| Author | Message | ||
     spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2705 Registered: 05-2005 |
OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! NOT SINCE JFK NOR THE MASTER X HAVE WE SEEN YOUR LIKE, WE NEED YOU OBAMA< AND THIS FROM THE UK< OK! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2706 Registered: 05-2005 |
shit, have I spelt Obam correctly!? Y'knpow me anpd y tpyewrtning skilsl, effin ell guv'nr! | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 479 Registered: 02-2008 |
Oi, you spelled it correctly and besides, spelling be damned, your sentiments are right on, baby! | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 480 Registered: 02-2008 |
Speaking of O, his grandmother apparently died, which is terribly sad. At least he got to see her one more time... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2712 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah, God bless her. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1233 Registered: 09-2006 |
My ballot's already in the mail...I was going to make a joke and say I'd voted for Nader, but then realized that ain't funny anymore. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 545 Registered: 07-2006 |
...i just might die with a smile on my face after all? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1278 Registered: 08-2006 |
Boy, that news about his grandma is sad as hell. Even if he's kept a poker face in public, I hope, during his last visit to her, he leaned over and said, "Hey, grandma, you raised a president." If it's possible to die happy, I'd bet she did. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2713 Registered: 05-2005 |
Had a bit too much red wine...though on reflection my rap will hopefully make No. 1!! Rob, hope you are right, a nice thought that! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1282 Registered: 08-2006 |
Just voted. Feels great. Spence, I thought of you when I did it. Kind of felt like I was voting for two (which in Chicago used to be possible). | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 483 Registered: 02-2008 |
I just voted, as well. It would feel good, but, sigh, there was a hitch. For some reason, despite having voted in the last several elections and having lived at the same location for the last 3 or 4 years, my name was on an "inactive list" and I was made to vote provisionally, which totally pissed me off. I raised a pretty big stink but it sort of fell flat, bein's there was nothing but retired old ladies running the thing. The old lady I dealt with, "Barbara", even made a big deal of making sure I saw her drop my provisional ballot in the box. She obviously didn't get it, didn't get the point that if it were going to be a contested election, the provisional ballots would be one of the first things to be swallowed up, to disappear in legal limbo. I guess it's no big deal, but I've read so much about voter hijinks, I feel a little creeped out by that. Obviously, my vote ain't gonna make any difference in the ass-whuppin' Obama's gonna give McCain, but still... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2718 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Rob!!! McCain is good for one thing only. Oven chips, and even they stank these days. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 193 Registered: 05-2005 |
WOOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go my American friends!! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1237 Registered: 09-2006 |
Let us now breathe deep and long and say it's good to be alive... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1811 Registered: 03-2005 |
For the first time in my life I have "my" president. Now . . . we have so much repair work to do. We have huge debts to repay to our friends who we've treated so shabbily and everybody outside of this country on the receiving end of this nightmare hegemonic vision of the past eight years. I am absolutely confident that Obama understands this. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 366 Registered: 04-2005 |
Wow! A truly historic event. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1283 Registered: 08-2006 |
Wow, indeed. I was there, with a quarter million of my fellow Chicagoans. I saw it all. People were so happy, so genuinely happy, it was the most infectious and inspiring shows of civic (and national) pride I've ever seen. I don't expect I will again. This city is walking on air. Strangers are hugging each other. People, thousands and thousands of them, were dancing in Michigan Avenue. Dogs and cats are living together. I'm going to bed. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 386 Registered: 01-2007 |
Totally moving, and thing is from this side of the Pond they haven't been sledging each other.God we need this over here, where is our inspiration, I'm looking but I can't see it. Despite us needing a change It is not on the blue side of the fence. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2721 Registered: 05-2005 |
Let's get this party started right!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2421 Registered: 05-2005 |
Incredible news lads, and what a great speech. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 411 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well done America. Fantastic news. "Now we're getting somewhere....." | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1447 Registered: 10-2004 |
