My voice is hoarse, my head is spinning, and I can’t get to sleep. I kept hearing the charging rhythm of our daughter’s strong, light footsteps. Before turning in we checked our voice mail. Jackie had somehow accidently dialed her parents while running.
I had to get out of bed, put my clothes back on, and collect some thoughts after an evening I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
I just enjoyed the wildest night I’ve ever had in Seattle. The Westin Hotel was overrun with happy voters as our state’s Democratic Party celebrated. Our two senators and newly re-elected governor (all women) raised their hands in jubilation from a stage overlooking a jam-packed ballroom filled with the new and diverse political landscape of America.
During the party my iPhone was busy with emails from friends in Europe — Matteo in the Cinque Terre wrote “Ciao Rick, You Americans gave to the entire world, after many years, a big sign of an historical changement. Obama President is the right person in the right place for a new world.” Another Italian, Luca, said for America it was “like winning the world cup.” Steven from Ireland is now planning a road trip across the USA with his girlfriend.
And both our kids spontaneously and simultaneously had an animal instinct to rush to the charismatic new leader — the hope of their generation and suddenly a global political icon. In Washington DC, Jackie and her girlfriends ran from her Georgetown University dorm across town all the way to the White House just to jump up and down and scream for joy at the gates of the most powerful house in the world.
Meanwhile, in Indiana, Andy and his buddies had jumped into a car and drove two hours from their Notre Dame campus in South Bend to be at Grant Park in Chicago with a quarter of a million people to welcome our president-elect.
Back in Seattle, at nearly midnight Anne and I were high-fiving the garage attendant and dancing among the taxis blinking their lights and honking their horns. I hugged every color in the rainbow. It seemed every car had its windows rolled down, as if everyone wanted to savor every ounce of the convivial one-ness that was sweeping our city’s streets.
Speeches from both a gracious loser and a gracious victor reminded us that our greatest bond is not our party affiliation but the fact that we are Americans, and that we are one nation with a big job ahead. Talking with Jackie — now about 3 a.m. for her in DC — we celebrated the fact that for her very first presidential election we had just witnessed a peaceful revolution of sorts, and the resilient wonders of American democracy.
A great new dawn for the land of the free and the home of the brave, your first black Irish-American president!! At moments like this Im extra proud my ancestors helped build the USA…
Rick you have my most sincere congratulations! We were all treated to two of the most gracious speeches in recent political history last evening. Let us pray for Israel and Iran, I am afraid of the impending events this election may become a catalyst in creating. Enjoy the moment!
It’s great your hero and savior won. Now that the avatar of Good and Righteousness has smitten the Forces of Evil, perhaps you can turn the attention of your blog to other topics. Perhaps… and I’m just spitballing here… travel??
Rick, While I appreciate your enthusiasm I would ask you to remember that not all of your readers share your excitement. I’d also ask that you get back to writing about travel please.
Although not my choice I welcome our new president on board and throw my support behind him.
A world shaking earthquake off the Richter scale happened last night………..a great event for a kaleidoscope of reasons……..America and the world will accomplish mountains of achievements with hard work and optimism….the “big blue marble” grew up last night…………..best wishes to all………!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, KathyM, for following John McCain’s gracious lead. Every new president deserves at least the benefit of doubt from even his non-supporters. Even if we don’t agree on how to achieve, we all want the best for our country.
So this is how liberty dies… with thunderous applause. Ha- my word is pocketbook. All of ours will be lighter very soon.
I wouldn’t exactly call Obama’s victory a revolution. This is not flower power re-visited. Obama is a fairly moderate Harvard educated moral family man and lawyer. White voters can see that – and so voted for him. Obama did not pander to the extreme left. Obama won on the black turnout and the white turnout who wanted to prove racism was no longer an albatross in Presidential politics. Obama is also a superb orator. His politics is not of the extreme left. You will be grossly disappointed, if you think Obama is going to socialize health care and higher education, and give free reign to pot smokers and prostitutes as in Amsterdam.
I am happy today.
