Obama Elected President of the United States

[Avi]

Alright, it is now official.  Barack Obama shall be the next President of the United States of America, and in an impressive win at that.  Whether you supported him or not, it is an historic night, with the first African American president ever.  Thoughts?  Concerns?  Random bursts of excitement?  Put them here.

[Jay]

*holds up black power fist*

[Zakharra]

 I hope the Congress is not Democrat controlled and I hope Obama doesn't fek up the country too badly before he is replaced.

[The Overlord]

*holds up black power fist*

You should make that a fist for America at large. African-Americans have every right to be prideful of what has just occurred, but so should the rest of us who believe in the spirit of the principles the nation was founded on. That Obama is our first black president is powerfully symbolic of the transition this election represents, but the inverse is also true; states like Iowa turned to Obama in the primaries, and this election a southern state and former Confederate state Virginia chose him.

Race did matter for this election and it didn't matter, and for all the right reasons. I've long stated that this election could remake or break my faith in my country, and I'm relieved to see the former occurred. We've just watched America grow up a little bit more, and in the process we've likely inspired ourselves and the rest of the world.

I hope the Congress is not Democrat controlled and I hope Obama doesn't fek up the country too badly before he is replaced.

You mean...hope he doesn't fek things up worse than the last guy.  ;)

[Demoness]

You should make that a fist for America at large. African-Americans have every right to be prideful of what has just occurred, but so should the rest of us who believe in the spirit of the principles the nation was founded on. That Obama is our first black president is powerfully symbolic of the transition this election represents....

I am proud, and I don't have a drop of black blood in me. It's good to know that racism, while not dead yet, is broken and dying. It's good to know that black Americans have someone like Obama to look up to, that they don't have to worry that the color of their skin will make it impossible for them to be accepted the way he has been. And for me, it's good to know that someone as kind and inspirational as Obama can break through the cynicism which rules our politics far too much of the time.

Yet I also find this day somewhat bittersweet. Support for LGBTQ rights has been merely lukewarm, with various anti-gay propositions passing in multiple states. I know why there has not been greater support from the democrats, I understand that Obama and others have far too much to do to focus on gay rights, I agree that issues such as the economy and health care are more immediately important and that fixing them will do a lot of good for everyone (people who feel safe and prosperous are, in general, much more likely to be accepting of strange, different folk)... but it still hurts. A lot. Before this election, I was too cynical and inured to bigotry to let such things affect me... now, I feel somewhat hopeful about this country, and with that comes both happiness and pain.

[Jay]

It's good to know that black Americans have someone like Obama to look up to, that they don't have to worry that the color of their skin will make it impossible for them to be accepted the way he has been.

I'm not sure I would go that far. While it is definitely a great achievement and has renewed a lot of my hope, we have four more years to see how much of a blessing it truly is.  Getting in the White House, while a gigantic step, is still only one step.  While I joke and mess around with my Caucasian friends (and rub it in their face a bit) this is truly a victory for all Americans.  A horrible four years will do a lot more harm than the good of being the first black president.  So I'm not completely ready to call Obama our shining black knight just yet.

Until he screws up though, its party time!!!

[MagicalPen]

Am I making this up, or did Obama say something like this:  "Withdrawal of all US Forces from IRAQ in 16 months"?

[Mia]

Yes... finally.

[Moondazed]

*breathes a huge sigh of relief*  My husband and I were both terrified that we'd get four more years of the same.  I sincerely hope he's able to fulfill some of his campaign promises, but I surely wouldn't want to be him, walking into the monumental mess the last 8 years have wrought.

I'm also disheartened by the passage of gay marriage bans :(  While the US grows up in one way, it regresses in another *sigh* 

[Inkidu]

I have to say I'm less than optimistic. Obama seems a little too, "Everything will be idealistic." however, I would like to believe I'm a patriot and I will support his decisions because he is my president. I did the same for Bush, and I'll do the same for Obama. Here's hoping...

[Oniya]

Obama sounds like he knows that he doesn't have an easy road ahead, but at this point, any improvement will probably make him seem like the FDR to Bush's Hoover. 

[Avi]

'Tis amusing to listen to die-hard Republicans preaching DOOM FOR THE WORLD just because they didn't win.  Honestly, folks, did you really think McCain ever had a chance, barring a major flub by Obama?  This election was a referendum on Dubya and the economy more than anything else. 

Within minutes of the results being announced, a friend of mine who was deeply Republican decided that Obama's win will trigger a civil war between Dems and Repubs, then when that failed to happen, proceeded to attack Michelle Obama's dress at the victory speech.  Didn't McCain say his supporters should now turn around and help Obama?  If you supported this guy for a year, then continue to do what he asks of you, no?