a massively moving moment in our nation's history. i literally had chills when watching obama's speech last night. but here in california, it's bittersweet as it looks like prop 8 - a measure that will ban same-sex marriage in this state - is passing. fuck california in the neck. i can't believe this is happening. i know so many people who have invested so much in defeating prop 8, and its passing is a profound disappointment. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 485 Registered: 02-2008 |
Pretty sucky. A measure that actually TAKES AWAY rights people had, and is phrased as such, passes. What a backward state. Still grappling with the significance of Obama winning - it's huge, like staring at the sun, and I think it goes beyond even racial boundaries. I knew, intellectually, that this would happen, but, wow, the reality is still amazing...Shocking how early it happened. At least McCain got to go to bed early, for which I'm sure he was grateful. I think this article helps put it all in perspective: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nat ion_finally_shitty_enough_to | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1814 Registered: 03-2005 |
McCain must have known it was over a while ago and couldn't wait to finish it. I'll bet the Caribou Barbie was pissed at his haste. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1448 Registered: 10-2004 |
Yeah, McCain almost seemed relieved that it was all over and he could essentially retire and call it a night. His concession speech was surprisingly non-bitter and kind of gracious. He seemed visibly irked when people boo'd at his mentioning of Obama. Palin looked bummed out. As for prop 8, if it is passed, I'm wondering if it'll be kind of like prohibition. Something that will be around for a little while and then, hopefully, overturned at some point. It is seriously depressing and distressing, though, to see blatant discrimination written into state law. California is a weird state. But on a positive note, the reality of Obama's victory *is* amazing. I'm still kind of speechless at the moment. I continue to be moved by Obama's humble demeanor, particularly with his speech last night. This is also the first time I voted for a president who won! (I voted for Nader in '96 because it was clear Clinton would win, and I wasn't 18 yet when Clinton was first elected). What's the word on Franken? Last I heard it was too close to call. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1284 Registered: 08-2006 |
Prop 8 was probably the biggest disappointment last night. I for one didn't expect - and frankly didn't want - the Dems to get that 60-seat Senate majority. They've got more than enough power, and a pretty big mandate, so let's not be greedy. I'm still floored by last night. I'm so glad I went down, so glad to be in such a large, diverse and joyous crowd when the race was called, so glad to see that lovely speech in person. What a moment in time this is. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 555 Registered: 07-2006 |
i don't understand how that happens in a blue ribbon dem state? are there any figures breaking that particular result down by demographic, etc? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1450 Registered: 10-2004 |
joe, you mean prop 8? i haven't looked at the actual breakdown, but from what I've read, prop 8 carried on the strength of homophobic sentiment throughout the vast central valley and large swaths of southern california. i even saw in an article that it won in LA county, too. it lost in every single bay area county except for one. i'm guessing it didn't do as well in humboldt, but i haven't checked that. the thing you have to remember about california is that it's a massive state with a very diverse population. remember we have a conservative governor who slid with ease into his position when the democratically elected governor was recalled (an effort funded by some SoCal billionaire). and california has a long history of conservative governors. sure, the state has some notable progressive strongholds, but that's kind of balanced out by hicks in the sticks and more conservative to vast middle-of-the-road suburbs. i also read polls are showing the +65 set tended to vote in favor of it, while 20-somethings were overwhelmingly against it. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 194 Registered: 05-2005 |
Obama's acceptance speech was the most extraordinary piece of political oratory I've ever heard. I watched it live on a TV in the office here in Sydney but was still in such a state of shock and elation that I didn't really take it all in. I watched it again when I got home and I have to say I was moved to tears. It was a beautifully constructed speech delivered with extraordinary poise and grace. What a class act this guy is. For the first time in years I was overcome with feelings of positivity towards America. The cut-away to Jesse Jackson in the crowd with tears rolling down his face is an image that will stay with me for a long time. I envy you being there in person to see it Rob. I know that politicians we place high hopes in usually end up disappointing us - but surely today we can allow ourselves some hope for a better future. I salute all the Americans on this board who helped bring about this amazing result. Gotta leave the last word to Sam Cooke!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUT1WgHat 6I | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1305 Registered: 01-2005 |
Mark, As much as I like Sam Cooke, I'll take Otis Redding's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2V3REseF wE Great victory by Obama. Nice to see such a solid block of blue states scattered throughout the country. In Michigan we approved the donation of unused embroys for stem cell research. We also became the 13th state to approve medical ganja. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2727 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dizzee's next!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/america s/us_elections_2008/7713237.stm | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1285 Registered: 08-2006 |
So Rahm Emanuel has signed on to be chief of staff? That should be interesting. A little more Chicago muscle behind him couldn't hurt. With Emanuel and Biden on board, Obama should have two pretty powerful conduits to Congress. He's gonna need 'em. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1451 Registered: 10-2004 |
So, an acquaintance of mine in Albuquerque, New Mexico said the local paper had a front page feature today about how everyone's flocking to the gun stores to stock up before "Obama takes all their guns away." Hilarious and totally frightening. Meanwhile, I'm sure some of you have seen that some disgruntled McCain aides have been spilling the beans on what a pain Palin was. I guess the big story was that she reportedly wasn't aware that Africa was a continent (and not a country). And, of course, something like 46% of Americans voted for her. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1286 Registered: 08-2006 |
A good friend of mine is South African. He was surprised to learn his country is, in fact, a region. He wasn't happy about the demotion. Some of these facts were aired originally on the execrable Bill O'Reilly's show, by one of Fox's own reporters. O'Reilly was dismissive of the Africa dustup, in particular, saying it didn't matter because she could have been coached - in other words, a 44-year-old woman could have been instructed by aides that, in fact, Africa is a continent, with many countries inside it. If someone had to tell me the Earth revolves around the sun or that ice is frozen water - all questions of whether not I could absorb and remember the information aside - wouldn't that sort of dim your opinion of my qualification to hold high office, operate heavy machinery, or even live independently? If a Dem had done this, O'Reilly would have called for a public hanging. Moron. If you can stomach O'Reilly, you can watch his inability to digest bad (Republican) news here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05 /palin-didnt-know-africa-i_n_141653.html | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 195 Registered: 05-2005 |
..and she didn't even know the member countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or that the United States - along with Mexico and Canada - was one of them. That's the latest news from McCain camp. Apparently Fox News reporter Carl Cameron has known this and the Africa story for some time but refused to divulge it until the election was over. Ain't that a surprise! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 2728 Registered: 05-2005 |
Let us face it, if mcCain and that bint had gotten in, it would have been a joke. And a very unfunny joke at that, it would hve been like Bush mk IV. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1306 Registered: 01-2005 |
The GOP will be commiting hari kari if they tie their future to Sarah Palin. See has no appeal to most Independents, and with the GOP shrinking populace, that's not a winning formula. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2431 Registered: 05-2005 |
Australian bookmakers are refusing to pay up on the Obama win until he is actually sworn in, in case anything happens to him in the meantime (you know what). I am so disgusted to learn this, but heartened to learn that Irish bookmakers paid up bets on Obama a month before the election as there was no longer any point pretending the result would be different! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2432 Registered: 05-2005 |
This piece, by Irish author Colm Tóbín, is the best article I have read yet about the Obama phenomenon. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/week end/2008/1108/1225925561911.html | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2436 Registered: 05-2005 |
This Doonesbury cartoon on the Obama victory is great http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydos e/index.html?uc_full_date=20081108 He writes and draws these cartoons about two weeks in advance so I assume he had back-ups in case Obama didn't win. I'd love to see those! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1287 Registered: 08-2006 |
I actually read he didn't have backups, Padraig. He just did the Obama-wins strips. It threw a bunch of newspaper editors for a loop. Apparently, his syndicate also sent out repeat strips for this week in case Trudeau guessed wrong. He's got enough cache he can do whatever the hell he wants, I guess. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1288 Registered: 08-2006 |
To wit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/01 /doonesbury-comic-strip-pr_n_140033.html | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2442 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Rob. |