If you are reading this, there is a reasonable chance that you know that I am the father of an autistic son. Jimmy is 26 now, and while he does have political views, the issues that matter to him are probably not the issues that matter to you, or to me. That doesn't matter.
In any event, there were four of us having a family lunch at The Olde Blind Dog in a town called Milton in north Fulton County, GA. Outside, there were people gathered, a lot of people. They were there to see Herman Cain, a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. Right around the time he began to speak, we went outside to hear him as well. We were there among probably 1500-2000 people (guessing, but I know that he was signing 500 books for attendees and there were plenty who were after number 500 in line, as well as the many who chose not to buy his book).
After his speech ended, we moved to a shady area around the side of the building. Mr. Cain was signing books. From where we were standing, we had a pretty good view of him, albeit from behind.
To fully understand this, consider the day. Mr. Cain was at The Olde Blind Dog from 3:00 until 4:30. He had a 6:00 commitment at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, a good distance away. Said differently, he was on a very tight schedule.
It doesn't matter how it happened, but let me assure you that no money was involved. Mr. Cain was on his way to his car after finishing the book signings. He stopped off to speak with Jimmy. They shook hands. Herman Cain asked Jimmy if there was anything he wanted to ask him. Jimmy told him his two priorities.
During that time, there were a few things that I noticed. Herman never took his eyes of Jimmy. He never let go of his hand. He listened carefully and he responded to both points. Then he shook Jimmy's hand again, got in his car and headed to Peachtree-Dekalb.
You may love Herman Cain's politics. You may despise Herman Cain's politics. You know what, this is a free country and I support your right to have your feelings, whatever they may be. But, regardless of political leanings, I was truly impressed with the man. This was an exhibition of true human kindness that you just don't see every day.
Vote as you see fit. If you think that the President has been doing a good job, then please get to the polls next November and support his re-election. If you think that a Republican could do a better job, then show your support in the primaries and hope that you can vote for your candidate of choice in November. This is all part of what makes the United States the greatest country in the world.
But, no matter how you vote, do not disparage this man.
Do not disparage this man!
This brings tears to my eyes. Cain's staff was just as nice as he was. I think Jimmy will remember this for a long time. Although Jimmy may not completely understand ideas like 9 9 9 he did understand that someone took the time to listen to his concerns and reassured him about them. We need a president that cares!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this account of Herman Cain's character. I sense this about him every time I get to hear him speak and so do my friends who have occasion to be closer to him.
ReplyDeleteDonna, thanks for commenting. He was all that and more.
ReplyDeleteI want to commend you sharing this account of a chance encounter with Herman Cain. I think it speaks volumes about your commitment to your son and to our country. Would it be possible to tell what Jimmy's two issues were? I'd like to know what he thinks is important enough to raise with a presidential candidate. Because it might be something important to all of us.
ReplyDeleteScott, thank you for the kind words. In the interest of my son's privacy, I think it best to keep the specific questions out of public scrutiny, but I have shared them with you privately. I hope you will respect my wishes to keep them private.
ReplyDeleteTRULY heartfelt and I know this is true about Herman Cain. Thank you for sharing this with us John and Jimmy. I have linked my blog to this, you can find a portion of it here. http://allenwestrepublic.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/herman-cain-when-humanity-overtakes-politics-by-john-lowell-dont-disparge-this-man/
ReplyDeleteTook this from a friends comment on Facebook and wanted to share with you. "Don’t know who said it first but reminds me of this. “You can judge the true character of a man by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.” Cain is a man of high moral character, in my mind THAT is the most important quality in our next POTUS!" This was after I shared this story. Thanks again
ReplyDeleteI love Herman Cain and I appreciate you sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteTwitter handle - @people4cain
Thank you Allen and Paul for reading and commenting. I don't know if it is clear or not, but I use this blog as an opportunity to express things that are on my mind that I feel the need to say. Never do I expect high readership, but if I can positively influence one train of thought or make one person think more clearly about an issue that's important to me, then I have done my job.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I have passed this piece on to a few talking heads who to my mind have questioned the person that Mr. Cain is. None have responded to me and none that I am aware of have shared.
This is a wonderful look at Cain, the man. Thank you for posting it. I will share it, if you don't mind. People need to know about this.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, Thank you for reading and commenting. Please feel free to link to the post. If you copy and paste, I would appreciate credit for it. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can share this with many more people. If only everyone could know this about him. I really feel he is the one we need. God bless you and your son.
ReplyDeleteMonty, thanks for commenting. Feel free to share. If possible, please credit as appropriate.
ReplyDelete