Bloggers Celebrate JK’s Birthday
A bunch of bloggers showed up in Boston to celebrate John Kerry’s birthday this past Monday. [Which begs the question, do bloggers travel in bunches, gaggles, flocks, or herds? Many a reference to cat-herding was made.]
They toured Boston, getting a good look at all the beautiful Christmas lights on the Boston Common. In the famous Old South Meeting House, they participated in the lively 233rd re-enactment of the town hall meeting 
which led to the Boston Tea Party.
And let us not forget the consumption along the way of dim sum and plenty of local fish, plus a couple of bottles of Sam Adams along the way.
The Boston Herald noted the event as well:
<!Kerry, who celebrated his birthday Monday, held a bash in Boston for bloggers from as far away as Mississippi and California to wish him well as he mulls another run.
“We wanted to stay connected and say that we’re still here and we’re still listening,” said blogger Terri Buchman, who helped organize the party at Kerry’s downtown office.The 43 bloggers in attendance all supported Kerry’s 2004 bid on sites such as “Democratic Underground.”[...]
“These are people who care, who are creative, and who know the value of people powered politics,” Kerry said. “Over the last two years, they’ve had my back in the fight on the Alito nomination . . . and in the lonely fight (U.S. Sen.) Russ Feingold and I waged to change course in Iraq.”
Mahalo
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Hope the birthday celebration was a good one. Judging by the pictures, it looks like it was.
It must have felt odd to celebrate in the city with the first American Revolution, while we’re in the process of taking back our democracy right now.
Cheers Bloggers!
And be safe on your travels, Senator Kerry.
Great pictures! ;-) What a fun time that was.
Safe travels, Senator Kerry!
What a wonderful weekend that was. I can tell you that that Boston Tea Party reenactment was a ball—sort of the in person version of the rauceous blogosphere. Wonderful pictures and recap.
It was wicked awesome, as some of us might put it. Lovely pictures, too. Thanks to all of those who had a hand in organizing, and making this special weekend happen.
Je trouve que la victoire, des démocrates est significative qu’aux yeux de l’opinions américaine il fallait à tout prix désavouer la politique jusqu’aboutiste et belliciste de l’administration du Président Busch, l’avertissement sera sans retour à l’égard de ceux qui n’ont pas tenus comptes de l’oppositions de la Nations Américaine à cette guerre qui ne veut pas dire son nom. Il y a là une erreur stratégique politico-militaire des stratèges militaires, dicté par la politque des conseillers de Busch, et impulsé auprès du Pentagone par la maison blanche. John Kerry, Futur President.
The entire weekend was simply incredible. It was fantastic seeing everyone again and meeting others (in person) for the first time. As the Senator said, we are all “family”.
Thanks to all who made it possible for us to come together. Most of all, many thanks to Senator Kerry and Teresa for taking the time to meet with us and for their warm welcome, their humility and their humor.
Well, you never know what the heck you’re supposed to say to a Senator when he shakes your hand and says “Thank you.”
So I thanked him back. Of course.
I pointed at the rest of the folks gathered there in the room, and told him that I was there with dozens of very good friends that I would never have had the chance to meet were it not for him.
And he smiled a very big smile.
Of course.
It was a truly wonderful weekend. This was also a chance for people to share stories and talk about our backgrounds and common hopes and ideals. There was a truly interesting group which brought together people from the deeply blue to the deeply red states and let us all just talk together about our hopes for this country going forward.
Sen. Kerry was just wonderful with us, even after he discovered that we couldn’t sing Happy Birthday and arrive at a common ending. (Ahm, happy Birthday Senator, ah, John Kerry, ah, Senator Kerry, hmmm, maybe we should have rehearsed that one after all. LOL!)
It was also great to have a chance to talk with Teresa Heinz Kerry. I had the chance to meet THK in Manchester back in Oct and she remembered the meeting and the other folks who were there back then as well. This meeting in Boston was yet another chance for this warm, intelligent and funny woman to meet with supporters and have some fun. I was so happy to see her again and have a chance to talk again.
This was an absolutely fantastic time that I still have trouble believing really happened. It is amazing that I actually met the person who really is the finest statesman of my generation, as he has been an honest leader for nearly 4 decades. He and his wonderful wife were as amazing.
It was also a great time wandering the streets of Boston with a group of friends. it was great to see that everyone was as nice and interesting in person as on the blogs.
