Old Obi-Wan Kenobi's last words just popped into my head. Not that the conversation was about Star Wars at all -- we were actually taking about charges of impeachment and war crimes on George Bush and Dick Cheney . . . but the "Obi-Wan Kenobi syndrome" is nevertheless applicable: "If you strike me down, I shall become powerful than you can possibly imagine."Blame the above-mentioned, pseudo-insightful analogy on my self-induced sleep-deprived 4-day road trip from Oregon to D.C. for tomorrow's historic Inauguration. But it seemed to strike a chord with Laura, so I figured: What the hell. I'll share it with you too.I suppose it's now somewhat of a moot point -- considering today is President Bush's FINAL day in office (!!!), but if our party is to engage in further charging the 43rd president with treasonous war crimes (of which, yes, I do believe there is a strong argument to make in regards to his abuse of executive power, privilege, and blatant lies to the American people), then we risk making an already pathetic GW even more pathetically appealing to a public that's proved time and time again how much we love to forgive. You see, by stoking the fire of impeachment/investigation, we actually risk elevating the party of a man whose political capital is so spent and whose name and reputation is so tarnished; we risk a potential comeback for the Republicans to rally around.It's a risk Democrats can't afford. Like American moviegoers did when we saw Olive Stone's bitingly clever "W" this last fall, empathy may kick-in and families -- entire communities of Joe six packs and Plumbers and whoever would feel sorry for G.W. and Poor President George would be the sad sentiment of forgiving short-term memory America. That attitude would dangerously pave the way for a Jeb or a Newt or a Jindal to lead the charge of rallying behind their washed-up past president. I'll say it again and in bold print: It's a risk we can't afford. After all, when one leaves the highest office in the land with the lowest approval rating (22%) since the Gallup Poll started taking ratings over 70 years ago, we should recognize that geez, all George and the G.O.P. can do is go back up.Barack Obama must be aware of this. Believe it or not, there are larger fish to fry than grilling Bush and seeking political payback (something many Dems have been longing to see for a long, long time). But we must be patient. And for the sake of our nation, we MUST move forward.There's a photo-shopped pic of Barack Obama (with a lightsabre in-hand) on our local county party's refrigerator. Though the President-elect Obama looks pretty cool among a sea of molten lava with the weapon of a Jedi in hand, Obama is no Jedi. He's no deity. He's no divine entity. We may like to think so, but no. He's just a man like you and I. But unlike you and I, tomorrow he will hold the most important and honored keys to the kingdom: executive powers, privilege and the Constitutional responsibilities of the President of the United States. However, thanks to the constitutional terrorists Dick Cheney and George W. Bush, a President Obama and future executives governing from the Oval Office can now wield a rather dangerous authority and a most unprecedented Patriot Act of power. When the Obama/Lincoln parallels are drawn, I'll admit, even as a true-blue, National Obama Delegate, I'm a bit alarmed when considering Abraham Lincoln's Civil War suspension of the Constitution. Realizing exactly how much authority team Bush-Cheney has granted the office of our president, I -- and every free thinking American -- should raise an eyebrow. Wire-tapping, suspension of habeas corpus, Orwellian monitoring of U.S. citizens under ANY administration is cause for serious concern. Unlike this past, most failed administration that has successfully waged war on our freedoms and declared Jihad on the Constitution, President Obama's team will undoubtedly be forced to rise above. At least, we hope so.I trust Obama to do what's right. More importantly, I trust in our ability as American to rightfully ensure that our president remains the Barack Obama we celebrate today and fought so hard in so many frigid and brutal primaries to nominate and elect as our 44th president of these United States. Yes, indeed, America, we did. And, as this National Day of Service illustrates, we most certainly will continue to do! Clearly, I'm quite glad to be in D.C. to see, firsthand, the ultimate highlight to this most storied journey. Weeping, like I was in the Helena office for the announcement of our victory the evening of Montana primary; weeping, like I was in Denver with our dynamic Oregon Delegation; and weeping like I was -- like you were too -- on the evening of November 4, 2008, tomorrow, I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two of joy and sorrow . . . of hope and change . . . of trust and recognition of this beautifully historical impact we've made for our future.Thank you, Mr. President -- Obama, that is! (And hell, I suppose we owe the last guy a thank you as well.)
Live from Washingtion, D.C. (at the Old Ebbit Grill - sitting next to Kim and Leslie from Dallas, Texas), Matt Keating, Delegate (OR-4)
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