Ah, the days of a whistle stop tour! One can just imagine Lincoln as he moved from Springfield to Washington DC in 1861:
Lincoln departed his beloved Springfield on February 11, 1861, pausing in the railroad depot to deliver a short farewell address. Conscious of the unprecented situation, he said, “I go to assume a task more difficult than that which has devolved upon General Washington.” He felt great sadness at leaving the town that had been home for more than twenty-five years. “Here I have lived from my youth until now I am an old man. Here the most sacred ties of earth were assumed; here all my children were born; and here one of them lies buried. To you, dear friends, I owe all that I have, all that I am.”
Lincoln boarded the inaugural train and embarked upon a nearly two week journey that amounted to a whistle stop tour, as he ended his silence with speeches in towns large and small, before state legislatures and from hotel balconies. He stressed his fealty to the Union, and he urged Americans to remain calm. He characterized the secession crisis as an artificial dilemma created by “designing politicians.” He also made clear his firmness of purpose, solemnly vowing “There is nothing that can ever bring me willingly to consent to the destruction of this Union.”
And now, we get our version!
December 17, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – U.S. Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will be riding a “Peace Train” through Western California with his wife Elizabeth and dozens of special guests and supporters, making numerous stops along the way for political rallies and campaign events.
The Peace Train event begins December 20, with Elizabeth hosting a fundraiser in Ukiah.
On Friday evening, December 21, there will be a big “Peace Train” Kick-Off Rally in San Francisco with Elizabeth Kucinich and well-known supporters of the campaign, including John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation; political author and scholar Michael Parenti; Medea Benjamin from Code Pink; news anchor and talk show host Bree Walker; and peace activist Cindy Sheehan. The Congressman will be arriving in San Francisco that night.
Kucinich, his wife and their supporters will board the “Peace Train” (regularly known as Amtrak’s “Coast Starlight”) at Jack London Square Station in Oakland on Saturday morning, December 22, and arrive mid-afternoon in San Luis Obispo, where they will disembark and attend a rally and fundraising dinner, both open to the public. The following morning, December 23, it’s all aboard once again in San Luis Obispo, as the “Peace Train” travels to Union Station in Los Angeles and a Peace Rally nearby at Placita de Dolores.
You can join in the festivites, as there are many public events along the way:
Public schedule for the Kucinich for President 2008 “Peace Train” is as follows:
Thursday, December 20
7 PM–Town Hall Meeting and Fundraiser with Elizabeth Kucinich @ Mendocino Community College, 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah CA
Friday, December 21
Noon–Fundraiser with Elizabeth Kucinich and guest Norman Solomon @ Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol CA
7 PM–“Peace Train” Kick-Off Rally with Elizabeth Kucinich and numerous special guests, including John Nichols, Michael Parenti and Cindy Sheehan @ First Unitarian Universalist Church and Center, 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco CA
Saturday, December 22
7:30 AM–Breakfast Send-Off with Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich @ Jack London Square Station, Oakland CA
8:50 AM–“Peace Train” departs Jack London Square Station, Oakland CA. This train will make short scheduled stops in San Jose (9:55 AM), Salinas (11:48 AM) and Paso Robles (1:38 PM). Supporters will greet the Kuciniches and company at each of the stations. Arrival times may vary from schedule.
3:20 PM–“Peace Train” arrives at San Luis Obispo Station.
4 PM–Peace Rally in Mitchell Park, San Luis Obispo CA
5 PM–Spaghetti Dinner and Fundraiser at Odd Fellows Hall, San Luis Obispo CA
Sunday, December 23
6:45 AM–“Peace Train” departs from San Luis Obispo Station. This train will make short scheduled stops in Grover Beach (7:05 AM), Guadalupe-Santa Maria (7:21 AM), Lompoc-Surf (7:55 AM), Goleta (9:03 AM), Santa Barbara (9:21 AM), Carpinteria (9:37 AM), Ventura (9:58 AM), Oxnard (10:12 AM), Camarillo (10:23 AM), Simi Valley (10:51 AM), Chatsworth (11:03 AM), Van Nuys (11:18 AM), Burbank Airport (11:27 AM) and Glendale (11:39 AM).
12:10 PM–“Peace Train” arrives in Los Angeles at Union Station
12:30 PM–Peace Rally at Placita de Dolores, across from Union Station
3 PM–“Peace Train” continues on with supporters all aboard (the Kuciniches will heading back East) on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner 580, departing from Union Station, Los Angeles CA. This train will make short scheduled stops in Fullerton (3:32 PM), Anaheim (3:41 PM), Santa Ana (3:50 PM), Irvine (4:04 PM) and San Juan Capistrano (4:18 PM).
4:53 PM–“Peace Train” arrives at the Oceanside Transit Center
6 PM–Holiday Peace on Earth Celebration @ Oceanside Library Community Room, 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanide CA.
As is noted in the story:
“Dennis Kucinich is the people’s candidate and the ‘Peace Train’ brings his campaign directly to the people. It’s a great way for his supporters to come out and express their enthusiasm for both the candidate and his clear and consistent stand on peace,” remarked Jeeni Criscenzo, California State coordinator for Kucinich.
So, hop aboard the Peace Train! It’s so much better than the War Train.
From the 2006 Nobel Prize Ceremony.
As always, now more than ever,
Go Dennis!
http://dennis4president.com
Choose Peace!
