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Last Post 22 days, 20 hours Ago


A Historic Disaster
Nov 9, 2008 | 7:46 PM
Category: Political
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Election Analysis: America Can Take Pride In This Historic, Inspirational Disaster

By IowaHawk

Although I have not always been the most outspoken advocate of President-Elect Barack Obama, today I would like to congratulate him and add my voice to the millions of fellow citizens who are celebrating his historic and frightening election victory. I don't care whether you are a conservative or a liberal -- when you saw this inspiring young African-American rise to our nation's highest office I hope you felt the same sense of patriotic pride that I experienced, no matter how hard you were hyperventilating with deep existential dread.  

Yes, I know there are probably other African-Americans much better qualified and prepared for the presidency. Much, much better qualified. Hundreds, easily, if not thousands, and without any troubling ties to radical lunatics and Chicago mobsters. Gary Coleman comes to mind. But let's not let that distract us from the fact that Mr. Obama's election represents a profound, positive milestone in our country's struggle to overcome its long legacy of racial divisions and bigotry. It reminds us of how far we've come, and it's something everyone in our nation should celebrate in whatever little time we now have left.

Less than fifty years ago, African-Americans were barred from public universities, restaurants, and even drinking fountains in many parts of the country. On Tuesday we came together and transcended that shameful legacy, electing an African-American to the country's top job -- which, in fact, appears to be his first actual job. Certainly, it doesn't mean that racism has disappeared in America, but it is an undeniable mark of progress that a majority of voters no longer consider skin color nor a dangerously gullible naivete as a barrier to the presidency.

It's also heartening to realize that as president Mr. Obama will soon be working hand-in-hand with a former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard like Senator Robert Byrd to craft the incoherent and destructive programs that will plunge the American economy into a nightmare of full-blown sustained depression. As Vice President-Elect Joe Biden has repeatedly warned, there will be difficult times ahead and the programs will not always be popular, or even sane. But as we look out over the wreckage of bankrupt coal companies, nationalized banks, and hyperinflation, we can always look back with sustained pride on the great National Reconciliation of 2008. Call me an optimist, but I like to think when America's breadlines erupt into riots it will be because of our shared starvation, not the differences in our color.

It's obvious that this newfound pride is not confined to Americans alone. All across the world, Mr. Obama's election has helped mend America's tattered image as a racist, violent cowboy, willing to retaliate with bombs at the slightest provocation. The huge outpouring of international support following the election shows that America can still win new friendships while rebuilding its old ones, and provides Mr. Obama with unprecedented diplomatic leverage over our remaining enemies. When Russian tanks start pouring into eastern Europe and Iranian missiles begin raining down on Jerusalem, their leaders will know they will be facing a man who not only conquered America's racial divide but the hearts of the entire Cannes film community. And those Al Qaeda terrorists plotting a dirty nuke or chemical attack on San Francisco face a stark new reality: while they may no longer need to worry about US Marines, they are looking down the barrel of a strongly worded diplomatic condemnation by a Europe fully united in their deep sympathy for surviving Americans.

So for now, let's put politics aside and celebrate this historic milestone. In his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial 45 years ago, Dr. King said "I have a dream that one day my children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Let us now take pride that Tuesday we Americans proved that neither thing matters anymore.

 

http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2008/11/electi
on-analysis-america-can-take-pride-in-this-historic-ins
pirational-disaster.html

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Member Comments Total Comments: 15
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toadie800 read my blog view my photos
Nov 9, 2008 | 8:03 PM

I wonder why are colored american still referred to african. I and caucasian and of scottish descent I am not referred to as scottish american, but an american. the reference to ones descent is divisive in its own right.
The labeling of ones color or origin unless illegal alien is of no relevance even on buisness type forms.
As for the conquering of adversities that Obama might face we will see. I Don't have much faith that it will be in americas best interest, but we will see.
KRUPT
Nov 10, 2008 | 2:31 PM

Inspirational cut and paste, Flush.

How does this IowaHawk fella know the future so well?


You're right though, Palin would have been much better than Obama in an international meeting with Russian leaders. She could just show a bit of leg.


Who cares about race, the bitter conservatives and Oprah were the only ones I saw trying to make an issue of race.
R8R_H8R read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 4:01 PM

I LOVE IT! yet another, in the never-ending list, of one of many persons who's thoughts are easily manipulated and coerced through a campaign of fear by the republican party. My son has a better grasp of realism and politics than most that blog here. ......

oh, nice super-hero! icon/logo! (not)
R8R_H8R read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 4:02 PM

Do you spend alot of time peering out your living room curtain for fear of "the Government is out there......and they're gonna get us!"
?
Raysmom read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 6:51 PM

R8R- This from a guy(?)that doesn't allow comments on his blogs? Please.

Lots of people made this about race. People for and against Obama. The media. Why else would he be compared with MLK? Of course it was about race. But that's not all bad- it's just a new development. The editorial comments come into play because they have NOTHING to do with race- just political views.
gjflash read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 7:24 PM

Hey, toadie. Where you been keeping yourself?

As a tan-pinkish-beige-Scotts-Irish-German-British-American,
I am all for eliminating hyphenated descriptors, mostly because I have far too many to keep reciting. Racial pride is one thing, but the time for making one's racial heritage the centerpiece of their societal identity has passed. Obama's election illustrates that point wonderfully, I think. Call it a silver lining.

It is way past time for us to start being Americans, and stop being hyphens. Our strength as a Nation lies in our unity, and we can't be united if we're too focused on the things that make us different.

E pluribus unum, baby, E pluribus unum.


Thanks, KRAPT. The thought that I was able to inspire you sends a thrill up my leg. Give me a little credit, the whole control+c and control+v thing requires the use of two fingers at once. Multitasking skills like that, well, you're either born with them or you aren't (I strive to use my gifts for good rather than evil).

I think IowaHawk makes some fairly reasonable predictions, although the image of Americans in bread lines does strike me as a bit dire. 100 Million Americans own guns, and I'm guessing that we'll take our Country back from the Marxists by force before it comes to that. Maybe we'll even stop paying farmers to not grow crops...gosh, anything is possible.

(cont.)
gjflash read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 7:25 PM

(cont.)

Your glib reference to Palin makes me think that you greatly underestimate the ability of a pretty American girl to get the point across. I'll bet she even could've made some inroads with the Chinese with gams like that. Seriously, most of our enemies are racist to the core, and while Europe may celebrate our diversity, Russia and China will view our election of a dove as a sign of weakness.

I'm a bit disappointed that you think that us bitter Conservatives (and Oprah) were the only ones making an issue out of Obama's race, I have always assumed that you were a bit more in touch with current events. I Googled Obama+African+American and got 7 million hits. It's possible that all pointed to Conservative sites (or Oprah's chat room), but I doubt it.

The point of this post was that Obama's election was primarily about race. Had Obama been a white man with racist, terrorist, and Communist ties, he would never have been elected. I'm not bitter about that, but pardon me if I cling to my guns and religion just the same.

I'm glad we finally elected a non-Anglo President, but I think he's the wrong man for the wrong time. One-sixth of Americans chose to punish America for the Bush administration by saddling us with the most Liberal Liberal in Washington. Very little good will come of this ObamaNation, and I hope you (as well as the rest of us) are still around four years from now to debate that point.
gjflash read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 7:54 PM

H8R, I don't think you got the point, but then that's nothing new.

I'm glad you like my avitar, my nickname actually has nothing to do with the superhero, I just liked the fact that this avitar looks just like me when I'm wearing red tights. I also liked the way it showed lightening coming out of my ass, just like when I eat too much green chili.

I do spend a lot of time peering out of my living room curtain, but I'm usually thinking something along the lines of "people like R8R_H8R are out there..." SHUDDER.