Otter—you have a point about being a little bit tongue tied. When I told the good Senator what my blog name was, all I could think of saying was, “Yes, I’m a Mom who lives near the beach.” Unprepared witticisms are not my forte, but of course, Sen. Kerry was very easy to talk to as was Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Tay Tay—you’re right about the group of bloggers who were able to get to Boston. If I can quote Winston Churchill, he said, “Meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like opening your first bottle of champagne; knowing him was like drinking it.” This is how I feel about meeting some great people this weekend who I got to know on the internet through this blog, DU, and dailykos. It was that great. I have a feeling this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, or rather friendships.
But just wanted to say that those of you who couldn’t make it, you were there in spirit. Senator Kerry knows from the cards that we represented a larger group. And I can tell you that he was very touched by the personally signed notes on the cards by bloggers across the country.
Getting to meet Senator Kerry and Teresa for the first time was an incredible experience. I feel so honored and very blessed to get to support such an amazing, gracious couple. I am deeply grateful to everyone that put it together and especially to the Senator and his wife for making time for all of us. They are very, very special people to me.
This post warms my heart! Excellent photos! We shared three absolutely terrific days in December. The opportunity to say happy birthday to Senator Kerry in person is a moment I will cherish forever!
The others messed up the birthday song terribly. You see, I did not sing because we were in a building with big glass windows and I was concerned about everyone’s safety! :-)
I cannot remember what I said (babbled) to Senator Kerry when I shook his hand. I stood their in disbelief thinking: Wow, I’m shaking Senator Kerry’s hand. Wow, he’s tall! I approached Teresa Heinz Kerry a little after that and mumbled something, all the while thinking how beautiful she is in person. Well, she’s beautiful on the tube too, but she’s even more so in person.
As the Senator and Teresa spoke with us, it became crystal clear why I made the trip to Boston, why I participate in these forums, and why I’ll do whatever I can to support their efforts! They are truly inspiring and lovely people!
Also, the Senator has the best supporters!
Before I forget -
Happy Birthday Senator Kerry!
I wish I could have been there - I’m glad you all had a wonderful time.
For the first time in awhile I am hoping that we can finally take our country back.
Meg in St. Louis
Thanks for posting the pictures.
Glad everyone had such a great time.
I was with all of you in spirit.
Happy Birthday Senator Kerry and be safe on your trip.
I had one last thing to say about the weekend: it felt really good to convey to Senator Kerry how his words and actions have inspired me to get involved “in real life”, volunteering for the Webb campaign. It was heartening to be able to tell him my story so that he could know that people out in the country have been positively impacted by his powerful message of the importance of being an involved and engaged citizen.
What a great experience this was. But like Otter, I was pretty tongue-tied. And I shouldn’t have been, because I was in the lucky group who attended last year. I was surprised that JK remembered me - he thanked me for coming back this year! Out of all the hundreds of people he must meet in a year, he remembers ME?!? Wow. That speaks to an incredible memory, for sure. Or that this group of bloggers really is quite special to him.
I wish I could say that I had something witty or charming to say in response, but I didn’t. But it’s even more credit to JK and the wonderful Teresa that they seem to understand folk like me who just can’t string syllables together sometimes. Mostly all I managed was “thank you” several times, because frankly that is what I most feel towards them: profound gratitude that they put themselves out there and take all the crap that gets slung at them, just to serve US. They could just say the hell with it and walk away, but they don’t. And that means so much, it’s hard for me to think of anything else to say.
Happy Birthday Senator!
What a truly amazing time we all had visiting with old friends and new, and celebrating the Senator’s birthday. Sen Kerry and Teresa are such great people, it’s just a pleasure to spend time with them.
Great post, Violet.
Good video of the Senator speaking on his trip to the Middle East at NECN.
http://www.boston.com/news/necn/
This trip was incredible. I met up with some great friends and made some new ones. And what could possibly be better than meeting the wonderful and funny Senator Kerry and his charming wife? The Senator and Mrs. Kerry could not of been more gracious and generous with their time.
I was so awe struck, I could barely utter a word and now I am embarrassed to say I didn’t even wish the Senator a happy birthday. So, Senator Kerry, happy belated birthday and many, many more happy birthdays!
Everyone there was so articulate and told his/her story with clarity and specificity. I know the Senator and Mrs. Heinz Kerry were impressed by both the number of folks who showed up and by the amount of volunteerism and commitment to their ideals.
Thanks to all who helped to organize the event, all who traveled far, all who spoke up, and all who believe in what we do online and on the ground!
Thank you for posting pictures of Senator Kerry’s special day. It looks as if you all had a WONDERFUL time this weekend!
I also extend my belated birthday wishes, Senator, and my prayers for your safe travels in the Middle East.
As a blogger’s spouse, it was a pleasure to meet everyone who came to the event as well as renew friendships.
Happy birthday Senator Kerry!
