Obama from the rafters
Barack Obama came to Portland today. I was in the nosebleeds:
It was an exciting event, and I no longer have any doubt where my primary vote is going on May 20. I didn't really anyway, but it was great to see him in person and really affirm that choice. It's not at all difficult to imagine this man leading this country, and it's certainly inspiring to see so many people this excited about a political candidate. I felt like I was at a rock concert. Adrienne, like most other normal people, couldn't get away at 9:30am on a Friday, so unfortunately I was there alone. But like myself, quite a lot of people had arrived by bicycle, which is always encouraging to see. I wonder if there'd be that many bikes at a McCain rally?
Beyond all of the uplifting generalities, of which there was no shortage, Obama also spent a lot of time on relatively specific policy proposals during his address. Some highlights were increased teacher pay and standards, a college credit in exchange for post-graduation community service, and a strict cap on carbon emissions. I'm not sure if that's new to his stump speeches, but it certainly goes against the 'all style, no substance' accusation that's been used so frequently. I'd also read 'The Audacity of Hope' in late 2006, so it came as little surprise to me that the man is not as shallow as some would have us think.
The introduction was given by New Mexico Governor and former Presidential candidate Bill Richardson. Richardson formally endorsed Obama at the event, which is no small fact given that he was both the UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy under Bill Clinton. Here's a grainy photo of Richardson and Obama on stage:
As for bike racing, I don't have a lot to report. I won't be going to Redlands, as per the team's decision. That's disappointing, but I certainly understand that race starts need to be spread around a bit among the riders. Significantly more disappointing is the fact that we were not invited to the Tour of Georgia this year. I won't editorialize on that, but it does leave a huge hole in my spring. At this point, I don't know when I'll be racing next. That's a hard spot to be in as an athlete.
Otherwise, training has been going well. I've been a little slow to find my legs again after being sick, but I'm starting to come back around now. I did a ride up to the snow line on Wildcat Mountain yesterday on my own, and I did the same on Larch Mountain last week with Jason Sager. Here's a photo from Larch:
That's enough for now. Look for me at some races around the northwest in the coming weeks.
It was an exciting event, and I no longer have any doubt where my primary vote is going on May 20. I didn't really anyway, but it was great to see him in person and really affirm that choice. It's not at all difficult to imagine this man leading this country, and it's certainly inspiring to see so many people this excited about a political candidate. I felt like I was at a rock concert. Adrienne, like most other normal people, couldn't get away at 9:30am on a Friday, so unfortunately I was there alone. But like myself, quite a lot of people had arrived by bicycle, which is always encouraging to see. I wonder if there'd be that many bikes at a McCain rally?Beyond all of the uplifting generalities, of which there was no shortage, Obama also spent a lot of time on relatively specific policy proposals during his address. Some highlights were increased teacher pay and standards, a college credit in exchange for post-graduation community service, and a strict cap on carbon emissions. I'm not sure if that's new to his stump speeches, but it certainly goes against the 'all style, no substance' accusation that's been used so frequently. I'd also read 'The Audacity of Hope' in late 2006, so it came as little surprise to me that the man is not as shallow as some would have us think.
The introduction was given by New Mexico Governor and former Presidential candidate Bill Richardson. Richardson formally endorsed Obama at the event, which is no small fact given that he was both the UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy under Bill Clinton. Here's a grainy photo of Richardson and Obama on stage:
As for bike racing, I don't have a lot to report. I won't be going to Redlands, as per the team's decision. That's disappointing, but I certainly understand that race starts need to be spread around a bit among the riders. Significantly more disappointing is the fact that we were not invited to the Tour of Georgia this year. I won't editorialize on that, but it does leave a huge hole in my spring. At this point, I don't know when I'll be racing next. That's a hard spot to be in as an athlete.Otherwise, training has been going well. I've been a little slow to find my legs again after being sick, but I'm starting to come back around now. I did a ride up to the snow line on Wildcat Mountain yesterday on my own, and I did the same on Larch Mountain last week with Jason Sager. Here's a photo from Larch:
That's enough for now. Look for me at some races around the northwest in the coming weeks.
posted by dougollerenshaw at 3:25 PM
9 Comments:
Dougie O -
Please find a new team. I miss u.
Jefe
We all miss you.
RK
Jim Birrell and Medalist Sports can shove it up their arse.
This is the biggest joke of the season - bigger than Astana being left out of the Tour.
Stick to your guns and watch Medalist and their little dog-and-pony show get left behind when Michael Ball teams up with REAL race promoters and sticks it to Medalist and AEG.
There's no denying the popularity of Rock. Look at the poll on Bicycling.com. Nearly 60 percent of all fans say Rock is their favorite team. That speaks volumes.
Don't get down. Rock will have its day and you'll be a part of it if you keep riding like you did in California.
Is this you, just over halfway down the page?
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/slipstreamcali?lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1
Yeah, that's me. Thanks.
And anyone that misses me clearly doesn't remember what horrible company I am. Soon I'll come to races and remind you. You'll wish I'd just leave you alone.
From an editorial on his Obama's Philly speech:
In this speech, he did not mention abortion, the single most polarizing question in our public life, but his promise is to move us beyond our divisions by taking a position so extreme that he refuses to support even the “born alive” legislation that would protect the lives of infants who survive the abortion procedure. Not for nothing is he rated the most liberal member of the Senate. His call for national reconciliation, however rhetorically appealing, is more believably a call for capitulation by those who disagree.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
I posted what I will admit was a poorly thought out and potentially offensive response to the above comment. I was, deservedly, called out for doing so and I've decided to remove both the comment and the resulting rebuke.
I never intended for this blog to be a platform for arguments on deeply personal subjects, but I accept full responsibility for taking it there in this case. I've decided to turn off any further comments on this post, but I welcome anyone to email me directly if you'd like:
mail at dougollerenshaw.com
Thank you for keeping me honest.
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