Sorry it’s been so many days since my last posting.  There are two big bits of news in my life...I'll deal with just one of them today.

     The Bruce Springsteen/John Foggerty/R.E.M./Neil Young/Bright Eyes concert….Lord almighty, it was the best concert I’ve ever been to!  They were all on fire, seemed to be having a great time, giving great performances.

     I’m sure most of you who are interested have read reviews, so I won’t belabor the point with lists of songs played, reviews of the quality of performance, etc.

     But I will tell you what I felt as I listened.  I felt a weight lift from my chest.  The feeling of being alone in the world melted away.  The feeling that we are hopelessly, endlessly, and completely screwed lifted.

     I left the concert with a sense of fun and optimism and pride that I haven’t felt for a while.

     I didn’t realize until that night that even though I was talking to people, voicing my opinions, telling my story and the stories of my friends at every opportunity, planning to vote…I had given up.

     Deep in my gut, I thought that it didn’t matter.  We were going to get another four years of manipulation, obfuscation and outright violation of fact, reason, science and religious feeling.  I thought we were in for another four years of foreign adventurism, and mass ill-will abroad.  I assumed that we could look forward to further pillaging of our infrastructure, economy and environment (which of course, always goes on, but not with this level of boldness and sense of obvious entitlement.  The kleptos used to at least have the decency to sneak around).

     But I was reminded that night of the things that make America great:  Our energy, our optimism, our creativity, our sense of decency and fair-play, our truly compassionate generosity of spirit.

     My sense of patriotism was bolstered, the potential of this nation and it’s people were painted for me in fresh, bright, vibrant colors.

     I saw and heard and felt the promise of America again, in a way I haven’t for at least three years now.

     If anyone reading this is in the path of this tour, I would urge you to go…

     …not just if you are a Kerry supporter, because that’s not what this is about….not really.  The artists make no bones about who they will be voting for, or who they hope you will vote for, but the main thrust of this, the feeling I got from this, is a picture of America that we can all love and be proud of.

     Just go and feel the love for your country and your fellow countrymen.  Feel optimism, hope and pride.  Sing along with songs from the heart of the heartland, and then go out and vote your conscience…however it dictates.