I've done my best not to write about politics throughout this eternally long election, but I think I can be allowed to now that everything has been decided. America spoke up in record numbers and I can say that I've rarely felt such hope for our country as I do now. Welcome, Obama. We acknowledge that you are not the messiah, and that everything will not be rosy now. But we hope! I hope.
The excitement on campus is electrifying. It's the first time our generation has been a part of something of this magnitude; finally, a president that we actually had the opportunity to choose. And choose we did! Emily just told me that she heard on NPR that 73 percent of young people supported Obama in North Carolina (compared with the 60 percent figure nationwide). This is so huge.
One of the many reasons I'm so excited about Obama is the sweeping support he has received from the rest of the world. His selection has created a groundswelling of excitement from countries that formerly had very poor opinions of the U.S. (Contrasted to McCain, 69 percent of those polled in France supported Obama, 73 percent in Italy, 64 percent in Japan, 66 percent in Canada, 65 percent in Germany... the list goes on and on around the world.) This is enormous for our foreign relations. As Ethan Bronner wrote in today's New York Times:
"Wonder is almost overwhelmed by relief. Mr. Obama's election offers most non-Americans a sense that the imperial power capable of doing such good and such harm -- a country that, they complain, preached justice but tortured its captives, launched a disastrous war in Iraq, turned its back on the environment and greedily dragged the world into economic chaos -- saw the errors of its ways over the past eight years and shifted course."
To close with my personal, all-time favorite Facebook status updates:
- "Canada doesn't sound so bad. :("
- "Now that we're going to become SOCIALIST, I'm moving to CANADA!!"
Folks. That's so ignorant it's hilarious. If you are trying to escape socialism, you shouldn't be going to Canada. (That's the ignorance I was referring to.)
Put your arm around chaos, Obama. Put your arm around chaos.
The excitement on campus is electrifying. It's the first time our generation has been a part of something of this magnitude; finally, a president that we actually had the opportunity to choose. And choose we did! Emily just told me that she heard on NPR that 73 percent of young people supported Obama in North Carolina (compared with the 60 percent figure nationwide). This is so huge.
One of the many reasons I'm so excited about Obama is the sweeping support he has received from the rest of the world. His selection has created a groundswelling of excitement from countries that formerly had very poor opinions of the U.S. (Contrasted to McCain, 69 percent of those polled in France supported Obama, 73 percent in Italy, 64 percent in Japan, 66 percent in Canada, 65 percent in Germany... the list goes on and on around the world.) This is enormous for our foreign relations. As Ethan Bronner wrote in today's New York Times:
"Wonder is almost overwhelmed by relief. Mr. Obama's election offers most non-Americans a sense that the imperial power capable of doing such good and such harm -- a country that, they complain, preached justice but tortured its captives, launched a disastrous war in Iraq, turned its back on the environment and greedily dragged the world into economic chaos -- saw the errors of its ways over the past eight years and shifted course."
To close with my personal, all-time favorite Facebook status updates:
- "Canada doesn't sound so bad. :("
- "Now that we're going to become SOCIALIST, I'm moving to CANADA!!"
Folks. That's so ignorant it's hilarious. If you are trying to escape socialism, you shouldn't be going to Canada. (That's the ignorance I was referring to.)
Put your arm around chaos, Obama. Put your arm around chaos.
14 comments:
Those comments should be talking about Bush. Thank GOD he's gone!!!
haha. well, you got to do it abby. there's your politics piece for the ...year (?)...
I want to say that I did not vote for Obama, but am also grossed out by all the silly comments and complaining. I have quite had it, actually. (Let's try not to be so obnoxious, world.)
I'm not entirely sure it's a good idea to call people ignorant that you know...right here in your blog. (I knew who some of those came from.) I think it won't make them feel too swell.
I also think you forgot to mention that Fidel Castro supported Obama, though unofficially. Because the rest of the world likes him? I don't think that's necessarily positive. But I get what you're saying. A little popularity would be nice for the US as opposed to our LACK there of for the past... billion years (sorry, I lack the exact number of years).
just my 25 cents,
Anna
Rather socialist than soil-sucking corrupt capitalists. My cartoon today originally read "maybe if i stay under here long enough, they'll find a cure for capitalism." but ya know.
Ignorance is the correct word, actually. Ignorant isn't a negative adjective, unless it describes loud people. Ignorant loud people are unbearable.
You see so many of these voices on Facebook because they are not courageous or set enough in their beliefs to express them in open air.
Obama is hype, I'll admit that, but if a 20-year-old can't lose him or herself in this dream for just one day, I'm not sure he or she is listening to his or her heart.
And what does it matter who endorses Obama? He's a good person. (so is McCain, it's just so clear why Obama was the right candidate) What if Fidel Castro says he endorses the Dalai Lama, who gets the blame then?
just my non-cents,
Angela
I truly used to admire you.
For the spirit you used to show to others, especially those with different opinions than yourself. But over the past few years I have to say I have cutting remarks you have made.
