Canadians for Kerry

Two words: Neil Young. Neil Young! When someone calls you at 4pm and asks if you want to go see REM/Bruce Springsteen in a few hours, the logical answer is yes, even if you were planning on settling into another post season, with game one of the Twins vs. Yanks starting at the same time. And oh man, was it worth it. Not only did REM and the Boss play their rock and roll hearts out for the Democratic Party, but f'ing Neil Young showed up. Did I mention Neil Young was there? Neil Young. He was wearing a giant Canada button and looked like he walked straight out of Hard Times. His hair blew back from his face as he played the f**k out of that guitar. I never actually thought I would see a live, election-year, electric performance of Keep On Rocking in the Free World. One of the most interesting aspects was that all the bands seemed really energetic and congenial. They wanted to be there, they wanted everyone in the audience to vote for Kerry, they wanted to play together, they wanted to have extended guitar battles with Neil Young (who was clearly the winner). Other highlights included:

* Really amazing seats (thanks Nick, Emma, and the 21st Century Democrats)
* Watching Al Franken dance
* Watching Al Franken dance next to Michael Stipe
* Bruuuce and Michael Stipe singing Because the Night
* Watching the Twins game in the concourse between sets - the umpires retracting Bernie Williams homerun.
* Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young doing "All Along the Watchtower"
* The Boss announcing the Twins victory
* Born. To. Run.
* Did I mention NEIL YOUNG?

And of course realizing that people actually care about politics enough to come together and yell for a few hours. There is nothing more attractive than strong convictions.