Indeed, Bladerunner, it was.
Oh, and by the way, thanks for the loan of your spouse. Said person did come in a wee bit handy from time to time over the course of the event.
:0)
I guess McCain isn’t having any blogger birthday bashes.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/13/2030/9825
Thanks for the pics and the storys Kerrycrats.
and ...
Happy Birthday Senator!!!
Shauna
Cross-posting my tale from DU because I’m still exhausted after this long trip back to France:
“We just came home yesterday, Julie and I, and were exhausted after the 12-hour-trip and the lost night thanks to the different time zones. We had a great - but cold *g* - time in Boston and it was wonderful meeting you all there! My friend Ulrike says also hi! She and Julie visited Boston for the first time and really liked it very much. We also went to Salem and visited the Witches Museum. And the girls went shopping, of course! LOL
Now to the meeting with John and Teresa. Well, I don’t know how to say it… On the one hand, as we had and have the opportunity to see a lot of JK’s public appearances, speeches, interviews etc. online (thanks to JK.com and all you great people here who always dig the audio and video links) it’s like meeting an old friend because you are so familiar with his voice, his expressions, his gestures, just everything (I already had that feeling when I saw him for the first time at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in October). On the other hand it’s something totally different to talk to him, and hell yes, it’s intimidating! LOL I introduced us at the “European Delegation” and he seemed to find it funny. He asked it we really had come all the way from Europe for his Birthday and was impressed and thanked us when we confirmed that. What surprised me and stunned my daughter to no end was that he knew my DU name. I’m not one of the people who really post here very often and during the whole weekend I felt a bit like an intruder because I’m just not in the position and don’t have the knowledge to contribute as much as you others do to this site and the whole JK cause. I mean I first came here because I was totally impressed with John Kerry in 2004 and wanted to learn more about him and American politics in general. And it’s still a big learning process for me.
About Teresa: You just have to love here! She is such a normal, warm, down-to-earth woman. (I guess I don’t tell you something new here. *g*) She talked first in English and then in French to us and especially asked my daughter if she is interested in politics as well and if she wants to study Political Science. Julie said that she will do Law in the UK next year and Teresa meant that it’s pretty close and a good choice. As the conversation was in French it was like talking to one of our neighbors. Just amazing!
What else can I say? Oh yes, just one observation. I have met celebrities and people who are in public life before (I once even was member of a fan group for an actor *blush*) and I often made the experience that people have a public persona and a private one. They rarely are the same person on screen/on stage and in a more intimate or even totally private setting. You are often surprised when you meet them in person, sometimes for the better, often for the worse. *g* But John Kerry is always John Kerry. He is totally authentic. Surely more relaxed, more funny and less guarding his words in this kind of meeting, but still the same guy you see on TV, at a speech or in the Senate. With most politicians you get the impression that they hide something from you, that they aren’t really honest. Not so with John Kerry. You have the feeling that he lets you see right into his heart and that’s very touching.”
Oh, and here is our picture!
My daughter Julie and I with John Kerry.
Looks like everyone had a wonderful time, I’m sure the Senator and the lovely Teresa were deeply touched. Thanks for the story and pics!
Posted by blogger | December 14, 2006 11:38 AM
blogger - Thanks for the info. I am shocked, SHOCKED that a legislator who is popular in the mainstream media, but not online, should propose something like this ;)
RATS!!! Am I ever jealous that y’all got to party w/JK and THK on his birthday!!! Next year…
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, SENATOR KERRY!!!!
Blogger—thanks for the link about McCain. Considering the fact that McCain is loathed by the right and left blogosphere, and loved by the corporate media, I suppose this “War on Blogs” bill makes sense for him, and just about no one else.
From the original link on Think Progress, there is this quote:
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/12/13/mccain-war-on-blogs/
Kevin Bankston of the Electronic Frontier Foundation notes that this proposal may be based more “on fear or political considerations rather than on the facts.” When he introduced his legislation to the Senate, McCain offered no evidence that children are being victimized by people who post comments on blogs.
McCain’s legislation could deal a serious blow to the blogosphere. Lacking resources to police their sites, many individual blogs may have to shut down open discussion.
Let that sink in for a minute. This bill cannot be allowed forward.
Oh, and I just took a peruse in redstate.com (call me brave). They’re completely against the bill, too.
Here is a wonderful D-Kos post about a new NPR poll on the Democratic Party:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/15/92717/088
If Senator Kerry thinks that the US should negotiate with Iran and Syria, should he not also agree to be interviewed by Boston talk radio WRKO?
I miss all the fun. @;-)
But love the fact that this has become an annual event. :-)