US citizens: this is your day!

[Maxine Schacker]

Just a reminder that this election is about issues that will effect the whole world:

US citizens, please vote!

Those of you who are young, this is your chance to show the world that your generation is different! Young potential voters have failed to come through in the past. The issues, including education, will directly affect you now and during your adult life.

Please do your part.

[BadGeometry]

Totally! This election is very important. I don't care who you vote for as long as you go out and do it!

I just came back from voting for the first time and DAMN it feels satisfying.

[kab]

Good luck to all you american guys and girls, I hope you´ve gone out and done your part. A vote is a powerful thing and is a responsibility.

I hope that whoever wins will do a good job. :)

[N D Hill]

I can't remember seeing voting places in my area so mobbed. Given all I really remember well enough to compare this too is the 2004 election but still, this is damn exciting to see such a turn out. I was able to vote a little early by means of simply filling out an absentee ballot on the day I went to register since I moved to a new city. That was last thursday and it was still about a two hour wait in line. I honestly believe that people are finally desperate for representation we'll see tomorrow that the numbers will confirm a record turnout.

[Ilaekae]

I just made some personal history...

In 1968, I voted for a pig for president. At 9:37 am this morning, I voted for chit'lins. It took 40 uninterrupted years of voting to to get that damn pig to something digestible, but it was worth it... :P

[smugbug]

In an hour and a half, I'll be out (in the thunderstorm, no less - after a having a cold), canvassing and then phonebanking to make sure people are getting their ballots in.

Here, in Oregon, we have mail-in ballots (where you can vote in the comfort of your own home) and there are a few who haven't gotten their ballots out yet. Believe it or not.

Anywhoos - if you haven't voted already - VOTE. If you have voted already, VOLUNTEER. Drive people to the voting spots - help out anyway you can.

GOTV.

[Hookswords]

I work at a college that is a voting station for four wards. There was a huge line before the polls opened. There has been a constant flow so far with expected surges at lunch and in rush hour. I voted this morning. How many signatures do you need to get on the ballot? There were more socialists than I expected.

[S.C. Watson]

We have the mail-in ballots here in Washington State as well.

I let my 10 year old son fill in the space for Obama/Biden.

and just a tongue-in-cheek reminder :P
510004

All the best,
~Oreg.

[Ilaekae]

Hookswords, don't you guys have any decent exterminators in your area? :P

[Mirana]

My polling place is a block away from my home. It took about 15 mins start to finish, but the line was longer when we left.

[Oni Rem]

faaauck maaan i wish i was able to vote dammit >< am not a citizen yet and i been living in the U.S. for almost all my life >:(

[Hookswords]

Hookswords, don't you guys have any decent exterminators in your area? :P
Heh.

So, I predict a lot of voter fraud and shenanigans. I didnt have to show any ID or anything. Just had to say my last name and confirm that the address on the sheet was mine. That doesnt sound too hard to fudge. No propositions in my area....boring.

[fukifino]

Heh.

So, I predict a lot of voter fraud and shenanigans. I didnt have to show any ID or anything. Just had to say my last name and confirm that the address on the sheet was mine. That doesnt sound too hard to fudge. No propositions in my area....boring.

That's the way it's supposed to be. The other option is to force voters to show ID, which can disenfranchise a lot of people who don't have Drivers Licenses or state IDs. If it's a choice between letting everyone vote, including a few who might not be able to, and possibly stopping people from voting who should be able to, I'll err on the side of letting too many people vote.

Either way, get out and vote! I voted first thing this morning on my way out to do some paint shopping for my new house. And I've been surprised this last week by how many activists I've seen on street corners both here where I live in SD, and up in my old neighborhood in the OC. Of course, all of the corner campaigning has been about Prop 8. *sigh* It's sad there's still so much bigotry and hatred.

But whatever your inclination, get out and exercise your right for representation!

[TASmith]

I applied for my absentee ballot a month ago, and still haven't gotten it... I should'a done it sooner. I assume I can still vote, it'll just be after the fact... kinda lame.

[Maxine Schacker]

I'm a seething mass of anxiety! Can't work. Can't think. Just praying. There is so much at stake for the whole world.

[digital_zombie]

I just got back from voting. I am so happy I convinced about 5 of my friends in dif. states who normally say "it doesn't fucking matter" to vote! They actually got excited and they told their friends to go and do it...that's all it takes ppl, just vote and get the word out!

[Brashen]

Good luck from moi!!

[ArtZealot]

This was my first time voting. I used to think my vote didn't matter until bush so narrowly won the last election, and proceeded to fuck up our country. I think that's reason enough to vote.

[Vermis]

ArtZealot: not just your country. ;) That's why we're all watching.

[madhatter106]

My polling place is a block away from my home. It took about 15 mins start to finish, but the line was longer when we left.

