renaissance journalism

What has changed? In the 1600s England had the Moderate Intelligencer. Lancaster has the Intelligencer Journal. News went from personal letters to booklets like this one.

I'm seeing journalism change again. The inauguration came to me more as online data than as print. Television brought the event itself but little else. I wanted to check the Lowery benediction for hymn references. Think I bought the big city newspaper of record? No. Two clicks online and I had it as well as a lot of reactions to it.

Then it was back out on the street to head home and admire the Obama vendors left over from the swearing in day. That's Milton outside the burrito shop where we had lunch.

Why Obama won

1. Sarah and I attended his rally at Stevens Tech in Lancaster Mar. 31. There she is, waiting. He would soon step up to the podium.

2. He popped a "vote" flier on our front porch rocker on Saturday.

When asked to put an Obama sign on our lawn, I begged off, saying our house is in Amishland National Park and the natives would not understand.

take time to be a citizen

Hi Obama.

Hi Lancaster (pronounced correctly).

Saturday. A snap decision--thanks to Sarah who said the wait in line is not long--to see Obama at the train station. There's our Pennsylvania Senator Casey beside The Candidate.

The sensitive white guy over 50 thinks, which guilt do I want to assuage--civil rights or women's rights? Well, he's on the wrong track (no railroad pun intended).

Picking a leader is not about guilt.

Obama, three days before the primary, was making a whistle stop tour, Philadelphia to Harrisburg.

waiting for Obama

You get there late, you have to stand. At least we got in.

After an hour outside in slight drizzle, after the metal detector screen, after a half hour standing, looking down on this crowd, finally the local organizer takes the mic and warms us up with a cheer for Rep. Mike Sturla, His Honor the Mayor Gray, etc.

I noticed I was not asked to pledge allegiance to anything (including the flag in front), especially the santicity of pre-born life or the supremacy of America, or the depravity of people who abuse drugs.

In other words, this was a civic meeting to do the business of running the country. I like being treated as an adult.

citizen dad and dau

Sarah and I made a pact for some early Monday citizenship. In this case, going to the Lancaster Obama rally.

One hour in line (after two and a half hours on Saturday to get the tickets), and a half hour wait. Well, you get it. But we're glad we did.

How many fellow "East Chestnuters" we saw? Over half a dozen.

In a sentence the message: power to the people. That sounds like democracy.

punctuation solution

The imbroglio over Obama’s pastor’s sermon—I have thought of the simple explanation which all the media has missed. It’s punctuation, stupid! A comma and an explanation mark, which, of course, audio recordings don’t supply, clears up the whole thing.

Here’s what the pastor said: “God damn, America!” It’s as innocuous as “Hot dog, is America a great country or what!”

Now, if I can work that into a humor column. Where are the English teachers when we need them?