Americans unite in a moment of need

The massive power, danger and threat of Hurricane Gustav has stimulated what no group, political party, religious organization or person, has done since that horrible 9/11 day in 2001 – bipartisanship and camaraderie. Maybe Hurricane Hanna will do the same.

As Americans opened their hearts and wallets to the victims of the Gulf Coast and as the political, partisan wheels of both parties came to a bipartisan stop, if only for a day, I couldn’t help but think of King Arthur, ready to do battle, telling a young boy to go forth and tell the world, “Don’t let it be forgot, That once there was a spot, For one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.”

On Monday, we witnessed several brief shining moments. A shining moment from the Republican Party that abbreviated its opening day convention so that America, and those terrified Gulf Coast residents, could concentrate on the destructive ramifications of Gustav bearing down on our shores.

The GOP’s first order of business was a plea from Mike Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He asked delegates and all TV viewers to pull out their cell phones and to text a code that would make automatically make a $5 donation to the Red Cross. Speeches were canceled, save for first lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain, who addressed the throng reminding them to think of their fellow Americans and to donate.

Presidential hopeful John McCain told his party, “This is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats.” Within hours, the GOP amassed nearly $2 million.

The shining moment was reflected on the Democratic side as Senator Barack Obama told his supporters to get on the Internet and on the phone to raise money for the hurricane victims. Obama offices throughout Missouri began collecting non-perishable items and medical supplies. Corporations and paperboys all across the nation pitched in to help.

If you want to shine by donating, as more hurricanes threaten our neighbors, call the Red Cross as 1-800-Red Cross or write to them at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

One more shining moment, the 22-hour Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day telethon raised a record $65 million, a testimony that sometimes in America, “You’ll never walk alone.”

 I give you President John Adams’ toast: Independence forever.