~*Change*~

Eight years ago there was a high percentage of the U.S. population that refused to vote or even get involved in major politics because the general understanding was that “the man” would do whatever they wanted despite what the voters said. Events like the mix up in FL are perfect proof of this, I think, and was a sad, violent shake to anyone that had any hope left in our system at the time. And so 4 years ago, the same lack of activity from the public was repeated. It was heartbreaking - even after all those programs to raise awareness, like "Rock The Vote", and educate younger generations.

After the last two elections and 8 years of a wide range of questionable acts, realizing the large amount of lies used to manipulate us and failure (and collapses) on so many levels of our world and lives by George W Bush, it was with bated breath that I waited for the results on the general election for 2008. Sure, the one promising hope, change for the better, so many good things and the one I was voting for certainly looked like he was going to win. However, my history from the past two elections had been that just because people had good/positive/different ideas, did not mean that they would win. Somehow the status quo always disappointed me in the end.

Obama won though. He won! It seems that if any good came from that last 8 years it would be the evidence that at least Bush has the ability to unite a nation to clean up after his failed experiments with democracy.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

(if you can’t see the above, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otA7tjinFX4)
No matter who you voted for, it is an undeniable fact that we have made history, that we are living in incredible times (whether they frighten or joyously excite you). Out walking the day after the election, I looked up and saw something beautiful – the weather, the sky that day. All day here it was gloomy out. It didn’t actually rain and when I went outside the sky was gray, a thin layer of clouds covering the entire sky … but there was the sun, still shining through. I thought that was such a beautiful, simple sign – dark times but the sun still shining through all the same.

" I congratulate {McCain} and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead."

(if you can’t see the above, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxuo91L5f9Q)
For the first time in a very long time, I can openly and honestly say, I'm damn proud to be an American and my faith in the majority of our people is restored. We're no longer giving in to fear and have proven we can stand up against “the man”. It's a good time to be alive now. Cheers to Obama and Biden … high-five to all the people that made it possible and to the ones who may have voted for someone else, but are still embracing the possibilities of the outcome of the 2008 election.

His speech was wonderful and moving ... keep watching the bits I have in this entry. When Obama mentioned McCain in his speech (it's in the bit above, actually), the crowd still cheered. And, yes, they lost, but when McCain mentioned Obama in his speech before that there were sections of the crowd that boo'ed. I thought that was awful.

"This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change."

(if you can’t see the above, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHCRqX6-zXw)
I hope my friends in the military will no longer by subject to fighting illegitimate wars, but fighting for the good, for the betterment of all that we believe in and defending the honor the president soon ending his terms has tarnished. I have hope for all the hard working and middle-class people who will soon, if all goes well, no longer be screwed by an unfair tax system. I hope Obama can live up to his promises and am looking forward to a bright future ahead that he has in mind. I hope a breath of fresh air is what we need and does make a difference.

"that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can"

(if you can’t see the above, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Th4eiZ_c8)


My old college friend, Phil put it beautifully-
To everyone who voted with hate in their hearts...let me just say this: no, you couldn't.

To everyone who didn't vote against Obama but instead voted against "the black one," no. You couldn't.

To everyone who spread lies about our new president, and about his family, and to everyone who believed that this was the honorable way to compete for leadership of our nation and the world...no, you couldn't.

To everyone who spent eight years gloating over the disenfranchisement of the youth vote...no, you couldn't.

To everyone who voted in hypocrisy, decrying Obama as inexperienced but perfectly happy to have an incompetent hockey mom as next in line to lead...no, you couldn't.

To everyone who turned the presidential campaign of a war hero into a disgusting spiral of venom and accusations...no, you couldn't.

To everyone who exhausted every resource, be it physical, verbal, digital, to keep young people and minorities home on election day...no, you couldn't.

To everyone who felt that our biggest obligation on Election Day was to maintain the status quo...no, you couldn't.

But to everyone who voted for McCain because they sincerely felt he was the better man for the job: welcome aboard. Yesterday we all had different presidents in mind. Today we only have one. We can do this together. And you won't be disappointed.

"Yes We Can Obama Song by will.i.am"

if you can't see the above, please go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk