Jessamyn, Thanks so much for giving us a not-for-TV view of the DNC. Your observations and comments resonated with me. Like you, I picked up on Kerry's remark that he'd appoint an Attorney General who would uphold the Constitution (gee, I am glad he noticed that the current AG seems bent on rewriting that document!). I also caught the reference to putting all the information in a library on a chip, and immediately wondered which corporation owned the proprietary software running the data! Even so, I felt that the speech was inclusive and he touched on issues that are important to me: women's rights, the economy, innovation in energy use, free speech. At this point I feel cautiously optimistic that in the next few months people will stand up and demand change, accountability, and responsibility from the government.

Thanks again for your blogging! Best, ~Amy

Jessamyn,

I have been reading your blog for a couple of years now..never posted before but I am so proud that a librarian has made the kind of dent in the media consciousness that she has been at the DNC reporting to us. I've been so busy this week I didn't once look at your blog...I found out that you were there from the San Francisco Chronicle's article on bloggers at the convention!!

I'm just so proud to be a librarian right now! Go Jessamyn!

Second, I watched as much of the convention as I could, even taped Wed & Thurs evening so I could see Edwards' and Kerry's speeches for myself. Haven't watched them yet, but after both reading and seeing Barack Obama's speech I am reminded of the visceral impact that the live human voice, the rhythm, the soaring impact a great speech can have to electrify people...this has been sorely lacking in public life for the past 20 years...since MLK and the Kennedys in fact. I was mesmorized. Also totally mesmorized by Teresa Heinz Kerry on Monday night and would like to hear more about what you thought of her. I am so knocked out by this woman...her poise, her thoughtful responses, the way she characterizes the challenges before us.

I know my comments are too long but just want to say in you being a witness for us you also bring our profession and our ideals to the national stage and remind me of the role I should be playing as the branch manager of a library in my own community...I only hope I can do as good a job as you! So inspiring.

Dare we hope? Dare we hope that some of what we heard this week will take hold in the public awareness? The drone of Bush-TV (fox news!) corporate media's prostitution to the republican party is so pervasive, so toxic I just don't know.

But THANK YOU Jessamyn, you rock!

Jessamyn, thank you for your blogging. I work nights and was unable to watch any of the TV footage of the conference this week. Your first hand accounts were valuable to me. And the pics were great. Thanks again,
- a library student in HI.

Have to add my voice to those thanking you for your comments on the DNC. We librarians are lucky to have you in our profession -- and may we all learn from you.

Above all, your comments regarding the "security theater" are chillingly correct. These measures do not make us safer -- they just feed the idea that we should be willing to give up our civil rights (and spend way too many tax dollars) for the illusion of safety.

(Also have to underscore your comments about the T in Boston...)

Thanks again. Keep writing.