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(with apologies to Hunter S. Thompson!) SATURDAY, JULLY 31ST Last night was a marvelous experience made all the more special by the fact that my 14 year old son, Mitchell, was there to share it with me. We drove to Moline, IL, to the home of Anita Decker (who works for Governor Rod Blagojevitch) & Jeremiah Posedel (who is the downstate director for the Barack Obama for US Senate campaign). Since we were early, we got a table right in the front and that turned out to be a blessing as the backyard filled up with so many supporters and friends that it nearly burst at the seams!! During a picnic supper, and a glass of wine, we were happy to chat with a number of interesting and colorful figures-case in point-Gary Sandberg- the former city council member from Peoria. Through the gates into the back yard, strolled the heavy hitters of the Democratic Party from Illinois. First in and leading the way, was the senior US Senator from Illinois-Dick Durbin. He was followed by Barack Obama, just days from his triumphant national debut as the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention; where he was touted as the rising star of the Democrat's party and his speech brought down the house. He was accompanied by his lovely and articulate wife, Michelle (who had just a month ago spoken at my Shake, Rattle & Roll fundraiser). And then just in time before the 300+ party-goers closed ranks on the four, came US Representative Lane Evans!! For awhile, I thought that they may have been crushed by the mob of cheering, boisterous well-wishers but they emerged from the crowd, still smiling, shaking hands with constituents and making their way slowly through the crowd and heading my way. The first to reach my table was Michelle Obama. This woman is as gracious and charming as she is beautiful. She gave me a huge hug as I handed her a bag with my homemade greeting cards in it. Also in the bag, was a beanie baby octopus. I told her that the little critter was to remind her that as a political wife, she would have to have a hand in everything and to keep a cool head. She laughingly agreed as the crowd pushed her away from me. Then the senior Senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin came by. I had never met him but he knew who I was as I presented him a copy of "Voices From The Parking Lot," a book that was written by People With Parkinson's and those who love them and compiled and edited by Dennis Greene. Craig Kendell and myself. He assured me that once the Democrats were in power in Washington, the ban on federal funding for stem cell research would be lifted and that he would do everything in his power to help us find a cure. Next to stop by was my friend Lane Evans. We embraced and held each other up. I asked him how it was going and he whispered back that his Republican opponent for his seat in the House was making all sorts of trouble for him. I have been keeping up on this race and his opponent is playing dirty politics by attacking his health not his record and his symptoms as a ploy to get herself elected. I promised to do whatever I could to help him. Lane sat down next to me. It meant a lot to me to have my son, Mitchell at my side and I was able to introduce him to all of these people whom he had seen on TV. Finally, still grinning that big ole grin of his, came the next Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama. He, too, greeted me with a hug and we spoke as though I had seen him often in the year and a half since we had first met-in this same back yard, when he was officially introduced and was endorsed by Lane Evans. I said it back then and I'll say it again now, I think that this man will someday become the first African-American President of the United States-he is that well educated, that impressive, that quick to think on his feet and, as evidenced by his performance at the DNC in Boston last week, able to speak eloquently and sincerely about his plans for the future. Dick Durbin, meanwhile, had quieted the crowd and began to introduce Barack by claiming, jokingly, that HE was the source of Obama's great, audience-rousing speech. Then Barack told of the ambitions of a skinny kid with a funny name and a burning desire to make good despite the odds. His talk made me proud and hopeful. In turn, Barack, introduced the man whom he credited with his meteoric rise to national attention by believing in him when no one else did-Lane Evans. Lane was definitely "on" this evening. He spoke about the future and the work to be done by uniting everyone in an all-inclusive America. And he spoke of the need to take care of all of the blessings that we have been granted; in the environment, in our jobs, in our military and in the science that we are on the brink of many cures for disease. After birthday cake and gifts, we spent several hours hobnobbing and enjoying ourselves. I knew that the night was a success when my 14 year old son admitted to not only not being bored but he said that he really had a great time!! Monday, August 02, 2004 I have just returned from seeing Barack Obama in Pekin, Illinois. He was late but that only served to whet the appetite of those many, many people who turned out to see him. Along with the regular footsoldiers of the Peoria area Democrats, were hundreds of just plain down home folks who were anxious to hear this Chicago lawyer speak. The music blasted and the crowd anticipated each arriving vehicle with a burst of applause. When Barack did finally arrive, the crowd went nuts. We were treated to a wonderful speech; full of hope and optimism and his vision for the future. It made my heart glad to see his message met with such an enthusiastic reception. I truly believe that we will see great things from this man in the future. Be on the lookout for his name!! -- Joan E. Blessington Snyder 51/13 http://www.pwnkle.com/jes/jes_web/index.htm <[log in to unmask]> "Hang tough...........no way through it but to do it." Chris-in-the-Morning (Northern Exposure) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn