Historic, courageous, bold, defining...

You know what I'm talking about. Those are the words resounding in the media, at software companies, in coffee shops (high and low) and on the streets to describe President Barack Obama's declaration of support for gay marriage. My son, Asa, gave the 13-year-old's spin on it:  "Sweet."

Sure, sure, there are positive and negative aspects to all this. There are hopes and fears, stunned admiration and stunned outrage. Join in anywhere—it rules the Zeitgeist.

My particular take on it is that Obama has positioned himself right where he was four years ago—as the symbol of hope and the prospect of positive change. He became the first black U.S. president, and if you want to talk about negatives associated with focusing on that go right ahead, but I can still well up with the feelings of pride and hope and possibilities that I had as I watched the Inauguration. And I think I always will.

Now Obama is the first sitting president to proclaim that gay people deserve all the rights and protections as straight people. They deserve to have their place in society recognized and honored. President Obama has joined the ranks of Lincoln and Kennedy—US presidents who, historically and courageously, did the right thing although it was the risky thing. Obama has brought us to "Hope," once again; and once again, that's going to get the vote out.

People I'd Like to Meet

 

1.  Barack Obama

He's drop-dead gorgeous and he's the freakin' President.

                                     2.  Cameron Díaz
She's drop-dead gorgeous and she's drop-dead gorgeous.
I particularly like the new cut. Guess you could say I'm a bob man.

3.  Noam Chomsky
Sure, less gorgeous, but intensely interesting because of his seminal (hee hee, I said "seminal") work in generative grammar and political theory.

I actually met Chomsky once already. He was a guest lecturer in my graduate syntax class. I was up all night, so excited about meeting him, and as soon as he started lecturing I could hardly keep myself awake. I would hope to do better this time.


4.  David Sedaris
I want him to be my little gay boyfriend and we'll scream with laughter and dissolve in tears whenever we're together.  "Too funny!"  Oh, no, you're too funny." "No, you!"

I've met David Sedaris, too. I went to a book reading of his in Boston. When it came time for questions, people asked the usual lame ones, e.g., "What's your favorite piece you ever wrote?" So I asked, "Have you ever thought about writing a children's book?" People tutted and gave little wry smiles but David Sedaris really came alive on that one. (That's a lot to say if you've ever seen David Sedaris in person. He looks and acts like someone just beat him up.) Afterwards, he and I chatted... we've since lost track of each other....

5. One of My Own Ancestors

Not from too far back, not a caveman or a peasant in the Middle Ages; say, at the great-great level or nearer. This person has to be—and this is the important part—the one that is most like me. I want to see what they did with it, you know? It would be neat to see what it was like to feel like me in another time. Doesn't that sound interesting? I mean, for you with your ancestor?

My Great-Aunt Hattie Noble

There's another post below
about Aunt Hattie. I think she
 may have been a lot like me.

______________________________________________________________

Stop. In the name of love.

The Encumbence

I've always preferred to lead.                  So have I.

I've always preferred to lead.                                                                        So have I.

I've always preferred to lead.     Oh, don't make me laugh!