Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Nov 5th

Obama did it. Although I knew he would, part of me is shocked that he did it. He did it. I'm also astounded to see that my state of NC went the way it did. 50% - 49% in favor of Obama. This is the bible belt, I just never thought it would be so close, or that somehow, even by a 1% margin, Obama had any hope of taking my state.

It's weird. I've never cared about politics before. This year I have. I watched speaches and debates. I took part in debates. I got informed by looking over stances and voting records... I watched the results last night and I got choked up.

I went to sleep just as Obama's victory speach ended, and woke up feeling like it was a whole new world. I have hope for the future, hope for my children's future, faith in a country that would elect Obama despite the smears and scare tactics, despite his skin color, the insinuations about his citizenship and his supposed Muslim faith. A country that could see past the lies and maipulations, ignorances, accusations and fears.

Today, for the first time I can remember, I am truly proud to be an American.

I can't help but wonder though, how much of his elation is dampened by the weight of the challenges he has to face. I for one didn't feel celebratory. It wasn't a WOO-HOO screaming happy frenzy I felt - it was a more emotional sense of victory. More than just YAY! HE'S GOT THE TITLE" and more of a deeper "Thank goodness, we have a chance."

9 comments:

  1. I was really really happy today until I discovered I had washed the TV remote with the bedspread.... :(

    Now I'll have to go out and buy a new one, and it's snowing....

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  2. A lot of folks woke up with that 'new world' feeling today, I think. Can't wait to see where the next 4 years take us. There's just no way that one man and 4 years can fix everything in our country. May not happen in our lifetime, but I feel certain that by electing him we have secured a better future for our children.

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  3. Anonymous11:48 PM

    I had that same feeling when I woke up this morning, although I was a little upset that Prop. 8 passed, I think Obama has things up his sleeve for us in the gay community.

    I know for a fact we have a better future now. :)

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  4. Anonymous1:46 PM

    Don't get too excited, he's not bringing THAT much to the table. Four years from now, many people are going to feel very disappointed.

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  5. Brave of you to post, anonymous. Anything he brings to the table after 8 years of president Moron is worth celebrating.

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  6. Anonymous12:40 PM

    So replacing a moron with a socialist is a step forward? Before your knee jerks and you reply, I suggest you look up the definition of socialist.

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  7. Anonymous12:42 PM

    "Today, for the first time I can remember, I am truly proud to be an American."

    Oh, that's nice. Funny, I didn't see you moving to Canada in the last 8 years.

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  8. Anonymous:
    You are, as (I assume) an american citizen, certainly entitled to your opinion.

    However, the fact that you aren't willing to put a name or face with your statements proves that

    1.) You're just looking for a fight and are not very proud of the offensive nature of your commentary
    2.) Your cowardly tactics don't merit any true or thoughtful response.

    At least all of us are proud enough of our thoughts, beliefs, words and actions to put our names and faces alongside them.

    It's easy for you to come spew your hatred and ignorance, because it's easily done when you can hide behind "Anonymous" but don't expect any of my intelligent, respectful readers to engage you in some sort of battle of the wits. My friends don't fight the unarmed :)

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