What a difference 45 years makes…

It was 45 years ago today when the one of the most notable speeches of the 20th Century was given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In front of two hundred thousand civil rights supporters, Martin Luther King Jr delivered what many scholars today consider one of the greatest speeches in American history. Telling everyone that he had a dream, he spoke of his desire for a future where blacks and whites among others would coexist harmoniously as equals. A defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement that the world will never be forget.

Forty five years later, that dream takes on step futher tonight when Barack Obama will officially become the first African-American to lead a major party’s ticket for President of the United States. Tonight at Mile High Stadium, in Denver Colorado… Senator Obama will make history of his own and break a barrier that many have tried by many more felt was impossible to break. He will be the top name of a Presidental ticket, and if things go well in November, might even become the next President of the United States.

I watched the role call last night when the delagates cast their votes, and there were people in the Pepsi Center with tears in their eyes when history was literally made and Obama was officially made the nomination. I mean when was the last time people were seen crying at any national party convention? One of the commentators from CNN said the last time he saw this many tears was after the assassination of JFK and they did a tribute to him at the following convention.

Now there is word that John McCain will make his first appearance with his VP tomorrow, and that the name of that VP will leak tonight. Of course it will… because McCain is going to try to steal Obama’s thunder on the night of his big speech. He can’t stand the idea of the Demcrats ending their convention on such a huge high, and is going to try to sabotage their finale with a little tampering by announceing his VP tonight. Shady politics if you ask me, and if Obama tried to do something like that during the GOP convention, you know the Rethugs would be crying bloody murder and bad game. It reminds me of when McCain made his first formal speech the night Hillary pulled out of the race and Obama was officially made the winner by delegate count. McCain knew Obama was giving a huge speech that night and had to do something to steal his thunder and did his best, but failed.

I have a feeling that his attempt to interfere will fail again. Unless he produces a massive surprise name like Gov. Jindal or say… Hillary Clinton as his VP, it will not distract from the big speech. If McCain comes in with a weak ass choice like Ridge or Libermann, then he’ll be laughed out of the room and wont’ even be a blip on the screen. It will be a sorry attempt, but I doubt it will take away from the historic significance of the evening, and the power that Obama will have when he delivers what will be the speech of his life. This might be that historic speech that people will remember for generations to come, much like that other one that happened 45 years ago today. Regardless if you are for or against Obama in this November’s election, you cannot ignore the historic relavence of tonight’s event and what an impact it’s going to have on many Americans and many people around the world for that matter. It will inspire many to dare to dream of what they are capable of doing… and maybe even dare to hope they can achieve it.

I’m looking forward to watching tonight’s speech, and it should be an interesting event as it is history in the making and another step forward in an ongoing dream come true 45 years later…

Peter