While I agree with a majority of your entry and am eager to see what things unfold with Barack, I cannot believe you had the audacity to MOCK people regarding their Facebook status'. For you to mock THEM is no better than for them to post "ignorant" comments. Not to be rude, but I think you need a serious pride check. And, as you become more and more angry as you read this, please examine your heart... is it out of defense, or is it because you know that pride is something that has wrapped itself around you? Or, maybe it's already so far entangled in your heart that you won't even recognize it.
I do not find it at all Christ-like to publicize individual's status, hope that the word "Name" somehow serves as an adequate masquerade, and then, THEN, label them as ignorant. So go ahead and enjoy all of your ultimate frisbee games, Sunday brunch-fests, and IV leading... but please know that you are not being a model I would ever want to follow.
I'm sure you'll think "Well, this person doesn't even have the courage to state who they are... so their opinion doesn't count." Just to let you know, you know me very well. I just don't think you'd be willing to hear the truth from me.
Oh, and no, my Facebook status wasn't even related to any of the above, though I did recognize the status updates of several. In fact, my status didn't change at all during the course of this election.
**EDIT FROM: But over the past few years I have to say I have cutting remarks you have made.
***But over the past few years I have to say that the cutting remarks you have made have made me lose any source of admiration for you as a role model.
Dear "Not Available",
You have said some hard things, and you have said some good things, but if your idea of confrontation is an anonymous comment on Abby's public blog, it's no wonder you're afraid Abby won't listen to you.
Confrontation between two godly people is a beautiful thing, and I think you would find that if you-- out of love for Abby--expressed the feelings that you did above, Abby's heart would be open to you. It might be hard for her to hear, but I think Abby Farson would listen.
What you have said isn't Christ-like either, and it isn't loving, Not Available. It's humiliating.
You probably don't want to talk about this with me (I doubt I would) but if you do, you can contact me at fiercestofrachels@gmail.com.
oh, and i'm rachel hylton. i forgot to sign my name. blog anonymity dies hard.
You risked writing the truth of your opinion.
I pray this doesn't deter you from doing so again.
Keep writing.
Love,
Elizabeth Christenson
Wow-above comment = incredibly rude! Don't listen to that rudeness.
I really liked this entry, Abby. While I, like Anna, did not vote for Obama, I have to say: I'm not really too disappointed that he won. I'm excited to be a part of this CHANGE in history- how awesome that we, as college students, get to witness the first African American president?? AND, I love that we have international support, absolutely love it.
(Hah. And I must say, some of those Facebook status'were a *bit* over the top. It reminds me of that Chicken Little story, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!")
Abby is a wonderful person, someone I consider to one of my most valuable friends, (even though I do not know her that well) and I thought her post was excellent.
There wasn't any mockery or spite, and it was very well balanced.
Thank you for your stand, as well as being who you are, Abby. :-)
Not Available--
If you did know Abby very well then you would know that some of the things you brought up she has thought about deeply and she would probably like to have an open conversation with you about them. If you feel strongly of this issue I would suggest you bring them up with her face-to-face so that she can respond to your concerns with her ideas (I'm sure she has many).
While I hope your comments had the best intentions,and were obviously thought out, the manner in which they were posted, as stated by Rachel, was not Christ-like and seemed to be done in a fashion of tearing down rather than building up.
I hope that you will find the courage to confront Abby in a loving way.
In Abby's defense,
Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."
Listen, Not Available, if you really know Abby as well as you claim to, you should have confronted her in private. You accuse her of being prideful? How can you have more pride than to publicly flaunt your complaints against Abby for all to read? You accuse her of mocking? What is your post but a mockery?
If you truly cared about Abby you would go to her alone, overcoming the fear that she wouldn't listen to you (which seems pretty ridiculous to me). Your scathing public remarks came not from a heart of love but of anger and revenge.
You find it rude to publicize individuals' statuses? If those individuals were worried about what people would think, they wouldn't (or shouldn't) have posted them on their profile. Facebook is public, and it's not like Abby took words from someone's mouth.
Her point about ignorance was that Canada -- out of all the places to retreat to -- is more socialist than America (which isn't hard, considering America is not a socialist country and never will be). Abby was not mocking them, she was calling it like she saw it. If anyone is to blame for making insults it's the people who post trash on their Facebook profiles.
Sorry for getting all hyped up about what's none of my business, Abby, but this probably bugged me even more than it bugged you! And look how many people came to your defense already! That's cool.
abby my dear, i cannot believe you.
i wrote a blog entry the same day beginning with the exact same amusement over said threats regarding canada-relocation, but didn't publish it because a) i suddenly became insecure about canada's actual political state and b)the power went out. thanks, peru.
alas. you could have just referred all negative feedback to me, and at the very least my number of comments might go up.
love you... come to moyo if things don't work out so great after all with the new president. =)
I think this comment thread needs more Shel Silverstein.
There's a Polar Bear
In our Frigidaire--
He likes it 'cause it's cold in there.
With his seat in the meat
And his face in the fish
And his big hairy paws
In the buttery dish,
He's nibbling the noodles,
He's munching the rice,
He's slurping the soda,
He's licking the ice.
And he lets out a roar
If you open the door.
And it gives me a scare
To know he's in there--
That Polary Bear
In our Fridgitydaire.
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