Paradoxes of Faith

“The most effective answer to this leadership vacuum would be a new era of political activism by ordinary citizens. The biggest, most far-reaching changes of the past century — the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement — were not primarily the result of elective politics, but rather the hard work of committed citizen-activists fed up with the status quo. It’s time for thoughtful citizens to turn off their TVs and step into the public arena. Protest. Attend meetings. Circulate petitions. Run for office. I suspect the public right now is way ahead of the politicians when it comes to ideas about creating a more peaceful, more equitable, more intelligent society.”

- Bob Herbert, New York Times columnist, 1.25.07

Here’s to a new generation of activists, advocates, voters, and people who can think their way out of a paper bag and still have the humility to contend for the rights of the poor and marginalized over their own personal aggrandizement.

Here’s to community organizers occupying the White House over war hawks, crusaders, and career politicians.

Here’s to the restoration of America.

Here’s to Barack Obama in ‘08.