Portland is in my back yard, and today, both Bush and Kerry are in Portland. Prior personal committments do not allow me to join the crowd today. (multiple horse barn chores fall upon my shoulders this afternoon and tonight, while my daughter and the trainers are at a 4 day show in Spokane) From what I hear, Kerry will return again in a couple of weeks, and I hope to meet him then. His visit is at Waterfront Park, open to the public, with bon Jovi entertaining. Bush's was a closed event at terminal 6 (LOL) to make sure no rowdy objectors could interrupt his attempt to talk. Blah blah blah blah blah. Loved the irony...his "terminal" talk. There must be a fun write in there.
Guess you already know how I feel about this election.
Meanwhile, millions are hunkering down in Florida, and my thoughts are with them, wishing them safe passage to tomorrow's dawn.

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (08-13-2004 03:31 PM).]

(big angel friendship hugs) Awwwwww Jo, you are such a special friend and I'd love to hear you read your poetry too as I'd love to meet all my Passions friends here, yay!



Yes, this poem is indeed tough. As the title may suggest, yes, it is about the new "GOP". I truly believe they still have the potential to be a "grand ole party" but in recent years I feel they haven't been representing the traditional conservative values but rather the small minority of neo-con instincts.

I'm not trying to say that the Democrats are right and the Republicans wrong or anything like that, as both parties represent all the colors of the tapestry of our flag and both have their faults and achievements, but rather that this current wave in our Administration do not even represent the values they have held dear for so long and as they lunge for accelerating and accumulating wealth and power, tiring out from endless efforts and yawning out tears, it's just like a crocodile when it stretches its face muscles to feast upon its prey, letting out tears. I just feel there's an absence of empathy, compassion and sincerity in the Bush Administration, and our government needs to have these qualities to be stable. It's OK some believe a "strong" leader is the ideal leader, but I believe a leader who cries when they hear tragedies on the news or meets children or veterans and cries hearing their stories or pleas only makes a leader stronger.

Just thought I'd take a moment on the soapbox so I don't end up offending those with political opposites or starting a fight. Education I believe is the pursuit of truth, and in my poetry I am only exposing one viewpoint and encourage from my heart those with differing political values to express their view of the truth. Only until we reveal our pieces of it can we complete the jigsaw puzzle together and re-unite in understanding.

Yesterday I premiered another new poem titled "Lariam", on the sensitive issue regarding Sgt. Georg-Andreas Pogany and his panic on the battlefield after seeing a dead body and being charged for the death penalty on behalf of "cowardice" before the charges were dropped.

Each of these poems from September to November 2 will be very tough and datk, but even the toughest ones will have some hope and silver lining to them. Everyone needs to have hope and faith right now, and when thumbing their way through the darkness of these poems, my goal is to have them see a light at the end of the tunnel and find solace knowing "help is on the way".

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

"You'll find something that's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20