Mr Oboma’s win has truly energized people of all ages, sexes and ethnic backgrounds…I have not seen this since I started voting 38 years ago. There is no question that we face a mountain of work, understanding and compromise in the coming years. I would like to quote one of my depression era and WW II veteran dad’s favorites: when the going gets tough, the tough get going. All of us from both parties and independents need to work to together…to improve our lot—it is a mistake to think that one person or party can accomplish this alone. It may take some sacrificing on our part (FYI, I am not a rich person at all)…here’s a quote my farmer dad also liked: if you’re going to dance all night you gotta pay the piper (last several years of financial excess and unreal expectations?) as he rolled us out of bed to milk our cows at 5:30 am before we were sent off to school… Personally I feel a ray of optimism and hope for my country and my family this morning.
Last night watching television, I kept getting goose bumps. The last time this happened whas watching the Berlin Wall fall in November ten years ago. What a glorious feeling! John McCain gave a most gracious speech and I’m looking forward to him working with our new president-elect to unify America. My husband and I started singing “Happy Days Are Here Again”! What wonderful moments and memories for Jackie and Andy!
Rick: We can hold our heads high once again as we travel this globe. No more having to be fake-Canadians. The spirit of Ben Franklin lives once again!
Speaking of the “rainbow” that makes up this country, I was glad that Barack mentioned Native Americans in his acceptance speech. I am hopeful that this is a signal that even the most disenfrancised of our nation’s people will have a place at the table in this new administration.
I am leaving for Italy tomorrow, and I’ll be there with pride!!! Rick,I admire ALL the work you do!
I cried tears of joy last night. My 85 year old mother-in-law said that she is happy to see this day before she dies. Now I will be proud again and will hold my head up high when I go to Europe next summer. Gone are the years of shame and tyranny. I am so proud of the American people for correcting the mistake of the last 8 years.
I am curious why is it that only women writing here are ashamed to be americans, where is your pride ladies. It is wonderful that Barack won but comeon ladies put your big girl pants on and realize you are women with pride and dignitybeing the women you are and it does not give some man you have never met and do not know the ability to give you pride in yourselves. You are american women and should hold your head up being proud always to say that no matter who the president or congress is. Self esteem issues have no place in american women ladies, have a little more dignity.
I’m no Republic, nor a Democrat either. A fringe Libertarian. Thought McCain would be more of the same (past 8 years) & also feel that way about Obama (another tax & spend Democrat). As far as I’m concerned, Republicans and Democrats are different sides of the same coin. They both love big government but simply focus their massive spending on different things. So now, DoD will get cut back a little and social programs will get plusssed up big time. Change? Forget it! Amazing to me how we cannot see the centrists that they all are.
Yes, yes, yes. =)
Is it just me or does the sun seem to be shining a little more brightly today? Our eight-year embarrassing national nightmare is over and, hopefully, we can work our way back toward being positive, productive members of the world community.
Just came back from the German town mall and a business had a sign congratulating American customers on our new president. I live in a town that has a U.S. military base near by, and if you want to know how the world has changed, ask how many military members bit the hand that feeds them. German’s love for Obama is no surprise, but the military folk’s love for him is.
I am proud of what America has done. We have shown the world that we not only “talk the talk” of democracy, we “walk the walk.” I’m also proud of the gracious, statesmanlike speeches given by both McCain and Bush. I’m cherishing the optimism of the moment and the hope that we can all pull together and get things done. I’m proud to be an American.
To all those who call Obama “another tax and spend Democrat.” If you’re going to spend, you *have* to tax. The neocons would have *some* traction if they cut spending in line with how they cut taxes, particularly business taxes, but they just spend spend spend (a bigger percentage of our GDP than LBJ’s Great Society, which used to be abhorred by Republicans, remember?) and pass the debt on to “future wealth.” Individuals have taken to doing the same thing, only with their credit cards and “the rising values of their 401Ks and home values”–as if that’s what those resources were intended for. As Rick pointed out in a blog a while back (“Capitalism Survives Communism by 17 Years”) you just can’t do that. It’s a simple fact that so many people, unable to admit this country has nothing near the standard of living it used to while our European neighbors have truly advanced, refuse to acknowledge. Until we wrap our brains around this very simple fact and stop with the silly “tax and spend liberal” rhetoric, we are doomed to repeating the same stupid mistakes over and over.
