President Obama

[ann3]

Hi Ami,

To answer you, Yes!!  Like, if you don't like Obama, you're a racist.  I find the hypocrisy particularly glaring visa vise Condi Rice, the first Black woman to be Secy of State, but because she is Repub, the media did not celebrate the combination of her ethnicity & gender.  Instead, some in the media made incredibly racists & sexists remarks & cartoons about her & the established media did not criticise the racism or sexism.  So, I see that as a double standard.

IMO, the media adored Obama & the dye was cast.  Had Hillary been elected, another barrier could have been broken:  the gender barrier, but IMO, the media chose Obama over Hillary, so the dye was cast.

For me personally, I don't care about a candidate's gender or ethnicity.  What matters to me is the candidate's experience & policies.

Look, sometimes your candidate wins & sometimes your candidate loses: that's how our system works.  I just hope for the best.

[Ami]

What about Clarence Thomas, Ann? That says it all!                          Ami

[Gaining Strength]

the media chose Obama over Hillary,

The media could not create the celebration in the streets in the US and across the world. The media could not bring tears to the eyes of so many - republicans included.  No media can create that reaction.  It was felt world wide.

[sKePTiKal]

I don't agree that people are more afraid to speak their minds - on the contrary, I've noticed a LOT more people voicing concerns, opinions, etc about this election than ever before. Even to the point of carrying around sandwich boards with their views on it, on election day.

In fact, my experience was the complete opposite. People were SO passionate about who they supported and why... and so biased (most of the time unfairly & irrationally) against the opposing side... that the din of this cacaphony sent me retreating behind the usual moat & drawbridge boundaries.

I personally was bombarded with people's opinions and comments - from both sides. I signed up for the political do not call list (which turned out to be pointless) to stop the constant phone ringing all day - and even late into the evening. A dozen people came to my door wanting to know if I needed information about their candidate (no, I do my own research and educate myself - thanks) or whom I was going to vote for (and I choose not to talk about that) until I finally got rude and ran back inside saying loudly "I just want to be left in peace"!!

I've never been so glad an election is over as with this one. Being a responsible citizen doesn't require this kind of fervor or full-time attention.

[gjazz]

I had much the same experience as PR.  I grew up in a very Republican household so I always hear that side.  What I liked about this election--notable on a board dedicated to Voicelessness--is that a lot of people who haven't gotten much attention in past elections got some this time.  Children are not born socially and economically equal in this country, because that is impossible in any society, but all people have the right to be heard.  I was concerned about Obama's minimal experience but cheered by the fact that he ran an exceptional campaign.  I like what he had to say, and how he said it.  I am an independent contractor.  I pay about 42% of my income in taxes now; my brother, who certainly supported McCain, pays 50%.  Do I want that to go up?  No.   Will he be a great President?  Time will tell.  Hey, you can't go wrong predicting he won't be perfect. 

[Gaining Strength]

I grew up in Republican politics.  I even worked in republican presidential politics in the 80s and know many of the staffers.  For me it was like working in a sausage factory.  I found it all smoke and mirrors and lies.  I haven't been interested in politics since then until now.  Now I am cheered.

One of the most remarkable things about Obama's campaign is that HE had a no drama, no leaks policy and HE ran a tight ship.  I admire that.

[ann3]

No media can create that reaction.

GS,

I love you & respect your point of view, but think about that statement.  IMO, the media can definitely create and/or foster that reaction.

I live in a city where people call you a nazi if you disagree w/ dems & libs. 

For me, I don't vote the party, I vote the person, whatever their party is.  Guess that makes me an Independent.

w/ love & respect.
ann

[Gaining Strength]

Ann - I am thankful for your presense here and have received so much of value from you but here we must respectfully disagree.  I'm glad you shared your point of view. - your friend - GS

[Ami]

No media can create that reaction.

GS,

I love you & respect your point of view, but think about that statement.  IMO, the media can definitely create and/or foster that reaction.

I live in a city where people call you a nazi if you disagree w/ dems & libs. 

For me, I don't vote the party, I vote the person, whatever their party is.  Guess that makes me an Independent.

w/ love & respect.
ann

I have to support your viewpoint, Ann.                  Ami

[Hopalong]

There's plenty of diversity here and that's okay with me. Better than okay.

I am sorry for the hurt and disappointment those who wished it had gone another way are feeling.
I hope that's soon replaced by some optimism or a new sense of commonality. We have so much more in common, as Americans, that we do that divides us.

All that matters now is to pull together and focus most on what we have in common.

The world reaction moved me so much...I've gotten excited emails from Europe. People ARE hopeful again, after a long terrible time.

So much is broken no one leader can fix it all. But every one of us can help. No matter which way one tilts, we all have something important and valuable to give.

I can't wait to get started. (On a lark, sent in an inquiry about working for the administration! Maybe they could use a good editor.) 

love,
Hops

[gjazz]

I lived in two countries as a child and was educated at the university level in a third.  I was nearly killed in an IRA bombing in London during the 1980s.  Two of my friends and one acquaintance died on 9/11, in the Twin Towers, in a city I'd called home for a decade.  This is prelude to saying: not only do we have so much more in common as Americans than we have that divides us; we have so much more as human beings.  If we could only see it.

Good luck on that administrative post, Hops!

[ann3]

GS,

Thank for for saying we can agree to disagree, but we can still like & respect each other.  I think growing up in an N household, I was forced to accept opinions with which I disagreed, so I reluctantly, if ever, expressed my feelings.  

I'm now learning how to express my opinions to people I like when my opinions disagree with the other person's opinions.  It's scary, but I'm glad I did it.  Every interaction can offer an opportunity to grow.

Ami, thank you for your support.

I hope Obama turns out to be a great President.

[ann3]

gjazz,

Agree: united we stand, divided we fall.

[gjazz]

Yes. 

United, as a world, we stand.  Divided we have wars and famines and other wasted resources.  United the potential is boundless.  Divided we just keep throwing it all away.

[Ami]

I don't feel quite as badly as I did before about Obama. I hope he has character and integrity. I hope he has all the traits we so need as a country.
 I think we all want that.       Ami