One of the more entertaining events of the weekend was the OUTBURST by Hillary Clinton supporter, Harriet Christian, against Barack Obama. I'm sure many of you are wondering just exactly WHO she is. However, I'm not so sure most of you would hang out with her until 2 in the morning to find out. Therefore kudos to HUffington POst blogger, Will Bower, who had the fortitude to spend the evening with Harriet and report back to us in his HUffie BLOG titled, "My Evening With Harriet Christian." So let us now hang out with Harriet in paint the town Red while the commentary of your humble correspondent, who would need a LOT of drinks to put up with Harriet's voice until the wee hours, is in the [brackets]:
My Evening With Harriet Christian
[I would love to post a thread titled, "My Evening With Petra Verkaik."]
It was when the DNC's Rules & Bylaws Committee made its ruling on Michigan that Harriet Christian came into my life.
[Lucky you.]
From a few rows behind me, her piercing, wizened, New York voice rang out through the awkward silences in the auditorium of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
[As sweet a voice as a truckdriver.]
I wish now I could remember each and everything she said. All I remember is that I was glad she was saying it. The DNC had just committed a crime, and I was happy that there was someone unashamed to reveal her fury to all those present.
[So how is that unity thing working out for you, Democrats?]
As we all exited the ballroom -- many of us in disgust -- I saw the cameras swarm in on our Harriet. I decided to stay and watch her in her glory.
[Comedy act mixed with Primal Scream.]
In fact, I have a confession to make. It was I who encouraged Harriet to stay and to face the cameras. Each time she wanted to storm from the lobby in a fiery exeunt, it was I who stopped her, consoled her, turned her around, and told her "Your anger needs to be heard, friend. Don't stop."
[Don't stop the entertainment.]
Did I think that she could have been more coherent at first? Yes, I did. Did I feel that she was flirting with the edge of reason? Yes, I did. Would I have had her change a thing? No, I wouldn't.
[Stay just the way you are, Harriet. Primal Scream Democrats are FUn to watch!]
I would like to add that I don't condone any correlation between the words "black" and "inadequate." It is my belief that she was not *equating* "black" with "inadequate." I believe she was saying that *Obama* is inadequate, and that he is where he is because of affirmative action tactics -- much as Geraldine Ferraro has said, and not unlike Joe Biden's misspeak last year. Again, though, not words I personally would have ever chosen.
[Said Will, already distancing himself from Harriet having just introduced her to us.]
Many have criticized Harriet for what is being categorized as her "circus antics." What they call "antics," I call the red blood of Democracy. She was angry. She was angry as I was angry. We were angry as thousands of people were angry. That anger needed a voice that wasn't couched behind cold, intellectually dishonest reason.
[I guess there's no need to question Harriet as to whether she found her angry yet.]
The DNC had committed an act of war, and Harriet was firing back with bullets of passion. Was she the best marksman? Perhaps not. But did she reveal to America the depth of frustration that many, many people are feeling right now? That she did.
[Looking forward to seeing Harriet at the Democrat convention this summer. ON TO DENVER!!!]
We all know that -- had she been as calm and collected as so many of you feel she should have been -- that she wouldn't have the nearly 800,000 YouTube hits she now does. Her voice has been heard.
[A voice that can strip wallpaper off the side of your home. BTW, is it my imagination or have I heard that same voice before many times from hardened deli waitresses?]
Is that to say that I believe that Harriet was seeking attention? Not at all. As I've said, it was I who kept the fires of encouragement lit beneath her. She has since confessed to me many a time how she now fears that her emotions might be used to hurt Hillary Clinton's campaign. That is the last thing she wants. She simply wanted to cry out against injustice... as so many of us often want to do, but so few of us actually do.
[I've heard that voice many times cry out my order for for corned beef on rye.]
And, for the record: No, she hadn't been drinking. I had the fortune of talking with Harriet well into the night that night. (It was 2am when we finally said "Good night" to one another). While I was knocking back my white Russians and my margaritas, she touched nothing but her Diet Coke. She hasn't touched alcohol since 1985. The only thing she was drunk on that afternoon was indignation.
[I'd have to knock back quite a few white Russians and margaritas to hang out with Harriet until 2 am.] ----DUmmie FUnnnies