[Zakharra]

iYou mean...hope he doesn't fek things up worse than the last guy.  ;)

  Yes. People bitch at how badly things were messed up with a Republican controlled  White House and Congress, if the Democrats control both branches, they WILL fsck things up. I will bet money on it. Of one party control screws things up, the other party controlling both will do the same. Having a divided Congress is the best option because it keeps one party from railroading things through.

They want higher taxes, more restrictions and regulations, not freedom. More restrictions on those that disagree with them. their policies of soak the rich is utter BS. You think the Republicans spent money? The Democrats will spend more in buying your vote and cover it in good sounding words.

[Inkidu]

'Tis amusing to listen to die-hard Republicans preaching DOOM FOR THE WORLD just because they didn't win.  Honestly, folks, did you really think McCain ever had a chance, barring a major flub by Obama?  This election was a referendum on Dubya and the economy more than anything else. 

Within minutes of the results being announced, a friend of mine who was deeply Republican decided that Obama's win will trigger a civil war between Dems and Repubs, then when that failed to happen, proceeded to attack Michelle Obama's dress at the victory speech.  Didn't McCain say his supporters should now turn around and help Obama?  If you supported this guy for a year, then continue to do what he asks of you, no?

Twas amusing when liberals thought Bush would bring the end of the world too. Gee, they're more alike than they'd admit! :D

I'm with Zakharra, one party control is never a good thing. I don't know about the rest of it, but it's entirely seemly under a one party control.

[ShrowdedPoet]

*dances about happily*  MCCAIN DIDN'T MAKE IT!!!!  YAYS!!!!  *wipes away tears of joy and rejoices in the new day*

[Apple of Eris]

I have to say I'm less than optimistic. Obama seems a little too, "Everything will be idealistic." however, I would like to believe I'm a patriot and I will support his decisions because he is my president. I did the same for Bush, and I'll do the same for Obama. Here's hoping...

Blindly supporting decisions you disagree with isn't patriotism. This country was founded on disagreement and compromise, it is how our system was designed. If disagreement means you're not a patriot, well, I guess that means none of the founders of this country were patriots at all.


BUT, thank GOD Obama won.

I spent all night with my friends cheering evertime a bunch of states went blue and cursing out the states that stayed red. I even called my friend in South Carolina and started harassing her about why she let us down by not making her state turn blue. heh.

And when Stewart announced Obama won... We were jumping and hugging and cheering like we just won the world series again. And our black friends who were there (both in their sixties) were crying and laughing. It was really amazing for them and for the country really. I wasn't a huge 'Bama supporter, Hillary was my girl, but I really do hope that Obama can start healing the rifts in our society and help repair a lot of damage that happened not just in the last 8 years, but in the last two decades of so in which both sides have become so virulent and ferocious in our atacks on one another, that we don't even listen to the other side anymore. We just spill rhetoric and close ourself off to discussion. It's gotten pretty sad in my opinion.

I really do hope the next four years live up to the expectations we're carrying after this election.

[Inkidu]

Blindly supporting decisions you disagree with isn't patriotism. This country was founded on disagreement and compromise, it is how our system was designed. If disagreement means you're not a patriot, well, I guess that means none of the founders of this country were patriots at all.

Then why vote anyone in to office? I don't blindly follow anyone, but you don't have to believe in someone to give your support. I didn't really like Bush and I really don't like Obama, but I'm going to support them because the people think they are and, where the best choice for the country. In four years if he's done bad I will vote against him. I will not however, bad mouth the president just because I think he sucks.

[Moondazed]

I think that operating based on alignment instead of consensus would take this country a long way.  Consensus is about people whether they're an US or a THEM, and then making decisions accordingly.  Alignment is about actively listening to all perspectives and making an active choice to align behind an option that may not be exactly what you wanted, but you can accept.  Or course it's not possible in all situations, but the mindset of Us/Them starts the entire conversation out based in controversy, where the mindset of Alignment starts the conversation with the act of genuinely listening to what the other person has to say, and why.  Actively listening, meaning not listening with one ear while formulating your opinion and response even as the other person is still speaking.  I don't love everything about Obama, but I'm not willing to let the fact that no one is running I 100% agree with stop me from participating in a process that defines this country.

/end soapbox

[Brandon]

Im not so happy that Obama won for my own reasons that I wont go into here. However I am willing to give him a fair chance. Maybe Im wrong about his policies, in fact I hope I do turn out to be wrong about a lot of things when it comes to his plans for the country, but no matter if you were an Obama, McCain, or even Nader supporter hes in office now and now we get to find out if change is what he really will or can bring. I hope he does and Ive never wanted to be wrong about a politician more in my life.

