Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Yay

After hearing McCain's concession speech last night, I could be sure that Obama had won the election. I was quite impressed with McCain's speech, which highlighted the historical importance of Obama's win as well as encouraged his supporters to get behind the new president and work together for change. To which everyone in his audience booed.

This made me sick. The man just lost an election and is trying to go out with some class, and you fucking boo the name of his opponent. There was disgusting negativity coming from that crowd, on the same level as when Sarah Palin called Obama out as a "community organizer". McCain urged for them to not boo, clearly uncomfortable with their reaction. I respect McCain for going out like this, gracefully and with no ill will toward his opponent. But I could feel the disrespect from his audience, whether or not he spurned it. I know McCain was displeased with his supporter's reactions, but, quite frankly, his campaign created this monster. The low tactics perpetrated by McCain and the republican party during this election were dispicable and specifically appealed to peoples fear and hatred. McCain ran on name calling, accusations, distractions and untruths. He instilled the venomous attitudes into his supporters, drumming up the us vs. them, red state vs. blue state, "real American" vs. "socialist/terrorist" rhetoric that will continue to follow him well beyond this election.

I voted for Obama. Never before have I seen the kind of excitement people have for our next president, and it's a real inspiration. I think he can do some real good for this country. Some of my steadfast contrarian friends remain skeptical. I don't blame them. Politics have been pretty disheartening over the past eight years, basically the entire part of my life where I have been actively concerned with politics. Everyone was feeling cynical and apathetic, myself among them. Part of me still feels that way. But I can't help but look upon Obama with genuine promise. The support for Obama has been astounding, and the reactions to his win have been overwhelmingly positive. I can't ignore the spirit that surrounds him and I can't help but feel optimistic about it.

I have been a cynical person most of my life, and I am trying my best to combat that. I know full well that Obama is not the messiah and that he is not going to be all that people expect from him. But, even if nothing else, Obama ran a great, positive and respectful campaign. His rhetoric of breaking down perceived barriers between the people in our nation is really something we needed to see said on this scale. Politics is so tied to fear and division that the people of this country have been at each other's throats throughout the Bush presidency. The Obama message is one I get behind wholeheartedly. The idea of human connection and concerns for the nation as one is a message we've needed. I refuse to fall into cynicism now, at a time when I actually feel some tinge of what has so often bandied about, hope.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Politics

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Politics.
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