Here's what's great.
1. The Republicans failed to steal the 2008 election.
Despite all their best efforts of vote suppression, obstruction, purging, and outright theft - despite the lies about socialist, terrorist, Muslim, Osama - the choice preferred by the majority of voters prevailed.
2. An African American man was elected President of the United States.
Wow. Wow wow wow. This was the first time in my life I ever thought, I wish my father was alive to see this. He would have loved it as much as I do.
Here's what's good.
1. A Democrat is in the White House, and a Democrat in the White House is better than a Republican in the White House.
I'm not a Democrat, but I'm not insane, either. I didn't love Bill Clinton, but I liked him a whole lot more than his predecessor or his successor. If I could vote in Canada, I wouldn't have voted for the Liberals, but I'd prefer Stephane Dion over Stephen Harper, hands down.
2. An intelligent, thoughtful, articulate person now represents the United States to the world.
Although I've always maintained Bush was nothing but a figurehead for much more powerful people, he was the sorry face of that country for eight, long, dark years. We're well overdue for a little light.
Here's what I'm still afraid of.
1. Getting to January 20.
When I see the peaceful transfer of power, then I'll exhale.
Congratulations, USians. Well done. Now keep it up!
23 comments:
Hear, hear!
I was so happy to have been a part of this historic moment in US history, but we've still got two months until he takes office. I think we'll be okay, though.
The god damned election wasn't even close. :)
I just got back. I cannot stop grinning.
I am not going to think beyond this great feeling I have right now!
Great post.
Well, it was a walk. The economy is tanking. Americans will vote against their own best interests only if they don't have the money being taken out of their own pockets. That's the sad truth. There was no earthly reason to re-elect Bush in 2004, but few people cared about what was going on in Iraq, and some of them LIKED the idea of being an Empire.
Now, these people are not going to go away just because there is a Black man and a Democrat sitting in the White House. They are an extraordinarily large, dumb, and dangerous group.
The good news is that there are enough Democrats in the Senate and House to help President Obama get his projects through. The bad news is that he has an Augean stable to clean out. And the Bush administration doesn't end tomorrow, as it really should, but in three months.
Does Canada have a 'transition period', I wonder?
Why shouldn't government appointees get two weeks' notice and a pink slip like everyone else?
but to return to the topic:
This is an extraodinarily dangerous time. I want to get through to January 20 without more mischief planned by the disgusting team in the current White House.
It might be asking for too much.
Let's hope he can pull off even a little of that Change he's promised. He's got everything in his favour at the moment, as long as the nutcases don't get him.
By the way, speaking of making history, here's a little piece of US election history trivia that I find interesting:
When was the last time Republicans won the White House without the names "Richard Nixon" or "George Bush" on the ticket?
1928, Herbert Hoover.
Let's hope he can pull off even a little of that Change he's promised.
In that vein, here's a congratulatory message from Avaaz.org many of us can get behind:
Dear President* Obama:
As citizens across the world, we congratulate you on your election, and celebrate your campaign commitments to sign a strong new global treaty on climate change, close Guantanamo prison and end torture, withdraw carefully from Iraq, and double aid to fight poverty. No one country or leader can meet the world's most pressing challenges alone, but working together as one world in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, yes we can bring real and lasting change.
[*OK, even I know it should read "President-Elect Obama" -- always interesting to find people even less informed than myself about U.S. politics -- but the message is still a good one].
Great comments everyone, thank you. I didn't hear it last night, but this morning I see that turnout was huge (for the US). Also excellent news.
When was the last time Republicans won the White House without the names "Richard Nixon" or "George Bush" on the ticket?
1928, Herbert Hoover.
Wow! I guess having two people named George Bush really helps, plus people running as Prez and Veep at different times. Cool factoid.
Nice pic of celebrations in Toronto's Dundas Square, from Daily Dose of Imagery: here.
yay.
Suggestion:
The Ugly
Arizona, California, and Florida pass State Constitution Amendments that define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
The dark side. Thanks Kevin. Good reality check.
the gay bashing in this vote is definitely the dark side of this election.
There was some bright lights shining at the end of long tunnels for the Pro-Choice movement thought.
There was some bright lights shining at the end of long tunnels for the Pro-Choice movement thought.
I don't know about bright lights, but at least not dropping off a cliff.
For the first time in 8 years, I'm proud to be an American today :)
I'll be anxious to see how a new Obama administration will clean up the mess that Bush will be leaving behind and how IF Obama will “Change” The Bush Police State Or Expand It?
IF Obama will "Change" The Bush Police State Or Expand It?
That is indeed a big source of concern.
Of course, first we need to see the titular head of the Bush police state leave office.
... and how IF Obama will “Change” The Bush Police State Or Expand It?
American history shows that Constitutional erosion and social crackdowns enacted during wartime are rarely reversed. They generally become the new normal.
@l-girl
Arkansas passes law that no orphans or ward of state can be placed into adoptive home of gay couple.
Also, courts will now decide if that effects retroactively. Waiting for more NOOZ on this.
Ugh...
Thanks, Kevin. The US is still the US.
I know there were huge ballot question losses, but man, what a wild ride. Of course no politician is perfect and Obama will not be able to snap his fingers and solve issues, but just the fact that so many people came out to vote for him fills me with hope and joy. I have been missing America lately, and positively yearn for it today.
I just found myself saying "President Obama" at random times today. Savoring the words. Delicious.
It's a dangerous time, yes, and I'm annoyed at the homophobes, but...I'm just elated. John McCain's concession reminded me of Paul Martin's, somehow, his last speech was by far his best. In Canadian terms, McCain and Palin were a weird mix of Kim Campbell and Joe Clark, left to clean up after the Elephant in the room, doing themselves no favors but basically taking it in the neck for the previous leader.
(Note for Canadian readers: Comparing Palin to Campbell is an unforgivable insult to Campbell, and I only mean it in the sense that Palin will get thrown under the bus to try and deflect blame from McCain and Bush, just as Campbell was).
A friend just sent me this:
Oh... my friend Renee in Wisconsin....her brother is enraged about the Obama victory. He's leaving the country, and is apparently serious about it.
He's moving to... France!
I have been missing America lately, and positively yearn for it today.
I agree with the rest of what Mara said, but I can't say I've been experiencing this!
He's moving to... France!
LOL. He'll be a real hit there. Oh wait, no he won't, because they won't let him in.
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