well, i tried to keep my mouth shut, but it was way too difficult. i have to have a thread congratulating b-obama for his victory as the democratic nominee for us president (i also congratualte myslef for successfully turning my us-citizen parents away from hillary-inevitability to hard core obama supporters; pat on the back for me!). its really an extremely historic and important moment for america, no matter what happens next. even the entire world (definitely here in africa) are going crazy over this accomplishment. it's also highlighting the exceptional nature of the US - the part that most people admire and love and have easily forgotten about the last 7 years while focusing on the bush-man foreign policy of the current administration. the day after b-obama won the nomination (even with hilary's "i'm making no decision's tonight" speech) all the major newspapers here had obama on the front page, countless op-eds were written about it, and radio stations were going crazy. thomas friedman, of the new york times, wrote an excellent piece highlighting the moment in the context of egyptian society today, again re-iterating the fact that in many parts of the world, a story like barack obama's can never happen. an excerpt:
Yes, all of this Obama-mania is excessive and will inevitably be punctured should he win the presidency and start making tough calls or big mistakes. For now, though, what it reveals is how much many foreigners, after all the acrimony of the Bush years, still hunger for the "idea of America" - this open, optimistic, and, indeed, revolutionary, place so radically different from their own societies.
Whether he does or doesn’t, though, the mere fact of his nomination has done something very important. We’ve surprised ourselves and surprised the world and, in so doing, reminded everyone that we are still a country of new beginnings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/opinion/11friedman.html?th&emc=th
point # 454: after being severely disappointed at clinton's speech the day b-obama won the nomination, the night of the last primaries, i was just as pleased at the excellent concession speech she gave a couple days later (even with her fuzzy math relating to # of votes she got). my beef now is passed on to the ultra-feminists that say they refuse to vote for b-obama, but would rather vote for mccain. heh, explain this to me please...u'd rather vote against all ur beliefs (abortion, equal rights, etc) than vote for someone who is more aligned to ur beliefs but just happened to fairly beat your candidate. sorry to be heartless, but this seems like some of hillary's supporters are the sorriest losers around. i can concede that there were some elements of sexism in the campaign, however, how much of this was obama's fault (shouldn't we look at the media or american sentiment or even john mccain, who when he was asked, "so how do you beat the bitch", he made no gesture to correct or repudiate the questioner). i don't really see the complaint here, b-obama followed the rules by taking his name off ballot in michigan, didnt campaign in florida and realized the game was a delegate game (and not a # of votes game) and he won by the rules. clinton tried to bend the rules at the end, and even with obama conceding some votes in mi and fl, she still lost. good fight fought. there can only be one winner. there was. and there were losers. time to move on. consider me heartless, but don't hate the player, hate the game.
point 8973: the fist pump between b-obama and mrs. obama was probly the best moment i've seen in politics in a long time. that was pretty cool. and it showed that political couples can still have fun sometimes. with all the fake and orchestrated smiles and appearances its too easy to see political couples as nothing more than arranged marriages and to see a couple do something spontaneous like that makes it look like they at least like each other. plus its hip. com 'on.
point 54732: what a terrible speech by mccain. i used to like this guy but couple things ticked me off. first, i dont really remember him congratulating b-obama and the moment that just passed. i mean, even g-dubbs (president george w. bush), not thought of the most amicably in the black community, congratulated b-obama and the historical moment. mccain, however...who advises this guy. first u cant compete with b-obama in making speeches (or reading off a telli-prompter, for that matter). 2nd, the few times the camera showed the audience, this was just sad. forced claps, smiles, old white people (not that theres anything wrong with this group; i like y'all), but a speech like mccain's would not have been as severely criticized, if it was not juxtaposed to that of obama's an hr later. it was just not a good comparison. sorry johnny.
point 347: as many of you know, i like us politics. one reason: it takes my mind off of african politics (for at least 2 seconds). in nigeria: well, its nigeria. violence still raving, who knows how long the president will live (health reasons) and the jury is still out on how effective he can be even after a full year. in sa: the president is lamer than a lame duck. i think his actions now are just to spike his opponents. in the near future, JZ is coming to power, with his what 6 wives and corruption charges pending. and ahh, in nearby zim: ole boy bob mugabe warned that his staunchest supporters were ready to take up arms rather than let the opposition triumph in a June 27 election. this is after several beatings and killings of opponent tsvangirai's supporters; tsvangirai's deputy is currently in jail awaiting trial for treason. this really troubles me. the zims that i've met are some of the nicest, smartest people i know. they are also calm people (in general, minus mugabe and his drugged up army). i doubt they will take to the streets or perform a kenya still revolt if (i should say when) bob wins the upcoming run-off. so im pondering when should we declare silent diplomacy and civil disobedience a failure? i'm all for civil disobedience, don't get me wrong, but a part of me knows that something drastic has to happen in zim; the situation is just way too dire. but as the population continues to be subdued by mugabe and his guns, what should the citizens do. just sit there and hope? too often many africans have tried this to their detriment. south africa certainly will do nothing. the un has been allowed to monitor the elections and i can declare right now that they will report that the whole thing was a scam (plus most except for the absolute bravest of the opposition supporters will not show up to vote after being intimidated). then there will be a outcry, but the un is powerless to do anything. so the world will just wait until the situation is no longer on the front page, while civilian atrocities continue in the country. god help zim.
finally, point 9346034: my ultimate sincere condolences to NBS broadcast journalist, Tim Russert, who suddenly died yesterday. I'm really saddened by this. The guy was one of the best and my favorite tv journalist. he did the sunday morning meet the press (also one of my favorite shows) and asked some of the toughest questions ive ever heard an american journalist ask. his death was sudden and unexpected and he will be greatly missed. RIP Tim Russert.
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