(Our avoidance of the media, that is.) Because, really, that's just not possible in these days and times. The first bit of our morning was spent catching up on what so many people stayed up to bear witness to, last night. We watched a portion of and then read McCain's concession speech and then did the same with Obama's victory speech.
It must have been thrilling to be at Grant Park, last night, is all I could keep thinking. And then I thought about the millions of people who truly believe this man can change our country. And I absolutely see that in his persona, his charisma, and his story - the influence he has had on this nation and those abroad already is unmistakable.
But. (Yeah, there's a but.) Whether it's ignorance or enlightenment, we both have a really hard time seeing beyond all of those things to understand how his policies will effect the type of change that will both progress and protect this country and her people. And despite the few riveting dialogues we have been a part of on both sides, we just don't get it.
It goes without saying that Obama (nor McCain) can fix what's wrong with this nation. And in a different slant, I also believe they both embody many of the characteristics of what is right with this nation. Now characteristics and policies, again, are two very different things. But we aren't naysayers, at least in the bigger picture, and we can't change anything about the results. We can say that in an ideal world, this whole thing wouldn't have even gone the way it has. But what's idealism?
I am thankful to live in this republic (democratic, as it may be) of a nation. I'm still proud to be an American. And I was proud under both Bushes and Clinton, too. (Unfortunately I wasn't completely cognizant, at the time, of the gift it was to have been born and spent my first couple of years of existence during the presidency of Reagan.)
And I hope for a greater day for all of us, though I just don't think it's here.
4 comments:
"I'm still proud to be an American. And I was proud under both Bushes and Clinton, too. (Unfortunately I wasn't completely cognizant, at the time, of the gift it was to have been born and spent my first couple of years of existence during the presidency of Reagan.)"
Very well put. This is an amazing country, and we thank God we live in a nation that enjoys such freedom!
So uh, drinking this weekend? :)
Rraine sent me her usual "morning" text and my reply was, "Hey. It's a whole different country today, I guess."
"Different"...change and different, are they the same? I don't know.
Now, there's a blog subject if I ever saw one. Want to run with it, or should I?
Well said - as always - Kristine.
I share in your pride in America, and I think we are at our best when following our forefathers words as expressed in the Thomas Jefferson quote from a few posts back.
I do not doubt Obama's oratory skills or his intelligence for one minute, but no, I do not believe he is somehow "the one" to lead us to greener pastures. What makes the election results frightening to me is that the Democrats now control Washington completely.
I'm hoping that Obama with govern with respect to the almost half of all Americans who didn't vote for him, as well as those who did.
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