It's 5.09 am here and history has just been made.
I'm not an American, but I'm crying too... America has today really grown up (in the nicest possible sense).

Now the work begins for the USA AND THE REST OF US TOO!

What an exciting time we have ahead of us!

Indeed, Carole! There are many challenging and exciting times ahead for the US and the world, but I feel we will face them with calm determination and passionate ingenuity. We have labored so long under the rule of a feckless administration with misguided notions of democracy that it is almost impossible not to imagine that any change would be better than what now exists. The biggest disappointment of the almost eight years leading up to this day is that we, Americans, allowed ourselves to be held in the thrall of politicians who had no faith in the spirit of the republic and the integrity of the people which they served; that we found solace in the lowest common denominator of human beings. Hopefully, we as a nation, and as individuals will take to heart the lessons of freedom and democracy that we recently have only given lip service to: diligence and active participation is essential for our political processes and our country to remain viable; and, it is a prerequisite for us to be true partners with the nations and peoples of the world. Forgive the language of the time, but John Donne said it best: "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Go Obama GO!
I hope USA population will remember you in the future as the best president ever!!
I wish you all americans my best for the future, life, economy, family and so on
kisses and hugs to all of you
Riccardo

I normally steer clear of anything political but...Right on Tom! For those of you who did not hear President-elect Obama's speech I urge you to watch it. It was inspiring (no matter who you voted for) and I hope all American's heed his call for help and become more active so we can all get on our feet again and have a better nation. On a side note, Mr. McCain's speech was very classy. I was quite impressed. Our fair city of Chicago never looked so good as it did last night. I am sorry now that I did not go to Grant Park.
On a lighter side, I look forward to seeing what trends Michelle Obama sets in fashion! What a stunning woman!

Tom, very well said! On a genealogical note, now I can be proud that both our new president and myself descended from a family of goat sheperds. LOL. Who would have ever thought that?????

Here in the very blue state of New Jersey, there is a sense of the fog being lifted. I hope this feeling of enthusiasm lasts a little bit longer... On another genealogical note, Obama is the son of an immigrant, a connection that many of us gente members can relate to.

I am very happy about the whole thing, I just wish I was a year older so I could have voted! I am sure he will do good for the country (plus let's face facts how much worse could it get...ehh still worse I guess, but not much). I am with you Mauro, the feeling around today is great and I hope it lasts! Time will tell, but I have great hopes.

Greatest day ever!

My first time voting for an American president since I became a citizen of this country, so I'm elated!! GO OBAMA!~


Almost as awesome as when I was 18 years old and voted "NO" to who knows how many more years of dictatorship by General Pinochet [in Chile]!


Liz

As historian Doris Kearns Goodwin stated last night, no President since FDR has faced more daunting challenges than our President-elect, Barack Obama. After listening to Obama's victory speech last night, I did a search of FDR's First Inaugural Address. Eerie how similar the economic conditions of the country were then and now.

Below is as link to the audio and text of FDR's 1932 Inaugural Address.
FDR First Inaugural Address

And no President since JFK Kennedy has captured the hearts and hopes of the American people more than President-elect Obama.

He has earned and deserves our respect, our support and our prayers.

Biff

MikeSavoca91 wrote:

I am very happy about the whole thing, I just wish I was a year older so I could have voted! I am sure he will do good for the country (plus let's face facts how much worse could it get...ehh still worse I guess, but not much). I am with you Mauro, the feeling around today is great and I hope it lasts! Time will tell, but I have great hopes.

Mike, it is for people of your generation (and younger) that I feel so pleased.

Now - instead of facing a bleak, hopeless future, you can all sleep sound in your beds with the clear knowledge that there are finally moves afoot to ensure that you will all have a share in a sound, fair, and a safer future!

That this groundswell will continue and ultimately embrace all nations, all religions and all peoples. That was what our forebears hoped for and it's about to happen! God willing...

I believe that obama won due to his race and I also believe that sarah palin really messed things up for john mccain... if john mccain would of picked Romney, Mccain and Romney would get getting ready for the white house. But alot of people who voted, voted based on race and NOT understanding policies. Howard Stern had guys walking in the street talking to obama "supporters" and questioning them saying Obamas policys were mccains and Mccains were obamas, and they agreed with Obama (even though they told them mccains policies instead)

Steve, you are right that Barack Obama won because of his race, the masterful race that he ran to become our next president. He graduated from Columbia University, Harvard Law School, was the fisrt African-American to serve as president of the Harvard Law Review. We're not talking about a slouch here. I'm sorry but in 2008, after the despicable institution of slavery scarred on our national history along with the treatment of native Americans as well as Italian Americans and perhaps almost every ethnic group, we have a chance to heal and reverse racism just doesn't float!

Well, regardless of why he won, the fact remains that he did win and he will be the next President. I am not much into politics (as everyone knows) because I find that every time it comes up, tempers end up flaring which is quite frankly why I am turned off by it. I didn't say much on this thread because history has been made with his election and that is important to many of us...the children of immigrants, regardless of race, creed or color. I am interested in seeing how he will affect the future of America. There are high expectations for him and I am curious to see if he can live up to it.

Now just a note..FROM MY VIEW


I will let this thread continue as long as everyone posting continues to be respectful of each other - AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO THANK YOU. - The moment anyone says anything that offends or is disrespectful to another, or any "floaters" pop in (they do that when these types of posts appear on google) I will have to lock the thread or remove it. I hope you all understand.

I didnt say much because I am not political either. In my lifetime, I have seen many presidents come and go..and they all seem to do the same thing..promise the world in their campaign..then deliver nothing when they are in office.

As far as Obama..I think he won not only because of the color of his skin, but also because, the dems could have put Mickey Mouse out there, and he would have won, because of who we have had for the past 8 years. McCain, or any other republican, didnt have a chance in hell, winning. McCain wasnt their best choice, to begin with, and Palin didnt help him..she only drew a lot of attention to herself and her family, boosting him up for a short period of time..then ended up giving this country more laughs, with saturday night live and everybody else poking fun at her. It seems, when this country gets disgusted with a president, the guy in the opposite party wins the next election. So..a lot came into play, for Obama to win..everything was on his side.

I hope all of the young people, who got out there to vote for him, realize..that what they say they will do, when they campaign..is seldom what they end up doing. He cannot just yank all of our young people out of Iraq, immediately and this country is broke..do people really expect taxes to go down? Between him and Biden, they couldnt seem to make up their mind, exactly who..would not be taxed. First it was people earning under 200,000 and then that number kept going lower. They say what they have to say..to get elected.

So..for the time being..this country looks like it is actually united. Everybody is happy. Lets see how it is, a year from now..when some who voted, see what actually happens to campaign promises.

Personally, I didnt care who won. I dont expect much difference, except..we now have a president, who has an excellent grasp of the english language..and can say the word nuclear correctly. Thank God for small favors..lol

Well I started this thread by saying
"America has today really grown up (in the nicest possible sense).
Now the work begins for the USA AND THE REST OF US TOO!
What an exciting time we have ahead of us!"

I stand by that, and I was so pleased to hear what both candidates and the people were saying (irrespective of political leanings), when Barack Obama was declared the winner.

From both McCain and Obama I heard 'respect' for an opponent. From the 'people' interviewed on television I heard words of reconciliation, understanding and hope. Things not heard in America for a very long time... immigrants should know that almost better than anyone.

I totally support Nuccia's stance here on "Gente" - here we both expect nothing less than mutual respect and the ability to accept that everyone has a right to thier own opinion.


BTW - The only people allowed to fight around here are the two of us... but we do that in private!!!!