One for the history books, and straight out of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) began a marthon speech on the Senate floor last night, and at the time of this post he is still continuing after 20 hours of speaking, with help from Democratic colleagues. What good it will do, I don't know. But at least he is one Democrat who isn't staying quiet. Here's the live feed from PBS:
You know, American history tells us that it’s been in our darkest moments that we’ve made our greatest progress, that we’ve found the light.
In this dark moment, I believe we’re poised to make great progress again, that we can find the light once more. You know, many people have heard me say this, but I’ve always believed you can define America in one word: possibilities. The defining feature of America, everything is possible.
That in America, everyone, and I mean everyone, should be given an opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them. We can never lose that.
In times as challenging as these, I believe there’s only one way forward: as a united America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect union. United in our dreams of a better future for us and for our children. United in our determination to make the coming years bright.
Are you ready? I believe we are. This is a great nation. We’re a good and decent people. For Lord’s sake, this is the United States of America. There’s never been anything we’ve been unable to accomplish when we’ve done it together.
The Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote,
History says, Don't hope On this side of the grave, But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up And hope and history rhyme.
This is our moment to make hope and history rhyme with passion and purpose. Let us begin. You and I together. One nation. Under God. United in our love for America. United in our love for each other.
For love is more powerful than hate. Hope is more powerful than fear. And light is more powerful than dark. This is our moment. This is our mission. May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here, tonight, as love and hope and light join in the battle for the soul of the nation.
And this is a battle we will win and we will do it together. I promise you.
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For the record, a few more notable videos from last night's convention, selected by your Head Trucker. And for the benefit of my overseas truckbuddies, let me point out that these particular speakers reflect, as does the Democratic Party in general, a broad spectrum of backgrounds and viewpoints, united in working for a more perfect union of these United States, with liberty and justice for all, not merely the favored few.
Representative Deb Haaland of New Mexico:
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey:
Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin:
Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg of Indiana:
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a wounded veteran, calls Trump the "Coward-in-Chief":
And Governor Gavin Newsom phones it in from an evacuation center in wildfire-stricken California:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, harmony; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
and welcome to the Blue Truck, a blog for mature gay men with news and views on gay rights, history, art, humor, and whatever comes to mind. Plus a few hot men. The truck's all washed and gassed up, so hop in buddy, let's go.
CAUTION: For mature gay men only beyond this point. Some posts and links may not be suitable for children or the unco guid. You have been warned.
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Churches say that the expression of love in a heterosexual monogamous relationship includes the physical, the touching, embracing, kissing, the genital act - the totality of our love makes each of us grow to become increasingly godlike and compassionate. If this is so for the heterosexual, what earthly reason have we to say that it is not the case with the homosexual?
It is a perversion if you say to me that a person chooses to be homosexual. You must be crazy to choose a way of life that exposes you to a kind of hatred. It's like saying you choose to be black in a race-infected society.
If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God.