Independant here. Congratulations to Obama on his victory. I believe that voting for him was the patriotic vote to make. Electing Obama, and all that entails, signifies all the strengths and promises of a democratic society. So congrats to him. HOWEVER, I disagree with all of you that say Bush has failed miserably over the last 8 years. Not one terrorist attack was realized after 9/11. And that’s not to say there were none foiled. Preventing attacks is a thankless job as evidence by Bush’s terribly low approval ratings. The next time you smack down Bush, think about the horror of 9/11 and the feeling you had during the following weeks… Remember when you didn’t feel so safe? Bush raised the country from the horror of 9/11 and restored peace. And for that you should show some impartiality and respect for your political advesaries. (My spelling sucks).
I am as proud to be an American as I have always been at home and in Europe. I was thrilled to hear John McCain’s call for unity and to begin working together. I respect him very much. I was also glad that Obama’s speech was as serious and as thoughtful as the night dictated. We need serious people in power to do the work that lies ahead and I hope we can all indivudually answer both candidates call to put our country back together. I think ‘Yes, we can!’
As Obama said last night it might take the full term or more to get us where we need to be so let’s start working together now and stop the sniping. The election is over and we have a full democratic sweep in the house, senate and the white house so get over it what will be will be.
to all those complaining about Rick not writing about travel…this is Rick’s BLOG not a travel guide. Of course he will talk about travel but being his blog he can write about whatever he pleases. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
I’m not sure why it’s not clear that if you don’t like to read Rick’s more political posts, you don’t have to. I have faithfully traveled with Rick’s books for years, and regardless of your political affiliation, the reaction from Europe this morning attests to the fact that America has put a new, more welcoming, and favorable face toward the rest of the world. Travelers everywhere should at the least be thankful for that.
As an Independent and a voter for Obama, I feel your joy, Rick. I’m not supposed to be in his demographic (white and over 65), but I’ve been impressed with his thoughtfulness and his disciplined campaign. Never thought I’d live to see this day. Maybe we can finally get our country back. Keep on traveling and please keep on posting.
I just got back from Barnes and Noble with “Audacity of Hope”. Yeah, like many, I gave some money a few times, talked to friends and blogged, but like Barack said last night, we still have to work hard to realize our promise. So, I figured I better read his book and see where I think I can fit in his vision for the future of America and do my part to realize it…for myself, my friends and my kids. I guess I could just complain, drag my feet and obstruct, but I’d rather be part of something positive.
The ETBD employees can now look forward to receiving benefits from their employer. The Unionization of America will be benefited by the Obama “card check” concept. When 51% of the employees sign union exploration cards the union will have won. The days of private elections will no longer exist. The employees will only need to sign a card. Don’t you love socialists. I love my confirmation word – outflow.
Great speeches by both of them! Obama has a very difficult task in front of him. He is a very inspirational fellow and he will need the support and prayers of every citizen. Almost anyone would be better than poor old W. Regardless, I think Obama has the potential to be great and I wish him well. Another one of my asides; I am one of those who likes travel talk simply because that is the name of the blog, “Rick’s Travel Blog”. I wonder why people are so angry at those of us who expect to hear about travel. Rick, please either change the name of the blog or open another blog for your personal thoughts. The name change seems a lot easier to do and it would at least remove the disconnect many of us feel. On another note, I have never not held my head high when I traveled and I have always been proud to be an American. I can’t imagine feeling differently because I know too much about history. Cheers.
I am a conservative Police Officer and did not vote for President elect Obama but that being said I also rejoiced last night for several reasons.It proved what millions of us conservatives have said for many years. The USA was conceived by wise founding Fathers who made it possible for last night to happen. I rejoice that after a long and hard struggle that the most persecuted group of people in our history (there have been many ie Native Americans, Asians,Italians,Irish Hispanics,Mormons,Jewish and other religous groups…excuse me for I am sure I have missed some groups)have an inspiring leader who is now my President also.I have argued for many years that the USA is no longer a racist nation,that we have worked hard to overcome that evil. There will always be individual haters amongst all races even those who have been discriminated against but the American people as a whole are the most generous,accepting people in the world.There is no other nation on earth that has the diversity that we have and despite our problems gives that diversity a chance to flourish.I did not vote for President elect Obama because of his views not his race.I like many other conservatives was hoping that Ms Rice would jump into the fray 2 years ago.It is my hope that liberals will now really do what they say they do that is to be open minded and not badmouth those of us who are not liberal. I hope conservatives will do the same. History shows that the Republican party began the long struggle during the Civil War even though the original reasons werent totally pure. It was Republicans in the Senate in 1964 who voted for Civil rights legislation making it pass when Southern Democrats voted against it proving again that Americans from all points of view support freedom for all Americans. We may disagree on how to get there and how to best provide equal opportunity but make no mistake all right minded Americans support it.I really hope that my next President who has my full support ……..