Same here. There were a dozen people in front of me when I went this morning at 9:45 - when I walked back out into the sunlight (literally as well as metaphorically) there was over twice that waiting to get in...

I will be hopping from MSNBC to CNN all evening, eating blue corn nachoes, drinking blueberry cider, and finishing it off with some homemade blueberry pie.

[Kamikazebob]

Going to school in southern Indiana makes voting shitty. Half the assholes here are just racist and are voting against Obama because he is black, not on anything else. Got MY vote in though.

[Maxine Schacker]

Let's just hope there are more like you than you know!

I'm still anxious (we're going to have hot chocolate, which might help) but reading all your posts is really helping. Thanks.

[smugbug]

Hey all! Taking a break from volunteering and thought I'd post a link to an excellent site to watch the returns and the EV (electoral vote) results (I'm predicting around 380 EVs for Obama, btw):

www.fivethirtyeight.com

Also - reports coming in that there has been unbelievable turnout across the country; however, in very strong Republican precincts, not so much. Interesting. Regardless, voters are PUMPED.

MSNBC is also reporting poll closing times incorrectly. Just remember that if your nearby polling places are scheduled to close at 7PM, as long as you show up at 7PM, you should be able to vote. Call for your correct poll closing hours, if you need to!

ETA: For poll closing times - go here: http://swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D0E47A3AE953A96259041FE07C E78B59?diaryId=3641

And here's the map available in that link:
510417

[Call0ps]

Amen Vermis! this election will affect everyone all around the world, and only US citizens have the power to make the choice for all of us. Make the difference.

[Maxine Schacker]

I am aware that I am living through one of the most significant events in history, and my own life for that matter.

I picketed Woolworth's as a college student, heard Martin Luther King's speech, worked for Bobby Kennedy in NY, and lived through three assassinations. I went into labor with my daughter while watching the Democratic convention and the riots in the streets.

I am overwhelmed by how far you've come, and it's your generation that is helping the US fulfill its promise.

The world knows that we are all living through a great moment in history. The whole world is watching and hoping. Check out the French, English, Spanish and German press.

As a dual citizen of Canada and the US, I am watching all of this from the outside, and it's a beautiful thing.

PS I sent my vote in weeks ago.

[Ilaekae]

Maxine, the hardest thing I'm facing tonight is starting to cry when it's over. It's been...such a long wait...









Power to the People!

[Psypomp]

Yes, I heard the voting this time around had a really great turnout. I'm so excited! Although I'm not old enough to vote, I still feel very much a part of the whole process. Thank you everyone for doing your part!

[Moai]

I mailed in my vote for Obama a few days ago. This is my first presidential vote.
The popular vote is extremely close right now, but Obama has a very strong lead in the Electoral votes. Yay!

[DeadlyFreeze]

obama wins, the illuminati just informed me.

[Chief]

I'm just barely too young to vote :( Looking good, though! I'm excited!

[smugbug]

OHIO called for Obama! Meaning: No Republican has ever became President w/out Ohio.

Obama is at 200 EV at this time. And they haven't even gotten to us on the west coast yet. Florida looks great; as does N. Carolina.

It's over. Break open the champagne. OMG.

[Maxine Schacker]

If you live on the west coast, please vote! Be part of history. It isn't over until it's over.

I must admit, Ohio was a lovely surprise, and Florida is looking good.

What I like about Obama - and his whole history supports this as fact- is that he's inclusive. He respects people. He really wants to be the president of all the people, not just the Democrats. He cares about fair play, and I believe he will do his best to sort out some major problems (affordable tuition, access to medical care) that any civilized society has to solve.

If you get a chance read his books, especially the first one which he wrote just after he was made editor of the Harvard Law Review.

As I said when I first started writing on this site, there are people who are motivated by more meaningful things than self interest and greed.

There are many of you who have shown your generosity of spirit on these threads!

We can face the challenges ahead and we will solve them.

[Zaxser]

I'm a North Carolinian, and I voted for Kodos. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barr)

[Earendil]

OHIO called for Obama! Meaning: No Republican has ever became President w/out Ohio.

Obama is at 200 EV at this time. And they haven't even gotten to us on the west coast yet. Florida looks great; as does N. Carolina.

It's over. Break open the champagne. OMG.

:drinkup: :vodkamachine:

[s.ketch]

Obama has the Electorial vote.

Barack Obama is the president elect for 2008. Today he is the first African American to do such.

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/8942/obamasupermanawesomemf1.jpg

[S.C. Watson]

Listening to the BBC. California, Oregon & Washington just gave Obama 297.

CNN just joined in.

History, people.

[Cookiedough]

Congrats! Most of the world won't hate you now for your vote this time. :P

Great moment still.

[kab]

Congratulations to Obama and all of America, may the next years be kinder to you at home and abroad. :)

[Jasonwclark]

Fox has called it for Obama. McCain just conceded :)

:patriot:

This scene at Grant Park is wild.

