I'm a sucker when it comes to one of those lump-in-the-throat sports stories.  

Whether it's Knute Rockne and the Fighting Irish, "Brian's Song", or watching my daughter's 12 and Under softball team crawl out of the losers bracket to make it all the way to a tournament final.   If it's about people working hard, doing their best, and never giving up, I want to cheer and reach for the Kleenex.  

Last night I saw a story on the news that prompted me to write this today.   Maybe I'm biased because it happened in a girls' fastpitch softball game (and I loves me some fastpitch softball) but for those of you who haven't heard let me be the first to tell it.

President John F. Kennedy was much loved and an eloquent, charismatic speaker.

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

His words have inspired and given hope to a number of generations.

Normally I read diaries here and I make a comment or two, rec a few up, and get on with my day.  No big deal.  I move on and never think twice.

But today's different.

I just read a diary that really got to me.  And to quote a line from an old movie called Network, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."

Here's a little tidbit for you, just in case you missed it today.

Remember the 20-something in hot pants who did the "I've Got A Crush On Obama?"

You know the one...

I'm a card carrying union gal, a proud member of the striking WGA ("We write. You wrong").  I learned about
respecting the power of the rank and file from my father who taught me never to cross a picket line, and from my own days of walking a line I learned to love the rank and file as brothers and sisters.  So every time a union endorses a candidate I pay special attention because I value the voices of union members.

Senator Obama received an important endorsement the day after he lost the New Hamphire primary.  The Culinary Workers Local 226 in Nevada announced that he was their candidate of choice.  I was impressed by the endorsement, and respectful of the 60,000 hard-working men and women who voted for it.  The rank and file had spoken, and Obama was their man, I thought.

Turns out I was wrong.