Nov 05
Obama
My daughter called me from Miami at 4.04am this morning! She, my youngest son, daughter-in-law and grandson plus a very dear and loved friend all live in the US. They have all been longing for this victory for Barack Obama – as have I. I was awake – so I stayed up for the speeches and am sitting here, now at 5.50am.
I have just heard on CNN that it was a young vote. Inevitable and good that it should be so. However, maybe those of us who are older might reflect on our collective tendency (of course there are exceptions) to stay with the old/familiar rather than having the courage to jump into the new. Now we wait and see how our neighbours over the Atlantic grasp this opportunity. We will all be affected by this new, young and vigorous President.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Yes I too was so happy (& still am) that Obama won. It felt like I imagine people must have felt in the
1960s as if something fundamental had changed in a new and positive direction and that in some unknown way they had had some small part in bringing about that shift themselves. A humbling sensation as well as a shared joy pretty much worldwide. For me personally, this will be the first time I will be older than the US president of the day, which feels a bit weird and unsettling somehow!
November 7th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
It is so defining in this magical time that the world (no matter what part of it we live in) has witnessed the people of USA rise to such a moment of greatness. Power to the young vote and to those that gave their life for this moment. It is done!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I was delighted that Obama won but I can’t get 1997 out of my head – our own new dawn which went rather sour. I wish Obama all the very best but how long will it be before everyone is saying what a big let down? Enjoy the euphoria, but beware of flip-flopping to the opposite extreme as soon as things get sticky.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Must admit to not taking a lot of notice of the run up to the USA election and I know little of Obama. My mother and many of my friends have strong opinions. I do not feel qualified to comment on his ability to lead the American people. He was asked about his promise to give his children a puppy and he has said, very publically on TV, that ‘ideally a shelter dog would be the choice’. With the number of homeless dogs and puppies in the US, he should have no problem finding a suitable dog to include in his family. I am waiting to see if he carries through with this as it will serve as my ‘weather vane’. I will be watching this space!