Lester Young, the real first black President (pace Toni Morrison), in Jammin’ The Blues, Gjon Mili, 1944.
Hope you all had as pleasant an election night as we did. (I expect at least one of my favorite commenters did not, but you can’t please everyone.) By the way, a really fantastic-looking version of the great jazz short cited above can be found as an extra on the Warner disc of the nifty musical Blues in the Night. It’s worth the price of the package in and of itself.
Thanks for the recommendation! I like ’em odd, and “Blues in the Night” seems odd.
I can say, without shame, that I cried twice last night. I can also say, without shame, that the Republipundit yakking trying to spin this as anything other than a bootprint across their collective rear I’m finding utterly hilarious.
I also had a wonderful evening (with the exception of the hateful Prop 8 passing here in California). That will be a fight for another day. For now, I’m enjoying the end of an “error”.
Is it safe to assume that I’m the commenter you were referring to, Glenn? If so, I’m fine. A) I expected it, and B) I didn’t place my own vote with a hell of a lot of passion this year, anyway.
PS – Did you ever get my reply to your e‑mail?
… and a wonderful night was had by all.
I’ve never seen such an outpouring of joy during an election like that. It was like national catharsis. About time.
We’re jealous up here in Canada–can we trade you Stephen Harper for Obama?
Passed by Toni Morrison early last evening, by the way, while she was dining with some friends, just before the early results started coming in. Really.
Seized it as auspicious.
ck.
As a Brit I have to ask, has any other president suffered a similar level of mass eupohria on the occasion of his leaving office? Apart from Nixon, that is.
Owain, while I, as a 14-year-old Nixon hater, was pretty stoked at his departure, I can’t say the prevailing mood was mass euphoria. MANY were very glad to see him go, but it was still a bit scary—this had never happened before.
As for Bush, I think that, among those who believe the great majority of his policies have been disastrous (and who also, to be honest, just don’t really cotton to the guy), what euphoria we feel will be short-lived, as the process of repairing things will not be a walk in the park. One of the things I liked about Obama’s speech the other night was how NOT giddy he was. Looked like he was ready to get to work, as it were.
Owain, I wasn’t very aware at the time, but according to my mother Nixon’s departure was a relief, but not an occasion for unbridled celebration–we were, after all, getting Ford in return, and there were many suspicions then and now that there was a deal in place.
I have been in NY since the 1980s and I don’t think I have ever seen the city so jubilant. I suspect a better equivalent would be V‑J Day.
And Glenn, it may be short lived, but for now, DAMN it feels good. 😀
Thanks, chaps. Regarding Nixon, I forgot that unlike 33 year old me, those of you who were there did not have the slightest idea what was going to happen next. I’m sure dancing in the streets was at a minimum.
And Glenn, what you said about Obama’s speech and his next steps, I really hope America (or more to the point, Republicans) gives the guy time to prove himself rather than expecting results before he’s even used the White House toilet, which is something I fear may happen.
I liked that he said change may not happen even within one term. That was pretty bold considering much of the planet was bouncing off the walls with happiness.
Anyway, I’m over the moon. Fascinating times, man.
As one of the dwindling number of folks who was sentient during the JFK administration–“Camelot” was indeed an apt description–I can say that watching that throng in Grant Park Tuesday night brought back the same warm feeling. We truly do have a chance now to make things right; I only pray that the Dems in Congress finally find their balls and start acting like the majority that they are.