Kurt Soller
|
Nov 5, 2008 06:25 PM
For our issue that hits newsstands tomorrow, Editor Jon Meacham wrote a story about what Obama will have to do
in order to run the government as effectively as he ran his campaign.
It's great to read the comments today, as they are an outpouring of
excitement for the future mixed with reflections on last night. Looking forward,
y'all are excited -- so why not highlight that here?
"FINALLY, a positive future, something to look forward to!" wrote jglab. "Now
we can walk with our heads held high. Leadership we can trust and be
proud of, something we have not been able to do for 8 long years. A
good legacy to leave our children and grandchildren and generations to
come. A legacy of promise, hope, and good-will is the story left behind
from this election, not like the nightmare from the corrupt and idiotic
Cheney/Bush Administration. Thank Goodness."
There were missives from around the country and around the world -- all
expressing a camaraderie not usually seen in these here parts. "I DO APOLOGIZE TO THOSE THAT I MAY HAVE OFFENDED," wrote one perennial commenter before adding, "Congrats
to ALL Americans!! The best man, w/ the best policies, that 53% of
Americans feel they'll benefit from, has won!! Although the election of
Obama has been historic in EVERY sense of the word, it will not cure
the divisiveness that exists in America. ONLY healthy dialogue between
the parties, between cultures, between financial classes, and between
our races will free us from the obvious disconnect we all have between
each other."
Then, of course, said commenter couldn't resist: "Now, time to gloat!!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!" Lots of Caps Lock and tons of exclamation points -- but we get the idea.
OK, enough looking back on the campaign. Now to the future, the topic
at hand in Meacham's essay. Reader Stefano Rollero wrote from Italy that
"This is the victory of a new way of doing politics and a new way to
treat people. This may bring int he reconstruction of a new
architecture of international institutions, dialogue, peace and
solidarity." Stateside, this idea of international unity was echoed by other readers:
"The whole world is happy that he won in the anticipation that he not
only be good for the U.S. but also for the entire world," said one comment. "Time
will tell but one thing is certain that people around the world were
sick and tired of President G W Bush's eight years of death and
destruction, blood shedding and blood letting of innocent men, women
and children in the Middle East and destroying their countries beyond
recognition."
Thankfully, little clogged this stream of adulation from readers. From
some McCain supporters, there were whiffs of dissent, including a few
readers complaining that "So much had been said about the 'historical significance of the Obama win..." But the best responses to these antagonistic comments were simple and earnest: "I
saw the picture of Rev. Jackson crying, and I cried too because it is a
day where all Americans come together to look to a brighter future," responded one reader. "I am just so proud and so filled with happiness." Right on.
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