Barack Obama speaks in Independence today

Barack Obama speaks in Independence today

Barack Obama spoke today in Independence today. He chose the historical Truman Memorial Building to speak at. Having grown up in Independence less than 5 miles from this building I had a personal connection which I didn’t realize till right now as I’m writing this blog entry. It didn’t hit me but I remember my parents telling stories of how they used to go to dances in this building.  My parents met up on the Independence Square. When I was born they lived just blocks from this place but at about 1 my parents moved to a very working class neighborhood in Englewood just a few miles away.  Another connection I have is that I know the Manager of the Truman Memorial Building. So I’ve been privy to the whole process since Friday when Obama’s people came into town to prepare for this speech. And as I was walking away after the speech my Brother drove by on his Harley with my niece.  He happens to have his business office up on the Independence Square. 

Ok so back to Obama. At first I wasn’t all that impressed, the speech started out kinda slow but it built to a nice level and centered around patriotism. This was however not the Obama I remember from the Democratic convention during the last election.  I guess I had really high expectations. He did however deliver a very good speech.  I agreed with everything he had to say which was pretty uncontroversial really. One thing I can say is he is very positively focused, which I like.  His message of hope of what America means to him and what it stands for is definitely one that everyone could agree on regardless of your political affiliation.  He talked about how questioning your government is not unpatriotic and that he promised not to question anyone’s patriotism in this election. Ok my sarcasm kind of kicked in an I thought “yeah right like your gonna go after the prisoner of war veteran on patriotism.”  But politically he positioned him self in a good place to set the framework for his own patriotism not to be questioned or even possibly compared.  Which objectively, good for him. 
I’m glad I went to hear him speak and to see him in person. Which at the end of the day is really what it’s all about. I choose to spend my time doing this activity today. How often are we truly conscious of the choices we make on a daily basis? We all want to be in charge of our lives and to live fully. I feel like I did that today. I didn’t let any of the objections or reservations that I had yesterday stop me from doing what I wanted to do.  And if he does become President it will make today even more meaningful in the end