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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A Presidential Correspondence

I, like many other Americans, was moved on January 20, 2009 to express my joy and hope in the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Regardless if you voted for him or not, it was a historic moment in the relative young life of the United States of America.

It was especially poignant for me because I was raised in a small town in Southern Illinois that never had, nor to this current day, a black resident. My father, God rest and forgive his soul, was a complete racist, unless the black man played baseball (still can't figure that one out), who voted for George Wallace back in the 60's. I often bemuse myself in thinking what he would have done if he were still alive during this past election...because the only thing my father hated more than blacks,Arabs and Japenese, was Republicans, especially Bush Jr. He never voted anything but Democrat his whole life...so it would have been interesting to see if the ex-Navy man would have voted for fellow veteran McCain...or pulled the tab on Obama. Perhaps it was his great grace to have died before making such a momentous decision? But, I digress.

Back to the subject today...a Presidential Correspondence. On January 20 I was compelled to go to the Whitehouse web site, where President Obama's official (as opposed to personal) email address can be found. I sent him an email expressing my feelings and sharing some of the above, and concluded with a poem I wrote about the inauguration:

The colors of mankind

Collide on common ground

The Stars share the Stripes

Of those who built this place


A Great Society perched on a hill

Finds its Voice

No longer slaves to defeat

We all Dare to Dream Again


I did not expect a response; however, last night I was intrigued when checking my email the following showed up: The Whitehouse-Presidential Correspondence....subject: Thank you for your message. WOW! So, I would like to share my email from President Obama!

Dear David Wells:

Thank you for your recent note, and for sharing your thoughts
with me. Your kind words echo the messages of millions of Americans who have welcomed me and my family to the White House with an outpouring of goodwill.

On January 20th, Americans spoke with one voice, choosing hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. Our Nation faces serious challenges, but we will overcome them if our imagination is joined to common purpose.

Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring
spirit, and choose our better history. With your help, we will renew our Nation's promise to carry forth the great gift of freedom to future generations, as our forebears have delivered it to us.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama


Perhaps now we need to invite President Obama to join our ranks? Choosing hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord, overcoming challenges with our imagination joined to a common purpose. Sounds like the Knights of Moleskine, Spirit and Ale to me!

Sir Hook the Proud & Hopeful American Who is Choosing a Better History of Warrick

5 comments:

  1. My grandfather and yours could have enjoyed many hours of like-minded co-existence at the local beer garden...

    I am still a little overwhelmed with emotion when I think about the huge step forward our nation took in January.

    Excellent post!

    Lady Howard of the Land of the Free

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  2. Sir Hook -- you're in!

    I think that Barack Obama would make an excellent Knight. You've got the address, let the recruiting begin.

    Sir Bowie "wondering what Sweet Pea is doing these days" of Greenbriar

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  3. ahh Sir Barack of Hawaii...sign him up...

    I must admit, I have a special place in my drawers for all my House of Commons headed letters I've had in return... somehow you're always amazed that somebody bothers to reply...:))

    All we need do is get rid of New Labour...and we'll join you in the brave new future...... Susan Boyle for PM. I say...

    Welcome Sir Tim too...love the wisdom words.." there Are Church Rules and there are God's rules" sounds like a good clause if ever I heard one...

    The More Knights the Merrier

    Hooky...the Shoppe will be with you by the weekend.

    sir Dayvd ( the busy, but loving the spring.. ) of Oxfordshire

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  4. Thank you Lady Howard for your continued support.

    I too wonder, Sir Bowie, whatever happened to "Sweat Pea". He was probably my first true black friend. Thank you for bringing back to my memory.

    Sir D, looking forward to the shoppe...and yes Sir Tim's letter will be tomorrow's blog.

    Life is good, so go enjoy it!

    Sir Hook the Hopeful of Warrick

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  5. Sir Hook, I think I'm hooked! I've looked through your site and see that ye drinketh fine "beerverages," as do I; in fact I breweth my own, having a tasty Porter and IPA in the fridge even as I write. I see that ye smoketh fine cigars; I have two humidors full at all times. I see that ye hath a Baker coat of arms, both Scottish and Irish; surely one of them can be mine! I have traveled to Oxfordshire and drunk ale at the Eagle and Claw, near Regents College, where brother CS Lewis, TS Eliot, and JRR Tolkien would gulp a pint. And I see that ye liketh Led Zepplin, one of my most very best faves. Now, how might someone as lowly as I seek knighthood in your high brotherhood/sisterhood? I liveth in the State of Missouri and know thee quite well. I even shareth a shred of your DNA. I do so want to feel the tapping of thy sword on my shoulders!

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