So here we are, watching the US election, this time from outside the country (and as if everything else weren’t so bizarre, that situation is also a first time for Pam and me).
I’ve written less about politics than I used to, partly because life went on to other things, and I felt that I was just getting angry most of the time. While I am thrilled at the prospect of Barack Obama actually becoming President (there, I’ve written it), I’m also too well acquainted with disappointment (Hey, this morning I learned that I didn’t get yet another job interview I was hoping to get.), so I’m unwilling to completely assume the best outcome.
That said, while I write this, I am listening to Obama’s speech and interview when he visited Google in 2007, and he’s smart, well informed, interested in technology, and inspiring. When shown a network map of the world, rather than being dazzled by the lights of the connected countries, he was spurred on by the darkness of the disconnected world, such as the continent of Africa, to press for how we can fix that situation. That is a World Leader I want to see in charge:
What a strange feeling it would be to actually admire the American President instead of despise him. I’m so used to apologizing for my country that it might be a switch to actually be proud of it. I’m happy at the prospect of such a problem. Given that the polls haven’t even opened yet, it’s a, what’s the word? Oh yes, an audacious hope.
Sometimes audacity pays off! Woohoo!
(Boston has had an impromptu revolving parade of honking, shouting people since 11:15. It’s now almost 1am)
Thanks Anne! See next entry…(writing it right now…)
OK, go ahead now, admire and be proud. We are, and we are in BC. I cried, smiled and felt something inside that I have NEVER felt about a President. My only sadness is that we can’t be there to celebrate but we know it will take years to correct the injustices that forced us to move. We were fortunate to see Obama speak at a rally in WI years ago, in support for Russ Feingold, and we were absolutely blown away by him. Little did we realize we were listening to the next President of the US. He truly is an amazing man.