Frankly, it's difficult to get my head around the fact that we have elected Barack Obama president, and I am so incredibly happy. Last night was the toughest night I've spent away from the U.S., and not being there with my compatriots for this election was tough. Thankfully, I had updates via text message from my awesome and beloved friend Bryan, and though I did not sleep at all, I am so high on it this morning that I just don't care.
I hope that the people in America who did not vote for Obama can recognize that this moment, and the promise of it, is so much bigger than partisanship. It represents millions of people reinvesting in everything that is best in our country -- that we can change for the better, that we look to the future with optimism and that our ideals are bigger than our fears. Obama will not save us, but that he was chosen by the American people is proof that we can save ourselves.
I saw a little speech Bono gave at some humanitarian event in the last month, and he said something beautiful; that "the world is much more malleable that they tell us when we first arrive." Barack Obama has inspired Americans to double down on what our country's hopes and dreams are, and that is a beautiful thing.
I got a new passport last week, and it has in it a lovely quote from Lyndon Johnson:
Amen.
So are you coming back now? :-D
Posted by: rcjohnso | 05 listopad 2008 at 06:41 dop.
Nope. Things are going pretty well for me in the CZ, man. I'm happy!
However, if Obama solves the medical insurance debacle somehow, the chances will improve.
Rian, are you in LA around Christmas? I'm there from Dec 13 to 30th, just FYI. I hope to see you!
Posted by: Jaime | 05 listopad 2008 at 06:49 dop.
I'm so unbelievably proud right now. What a night. His inauguration cannot come soon enough.
Posted by: Jason | 05 listopad 2008 at 07:24 dop.
Oh, man, this is so great. I still can't believe it.
Posted by: Tara H. | 05 listopad 2008 at 07:49 dop.