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You lied to me CNN! Barack Obama didn’t spend his inauguration day giving speeches and eating at fancy luncheons, he was saving the day with his new partner: Spiderman! Dammit, I knew I liked this guy for a reason. How could I have missed something like that? Our President is a freakin superhero! And I was so sure that he was just your mild-mannered political upstart that changed history.

Well, though I might have been unaware of all of that, this much is for sure. Barack Obama isn’t wasting any time.

Just look at him! By the time he was 24 hours into his tenure as the President of the United States he put together a draft executive order to shut down Guantanamo Bay, froze terrorism trials so the system can be evaluated, cut the fiscal projections for White House staff by capping a number of salaries that are probably already paying these people more than they deserve, eliminated avenues through which political operators could remain incognito and by doing so ensuring a higher degree of transparency in Washington, spoke to the leaders of Egypt and Jordan, came down hard on lobbyists that want to work with this new government, set up a meeting to discuss a responsible withdrawal from Iraq, started up a committee to take action on the failing economy, and still had the time to share a luncheon with selected members of Congress (poor Teddy Kennedy), have his first dance with his wife as Mr. and Mrs. President, took the time to swear in a few cabinet members and he still probably found some time to get to sleep.

You know, of all the run on sentences in my life (and I’ve written a great many), I think I’m most proud of that one. It feels damn good to be an American right now. I mean, at this rate he should have this whole mess cleaned up by what? Next Tuesday? Well, you can sign me up for the “I’ve still got three years and fifty-one weeks left of my Presidency and jack-shit left to do” party he’s probably going to throw next week. I’ll have to pick up a six pack or two, but that’s okay, he’s worth it. It’s the least I can do for a guy who pal’s around with Spiderman.

Here’s lookin’ to the future. Cheers!

Politics Geek, obama, Politics

Get me a copy of that speech. Now. That was fucking fantastic.

After you do that, pick me up a batch of his oration skills. Because holy fuck, that man has me going. He could probably talk me into bed with him right now if he really put his mind to it.

All jest aside, I was chatting with a friend online as I watched Obama’s speech, and here’s the conclusion I finally came to…

(12:17:30 AM) hikosmynd: you know
(12:17:32 AM) hikosmynd: it’s kinda silly
(12:17:34 AM) hikosmynd: all of this
(12:17:42 AM) hikosmynd: and i dont say that because of how worked up we’re getting
(12:19:17 AM) hikosmynd: i’m saying that because this man has somehow inspired one of the most apathetic countries on the planet to a phenominally idealistic place. he - in some ways - has promised us the world, and a better one at that. one where war is used to defend, energy provides us, and protects the planet, and education is the defining drive of improving society.
(12:19:37 AM) hikosmynd: all of these things, so many of which - in all reality - are outside of the scope of what any one man can do, president or not
(12:19:39 AM) hikosmynd: but the thing is
(12:19:52 AM) hikosmynd: despite the fact that i know that i’m being idealistic
(12:20:09 AM) hikosmynd: despite the twinges of doubt nagging at the back of my mind
(12:20:25 AM) hikosmynd: i’m stunned to realize that somehow i believe he can do it.
(12:20:39 AM) hikosmynd: maybe not all at once, maybe he wont be the one to do it all, but i think he can start us in that direction
(12:21:31 AM) hikosmynd: and i’ve never - EVER - felt like that about any president that i’ve seen in my lifetime.
(12:22:00 AM) hikosmynd: who knows, maybe i’m just caught up in the moment. maybe it’s just the fact that he’s a good speaker that knows how to drive home an impossible message of hope
(12:22:08 AM) hikosmynd: but dammit, right now I’m looking at the future of this country
(12:22:42 AM) hikosmynd: and i see a lot of potential that wasn’t realizable two hours ago

And I really believe that. I know it’s sappy, I know I’m all emotional right now (that speech seriously gave me chills), but come on. If you’ve got any kind of hope for this country you have to admit he’s got something going for him.

I don’t think I’ll ever wax this political ever again, but to hell with it. Obama deserves it.

Politics amber, obama, Politics

November 4th, 2008. A day that will no doubt go down in the history books. Here I am, sitting in the living room of my apartment, awash in the aftermath of what could become the most important Presidential election in the more than two centuries that this wonderful country has seen. I have never - and I mean ever - been more proud to be an American than I am right now. Maybe it’s just the euphoria that comes with this type of thing, but I’d like to think that feeling I’m experiencing right now is real. Look at what just happened, we have just elected the first President whose skin is not white.

Barack Obama is the first. black. president.

More importantly though, he’s a man who I feel is prepared to move America in the right direction. A man who will repair much of the damage that has been done over the past few years. A man who will restore the World’s respect for America, not with might, but with the same presidential poise he has shown throughout this election cycle. He is a man who - I feel - has his priorities in order, and he will begin (I hope) a new age of green energy, and independence from not just foreign oil, but from fossil fuels. He is a man who will restore the educational excellency of our country. He is exactly what we need right now.

Of course, I’m being idealistic. Obama - I’m sorry - President Obama has a huge task ahead of him, and there’s an excellent chance he won’t be able to do it - if he can even scratch the surface. But if this election has proven anything, Obama has the ability to inspire people, and if we have any chance of changing America, we need that kind of strength.

I think most of all, I’m in awe of the time we live in. Our children, and our children’s children will ask us about this day when they learn about it in History class, and it’s not just President Obama. Look around, even scientific projects like the LHC, LIGO and LISA, and so on, are setting the stage for a new frontier for the human race. I’m trembling just thinking about it.

If I remember anything about this election, let it be that a good man inspired the uninspired - as evidenced by the hundreds of typically apathetic college students who marched around the campus of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth chanting in joy. This is the beginning of a beautiful thing, and I’m excited to be along for the ride.

Politics history, obama, Politics, reflection