[serhc]

Heeelllllsss Yeaaaahhhhhhh

[Costau D]

:patriot: :aw: :ao: :ao: :at: :a!::patriot:

[Jason Rainville]

Regardless of whether or not we were all in the process of chilling the fuck out, he got this.

America. Fuck yeah.

[Costau D]

I can honestly say now that I am proud to be an American.

[digital_zombie]

I did a dance just now ...I cant even begin to express how happy I am...and neither can the people running around outside my building.

lml o.o lml

Fuck yeah! Go OBAMA!

[Hookswords]

Welcome to history folks

[Dished]

WOOOOOT! i just wish they didnt make my citizenship date months after this election -_- but still this is awesome !!!

[Sidharth Chaturvedi]

Didn't like the guy and didn't vote for him, but gotta admit, this is a historic moment :). Good on America for shutting out the racist vote forever.

Edit: And hopefully we won't see Palin again in 2012...

[Hookswords]

You know what was really cool? Watching CNN and see them show celebrations in other countries. The whole world was watching. I was watching that and thinking of how it reminded me of watching the New Years celebration on TV. A bunch of countries...just..happy.

[monsi]

:D sweet

[Sidharth Chaturvedi]

Jesus... Prop 8 is winning in California so far. Only a few precincts reporting so far, but still, thats bad.

And Prop 2 is leading in Florida with almost all precincts reporting. Just as a reminder, thats the one that says-

"Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.''

Disgusting.

EDIT: I accidentally typed losing instead of winning... sorry for the confusion.

[MM Howard]

There are so many reasons to be happy right now. I cried because now I know I can tell my child that they can truly be anything they want to be. I cried because that speech was beautiful. And I cried because while I was always proud to be an American, this is one of my proudest moments.

[Ilaekae]

Finally...

[Hookswords]

I dont see why gay couples cant have their spouse deflowered by the king as he rolls through your fiefdom.

Needless to say I think marriage is an outdated archaic pile of nonsense, but if it makes people happy then for fucks sake let them be happy. As if straight couples do SO well with the "holy union" of marriage

[Grendel Grack]

I finally feel that there is hope for our country...and humanity for that matter.

[Mirana]

I cried. I'm not ashamed. Definitely my proudest moment as an American.

Chagan - I don't really want to drag the Prop8 argument in here, but if you look at other threads you'll see your view is in the minority here. Not that it's invalid, but I'm almost as happy for Prop8 being defeated as I am for Obama being president. Conservatives want to protect the sanctity of marriage? Maybe they should work on divorce rates FIRST...or else just go back to beheading wives when it's not working out. That's tradition, right?

[Sidharth Chaturvedi]

I cried. I'm not ashamed. Definitely my proudest moment as an American.

Chagan - I don't really want to drag the Prop8 argument in here, but if you look at other threads you'll see your view is in the minority here. Not that it's invalid, but I'm almost as happy for Prop8 being defeated as I am for Obama being president. Conservatives want to protect the sanctity of marriage? Maybe they should work on divorce rates FIRST...or else just go back to beheading wives when it's not working out. That's tradition, right?

Wow... I totally messed up, I meant it was winning! Talk about typo...

I'm COMPLETELY for gay marriage, I'm upset about it winning in California. Sorry for the confusion :S.

It's still leading 54-46 :(.

[Ilaekae]

For all of you who spread the "truth..."

...that he's black.

...that he's an Arab.

...that he's a Muslim.

...that he's too liberal.

...that he's incompetent.

...that he's not patriotic enough.

...that he's not a true citizen of the US.

...that he's a racist.

...that he's a terrorist.

...that he's anti-semetic.

...that he's the devil from hell.




SURPRISE!

He's now your mother-fucking president. Those of you who don't like it can move to some misbegotten swamp full of others just like you and rot quietly until your smell is permanently gone from this country...

...oh...and...BITE ME...

[Jodo]

Jesus... Prop 8 is winning in California so far. Only a few precincts reporting so far, but still, thats bad.

And Prop 2 is leading in Florida with almost all precincts reporting. Just as a reminder, thats the one that says-

"Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.''

Disgusting.

EDIT: I accidentally typed losing instead of winning... sorry for the confusion.


I'm pretty disgusted about this too. I guess America isn't ready yet.

[Matsign]

I voted for the first time today, and watched his speech live on cnn at work. I teared up.

I am very proud of this country

[BadGeometry]

Matsign
It was my first time voting too, and I tell ya, having my first vote count to something so historic is just... it's amazing.

[Mirana]

I physically drove my fiancee to get registered and got to walk with him to go vote this morning. He'd always been apathetic before, but this election...it made him feel extra proud of his country. What a fantastic first vote, right? Now you guys just gotta KEEP IT UP! ;)

Chagan - Ah, it's all good. Well, except that it's being reported that it's going through...only a third reporting and it's fairly close though. There's hope. :/

Ilaekae - You make me giggle. :P

[aylap]

This is the first time I've ever been interested in politics. I didn't get a chance to vote, though. I just turned old enough to vote in June, so I wasn't really on the up-and-up on how it worked anyway. Long story short, I'm moving to Florida to go to college, and applied for residency in August when I went down there. Right now I'm still living with my family in West Virginia until after the holidays, but I still wanted to vote (which is a first). Unfortunately, the day I found out that I had to send in an absentee ballot, was the last day I could send one in, and I happened to be in ANOTHER state that very day. :D

Although the reason for me being out of state (in Virginia, actually) was being at an Obama rally to support him (and buy a shirt and hat ;)). So even though I didn't get to actually vote, I still feel like I was a part of this by showing my support for Obama, even to the people that disagreed. He won Florida anyway, lol.

And I actually teared up when he gave his speech, too, which was surprising. And a first, tearing up over politics. I can actually say that I'm proud to be an American, which I haven't said in a long time. :)

Yes we can! Go Obama!

[Randomizedsn]

"I can actually say that I'm proud to be an American, which I haven't said in a long time."

Hey kid, don't get too excited. I'm glad McCain didn't win, but Obama is still a politician. If you go into this with your heart filled with hope and excitement for significant change...you might be going into it rather disillusioned.

If anything though...he'll probably get us out of this war. Cool.

[aylap]

"I can actually say that I'm proud to be an American, which I haven't said in a long time."

Hey kid, don't get too excited. I'm glad McCain didn't win, but Obama is still a politician. If you go into this with your heart filled with hope and excitement for significant change...you might be going into it rather disillusioned.

If anything though...he'll probably get us out of this war. Cool.

Well, I have high hopes for him, even though he may be a politician. Though I may be young, I'm smarter than to get TOO excited about anything, especially with people that are known for their lying ability :). But still, I think he'll be a great president, and I am hopeful and excited that he will bring change to a country that desperately needs it right now. And I am proud that America chose him, and I am proud to be an American, for once.

And hey, he's better than George Bush, I'm sure. ;)

[aesir]

Obama is going to be a pretty conventional liberal president imho. Certainly it will be a change from the last 8 years, but I don't expect anything big to happen during his reign.

[Randomizedsn]

Well, I have high hopes for him, even though he may be a politician. Though I may be young, I'm smarter than to get TOO excited about anything, especially with people that are known for their lying ability :). But still, I think he'll be a great president, and I am hopeful and excited that he will bring change to a country that desperately needs it right now. And I am proud that America chose him, and I am proud to be an American, for once.

And hey, he's better than George Bush, I'm sure. ;)

Proud to be an American? I spent a half an hour writing an articulate speech to you in rebuttal, but now I don't think your pride is deserving of the tension that would create. Be careful how you articulate yourself. I assume you have more sense than that considering you had the qualifier "for once."

Appreciate a flower in a sparse field, but don't see it as a garden.

EDIT: Bleh I'll post the speech anyway, but it isn't directed at you, aylap:

Might want to look at all the ballot measures for human rights that are failing tonight before you get too excited about our country.

We've gained a milestone tonight, but this act of contrition is one that shouldn't have needed to be presented. I think anyone who's "proud" of this country as a whole needs to read a book or three, or have a book or three worth of thought with themselves. I recommend Chomsky, for a start.

I'm really super bitter though. I wouldn't be bothered if one of the three states that are trying to have their constitution amended to stop people from marrying to "protect" marriage didn't have a plethora of "lesser humans" waiting for their marriage to be dissolved.
Obviously there will be far more time for human rights, and the same amendments to the state constitution (you know, the ones that needed to be there to ban gay marriage because passing a law to ban gay marriage in said states was found to be unconstitutional?) will be dissolved as well. I just feel for the couples already married tonight. I'm not one for politics, I hate politics. I'm one for personal rights and freedom of personal choice. It would be simpler to just be proud. I'd rather be realistic.

Again..Appreciate a flower in a sparse field, but don't see it as a garden.

[Mirana]

It is possible to be proud of what we have achieved with the election of a bi-racial president and also know that change is a constant fight. We are making progress...a lot of progress in our country's short history. There's always going to be more to be done.

[Randomizedsn]

But there's a very large implied difference between saying "I'm proud of my country" and "I'm proud of this achievement"

[k i l l a r t]

Congrats to all americans! This is an historical moment...

[aylap]

Proud to be an American? I spent a half an hour writing an articulate speech to you in rebuttal, but now I don't think your pride is deserving of the tension that would create. Be careful how you articulate yourself. I assume you have more sense than that considering you had the qualifier "for once."

Appreciate a flower in a sparse field, but don't see it as a garden.

EDIT: Bleh I'll post the speech anyway, but it isn't directed at you, aylap:

Might want to look at all the ballot measures for human rights that are failing tonight before you get too excited about our country.

We've gained a milestone tonight, but this act of contrition is one that shouldn't have needed to be presented. I think anyone who's "proud" of this country as a whole needs to read a book or three, or have a book or three worth of thought with themselves. I recommend Chomsky, for a start.

I'm really super bitter though. I wouldn't be bothered if one of the three states that are trying to have their constitution amended to stop people from marrying to "protect" marriage didn't have a plethora of "lesser humans" waiting for their marriage to be dissolved.
Obviously there will be far more time for human rights, and the same amendments to the state constitution (you know, the ones that needed to be there to ban gay marriage because passing a law to ban gay marriage in said states was found to be unconstitutional?) will be dissolved as well. I just feel for the couples already married tonight. I'm not one for politics, I hate politics. I'm one for personal rights and freedom of personal choice. It would be simpler to just be proud. I'd rather be realistic.

Again..Appreciate a flower in a sparse field, but don't see it as a garden.

Man, believe me when I say I know we have a hell of a long way to go. I mean Prop 8 is winning! That shouldn't happen. I may not be gay, but my very closest friend is. It sickens me that we have such a thing as prejudice; I hate it. And trust me, I've grown up with it, and I see it every day, considering I live in a very red-neck, conservative state. And I know the USA is VERY far from perfect, but I think we really did something good tonight that gives me hope for the country. It's true, a lot of older people are stuck in their ways (i.e., conservative), and some younger people that don't know any better are too, but more of my generation can see that prejudice is wrong, and I think as more and more generations are born, the numbers of the informed will increase. I hope eventually there won't be such a thing, but I know there is now, and there will be for a long time, unfortunately. But the shear fact that Obama was elected shows we are making strides and learning to accept in this country, which I am proud of, personally. :)

Ha ha, yes, for once, I am proud of the country for the majority of the population seeing past skin color. This is one of the only times I've been proud of the USA. Maybe the first. I'll be honest, I've been ashamed of my country nearly all of the time I've been alive. I haven't been paying attention long, but I did listen in my history classes and in my current events class in high school, and I've been ashamed pretty much the whole time about the things our country and the people in it have done. But, like I said, I think tonight shows that we are moving forward past our forefathers' set-in ways, typically filled with prejudice. Slowly but surely :D.

But we do have a long way to go. But I think that could be said for a lot of countries, too. :P

But there's a very large implied difference between saying "I'm proud of my country" and "I'm proud of this achievement"

Lol very true. You could say I'm proud of the achievement my country has made, I suppose.

[Randomizedsn]

"I hope eventually there won't be such a thing"

No, that'll probably never happen. There will always be idiots about there (and most likely, they'll always be the majority). If somehow eventually not regarding ignorance, it will be something else.

I appreciate you articulating yourself though. I think we agree more than I assumed from first reading your post.

I shot a few terrorist fist jabs of victory in the air when it was announced Obama won, myself. :P

[aylap]

"I hope eventually there won't be such a thing"

No, that'll probably never happen. There will always be idiots about there (and most likely, they'll always be the majority). If somehow eventually not regarding ignorance, it will be something else.

I appreciate you articulating yourself though. I think we agree more than I assumed from first reading your post.

I shot a few terrorist fist jabs of victory in the air when it was announced Obama won, myself. :P

Oh, I'm sure it never will in MY lifetime. I try to be a realist, I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, typically speaking. Maybe, HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of years in the future it will, but that really won't affect me by that time, I doubt. And that's if our race hasn't killed itself by that point, lol. But you're probably right, it won't happen and I'm not expecting to. I HOPE it will, though. :)

Yeah, I think we do agree more after we've both posted a couple of times. :D

Man, when I found out he won, I ran and threw my little brother up in the air a few times and cheered and laughed and teared up all at the same time (that sounds so impossible...). He thought it was fun too, lol.

[s.ketch]

Cool now people join our forum just to argue politics.

[dbclemons]

"I'm as happy as a little girl."

[Maxine Schacker]

This is a time to come together. Obama may not be behind non-heterosexual marriage, but he is behind legally acknowledged union and human rights for everyone.

This is a time to celebrate. I understand the hesitance of some of you to trust, but I can guarantee you that there are people who are motivated by more than self interest and greed.

Nothing has ever been accomplished without vision, faith and hard work.
Obama was a community organizer. After he completed Harvard Law he could easily have gone straight into a half million a year job in a major law firm. But he went to law school in the first place because as a community organizer in Chicago, he realized he couldn't help to effect real change without taking another path.

I recognized Obama from the beginning. I'm much older than he is, but my first job outside the Ivy league was as a caseworker in Harlem. I know where he's coming from. I recognize his authenticity.

There really are people in this world who care, and it's time for them to take leadership roles if this world is going to survive.

Be grateful that the we have a leader of Obama's depth and intellect who can transcend the differences that divided us. In the nick of time, we may be able to meet enormous challenges that face us on every front.

He won't be perfect- nothing and no one is - but his heart and his vision and his will are in the right place.

Listen to the content of what he's saying. He can't do it single handed, but he can do it if you are all behind him. This is the beginning- now you have the opportunity to effect real change.

My generation will be gone when you reap the benefits of what he hopes we can accomplish together.

[nickmarshallvfx]

I stayed up until 5:00am to watch this history being made.

Obama seems like such a strong force for change that it made me really have hope for the future. He just seems like somebody who can (and hopefully will) unite everybody. The fact that Kenya called a national holiday says a lot in itself... I know it is his home country, but when has any other nation celebrated a US election result like that?

Obama just seems like a real voice of reason. My only hope is that the fact that he is the first African American president wont undermine the fact that its not just because he is black that everyone is so happy, but because he is (hopefully) the leader that America has needed for the past 8 years or more.
I hope this isnt just seen as a victory for African Americans, but for all of America. As such i was glad to hear him make a point about that in his first speech.

I hope Obama leads the way into a brighter future for the USA, because even though i am British, i have a special place in my heart for America. Im not expecting that Obama will make every change for the better right away, or even at all, but i am for once hopeful.

Britain was watching, and more than a few of us let out a sigh of relief when Obama was confirmed President Elect. Well done America.

[N D Hill]

I'm an Obama supporter through and through and I think it has to be said that McCain's concession speech showed a lot of grace and class. I remember when Mitt Romney bowed out and McCain won the Republican primary. I saw that as a huge step forward and a victory for reason. I hope the petty ugliness of the campaign is dead and gone and I can know him again as the reasonable moderate he was once famous for being.

[dbclemons]

The electoral college system stinks.

[Ilaekae]

"I'm a North Carolinian, and I voted for Kodos." (Zaxser)

Congratulations, my friend. If there was ever any need for proof of how far this country still has to go, you just gave it.

This mother-fuckin' piece of Neanderthal shit (Bob Barr) is one of a small group of assholes who have been trying to ban people like me from practicing our religion every way they can. In the spirit of coming together, why don't you help me lift this rock so your hero can crawl back under it?

[Kvick]

McCain just got OBAMANATED!

[guggemmaneuver]

hehe....

511128

I'm proud to be an american again, for the first time in 8 years.

[evildisco]

Barockman Obama just pew pewed McCain Man.

[ArtZealot]

hehe....

511128

I'm proud to be an american again, for the first time in 8 years.

I feel the same way guggem'. I've been a bit embarrased of our president, being the country with the leader who was the butt of every joke, and watching him drive our country into the ground. Obama's speech was so inspiring, motivating, and not to mention emotional, it really gave me a new found love for my country when i heard he won and listened to the speech.

Regarding the voting topic, i was amazed. I planned on what i was going to do for the voting day weeks in advanced, made sure it was cool with my boss that i might be gone for a good part of the day, packed 2 stephen king novels, 3 magazines, something to sketch with, and my nintendo DS, all in a backpack, with a raincoat and a sweater underneath, totally prepared to vote...Only to find that upon arrival to my polling place, there was no line at all, hardly anyone even in the voting place, and i was just in and out in a matter of minutes.

[edit] love the picture by the way guggem'

[B u r l]

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3474/1225922823769ry5.png

[Chingwa]

If anything though...he'll probably get us out of this war. Cool.
... until the next war (or two).

I just hate watching a politician stand up and literally promise stuff to those watching. just makes me cringe. I'm glad Bush is gone in 2 months, but while Obama himself has a nice mellow demeanor and attitude and a good stage presence, the people behind Obama scare the shit outta me... in some ways they're even scarier than the people behind Bush are.

I voted Nader... He's a weird guy, but at least if he got elected I'd know for sure who's interests he had in mind. That guy has done more for you and me than Obama and McCain put together.

Someday America will wake up from it's democrat-republican-monoparty duopolistic orgy... and we'll all be better for it when that happens.

[alesoun]

It has been enormously exciting watching the first african american win his way to the white house.

I'm not denigrating his abilities when I say that I hope he fulfils your expectations; just reminding you that nobody can please all of the people all of the time.

Go, Obama!

[TheJester]

no no no people!!!! Do not look at this calmly, do not suppose that he'll eventually be a "fairly ok" president. Don't you see? Obama invested in the dream of change for your country, and the world. It's this promise of change that got people that didn't ever vote go and do it, it's what drove USA to ecstacy for the last months.

You know, we all know that the odds are far against Obama being the savior, pulling the army from Iraq and Afghanistan, restoring the country's relationship with the world, and fixing healthcare, tuition, AND what could be the financial crysis to end capitalism...

But that's why all of you, and us, from outside, should make sure he doesn't loosen up. Keep your hopes up, don't rationalise. He has to feel the pressure to do as much of the above as possible, and make some decisions!!!