That said, as an independant it seems to me that democractic voters are using this opportunity to gloat and rub the win in republican voters faces. I even see that in this thread a little bit and its not cool. To often do I see us seperating ourselves into Red & blue when we are supposed to be united where the majority rules and this republican vs. democrat attitude can only serve to seperate us. Please take a step back and think about how you are saying what you are saying

Finally I just want to say congratulations to President Obama. He has earned his position and Ill be judging him just like I did every president since Clinton

[The Overlord]

I have to say I'm less than optimistic. Obama seems a little too, "Everything will be idealistic." however, I would like to believe I'm a patriot and I will support his decisions because he is my president. I did the same for Bush, and I'll do the same for Obama. Here's hoping...

I don't believe that to be the case at all, Inkidu. Did you watch his speech from Grant Park? I tend to agree with the assessments I've read on it; this was a momentous and joyous event, but Mr. Obama did a fine job of delivering the sobering reality of what lies ahead. This man is possessed by no illusions, and he's assured us as well.

[Avi]

What is all this stuff about Obama being the Anti-Christ?  Not that I believe it, I just want to know where the heck it came from.

[Cecily]

What is all this stuff about Obama being the Anti-Christ?  Not that I believe it, I just want to know where the heck it came from.

It came from racists and/or incredibly ignorant people.

[theLeslie]

I didn't really like Bush and I really don't like Obama, but I'm going to support them because the people think they are and, where the best choice for the country.

  Blind patriotism is about as fun as blind truck drivers.  If you don't like the president it is your OBLIGATION as a patriotic american to make a big stink about it.  That's why we have our freedom of speech.  It is -extremely- unamerican to just rally behind the president because they're the president.  This country was founded based on a revolt by the people.  (rich white people, but whatever.)  To do their actions injustice by bowing to tyrany just because it's there is a horrible waste of your first amendment rights.  I voted for Obama, and not just because I didn't like McCain, but if he starts doing the wrong thing, you can be damn sure I will be making a fuss about it, as often as I can.

[Oniya]

What is all this stuff about Obama being the Anti-Christ?  Not that I believe it, I just want to know where the heck it came from.

It came from racists and/or incredibly ignorant people.

You'll get the doomsday-sayers trying to make connections with the Anti-Christ whenever there is someone new, exciting, and outside their comfort-zone in power.  I even saw one site that claimed the latest Pope was the Anti-Christ (or at least the 'false Pope' predicted in Revelations).

[Demoness]

I even saw one site that claimed the latest Pope was the Anti-Christ (or at least the 'false Pope' predicted in Revelations).

Hell, Martin Luther claimed that the Pope of his time was the Antichrist. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Catholics back then responded by accusing Luther of being the Antichrist. These accusations have been being thrown around for an awfully long time.

[Moondazed]

I have two bumper stickers I adore:

Vote, it's patriotic

Think, it's patriotic

:)

[Greenthorn]

What is all this stuff about Obama being the Anti-Christ?  Not that I believe it, I just want to know where the heck it came from.

Well, basically someone "different" is leading us and many people are excited about it...typical Catholic no-no

*rolls eyes*

(I'm Catholic)

[Avi]

Well, basically someone "different" is leading us and many people are excited about it...typical Catholic no-no

*rolls eyes*

(I'm Catholic)

*laughs*  Yeah, I'm Catholic, and it amazes me how many people I'm friends with refused to vote for Obama just because he's pro-choice.  While I don't condone abortion (I'm adopted), I certainly don't think you should base your entire perspective on someone off of a singular stance.  Doesn't Jesus tell us to help those who are in need, to give of ourselves? 

Obama has been pushing values like that all through his campaign and now into his presidency.  Kind of hypocritical to say you support life, but then condemn people to lives of poverty just because you don't think you should have to pay a bit extra in taxes if you ask me.

[Mathim]

I think inevitably, almost every person votes for something for the wrong reasons. They just don't know that they're doing it.

We've seen the Republicans botch things up so bad, it's actually very fair to say there's no going back. Can we at least give the Democrats the benefit of the doubt? It's very, very hard to imagine them being able to do a worse job, you guys have to admit. Seriously, there hasn't been a single positive thing about Bush's presidency for the people below the poverty line.

[Zakharra]

 One party control over two branches of government is always a bad idea.

[Moondazed]

That kind of generalization is precisely why the two party system is so flawed.  The people in office aren't cookie cutouts, they're individuals who lean left, right, and center, and to over-simplify things to that degree only feeds the Us/Them mentality that is at the core of our political unrest these days.

[RubySlippers]

Well Obama is right on the mark you have to have a strong Middle Class then have wealth trickle down from there - they spend the money on the bulk of services and products the lower classes do to earn a living. Take Child Care the wealth don't use it that much the Middle Class and working mothers do, the same for dining out, barbering, hairdressing, buying cars, going on vacations and well everything else.

Oh and my favorite bumper sticker: DON'T STEAL! The Government Hates Competition

:D

[Duchess]

Obama won and i'm glad

he brought something a lot of presidents havent show in ages and its called hope
and that is black help people believe that anything is possible and it shows in how many latin american voted for him
on top of that other countries see him as a possibiltie to tie their country with america again . like Cuba and Venezuela, afghanistan and more. he show them diffrent he a chance at peace.
changes cant happend in 1 or 2 years , give the man a chance to try a difrent aprouch . i not from teh states but anything taht happend  with teh states affect my island. like the economic downfall . i no tan expert in politics who we felt it too. hope is something people has lost in america a lot dont see it as teh country of possibility nomore and with obama winning it might grow back

[Chris Brady]

I'm worried, actually.  Frankly, no matter who won, it's a rough ride ahead.  And so far, Obama has talked the talk, but can he walk the walk?

For the entire world's sake?  I hope so.

[The Overlord]

And so far, Obama has talked the talk, but can he walk the walk?

For the entire world's sake?  I hope so.

Actually, my standpoint on the entire election to this point would be to ask the very same of John McCain.

The duties of the president are typically five jobs in one.

Yes, McCain's been in the senate for a long time, this does not automatically mean he's the best pick as chief of government.

He has an extensive military career, but this doesn't mean he's automatically the best choice for commander in chief.

Actually, at least two years back, I considered McCain about the best choice for the GOP. He went to war, he led people, and he was POW for five and a half years. I figured, here's a guy that's seen war, and just how ugly and undesirable it is. As a commander in chief, he'll be a measured fellow that will only throw our people into harm's way when he absolutely needs to. I expected him to be firm and tough as nails as a negotiator, but tempered by his experiences.

Then he started campaigning and I lost my faith in the man. This is not to discredit the man and his efforts and sacrifices, on the contrary I take my hat off to Senator McCain, but he's a Cold War warrior still fighting that fight. After this many decades in the military and government, he's bought and paid for by the machine. So, it was with some level of reluctance and maybe little sadness that I couldn't support him, regardless of his party.

Of the two of them, Obama is the right man at the right time; McCain isn't. If we're ready for a black president, and now we know we finally are, then we're surely ready for a woman as president. But unfortunately Hillary wasn't the right woman at the right time.

The fact remains is that they have all talked the talk this campaign, and no matter who won, they would have to show they could walk the walk.

For those of who supported Obama, fair to say there is a consensus, a belief, that he will deliver on this.

[Tawni Black]

My hope is now that there is an African American President we as a people can stop looking at race so closely in things like this. I'd like to be able to say that he is our President, and not have to qualify with African American. He should be like any other President, whose goal should be to better America for everyone.

The race card frustrates me so much, because I want to look at everyone as human beings and Americans. We should be equal.

[Chris Brady]

Tawni, that's a nice fantasy, but that's what that is.

How many people voted for Obama because he is Black, so they won't be decryed as 'Racist'?  How many others voted AGAINST him BECAUSE he is?

I personally think the answer to those two questions is:  More than people are going to admit.

[The Overlord]

Tawni, that's a nice fantasy, but that's what that is.

How many people voted for Obama because he is Black, so they won't be decryed as 'Racist'?  How many others voted AGAINST him BECAUSE he is?

I personally think the answer to those two questions is:  More than people are going to admit.

Or how many of us voted for him because we could give a rat's ass about his race, but rather (hold onto your socks) voted because we thought he was the better man for the job?

80% white Iowa voted for Obama in the primaries...Virginia hadn't turned Democratic for over 40 years, and they did for a black man. Race didn't always matter this time, and it was good to see it.

[Chris Brady]

Overlord, I think it did, just not in ways most people were expecting, though.

Either way, I hope he can get the U.S. out of it's slump, cuz it's affecting us Canucks!

[Apple of Eris]

The scariest thing is the increase in reported hate crimes against minorities since the election, and the reported major increase on white supremacy websites. I can just hear the racisits running off screaming cuz a 1/2 black man is headed for washington.

If only this would make them leave the country. *sigh*

[Vekseid]

Four black men also tortured and murdered a white man and his black wife shortly after the election... they'll deny it as a cause but this sort of violence is not one way.

I think it's been mentioned before - this isn't the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's dream. It is a milestone, however.

[Duchess]

Four black men also tortured and murdered a white man and his black wife shortly after the election... they'll deny it as a cause but this sort of violence is not one way.

I think it's been mentioned before - this isn't the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's dream. It is a milestone, however.

good lord that's horrible, but haven't that been happening all the time ready?

[Vekseid]

good lord that's horrible, but haven't that been happening all the time ready?

Probably, and the election didn't make it stop.

Like I said, this isn't the end of racism.

[Duchess]

yes true,

and its a hope that one day, we might look at each other and see the person not the color.
hoping doesn't mean it will happen but it stimulate you in believing that you can reach there.

look at Brazil ,a place with mix race. and still they mostly chose white people in the government.
with Obama winning the election had them reconsidering  black people they had look down too.

racism will not end, but having faith and hope for a change.
makes people strong and know that there will be an other day

[ZK]

It's either going to take a grand event (miracle, great new government change, person, aliens, yadda yadda) to bring us all together and say FU to racism. Or a great catastrophe that spans the entire earth one.

But, this is a change. Maybe next President can be Asian. :D


Well, here's to me hoping. ^.^

[Duchess]

It's either going to take a grand event (miracle, great new government change, person, aliens, yadda yadda) to bring us all together and say FU to racism. Or a great catastrophe that spans the entire earth one.

But, this is a change. Maybe next President can be Asian. :D


Well, here's to me hoping. ^.^

;D LOL  ;D...YOU SEE .. that's the faith

[The Overlord]

Overlord, I think it did, just not in ways most people were expecting, though.

I think race mattered more in a positive way than a negative way this time around. A vast majority of black voters did indeed vote for Obama, and I'm sure many took the vote just to get a brother in the Oval Office, but a lot of white voters put him there too...that includes myself and a large portion of my extended family.

So we can't claim racial preference...I cast my vote for Obama early in the year in the Georgia primary and I did it again this month. I made my choice I'm sticking to that decision and I voted for who I believed was the best candidate. I believe I voted for the right reasons.

Four black men also tortured and murdered a white man and his black wife shortly after the election... they'll deny it as a cause but this sort of violence is not one way.

I think it's been mentioned before - this isn't the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's dream. It is a milestone, however.

Veks, to paraphrase Dr. King, I don't think we'll ever truly 'get there'...not 100%. A near-utopian society as we see in Star Trek might be a bit too much to ask for, but I think a future where we've largely marginalized issues like racism is most certainly attainable.

Our problem lies in the fact that we attribute too many crimes and sins against race, and not individuals. It's a lot easier to divide people up by skin color and backgrounds than to assign it good vs. evil...which is especially interesting since so many societal institutions including religion seem bent on veering away from evil.

And let's face it, slavery is a permanent blot on our country's resume...Germany is never going to entirely live down the Nazi era, but both countries have also made much progress since then. I think the thing to be mindful of here in the States is that nobody alive is responsible for or can be sued, blamed or otherwise condemned for slavery; it's a far bygone era and everyone connected to it is long dead.

So cutting a check to the black population to pay them off to be silent is the totally wrong approach; because they know in their hearts it's really about getting the money, and nothing else. In much of the white population’s eyes, it will do nothing to destroy the image of the welfare black, only make it worse. In the end, everyone will remain just as bitter. The very least the government can do is publicly apologize for it, but I really don't know what else can be done, other than truly take Dr. King's words and deeds to heart and make the place a better one for everyone.

The white supremacists that fuel the flames in racially tense times; these guys are nothing but cowards. They're scared little people that erroneously believe an influx of non-white blood into the national population is going to marginalize them in society. These guys need to put down Jim Beam and their banjoes and get off their asses and make something of themselves, and stop waiting to put down another race just to make themselves look better.
We have to ask ourselves at what point do we stop passing the buck and the blame? If blacks can get a government check for slavery, then they better get in line fast, because that line is going to be full of Native Americans who have been marginalized for just as long or longer.

And how far can we go back? I should be able to sue Rome then, because once upon a time my Celtic and Germanic ancestors were slain or enslaved by Romans, or at least forced to live under the flag of a vassal state.

So...racially-fueled incidents will probably always haunt us, because some people will always be raised in ignorance, or choose to remain that way. Even in the Star trek ideal there were individuals and incidents, but if we move the right direction as a society, we might not land smack in the center of the Promised Land, but we can surely at least reach the suburbs.