A Moment of Reflection...if I may

This Sunday, June 8th, marks the 40th Anniversary of that fateful day when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. Granted, I was not alive then. In fact, my parents were 4 and 7 respectively. That does not mean, however, that I don't understand or appreciate the gravity of that moment. I've seen numerous reenactments of the moment when Ciran Ciran fired 6 shots at the Senator following his victory in the California democratic primary. I've watched video footage and read transcripts of the speech that he gave upon learning of his victory. And, admittedly, I've cried multiple times when I've experienced any of these. Bobby Kennedy represented the death of a generational idea, that 60s quest for peace, love, understanding, and harmony.

He also, ultimately, represented the death of a certain portion of the philosophy of the Democratic party. Following Kennedy's assassination was 2 terms (well 1.5 anyways) or Richard Nixon, followed by Ford, followed by the ambitious but inept Jimmy Carter, and then Republican domination. Even when Clinton won the White House and appeared to be leading the Democrats back into a new era of glory, his undertakings were overshadowed by his failure to act as a world leader should as well as by the "Gingrich Revolution." And, the point to which I can speak at some length because that is when my political education began, then came the administration of G.W. Bush--that we have now endured for nearly 8 years. The Democratic party during the first of W's administrations was worthless and ultimately was only able to field a candidate of low to mild inspiration as well as political savvy in John Kerry. But now, and the timing could not be more appropriate, the ideas that RFK represented and that his brother did before him, have found new ground in American politics. As Oprah said, Barack Obama, is like a black JFK. So god bless you Bobby Kennedy and I will certainly keep you in my thoughts as this unfortunate anniversary approaches, but also god bless you and Jack for the inspiration that you continue to provide.