You realise how eagerly are some people waiting for him to screw up just one bit? I'd say that the most probable scenario is for him to do nothing at all, and "lay low", at least for the first 2 years of his administration...

It's a great thing USA offically overcame it's racism, it's a great thing a black, young man, with a weird name was announced the president elect.

Still, a mediocre black, young charismatic man, is as mediocre as a white, old concervative man with a beard and a wooden leg.

[GhostValkyrie]

He's now your mother-fucking president. Those of you who don't like it can move to some misbegotten swamp full of others just like you and rot quietly until your smell is permanently gone from this country...

...oh...and...BITE ME...

Are these not that same tactics you pin to the 'conservatives'? Isn't this the same argument that we've seen these rightists and war-mongers using for years, especially after 9/11?

I could have sworn that if you don't like something; you do what you can to fix it and make it better, not only for yourself but others, in America.
The paradigm is switching again. But it's not the whole rainbows popping out of asses, and the sun shining at night like everyone is pretending. A new face is in the white house. While I hope for the best, I think the place where there needs to be change the most is in the citizens of the US.

The president can't take care of all of our problems, but we still fail to realize it.

I will certainly say that I don't agree with a lot of things people said about Obama. There were lots of lie and half-truths. Hannity constantly creating fabrications, etc. And there were few things I hated about this election more than the ridiculous hate-mails accusing him of being anti-Israel, of being a muslim, of hating America, etc.

But I find it entertaining to watch people feel vindicated resorting to the same radical tactics in their dialogue and attitude as the very people they claim to despise. So, is this the solution you wanted? Is this the freedom you believed would come to the land? The change we needed?

If you don't like it, go rot somewhere? Lower your head? Leave? ...Obey?

After seven years of fear, hate, political bigotry, war-mongering, destruction of our constitution, and a seemingly endless list of crimes by our federal government as the people watch apathetically and are spoon fed opinions and feel subdued; this is the ushering of what we get? More hate, more anger, more portends of violence for dissent or disagreement.

You can paint this anyway you want, but it's not about Obama. Whatever he does is what he does. This about you. This is about the hate that you, and others giving in to this kind of rhetoric(either candidate applies), seethe with daily it seems. Is this the kind of attitude we're going to see rise up in the next four or so years; If you disagree, you're a terrorist? Sure! Why not?

We've been living it loudly for seven, let's keep going while we've got ourselves a nice streak. We haven't beat Germany yet.

[Maxine Schacker]

I don't know where to begin. Some of what is coming out on this thread simply reflects the legacy of the last 20 years.

Obama's challenge is to get us all to change out mind set, to evolve enough to understand that we can discuss ideas, we can disagree with each other without it meaning that those who don't agree with us are "evil."

We need to hear each other. We need to work together to overcome the challenges of our times. This is why the nation voted for Obama, and he's been very clear that his administration will be inclusive.

We're about to come out of a terrible, cynical time with people caring only about their own group and their own self interest, with a philosophy that had no interest in helping people to help themselves- except the rich who were encouraged to help themselves to everything they could get their hands on.

Now you need some faith and trust that there are people who are motivated by more than greed. Some people are evolved enough to understand that as Einstein said, a life of service is the only life worth living.

( By the way, in my understanding of this, we all serve in different ways : if you give me a good spirited laugh with a cartoon strip (I'm addicted to Calvin and Hobbes) you are adding to the quality and sanity of my life. )

Most people want to believe that their lives have meaning. Most people want to be proud of their country and what it stands for. If we lost our way for awhile, we can regain it.

What's mediocre about a working class kid who graduated from Harvard, was the editor of Harvard's Law review, passed up the opportunity to earn a half million a year to go back to the streets of Chicago, taught constitutional law at the U of Chicago and ran a grass roots campaign that may have been the best campaign in US history?

He has consulted with, and surrounded himself with, the best minds in the US, from all political parties, has proved to be fair, thoughtful and motivated by much more than personal ambition.

If that's mediocre, what is excellent?

We are all better than some of what's been written on this thread.

Before you act, and writing is an act, ask yourself what your motivations are. Are you adding to the sum total of good in the world?

Can you all put the past in the past and try to put positive energy behind a new start? Can you try to see the best in each other instead of the worst?

[arttorney]

In paragraph 2 you pointed out that the people who don't agree with us are not necessarily evil. In paragraph 4, you demonized the rich.

For the record, a whole country full of people buying houses they couldn't really afford is at the root of this problem we have with the economy. The rich are being placed on the sacrificial altar of "redistribution" for giving all those inappropriate homeowners exactly what they wanted. It's happening because the rich are outnumbered, and the inappropriate homeowners wish to pretend as though they had nothing to do with it.

Please don't fall into your own trap of caring only about your own group and your own interest. It's unbecoming.

