And the next American President leaves Cam vaguely hopeful (but mostly still cynical)

[misscam]

Well, well, well. That wasn't even that close in the end. Obama it is.

Incidentally, if Norway had voted...

Obama 84%
McCain 8%
Undecided or other candidate 8%

Understand though, that this isn't really an embrace of Obama but rather a rejection of the extreme conservatism of the US, which we find quite puzzling and sometimes scary. Even the Democrats are much to the right for us. (And indeed for most of Europe.) But after eight years of Bush, the opinion of the US has plummeted so much maybe a change will do good there. We shall see. I remain slightly cynical - but I did find myself strangely touched when I saw Jesse Jackson crying as the results came in. You did break a barrier there, America, and I give you credit for it. I hope you get your change and better times. (Though I'm mixed on some of the results of laws suggested - some please me and some certainly don't. Hmm.) Indeed, I hope that for the whole world, because we can all do better.

Now don't fuck up the rest of the world, yeah?

I have to go to bed; I'm exhausted beyond belief.

Comments

[colorstoobright.livejournal.com]

I pretty much agree with everything you said.

[pclarity.livejournal.com]

Uh... did you mean Jesse Jackson?

I, as a Black American (I refuse to co-opt an entire continent by tacking on African cuz I'm not), feel much like you. Yes it made me happy. Yes it was/is an historic moment, but nothing has really changed...yet.

ETA meant to reply to the main thread not this. Bah!

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

but I did find myself strangely touched when I saw Jesse James crying as the results came in.

Er...you mean Jesse Jackson, right? Not Jesse James.

I feel pretty much the same way you do.

[falena]

THIS.

[natterfly.livejournal.com]

a rejection of the extreme conservatism of the US, which we find quite puzzling and sometimes scary

So much in agreement with this point.

[clevermonikerr.livejournal.com]

Jesse Jackson :) Jesse James was a famous bank robber.
<3

[misscam.livejournal.com]

I did - sorry, I had two hour sleep and clearly my brain just shut down a bit. :(

Yeah, I heard Obama make much the same point in his speech. Really, he seems smart. Even if he no way in hell will live up to what some expect (I don't think any one man good) he might still be a good. So, time will tell, as it always does.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've corrected that - two hours of sleep and dead brain, what can I say.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

I find it so odd American media in the US is accused fof being so left-wing. Bwhuh? Being slightly less conservative than very deep right does not left-wing make! I'd give them vaguely centre at best.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Yes, my brain failed on me there.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. But I'm sure we'll fuck it up rather quickly after this. Because... we do that.

[skybound2]

but rather a rejection of the extreme conservatism of the US, which we find quite puzzling and sometimes scary

Trust me, you aren't the only one. *sigh*

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think Obama will be a miracle worker and, in many ways, you make a sound argument. And yet, for one day, I'll allow myself to forget all about cynicism and skepticism and even realism and act as if he were indeed the magical sparkling fairy for truth, justice and the American way.

[broken-enemy.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of that so much. I like Obama and think he'll hopefully be able to bring about some change for the better but I'm so puzzled that some Americans think he's socialist. His policies are still reasonably right wing. then again, large amounts of Americans believe that all of Europe is socialist so it's not really all that surprising.

[natterfly.livejournal.com]

Agreed. At best our conservatives seem to be only slightly more conservative than the US Democrats. Our lefties probably seem like dirty communists in comparison.

I've seen someone refer to Obama as socialist and wanted to laugh. Obama doesn't believe that the Government should leave people to fap alone ineffectually in the face of economic crisis and that makes him socialist? Er, no. Want to see real socialism? Come over here!

*hugs Europe*

[natterfly.livejournal.com]

I think the magical sparkling fairy effect may last a while - it will be nice listening to someone who can actually articulate and display some evidence of higher-level brain function rather than a mumbling buffoon.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Really comes down to perspective, I guess. If you're standing that far to the right, anything else must look leftish.

But yeah, they wanna see socialism, come right here! In Norway, even the Conservatives voted for gender-neutral marriage and generally favour things that would make Limbaugh start ranting about the devil.

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

But what will we do without all these Bushisms? ;)

Ah, eloquence and intellect, how I have missed them.

[kazaera.livejournal.com]

With you on the extreme conservatism. 'S scary. (I think Germany's turnout would have been similar.)

Personally, I'm more celebrating that a) McCain LOST! and b) Palin is now very, very, very far from the Presidency. Oh, and c) that it is finally over. How Obama will do... well, let's wait and see, shall we? But at least he is sane, and given who nearly got elected (and who did get elected in the past) that is worth celebrating.

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Right now, I'm glad that there will be no more election ads and that Palin will not be one seventy-year-old heart away from the Presidency. Time will tell with the rest, although I'm impressed that this election got so many more people voting. Americans taking an interest in their politics = good thing.

[hannah-henchman.livejournal.com]

**Well, well, well. That wasn't even that close in the end. Obama it is.

Can you believe it?!?! I'm still amazed that so much of the country showed some sense for once.

I'm just amazed and hopeful we CAN make our country one to be proud of.

**Now don't fuck up the rest of the world, yeah?

President Elect Obama (hehe...I wiggle every time I say it) has a tough mess to work with between our crappy international reputation, ongoing military conflicts and scary economy. I don't even TRY to fool myself into thinking he'll be able to fix it quickly and completely.
But I think he will do everything in his power to do right by us AND the rest of the world.
Let's hope I'm right, eh?