Stepping outside at night into the darkness of yet another summer evening in the South brings about a mix of emotions. The sounds of the cricket symphony in the background act as a soundtrack in this, the final act of the day. Standing there I tilt my head back and look towards the moon in all it's glory. No matter how many years pass by, I still feel like that 5 y/o boy who stood staring at the moon fascinated by the fact that some other little boy somewhere else at that exact moment in another place was staring at the same moon. At that moment in time, we shared something. A friend. The Man in the Moon. It's amazing how you can feel like the only person left in the world at times and yet feel as though you are a small part of something much bigger than yourself. Now that I am older and hopefully a little wiser, I realize the importance of submitting myself to the fact that I, nor anyone else, is ever truly alone as long as we believe in the realm of infinite possibilities and places.
We have heard so much in the news lately about a little place in a faraway land known as Washington. We hear of this place, of these people who, in all their suited glory, make some of the most important decisions of modern times. Yet there seems to be such a disconnect between them and us. We see them on TV, like modern day Knights of the Round Table, jousting back and forth and here we sit, feeling all but helpless. And yet I am once again reminded of what Abraham Lincoln once said, "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world." These words may have been spoken many moons ago yet they still ring true today. And these very words were brought to life recently when a group of people unhappy with the way things were, rose up against the establishment and enacted a change that will forever shape the future of this Nation, this State, and above all, this, our home, the Pee Dee .
Recently a special gift was bestowed upon the Pee Dee area and it's residents. At times all the talk of maps and demographics and facts and figures clouded the true meaning of this gift, this blessing in disguise because it is not simply a line. It's not a label nor a title. We have received the most powerful gift in the history of man. We have more than just a new 7th Congressional District. We now have... A Voice.
In the grand scheme of things, someone in Boise, ID or Yuma, AZ or even Big Sky, MT may not know the Pee Dee area of South Carolina exists or even what the "Pee Dee" means to them or anyone for that matter. Soon, that shall change. For, on the outside looking in, we may be nothing more than a small piece of turf to be easily forgotten, but somewhere in the depths of Washington, DC there is a sound. A rolling thunder that will be the new voice of the Pee Dee. For so long, our cries for help, our longing for true representation have all fallen upon deaf ears. Now, we will have a vessel for all our wants, needs, fears, and ideas to travel in to our nation's capital to be heard from the rooftops loud and clear.
This person must have the heart of a champion, the tenacity of a bulldog, a genuine nature, and a will strong enough to withstand the harsh and brutal world of DC politics. I have always said that, in politics, you have two choices if you want to bring about positive change. You can decide to submit yourself to being under a microscope and become the candidate or you can decide to work behind the scenes for the candidate you truly believe in. The person you can relate to, the person you can trust, and above all, the person who is willing to let your voice be heard. We all have our candidate of choice for this sacred new Congressional seat. Some of our choices will throw their hat in the proverbial ring. Some will cower before the fear of a such an epic undertaking. And one special person will rise to the challenge and like a hawk, set their sights on taking the Pee Dee and it's residents to a whole new level. This person will be our voice, our knight in shining armor, who will make sure this, our nation, never forgets we are here. We are strong. And we will not stop until our voice is heard.
We, my friends, have a rare opportunity to give that man in the moon a name. Let us not squander that opportunity. For if we do, we will only have ourselves to blame. So tonight, before you lay your head down ready to enter another night of peaceful tranquility, take a moment to look up at the moon and remember that even though we , the Pee Dee, may be just a dot on a map, soon everyone looking at that same moon will know us and know our story.
Good night...
We have heard so much in the news lately about a little place in a faraway land known as Washington. We hear of this place, of these people who, in all their suited glory, make some of the most important decisions of modern times. Yet there seems to be such a disconnect between them and us. We see them on TV, like modern day Knights of the Round Table, jousting back and forth and here we sit, feeling all but helpless. And yet I am once again reminded of what Abraham Lincoln once said, "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world." These words may have been spoken many moons ago yet they still ring true today. And these very words were brought to life recently when a group of people unhappy with the way things were, rose up against the establishment and enacted a change that will forever shape the future of this Nation, this State, and above all, this, our home, the Pee Dee .
Recently a special gift was bestowed upon the Pee Dee area and it's residents. At times all the talk of maps and demographics and facts and figures clouded the true meaning of this gift, this blessing in disguise because it is not simply a line. It's not a label nor a title. We have received the most powerful gift in the history of man. We have more than just a new 7th Congressional District. We now have... A Voice.
In the grand scheme of things, someone in Boise, ID or Yuma, AZ or even Big Sky, MT may not know the Pee Dee area of South Carolina exists or even what the "Pee Dee" means to them or anyone for that matter. Soon, that shall change. For, on the outside looking in, we may be nothing more than a small piece of turf to be easily forgotten, but somewhere in the depths of Washington, DC there is a sound. A rolling thunder that will be the new voice of the Pee Dee. For so long, our cries for help, our longing for true representation have all fallen upon deaf ears. Now, we will have a vessel for all our wants, needs, fears, and ideas to travel in to our nation's capital to be heard from the rooftops loud and clear.
This person must have the heart of a champion, the tenacity of a bulldog, a genuine nature, and a will strong enough to withstand the harsh and brutal world of DC politics. I have always said that, in politics, you have two choices if you want to bring about positive change. You can decide to submit yourself to being under a microscope and become the candidate or you can decide to work behind the scenes for the candidate you truly believe in. The person you can relate to, the person you can trust, and above all, the person who is willing to let your voice be heard. We all have our candidate of choice for this sacred new Congressional seat. Some of our choices will throw their hat in the proverbial ring. Some will cower before the fear of a such an epic undertaking. And one special person will rise to the challenge and like a hawk, set their sights on taking the Pee Dee and it's residents to a whole new level. This person will be our voice, our knight in shining armor, who will make sure this, our nation, never forgets we are here. We are strong. And we will not stop until our voice is heard.
We, my friends, have a rare opportunity to give that man in the moon a name. Let us not squander that opportunity. For if we do, we will only have ourselves to blame. So tonight, before you lay your head down ready to enter another night of peaceful tranquility, take a moment to look up at the moon and remember that even though we , the Pee Dee, may be just a dot on a map, soon everyone looking at that same moon will know us and know our story.
Good night...
Gabe, Excellent commentary. You have such an eloquent way of getting people to think. You hit so many good points and have challenged our citizens to educate themselves on the candidates. I hope everyone realizes just how important and lucky we are to have the new 7th Congressional District in the Great Pee Dee Region. I hope everyone accepts your challenge and selects the best candidate to be OUR 7th Congressional District Congressman. Gosh, that sounds good.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. That's why the PeeDee needs a strong, honest and experienced candidate who knows South Carolina, served as Lieutenant Governor for eight years and is an awesome person. Hint... ; )
ReplyDelete