Today is a very good day:-)
continued from above…..will find a way like he says to talk to others to accomplish our goals and keep the USA and our friends safe. Talking and some diplomacy has failed in the past. We all hate war but sometimes it is necessary. President elect Obama has proven he can be inspiring…lets hope that other leaders in the world will see that also and keep us from having to expand war but instead helps us to diminish and end it.Every President moves to the middle to rule. I have faith that will happen again and that the extreme financial leftists will be kept in check and that both sides of the aisle will get together and compromise a real solution to financial security for all of us. With good ideas from all sides we can do that.Our nation is still a center-right thinking nation. Even those polled in last nights exit polls nation wide said that they were 36% Conservative,22% Liberal and 42% Center. Again congratulations to all of us Americans for a peaceful transfer of power,for a democracy that allows the majority of the people to be heard as it was last night but also that there is a seat at the table for the minority opinion.I love Europe and other nations that I have visited and their people are just as good and worthy as are ours but we do have the best Constitution in the world and proved it. One last point…Conservative ideas in my opinion are still the best and as soon as Conservatives get their political act together as in the Reagan years we will be back but in the meantime God bless President elect Obama and I hope he can be as successful as he promised us he would be and last of all on both sides here lets stop belittling each other here. We can have differences of opinion and a strong debate while not calling names and accusing each other of being bad stupid evil people.
Rick… enjoy your next four years and the disaster you’ll have embraced and celebrated!
Terry… just remember that a compromised solution is not the ‘best’ solution. Isn’t it funny how many times you hear Republicans talk of bi-partisanship, but never hear Democrats talk about it? Right is right…… compromise is settling for less than right.
Greg-I did read his book. Again he will have to move to the middle and abandon some of his extreme left views or he will be a one term president as was Carter. Economics in this country will suffer extremly and in fact colapse if extreme left economic principles are enacted. He also will have to come right on his world view or we will get run over, again causing him to be a one term president. Lets hope he is as intelligent as his proponents tell us he is. The financial markets dropped alot today indicating that he will have to come to the middle.
Another Georgetown student here: we will all remember our sprints to the White House for the rest of our lives… Thank you, Rick!
Terry I was worried as well about the markets taking such a nose dive today. I think everyone on the street is worried about unions and more welfare programs but we are going to have to take a leap of faith that he won’t be doing anything too crazy. Look he is a Harvard educated lawyer and law professor not some peanut farmer so let’s look at the positive and hope he surrounds himself with steady even people who have done this before. He seems to be leaning toward old Clinton people and people who know their way around Washington. He ran a brilliant campaign and although I voted for McCain I have to give the devil his due. I think he will mend our foreign fences very well and find his footing nationally as he goes along. To this day Carter get on my last nerve ..give me the Reagan days again.
How do you get change while selecting Clinton establishment retreads to your team? The most important clue about change will come with the appointment of the new Secretary of the Treasury. If that person comes from the Federal Reserve ( you know that division of JP Morgan that everyone thinks is a Federal Agency ) or Goldman Sachs, or (worst of all) JP Morgan – then – there will be no change possible. Mr Obama will find out very quickly that the central bank(s) call the shots not that figure head called President. Since the market tanked 500 points today, lets see what the Plunge Protection Team (market manipulation team) thinks about Obama tomorrow. More tanking may introduce him to the new ring in his nose.
Ahh, what happened to my 2nd posting? I had simply clarified my position to John, pointing out my observations about both major parties’ spending habits, said how I felt some excitement about the election results, even not having voted for either major candidate and pointed out that I found it interesting that 96% of African Americans voted for Obama. That’s it… & for that I got deleted?