I'm sorry, I digress. Did you have anything useful to add to the discussion? I didn't think so.
gjflash read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 7:55 PM

Hi, RaysMom! Thanks very much for "getting it". Folks on this site could learn a lot from your wisdom (they WON'T, of course, but they COULD).

The point is not Obama's race, folks, the point is that he's an extremist and a politcal neophyte.

I think that far, far too many people voted for Obambam without looking at the issues first. All too many ObamaZombies voted for him because he's "cool".

We'll see how "cool" he is very soon, I'm afraid.

To give credit where credit is due, H8R has started allowing comments on his posts again (for now).
I don't know that it makes any difference, most of his posts aren't worth commentary anyway.
Caer
Nov 10, 2008 | 8:11 PM

This election was about race. I don't know how many times I heard African-American, it also came from Obama. I for one hate hyphenated words to describe Americans. But maybe it is proper for Obama who has of yet to produece a birth certificate. I also get irritated with the national census asking what race and people of European decent are suppose to check white. I am not white, I have a light complexion but compared to a white piece of paper I am not white. I chose other and wrote in Celtic. This election wwas about race, the Democrats found a young man that could give a good speech and had a darker complexion. I realy doubt that if he had a light complexion with Obama's views is he would have been elected.
toadie800 read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 9:45 PM

Hey flash I've been huntin. tis the season for fresh meat gatherin for the freezer.

This hyphenated american crap should disappear and just be plain old american. I don't know what is wrong with that.

I kinda agree with Caer on the race thing. Part of my thoughts believe some of the race was about race, it should not have even entered it. I really think the election was mostly about being anti bush. The man done some really good things and some really messed up things. The choice of what they are is up for debate but that is one of the great things about america.

Time for bird seasons mostly waterfowl from now untill the lat of feb, then on to turkey season.
gjflash read my blog view my photos
Nov 10, 2008 | 10:24 PM

Very well summarized, Caer. I guessed your heritage from your screen name...If I have my Celtic mythology correct, don't you change into a swan about this time of year? Just giving you a heads up, toadie is hunting waterfowl ;) Good to see you, sparks. Keep your muzzle loaded, bro.

Random thought...Maybe someday we'll have a Celtic-American President. Now THAT would be cool...kegs of Guiness and curling on the White House lawn. Capitol Hill disagreements could be settled by bare-knuckled boxing.

I think we need to get rid of racial descriptors altogether, and let a man be judged by the content of his character...period. Be it for jobs, Government contracts, or college scholarships.

I am no more white than a "black" man is black. The Native American "red" man descriptor is even less accurate. The guys from the Blue Man Group probably fall into their own category.
toadie800 read my blog view my photos
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:12 PM

Race is a part of this picture whether one likes it or not. Just shows who the real racist are. the rest is sheer unadulterated hatred of bush.
KRUPT
Nov 11, 2008 | 8:22 PM

I'd have to agree with Toadie, race had a part in the election (both for and against Obama). However, Bush was a bigger factor, he made Obama great.

I do believe Obama was a better choice than McCain for many reasons. Only time will tell (not some random predictions of our dire future).

I dont buy into the scare tactics that you continue to push, GJ. These tactics were another factor in McCains loss.
McCain stated that Obama was as American as you and I. I see a family man, an intelligent figure that will represent our country with only the best intentions.

Where the election got messed up... House and Senate now have a Dem majority. No balance is a recipe for disaster. I do, however, wish the best.

happy vets day

...
toadie800 read my blog view my photos
Nov 11, 2008 | 8:45 PM

At least It is not fillibuster proof.
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gjflash

I'm a Dad, a construction contractor, a foodie, an artist, and a patriot. I'm also very afraid. I used to live in the United States, but I now reside in latin America (and I never even had to move!). I like to argue current events with facts (along with simple, reasonable human logic). I don't suffer fools gladly, so liberals, please bring your facts (if you have any). I'm a huge Denver sports fan (30 years on the bandwagon), but my favorite teams are, by far, the ones my kids play on.

Member Since: 12/13/2006


 

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