Banned must be gone; otherwise I would've left this for him.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512319749DFW (20,790 posts) Thu Jul 28, 2016, 09:29 PM
My little contribution to the convention?
Last September, I was a little gathering in Washington to celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Nation. It was there that I met the Rev. William Barber. The guy is spellbinding as a speaker, and I took the liberty of asking him if he would be willing to speak at the Democratic Convention this year. He said he would be honored. I then contacted the treasurer of the DNC, who is a long time friend. He checked on Rev. Barber, and said that he was known to own the room when he speaks. Andy said he would pass my suggestion on the the convention committee, and, later on, that it was favorably received. That was the last of my input into the matter, but I like to think I got the seed planted and the ball rolling.
When Rachel Maddow, who is no more religious than I am (i.e. not) said she was practically in tears throughout Barber's address, I know she shared my assessment of Barber's speaking ability. He DID own that room.
Now, not only did Marc name-drop as the thread progresses, but notice he also added his usual disclaimer, "I'm of Judaic derivation, but not a believer," as if that's something that makes him cool, that he's proud of.
mcar (12,217 posts) Thu Jul 28, 2016, 09:35 PM
1. He was remarkable
Well deserved me, DFW!
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:40 AM
4. He takes command of any room he's in
The thing where I met him in DC was relatively small, but he was just as much at home addressing tens of thousands.
Raster (14,553 posts) Thu Jul 28, 2016, 09:37 PM
2. Thank you, DFW!
And my sincere condolences on Helen's death. She was an amazing woman and an amazing American.
DFW (20,790 posts) Thu Jul 28, 2016, 09:52 PM
3. Thanks for that.
I came over to the States for her memorial celebration at the National Press Club in Washington. The place was JAMMED. SRO. A few years before she passed, I had the honor of introducing her to a friend of mine she had never really met, despite her decades of covering politics.
From days past:
after which a photograph of Marc in between an angry old white man, Harold Dean, I presume, and a monstrous-looking old hag, the late Molly Ivins, I presume.
Raster (14,553 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:00 PM
9. Lovely picture! It will be a long time before the world sees another Helen.
Oh. Oops.
The old bat on the right must've been the late Helen Gahagan Douglas, not Molly Ivins.
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:36 PM
11. I saw Howard made fun of himself at the convention, too
Sort of a mini-repeat of his supposed scream at the end of his speech. It seemed to have been taken in stride.
Hmmm.
If that wasn't Harold Dean as I'd presumed it was, it must be Moe Howard.
<<<doesn't pay much attention to celebrities, and so sometimes gets names all wrong.
Hekate (36,834 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:39 PM
13. I whooped with glee when Howard did that riff! Take that, stupid MSM!
As far as I could tell, the audience also loved it.
AwakeAtLast (11,372 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 11:32 AM
5. WOW!
Good for you that you had the foresight to do that!
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 01:33 PM
17. You give me too much credit
It was a spur of the moment thing. He had a moment free, and I just went up and talked to him. He lives in North Carolina, and I live in the German Rheinland. It's not like our paths were likely to cross again any time soon.
Marc's bragging again; he can't help himself.
G_j (37,425 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 11:36 AM
6. You are my hero!
Thank you! I've heard the Reverend speak here in NC. He is the best!
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:38 PM
12. Thanks, but I don't think I'm the one deserving of accolades
I just made the suggestion to Rev. Barber, and then to the DNC. They made it happen, I just whispered in an ear or two.
GreenPartyVoter (66,767 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 11:39 AM
7. Thank you for that!
^^^recently lost bundles of weight.
auntpurl (3,839 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 11:40 AM
8. I'm glad you did. He was absolutely electrifying.
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:35 PM
10. Right place, right time
I had never met the man, of course, but I just went up to him and asked, just like that. And he said sure, if they want me, just like that. After that, a couple of emails and a follow up phone call, and suddenly, he's on the roster of speakers. Sometimes, that's all it takes.
Hekate (36,834 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:44 PM
14. Thanks for letting us in.
These little glimpses are always fun.
cry baby (5,211 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 12:45 PM
15. He was my favorite speaker yesterday. He had me spellbound!
And I am not religious!
DFW (20,790 posts) Fri Jul 29, 2016, 01:25 PM
16. He has that effect on plenty of us that aren't
If even Rachel Maddow expresses similar sentiments, you KNOW he connected!
Okay. I watched most, but not all of, the Democrat National Convention, all four nights, on the youtube channel sponsored by the Democrat National Committee (i.e., it covered the podium only, no talking heads and other idiots interrupting with chitter-chatter).
The memory draws a blank, an absolute blank, when trying to remember this tonsorial guy.
Does anybody remember seeing him?
