The Observation Deck

With 36 hours until the Democratic primary, Congressman Kucinich was thinking about
who could he draw on to underline to his Democratic supporters just how serious he is
about returning to Congress as our representative and the choice was clear. Congressman
Kucinich went to his long-time friend, Robert Kennedy Jr., who has spent his whole life as
an activist for all Americans.


Robert Kennedy Jr. talks to the press as Congressman Kucinich looks on.

Kennedy was traveling the country giving speeches on environmental
issues when Kucinich contacted him and asked for his help; Kennedy
immediately booked a flight to Cleveland and arrived this morning.

Initially stating his environmental record and his
stance on Social Justice issues, Kennedy then spoke about his father and his
passion for helping working people and the disenfranchised. He called
Congressman Kucinich one the “lone voices” in Congress for workers.

By the time Kucinich rose to the podium, Kennedy had spoken
enthusiastically about his relationship with Kucinich, his anti-war
stance, the corruption in Congress, and the militarization of the
United States economy. Inspired by the words of Kennedy Jr., Kucinich
spoke passionately about his protection of manufacturing, his devotion
to Cleveland, and his fight for workers' rights in Ohio.


Kennedy points to a light saying that was our past for the last 130 years, now to make
it our future we have to be willing to compete against the Chinese in energy manufacturing.

Kucinich eloquently spoke about the effect Robert Kennedy's father had
on him while he was young. He referenced a speech made in Cape Cod,
South Africa that is inscribed in the Arlington National Cemetery as a
turning point in his life. Kucinich quoted the speech:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of
others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple
of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of
energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down
the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”


Congressman Kucinich addresses the need to bring more high energy manufacturing
to Cleveland with most unions being represented on stage.

One of my all-time favorite books was "The Last Campaign" by Thurston
Clarke. This book chronicled Robert Kennedy’s 82 day presidential
campaign. I approached Robert Kennedy Jr. after the event and briefly
spoke to him about his speech, my gratitude for his visit, and the
impact the book has had on my life. He asked about the origin of my
name, where I lived, and about the Arab students who had traveled from
Dearborn, Michigan to listen to Dennis speak. This was definitely an
event that I will never forget.


Congressman Kucinich introduces me to Robert Kennedy Jr.

It’s great to see how important Lakewood is to Dennis Kucinich. I’m thrilled that he would hold this event here and give our residents a chance to interact with Robert Kennedy Jr.


Robert Kennedy Jr. signs my copy of "The Last Campaign."


More photos from Jim O'Bryan of the event:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/dennis-kucinichrobert-kennedy-jr

Nadhal----- I know you have a special interest in modern American Presidents so getting to meet the son of an icon of the era must have been a very special treat for you!
Stan

With all due respect, Robert Kennedy Jr. is NOT an "activist for all Americans." The man is an environmental activist. He cares more for nature than for the people who live in it because people, particularly Americans, pollute the Earth. He cares nothing for American prosperity (except his own) if it interferes with the environmental movement.

Roy-- respect duly noted and accepted and I raise you----- ain't it great the on the Deck we can have an open discussion like this!
In my post I wanted to point out that Nahdal is a budding historian and that this was an occasion that emphasized that volition.
Regardless (I really want to say "irregardless" some time) good grits for the Deck.
Stan

Roy Pitchford wrote:With all due respect, Robert Kennedy Jr. is NOT an "activist for all Americans." The man is an environmental activist. He cares more for nature than for the people who live in it because people, particularly Americans, pollute the Earth. He cares nothing for American prosperity (except his own) if it interferes with the environmental movement.

Roy

No he is an activist for ALL Americans, really.

He did spend some time talking about how politicians have let it slip away, with very little
forethought of where it would get us, as Americans. He found much fault with both sides,
and mentioned that we are still falling behind, because of the government spending
money on wars. He pointed that out because Congressman Kucinich voted against every
war vote, which would have saved America about $4 trillion dollars, that could have been
invested in new technology that could be built here.

He used light bulbs, and electric cars for examples and mentioned he owns both a LED
Light Bulb Company, and an electric car company. They are both here in America, are
union, and are making money and putting out projects cheaper than the Chinese are. But
he also said with massive Chinese subsidies in energy efficient products, that the Chinese
have learned from the oil countries, control the energy and you can rule the world.

I saw much of the same speech from him on MSNBC this morning, and never mentioned
owning the companies.

No matter, he fights for all Americans, especially you.




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