Spaw, I first heard that song about the Birminghasm church bombing as a child. It gives me chills. Thanks for the reminder of how far we've come. But iof course it was a Sam Cooke song I kept hearing in my head during Obama's acceptance speech:

I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it is

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it is

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Someone keep telling me don't hang round
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Then I go to my brother
I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will



Returned a couple of days ago from a visit to my relitives in NY and NJ - I have to say, the mood was like nothing I ever remember. Mobilised. Full of hope. People believing in the power of their ability to make a difference. I came away certain it was really going to happen. Even my daughter (going on 15) was so enthused by what she saw and heard in America that she stayed up half the night with me.