"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."It is finished.
And thusly, it is also just begun.
Barack Obama has been elected President. He is the embodiment of the platitude that,
“In America, any child grow up to become President.”
The African-American community is ecstatic.
After decades and indeed centuries of servitude, injustice, and being treated as less than human in this great nation, a black man has achieved the highest office in this great land.
However...
Obama’s achievement is bigger than that of race, of culture, and even bigger than himself.
He has proven that when one sets his or her mind to something, at least in America, anything is indeed possible.
He has not only proven that the human spirit and yes, human ambition is indomitable, but so is the opportunity in our country.
After years of a stained past in regards to race relations and after the despicable events of September 11, 2001, America has spoken and has said the following…
We have decided that, at least in this instance, we have moved on. We have grown up. We will allow hope to outshine the shadows of fear…and prejudice.
Will Obama be a success as our next President? That is yet to be seen.
But as of last night, he has already become a success. He has become a symbol of hope to many.
Not simply to black Americans…but to any person, of any color, or any creed, or any socio-economic status who has a dream that they long to chase.
To Obama, I wish you the best, and to Senator John McCain, I want to thank you for delivering a most gracious concession speech.
I hope that Senator McCain's eloquent words do not fall upon deaf ears.
Cheers!!
59 comments:
Beautifully said, my friend. I know that Biden was your guy from way back and I have to say, I fell in love with him more and more throughout this campaign. What an incredibly duo we have here. I couldn't be happier.
And I was also very pleased with McCain's concession speech. I really wish the classless boobs in the audience in Phoenix could have emulated him.
I have hope..
What a night!!! OMG, can I have some bagwine or something so I can sleep now?? Whew!
All well said in your post! I'm proud of Obama for all he's done, McCain for conceding graciously, and the PEOPLE for making this happen.
President elect Obama has achieved a great success...and is a hope for many.
I would predict John McCain will be a very visable support...if not advisor to him.
Allie: I do have a man-crush on Biden. And I did throw that one dour line in at the end because of the boos that I heard in the McCain crowd. Cheers Sexy!!
Snugs: Well, if you have hope; you have everything. Cheers Snugs!!
Crystal: McCain gave a very good speech. Now, here, have a slug of this bottle and then go to bed. Cheers!!
The dawn of things to come... hopefully a remarkable journey.
Peace to you my friend.
Wise words, my friend.
Anndi: I hope things go well. For the country and the world. Cheers Anndi!!
Songbird: Thanks Dear. Here's to an attempt to change things for the better. Cheers!!
"I hope that Senator McCain's eloquent words do not fall upon deaf ears."
Amen brudder man....
Kat: Hope is a great thing. In fact, sometimes it is all that a person may have. Cheers Kat!!
Cheesy: He delivered a very good speech. And I hope as you said, his words take seed. Cheers!!
McCain gave one of the most eloquent and heartfelt speeches ever. I think he was as surprised as anyone that he even was the front runner amongst all the other Republican candidates, and so for him to even be competing was indeed --a gift.
Regardless of whom was going to take over the reins, I had and continue to have, the belief that we will persevere and emerge from this horrible time of financial demoralization.
Matt-man -again you have expressed my feelings right to a tee! Both men, both speeches, were equally eloquent and inspiring.
And the entire process does make one believe fully in those words -"Yes, we can!" Cheers -and Peace.
Kanani: While his loss is his loss, some of McCain's campaign operatives should never work in such a capacity again. They were awful. As for what else you said, the next President has one helluva mess to clean up, but as a country, yeah, we rock. Cheers!!
Jeni: Why thank you. And you're right, both speeches were pretty good. Cheers and Peace to you too!!
My fear is that Obama supporters may have placed too much responsibility on his shoulders. I will support my president elect - to the best of my ability - but to think the country has changed because we've elected a black president? This is the same country, filled with the same people, that it was 24 hours ago.
dana I WILL not address your negative attitude here but since you erase my comments on your blog this is it....enough said.
Dana: I was going to speak about that very thing, but left it for another day. But since you brought it up...
You are correct the expectations on Obama from so many of his supporters are unattainable.
And for those who loathe the man, Obama will never be seen as doing anything right.