[Cthogua]

In paragraph 2 you pointed out that the people who don't agree with us are not necessarily evil. In paragraph 4, you demonized the rich.

For the record, a whole country full of people buying houses they couldn't really afford is at the root of this problem we have with the economy. The rich are being placed on the sacrificial altar of "redistribution" for giving all those inappropriate homeowners exactly what they wanted. It's happening because the rich are outnumbered, and the inappropriate homeowners wish to pretend as though they had nothing to do with it.

Please don't fall into your own trap of caring only about your own group and your own interest. It's unbecoming.

So if suppliers and advertisers have no control, influence, or responsibility why is millions upon millions dumped into advertising campaigns? Why is the Federal Government going after drug cartels and manufacturers when, by your logic it's all the fault of the people on the street? But it doesn't stop there...why do those people want those drugs? why do people want to buy houses? What creates that demand? Poverty? A culture of consumerism where we're told to go out and spend spend spend when the economy starts to sink? Couldn't that also be called upon as a "root" of the financial issues? That people are willing to listen to lies about the affordability of loans to buy something we value culturally? We pretty much pulled the same scheme on many South American and Indonesian countries, offering loans they were never going to be able to pay back with predictions of economic boons that would actually make repayment feasible. Just because the buyer is gullible doesn't excuse the seller for ripping them off...oh but wait, in a free market it does. Since ethics don't matter how are we supposed to trust this system them? The lesson that seems to emerge is that you shouldn't really ever buy anything you don't need to survive because someone is probably trying to rip you off, and thus the market based economy collapses anyway.

Anyway my real point is that I don't believe there is one single root problem, and any attempt to boil it down over-simplifies and lays an unfair amount of blame on a single hand. Its a complex web of interactions from which this particular financial storm emerged. This goes for rich and poor. However the idea that the supplier has absolutely no responsibility for what they provide is totally absurd.

[s.ketch]

For the record, a whole country full of people buying houses they couldn't really afford is at the root of this problem we have with the economy.

Nope. Clinton passed lower standards for obtaining credit, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates, Real estate agents earned more money by selling more expensive homes, congress supported mortgate tax incentives to people who bought expensive homes, mortgage brokers offered customers with bad credit large sub-prime loans, Alan Greenspan encouraged people to take adjustable rate loans at the peak of the housing bubble, wall street which ignored risky loans, Bush who ignored the problem once it was apparent, and finally the consumers who were just doing what they could to get the best deal.

You see, its the poor who are on the sacrificial altar as anyone below Upper Class are two stewpid 2 manige monies. You will notice that most of the dirty hands in this were Upper Class. They are the ones telling you its the fault of the dumb poor people.

[Black Spot]

It’s going to be tough for Obama to change much fiscally, but he can create an atmosphere of hope. If the rich have to pay a little bit more (after having it so good for so long) they just will have to accept it or join everyone else in the not too distant future. Everyone will have to face up to their own responsibilities credit wise and stop chasing the shiny new things all the time including me. Maybe people will stop buying crap from other countries and demand quality for their bucks. Perhaps people will learn to cook again! I hope that this election makes people reappraise what’s really important and disregard the rest.

[Chingwa]

It’s going to be tough for Obama to change much fiscally, but he can create an atmosphere of hope. If the rich have to pay a little bit more (after having it so good for so long) they just will have to accept it or join everyone else in the not too distant future.
dude, Obama is owned by the rich just like every other major candidate was/has been for years. His $billion+ campaign was not made possible by joe the plumber and friends each giving him $5... that is one of the crazy myths of his campaign. We will see once he is president where he will repay his debts... to the people or to the corporatacracy.

If the people he is selecting for his cabinet are any indication, we're not going to be seeing much gratitude. (Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve... More of that let's fix the system by empowering those who fucked it up BS. WTF?! )

[arttorney]

I said the rich gave the people exactly what they wanted. That is inconsistent with any attempt to re-craft my statement to mean that I said the supply side had no control, influence, or responsibility.

All of the following is driven by demand at least as much as supply:
"Clinton passed lower standards for obtaining credit, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates, Real estate agents earned more money by selling more expensive homes, congress supported mortgate tax incentives to people who bought expensive homes, mortgage brokers offered customers with bad credit large sub-prime loans, Alan Greenspan encouraged people to take adjustable rate loans at the peak of the housing bubble, wall street which ignored risky loans, Bush who ignored the problem once it was apparent,"

I am well below the upper class and had enough sense to buy a house I could afford. I am still paying for it. I don't have to blame everything on the rich because I exercised a grownup portion of discretion when making my purchasing decision. I hope you are being sarcastic when calling me stewpid. I seem to have gone about things the right way in retrospect.

I reject the proposition that I aimlessly do whatever the rich tell me.

I reject the proposition that if I did aimlessly follow whatever the rich tell me it would absolve me of personal responsibility.