Obama Live! Lots of fresh air, sunshine, and Espanola NM
Ok, go to youtube.com and search for Obama Espanola NM. There are some so-o-s-o videos and more are being added. From where I sat, I saw little however we could hear a lot.
The story begins two days ago when attending a press release, we learned that Obama was coming to Espanola NM. My friend Pat said, “I want to go”, I said “no.” while thinking of all the work I should be doing. By the end of the meeting I changed my mind and told her to get us tickets. I also decided to get some backup tickets in case here source didn’t come through. I called another friend to ask if she knew about this, and she said get her a ticket. She’d drive. So we had more tickets than we needed. Pat gave one away. When Vicky realized I had an extra. she called another friend, and she joined us. Excitement grew as did what we could not bring, etc.
Vicky and I decided to override Pat and we brought a wheel chair. We went early as instructed. We waited forever, as expected, in the handicapped line. I pushed Pat so I could use the wheel chair as a walker. Hot. Sun. I brought a light jacket to reduce sun exposure. I brought an extra cap which helped Cheyenne. I brought extra water, and food which I shared too. When…..
700 words were lost when my connection failed last night.
Many good stories transpired during the stay. If you want me to conjure them up again, please write and tell me. Finally, after Barack Obama decided that 10,000 people could wait until he was “ready” to arrive, (he had stopped in Albuquerque to talk with Pueblo leaders, the stopped in Santa FE to visit volunteers and get something to eat, and one and half hours late, at 2 PM, he presented himself on stage. I am censoring a long rant about arrogance.
Espanola is a small city. About 50,000 people. It, like most of New MExico has a high hispanic population with many, both in the city and the small towns throughout NM, live in “old” ways carrying on many cultural traiditions. Waiting with the “disabled”, people in wheelchairs, canes, and invisible disabilities and most with a caregiver nearby added a wider perspective of the heart of NM. Stories were shared,jokes were made, to make a day of waiting, perhaps two hours of hot sun before we were “seated”, more bearable. Not one word was mentioned about those in the audience. At least a few words were directed to veterans and women. Still, I felt pride that Obama chose Espanola, as the center, not flashy or obviously wealthy Espanola. His surge is to capture more of the Hispanic vote.b He shared specific plans, and ideas, and so many were delighted, even if we rarely could see Obama, his voice connected with all that were there. (for more videos, go to youtube.com, as last night when writing this they were still being added. Search Obama Espanola, New Mexico)
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