Most of our problems however, are a result of inaction by the average American who doesn't call their lawmakers on the carpet. Who never rights a letter. Who never let's their voice be heard other than through the privacy of the voting booth. Cheers!!
Doggy: Negative or not, I think her point is accurate and I agree whole-heartedly with it. I was just saving it for a time after a little Obama celebratory moment. Cheers!!
I thought the McCain concession speech was done well, but after he thanked Governor Palin, it seemed he started all over again and in some ways sounded bitter near the end.
Bond: Eh...You may be right, but if it was me in McCain's shoes I'd be bitter for awhile as well. Anyone who runs for President has to have more than a bit of an ego, and well, losing is not easy on the ego. Cheers Vin!!
That was sure something watching all those people in Time Square last night wasn't it, wow; very moving. If this election did anything it gave America a big ol' kick in the pants.
Lu: Yes it was and that is kinda what I was taling about.
No matter how O-Man fares in the nuts and bolts administration of this country, on one level his achievement has secured for him a positive, enduring American legacy.
I hope all Americans believe that anything is possible as a result of it. Cheers Lu!!
...I, for one, am quite the happy bastard this morning.....
Cheers...what a great post... what a great day! I can stand up & say I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN!
I too was going to leave the negative door closed for today - I wanted this one day to savor something I and many, many others have worked for. But since the door was opened before me ...
I think we will see a renewed interest in, participation in government. Much the way Kennedy inspired the Peace Corp. People are not islands - unless they're comfy enough to live on one - and so they need leadership. They need somewhere to look for guidance. I agree that we, me included, have put a huge weight on Obama's shoulders in terms of our expectations of his ability to lead - but he is up to the task. I keep saying today that I feel like I have a President who sees me :)
As for McCain - again I was not going to say anything but good things but ... since the door was opened
His speech was gracious. He looked and sounded like the man I admired many years ago. His supporters were ugly when he said Obama's name. You could see that McCain was uncomfortable with that - well - he and Sarah threw the gasoline on that fire, McCain will need to work to put it out. Sarah can get a show on Fox.
In sharp contrast - when Obama mentioned McCain there was nothing but polite applause - actually there were some cheers - from the crowd in Chicago.
I really intended to just come say 'woo-hoo' and now I'm slamming shut the door that was opened. There is enough time for that crap later.
so Matty my love - Woo-Hoo and thank you and thanks to all of Ohio :)
Norway: Thanks!! I think it is a great day for the American people. A fork in the road of our history thats time had come to be taken. Stay Warm. Cheers!!
Dianne: If anybody has the steel, calm, and resolute determination to live up to any and all expectations it's Barack Obama.
And yeah, not McCain, but his supporters were a big downer. Ah well, so be it. It only put a damper on my happiness for moment.
Here's to Obama, here's to you, Di, and here's to a brighter future. Cheers Bay-Bay!!
Hey Matt Man, Mike at the Beverage Depot wants you to give him a call. He dont have your # up there and needs to ask you a question about last night.
I told him I didnt have your # but I could leave you a comment.
See you tonight.
Pizza Man: Wow...It is obvious that the tubes of the Internets won't allow for any hiding. Cheers Bill!!
While I agree that there are those who have some unrealistic expectations, I gotta say that pessimism in general is a cop out.
It's the battle cry of the do nothings. You don't like the way the country is going? DO SOMETHING.
Realism is one thing. Cold water baths on election night are another.
As to McCain. That was a great speech. I feel for John McCain I really do. I think he is gonna wake up today and wonder who the hell he has been for the last year. McCain circa 2000 would not have knee jerked and picked Palin just to win over the congregations of men HE called agents of intolerance. I think after the hatchet job Bush did on him in 2000 he wanted it so badly, he became someone else trying to get it. This is NOT the way I wanted to see his career end.
I do think he will be a support of Obama. Because I think the man has class and now that this election fever has passed I think he will want to mend our internal fences.
Too bad his some of his supporters are not acting in kind.
Great post dude. Well said.
Obama has brought a lot of new people into the system and now I hope he keeps them involved. And he needs to work to keep the constant negativism and cynicism of Washington from bringing him down.
But, today is a happy day. Today most of us have hope.
And it's nice to see that for once a campaign based almost solely on "My opponent hates America and might be the Anti-Christ" was thoroughly rejected.
I came back to hug Starr and Jay!
and of course another one for you Matty.
Starr: Yeah, while I am pragmatic and am a political realist, I do have alot of hope and to a certain degree much excitement over O-Man being elected.
As for McCain, maybe he can go back to being himself once again. I hope so. Cheers!!
Jay: I agree on every thing you just said. I love the fact that for once America in essence said, "Fuck the nastiness. Screw the "moral" issues. Who the hell is gonna try to fix things for this Country." Cheers Jay!!
Dianne: I appreciate the hug, but can I be shallow for a second...Can I have some tongue? Cheers Di!!
Matty I hope you can breathe with all this tongue in your mouth! Let me know when you want to come up for air!
Dianne: Hmmmgupppmphrrrryummmmshummmm. Mmmmmmm, thanks, Di. Cheers. Wow, I'm dizzy!!
I came back to read comments and was kind of surprised! Let me clarify, because I think maybe I was not articulate with my thoughts.
I am not AT ALL negative about Obama's victory. I hope (really, I do!) that he is able to meet the expectations of those who elected him. I hope he is the best choice for the country. The overwhelming majority in this country believe he is the best choice, and he (and *my* country) will have my support.
My concern is that expectations are high for him and I hope he continues to have the support of the majority if he cannot meet all of those expectations - I'm hoping (yes, I used that word again) that he hasn't been "set up" for failure.
That's all - no negativity here. I am proud of my country and its political process (for the most part). Agree or not with the outcome of this election, it is in the best interest of all of us to keep an open mind.
Did I mention I am sorry? Matt, Dianne, Star - anyone else who thought I was being negative - that wasn't my intent. I really wasn't trying to put a damper on anything, but rather was making a statement as to my support. Not sure how that got lost, but it did!
This truly is an amazing day in history, and for that I am grateful!
Dana: I knew what you meant because not only did I think about expectations, it was also brought up on Joe Scarborough this morning by Obama supporters.
Your last line is something I meant to say myself in my post. When I said that "I hope McCain's words don't fall upon deaf ears", I meant and should have added, "I hope instead, that his words fall upon open minds and open hearts."
One thing about Obama, I think he is truly a man who is going to do whatever he can to make this country better. For some, it might not be what THEY think is better, but I do believe he that is his ultimate goal.
Cheers!!
I'm still all a twitter!
Just needed to say that lol
Cheesy: Holy Crap...You are so damn sexy when you twitter. Cheers Cheesy!!
Hi,
I recommend reading this week's edition of NEWSWEEK. There are some very good editorials describing what will need to be done, and how this is the most important time in history because two forces --economy and war, are forever changing our society.
Senator McCain's followers were as upset as Obama's supporters would have been had he lost. Unfortunately, the have a tendency to say the most basest things. If you follow Sarge's blog, you'll see his wife has called him names that are not befitting social interchange at any level. This is the stuff we're all going to have to move through over the next few months. The angry diatribe of those who have had it their way for the past 8 years, maybe even a lifetime, and have move over a bit.
Nevertheless, we'll all have to make adjustments. And the Obama supporters are just going to have to be the bigger persons as we observe some extreme reactions.
Well said.
I had a conversation with my mother yesterday afternoon (who usually votes democratic) and she referred to Obama as a socialist, which in my family (I'm just referring to my own family here) is code for, "I know you'd throw a fit if I said I wouldn't vote for him because he's black". I wanted to smack her.
I was so depressed after that conversation but it turns out that hatred didn't win. The hope this gives me goes beyond equality and diminishing racism. It's a hope for humanity that I didn't have before.
Kanani: First of all, I like your logical comments. It balances out my sarcasm. ; )
Obama, as would have McCain, has a steep climb ahead of him. Times are tough. It will take us all to make things happen.
As for the vitriol and negative diatribes that will be displayed, it happens. And here's why...
Some people on both the left and the right see all things as being black or white. This or That. My way or your way.
That type of thinking makes life easy. It doesn't require thought.
It's time for the 80% of us who see the shades of gray to speak up and help the next administration and future adminstrations to do what's best for all. Cheers Kan!!
Marilyn: Thanks. And I had a similar conversation with the ex and her family. Like you, it bummed me out, but I bounced right back. Cheers to you, and Colorado!!
I hope I am up to the challenge of what kanani has described so eloquently.
I will try. I PROMISE to try.
Dana - I truly believe you're a good person. If I didn't your comments wouldn't annoy me so much. I'd just ignore you as I do people like 'Sarge'. I have felt so frustrated for so long. I truly have felt invisible in a country where I did everything right and felt that starting 8 years ago I was basically told to go fuck myself.
I think I need to learn better how to 'read' you. Do you come with footnotes!? I am so out there that it is rare that I am misunderstood. You remind me a lot of my sister - we fought all the time. We had such a hard time communicating, our styles were so different.
Thanks for coming back and clarifying - I did feel a bit dampened on.
But hey! maybe I'm just damp cause of Matty.
That I know we can both understand - communication at it's base level ;)
Dianne: That was nice and well said. But the best thing I think you did, through me, you have started a new fad...
"Peace Through Matty Induced Dampness"
God Bless You Di. God Bless You!!
Cheers, you Vixen, you!!
I hope that all Arizonans are not judged by the imbecilic few who showed no class last night. While my husband and I were a house divided, I think we both agree that behavior like that is intolerable and that now is a time for hope and determination.
Songbird: Hell, many of them may not have even been from there. Politics brings out the best and the worst in people. That's just the way it is. Cheers!!
Matt & Dianne,
Well, go on over to my blog and you'll see what I'm talking about. What parents say filters into the mouth of babes.
They've sowed the seeds of discontent with those under 12. Yes, it's going to be a hailstorm ahead.
But in the meanwhile.... I must get a cup of coffee!
Kanani: That is true. I have seen, even though, I don't live with him any longer, the times we do have together, my thoughts and ideas sink in. Cheers!!
I didn't see Dana's comment as all that negative. I saw it as realistic and genuine in terms of worry about what might happen and be bad for the country, not good for the other political party. A lot of times politicians are given "purity tests" by people in their party. McCain certainly was and he failed that test according to Christian Conservatives.
So, her being worried that people expect sooooo much greatness from Obama is a legitimate one. I tend to agree with her about it even.
Jay: Y'know Jay. I read between the lines of you comment and here's what it said:
"I wanna have sex with Dana." ; ) Cheers Jay!!
Dana - No need for an apology! Even if that had been your intention it would have been YOUR opinion and you 100% have the right to have one different from mine or anyone elses and you damn sure have the right to express it.
Matt and a few others here probably know that I was not sold on Obama for a long time. I gradually got on board not because I ever disagreed with him, I just have heard the change platform refrain far to often. That and frankly some of HIS followers annoyed the fuck out of me ;)
I am glad to say I looked beyond his fan club and my own cynicism about the American electorate as well. I think Obama is going to be someone much like Bono who works with everyone from Nelson Mandella to Jesse Helms. By focusing on what we agree one we can make progress.
I will go on record as saying folks who use racial slurs or any slur based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, or skin color really bring disgrace upon themselves. God's house has many rooms indeed but I highly doubt any of them are set aside for hatred and bigotry.
Starr: This is so nice that everyone is getting along. Can I bring it to culmination and have sex with all of you. Cheers!!
Giggle: Thank you and good luck to the O-Man indeed. Cheers GP!!
I did not hear McCain's speech. I am going to have to see if I can find it somewhere.
I'm just glad it's all over and now we can move on and change the direction of this country!
CrAzY: Moving on sounds good, but I am gonna miss Sarah. Cheers!!
A friend wrote on facebook:
Rosa sat so that Martin could stand.
Martin stood so that Barack could run.
Barack ran so that our children could fly.
This was a quote by Bil Browning and I thought it was beautiful and full of hope.
Metal: Dig it. I like that alot. Cheers Metal!!
I can't help but think if McCain would have run his campaign more like the person we saw in last nights concession speech, he would have had a much stronger run at the Presidency.
Much like Starr, I wasn't completely in Obama's camp right out of the gate. He eventually did win my support, and after listening to his acceptance speech last night, I was convinced that he was and is the right choice for the job.
Thank you for that quote. There's a lot of work for our President-Elect. I think he's up to the challenge.
And so am I.
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