The Enduring Power of Ideals
November 5th, 2008
Barack Obama (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals — democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. [from Obama's victory speech, 13:37]
Today is a happy day, a day of hope after so much fear, so much hate, so much negativity.
I’m not so naive to think that a single man can change things for good, even if he’s capable, smart, honest and cares. I’m not so silly to think that just by thinking positively, your enemies will too. And I’m not so blind as not to see those tens of millions that didn’t vote for him and for who he’ll have to make decisions too.
But today is a happy day because it’s a lot harder to hate America.
Or to feel guilty for being a foreigner that pays US taxes (and without representation).
Today is the day not only the people of this country should feel proud of, but the rest of the world too, as this election gives hope to a different way of looking at problems, a more positive way of thinking about solutions, a more embracing way of looking at diversity.
But the road is long and the climb steep, as California shows when with one hand elects Obama and with the other bans gay marriage.
Still, today the weather is better than yesterday’s to start the hike.
