Just checked out speechday's picture thread, feeling sad.

[uppityperson]

Thanks for all the pictures but now I am sad. I remember the excitement election night that we might actually pull off the election and get rid of Mr.bush, then waking Wed morning just in time to hear the concesion speech. Now I look at the pictures and my heart hurts for everything that has happened, at my guilt for not doing more, for assuming that people could and would listen and think and we could get enough of a majority of the votes to not have the election stolen. Anyway, thanks for all the pictures, it is nice to see them and your enthusiasm.

[TayTay]

1. Welcome to this here forum

In case I have been remiss in my manners and have failed to welcome you properly before this.

Come on in, put your feet up and have at it like the rest of us.

[rox63]

2. Welcome aboard the good ship JK Forum

And take some comfort in the fact that he is still out there fight for us every way he can.

[BlueIris]

3. Totally. I take comfort in this each day.

And truly, of all of the parts of the campaign I cannot subject myself to, the concession speech has to be it. That thing is so...see, I can't even go there.

[globalvillage]

4. Can I confess something?

It is Saturday, after all...
I never watched the concession speech. I couldn't do it, and I still can't. On Nov 3, during "the speech", I was in the Pittsburgh airport, headed to DC. People were gathered around TVs, watching. I sat at my gate in tears, unable to look.
Typically, I'm a firm believer in learning the lesson and moving on, no matter how difficult it is, I think it's important to confront what's painful and learn from it. This time, I've chickened out.
Should I do it? I don't think I'm ready.

[rox63]

5. No need to watch it, unless you really want to

I ended up seeing the speech later. But when it was happening, and for a few days afterwards, I was too broken up over the election to watch it. It was just too painful.

[globalvillage]

6. Denial can be comforting.

I think I'll wait a bit longer.

[whometense]

7. Don't feel bad.

I still haven't seen it. I downloaded it, and it's sitting on my computer, but aside from the bits I picked up from newscasts, I still haven't been able to make myself watch it.

[beachmom]

8. It's kind of like watching "Beaches" or "Terms of Endearment"

Put it in when you need a good cry to heal yourself. It won't make you feel bitter, only sad, and one more piece of evidence of the class act John Kerry is. Notice that he chokes up when talking about SUPPORTERS, not himself. I think you can all handle it. It's July 2005, and after all, you're still alive. Life went on for him and us.

I was listening to NPR yesterday, and they had three Iraqi academics from Baghdad University talking about the state of education in Iraq. One of the professors has to drive on the airport road every day just to get to work. He was asked how he could do this, knowing that he could be killed any time. And he quoted the Koran, that you have to live each day. You just have to keep going. If these people can still have hope, well then, so can we. And let's face it, they're the ones most negatively effected by *'s incompetent war planning, and the continuance of his presidency. Just food for thought.

[TayTay]

9. I watched it 3 times that day

and a few times after wards. I was watching it nationally at first, then I switched over to watch it locally on Channel 5. (Cuz, I remember John Kerry as a commentator on the '5 on 5' show back in the late 70's. Natalie was anchoring the coverage. She even broke up a bit. She goes way back with Mr. Kerry.) Hurt like hell. It Rained and rained, or maybe it just seemed like it did, I don't know, that black SUV going through the streets of Boston, the people lining the way, being real nice and utterly broken-hearted. Sad friggin day.

I wanted it to hurt like hell. The day it doesn't hurt like hell to lose is the day I quit showing up. That little movie plays in my head from time to time and it still hurts. I use it as a motivating factor. This will not happen again. Period.

Time passes, the sun comes out, you come to terms with it. But a little piece of you will always hurt like hell. That's just the way it is. I use it to motivate myself to do more next time. Your mileage may vary.

[ginnyinWI]

10. I'd watch it if I were you

I watched it live, in tears of course, then didn't watch it again for seven months, afraid of the pain. But the second time I was, simply put, inspired by this brave man.

He's raised the bar for concession speeches with his honesty and warmth. His heart is open and his love for the people flows out. His courage and optimism on that terrible day showed us all how to face the days that followed. I was in no condition to absorb it at the time, but now I can see it. If he can go forward, still believing in America, then we all can too. He's a true leader, setting an example, showing how it's done.

:loveya: