........so do I.
So I stood on that hilltop this afternoon and read the words of Aeschylus once again. I whispered to no one around. "Bobby, just like the eternal flame...the dream lives on. I just thought you ought to know."
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I go at least once every year; it is truly an emotional experience.
I too have visited Bobby Kennedy's grave and it is very moving. I too was moved by Barack Obama's speech last night. There is no doubt that when it comes to making a speech and motivating a crowd, he is the real deal. I am however sure I will not be supporting him, but for a reason I feel he would like. I simply hate his policies and do not think they would work for this country.
Very eloquent John. His victory speech was, indeed, stiring. It was a significant victory. Very significant indeed.
As always, well spoken, JMac...
J-Mac, you're on fire today, sir. Powerful and stirring. I appreciate the parallel between Bobby and Barack. I was stoked last night too. (Mind you, I'm a conservative independent but even I see and hear substance more than #%it.) I think you caught the essence of the vibe last night.
So do I john, so do I. But will any of us ever live to see it? I feel relieved that he was able to accomplish this right out the gate. The next months will be telling... Lenza is right, btw...!!
Big Hug John!
John, This is one of the most beautiful and poignant posts I've read in a very long time.....it touched me so deeply I mentioned it in my blog tonight.
You're an amazing writer and I'm glad I've discovered your blog...and now I'm subscribed so I won't miss your next ones.
warm wishes to you for a successful and happy, healthy year,
Jo
Kevin - We have so many monuments and special places. This is one of my favorite places to sit and remember and ponder the future.
Simon - The beauty of our system allows us to make choices. I am encouraged that the coming election will provide us the opportunity to choose a new direction. It is the first time in a long time that we will not be forced to choose between the lesser of two evils.
Lenn - Maybe those that have lived in and around the Nations Capital have a better understanding of how significant the victory was. We have waited a long time to see all candidates measured by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
Donna - Good to see you drop by. Hope all is well with the baby.
Andrew - I may be on fire. Last night was the greatest event of my lifetime.
Jennifer - wow...you came back. it is a grand day.
Jo - Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate it when people take the time to read what I share.
Very interesting post and thinking here, thank you for making us think. - Lance
John - Thanks to my friend Jo, I have discovered your blog. I'm now a subscriber. I've been a big believer in Obama for nearly two years. I think he'd make an outstanding leader for our nation.
Lance - It always gives me joy when you arrive hungry and find food for thought.
Tom - Thank you. Anything Obama does after his initial victory is emotional icing on the cake.
Having been raised in Massachusetts I loved the JFK and Bobby but was too young to vote for either. I have visited Arlington National Cemetery and was just in awe. We visit DC every year and next year we will try and visit Arlington once again.
Obama is a great speaker and has a lot of charisma but like Simon I could not support him. I really don't think there is anyone out there that really excites me.
Jay - I don't know if I will support him either. I do believe he has a spark. I do believe the results in Iowa were bigger than most realize. We have come a long way baby.
Listening to Barak Obama has the charisma that we have lacked in politics for a long time. This will be an interesting time for all Americans and I hope that his speech and victory in Iowa will be a call to action for everyone.
John - When no one talks about the color of someone's skin, we will have actually arrived at the promised land and I look forward to that day like you wouldn't believe! Equally someone's religion should not be a factor - my only point of disagreement with you is that I do feel we will once again be faced with the lesser of two evils.