That speech

So this morning I finally got through the stack of New York Times that were sitting on the couch, and had a chance to read the speech Obama gave on race. Wow. Just wow. If you haven't read it, you can read the whole thing right here. It was probably one of the more incisive, heartfelt and eloquent speeches I have heard from a politician in modern times. It was also risky for Obama, in the sense that he didn't bullsh*t people, he didn't mince words and he didn't shy away from a difficult issue. For me, the most moving part of his speech was when he said:

 

 

"For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies. We can do that. But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change."

Powerful stuff.

In other news, it's EASTER!! Happy Easter everyone!! Michael and I have been contemplating the theme of renewal, in our own way, by thinking about where we might like to move in 3 years when Michael's lease is up on his office space. We're thinking simultaneouly about somewhere close to NYC and somewhere warm. Obviously, the two don't go together so we have to make a choice. Asheville, NC looks wonderful to me, as does Charleston, NC. I also like parts of Connecticut, if we go that route. Of course, it gets cold in Conn, which both Michael and Luca can't bear. But we're open to advice and opinions. Here are our requirements:

1. Must be reasonably close to a major airport (M travels to Europe a lot)
2. Must be warm OR close to NYC. Right now we're leaning towards warm. When I say warm, I basically mean no awful, bitter winters.
3. close to nature, but also close to a vibrant community that has coffeeshops, bookstores, some cultural scene.
4. good homeschooling community
5. near a beach would be great, but not a requirement.

Any thoughts, oh internet readers?

Comments

[Summer]

That speech was amazing. I had tears in my eyes during most of it.

[Liz]

Totally agree on the speech. Makes me sad that I cannot vote.

But as for your other issue.... why on earth would you want to move from NYC? Here I am sitting, racking my brain, how I can get back there.

[Marcee]

While I think the presidential race is a complete crapshoot-the speech is powerful. And I'm sure that is what he was counting on. Whoever wrote it, did an amazing job.

[Deb Wisker]

You may want to check out the Millstone Township area in NJ. It's near PT Pleasant (beaches), Princeton Univ Medical Ctr and 1 1/2 hrs from NYC, about 30-40 mins from Philly.
It gets really cold in Ct! Just like NY! Friends of ours live in Gettysburg,PA (Buck's County) and it is close to DC. They don't get the harsh winters we get here, spring comes earlier and fall lasts longer.

[Betsy Sammarco]

OK Hillary . . . I'm going to try to sell you on CT. All of CT is good, but I'll try to sell you on Fairfield County. CT near the shore might get a bit cold, but it's not bad . . . call it refreshing. CT is close to 5 airports. Yes - FIVE! I know homeschoolers right here in my own town. And IF - just IF you decide to take a break on homeschooling, the public school is GREAT. Lots of nature around here, but tons of culture too.

OK - enough of me trying to sell you - give me a ring and I'll drive you around!

[Betsy Sammarco]

OK Hillary . . . I'm going to try to sell you on CT. All of CT is good, but I'll try to sell you on Fairfield County. CT near the shore might get a bit cold, but it's not bad . . . call it refreshing. CT is close to 5 airports. Yes - FIVE! I know homeschoolers right here in my own town. And IF - just IF you decide to take a break on homeschooling, the public school is GREAT. Lots of nature around here, but tons of culture too.

OK - enough of me trying to sell you - give me a ring and I'll drive you around!

[Bethany]

Great quote from Obama's speech...just don't know if I can handle 5 more months of heavy campaigning.

And regarding the move... Personally, I would vouch for MN, but I think weather would be an issue (not just cold, but extreme heat in the summer, too). On the plus side, we do have enclosed skyway systems in both Minneapolis and St. Paul... :)

[Leanne Stamatellos]

how about sunny Brisbane, Australia.
Great weather, wonderful schools, close to the airport and vibrant communities everywhere?

what do you say Hillary?
hehehe

[kara stephenson]

austin, tx.
seriously. ;) it fits pretty much everything you listed....

hope that you are doing great girl!

[Sara Dickey]

Asheville gets cold...the mountains, now Richmond Va hasn't had snow if FOREVER...but our dinky airport would drive M nuts.

i think you would like Charlotte, so good friend left Richmond in the summer to move there , and they love it. are you really ready to submerge yourself in southern accents....ha!!! especially coming from me

glad to see you posting. hope all is well

[Kim Flados]

How about Wilmington NC? Near the beach, a few hours to NC mountains, has lots of homeschooling moms. There is even a group at my church.