A voice from Bethlehem:


"The campaign visit by former President Bill Clinton to Hotel Bethlehem stirred up memories for this baby boomer and recent retiree. It was October 1960 and a dynamic young Democratic candidate, John F. Kennedy was staying at the hotel. Upon his departure, I had my handshake and hello with him. That campaign and presidency helped shape and energize many of my generation to participate in the political process.Today, Barack Obama is inspiring a new generation of Americans and recharging the batteries of their parents and grandparents.

Obama suggests that the cynics will try to divide and marginalize us in this campaign. But, he also states, ''When we stop listening to the cynics and try to make a difference, extraordinary things can happen.'' Kennedy offered a similar message to the Irish Parliament in June 1963: ''Our world needs leaders imbued with hope, confidence and imagination.'' He further said that the problems of the world cannot be solved by skeptics whose horizons are limited by the realities of the day.

Indeed, the realities of our world today are troublesome; a continuing war in Iraq, an economy that is working for a few and not all, health care that is becoming unaffordable, and a planet that is heating up. But, our history has been enriched with leaders who viewed difficult times as opportunities to do great things.

Barack Obama is poised and ready to lead our nation if we give him the honor to serve us all.




Greg Zebrowski

Bethlehem (PA)"