This is truly a sad day for our great nation. Americans were persuaded by the Liberal, left-wing media to vote into the White House a man that most people know NOTHING about. Instead, the media focused on Palin’s $150,000 wardrobe, but didn’t even mention Obama’s custom-tailored suits. They focused on Palin’s involvement with TrooperGate, yet conveniently ignored the fact that Vice President-elect Biden’s son and brother are being investigated for fraud. And, the women on “The View” grilled McCain for his ideas and beliefs, yet allowed Michelle Obama to show up with a list of things that couldn’t be discussed on the show. Hillary Clinton said it best when she remarked that this wasn’t the time for on-the-job training. Russia announced today that they will jam our missile shield in Poland and deploy their own missiles in Europe. There was a massive rocket attack into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Obama is woefully inept when it comes to foreign policy, and to think that he will skillfully handle crises like those is laughable. Americans will rue the day that they put Obama in the Oval Office. When our airliners flying from Europe to the United States are being blown out of the sky over the Atlantic Ocean by Al Qaeda; When Iran and North Korea fire off a few missiles and the price of gas jumps to $8 a gallon; When Russia invades another of its neighbors; When Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah begin car bombing our embassies overseas; And when militias here in States begin attacking our Federal buildings; THEN Americans will realize the mistake they made. Of course, all of this will have a direct impact on the travel industry, and Rick’s bottom line. It’s baffling how Rick doesn’t realize this. In closing, sure, 63 million Americans voted for Obama, but I’m proud to be one of 56 million who didn’t.
I’m always amused when I hear the fox news catch phrase of the day (“card check” in this case) because I can always count on seeing it plastered all over the internet within a few minutes. Hopefully, the majority of our citizens have outgrown the fad that is(was?!?) fox/limbaugh/oreily/colter, etc. etc. etc.
Thanks for the jolt of optimism, TexasVoter! That’s the “yes we can” spirit!
Sarcastic: It’s neither optimism nor pessimism, it’s realism. Biden himself said, maybe not EXACTLY, “Mark my words, this administration will be tested within the first six months,” and he was referring to a crisis with terrorists or another nation. If you want hope and change and yes we can, acquire it yourself with your own two hands and the sweat on your brow. Don’t expect some slick-talking politician (Democrat, Republican, or otherwise) to GIVE it to you. This country was founded on rugged individualism, NOT government entitlement programs.
Bart…..Give the Fox bashing a rest! Everything you probably don’t like about it pales compared to the left leanings of MSNBC, NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS! Is there a problem with a contrary point of view?
Bart: Limbaugh’s a fad? He has 20 million listeners. I would HARDLY call that a fad. But don’t worry, when Obama implements the Fairness Doctrine (i.e., suppression of the freedom of speech) you’ll hear a lot less of Limbaugh, and you’ll only hear what Obama wants you to hear. LOL, allow me to alter a phrase that I once heard in the movie “Hamburger Hill:” We love you too much. Put down your weapon and Uncle Barack will give you a water buffalo and your own rice paddy to sh!t in.
Rick, I FINALLY figured out why you’re so excited Obama won. Now that the U.S. will be MORE LIKE SOCIALIST EUROPE, you won’t have to spend 100 days a year over there! You can ACTUALLY STAY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY and learn all about it! Just think…. you’ll be saving the environment by not flying yourself and your tours all those miles. You’ll have NEW books to sell, you can produce NEW television shows. You can start ATBD tours (America through the back door), driving ‘green’ vehicles across America, mandated by our new socialist government! The possibilities are endless! No wonder your so excited!
I am personally excited that Rick’s employees will get better benefits and that Rick will be sharing more of his pie with the rest of us!! Rick, don’t be a typical limo lib hiding your money off-shore to avoid taxes. PS- Georgetown students supporting the most pro-abortion president EVER is a slap in the face of the Catholic church.
Rick, you site has been hijacked by Deliverance Hillbilly types programmed by Fox! They don’t have opinions, they have fearful reactions. I have less hope for mankind than before I visited your site.
The Taliban, Al Qeuda, and multitudes of extremist Muslims must be rubbing their hands together in glee after what happened Nov 4. I just hope that Mr. Obama has the “nads” to stand up to these and other bad guys who now smell pacifism in the USA, and hope he doesn’t end up with a “Carter-like-head-in-the-sand-approach” to events around the world. The above mentioned bad guys, as well as millions of people around the globe are jealous of our wealth, freedom, and way of life. If they get their way, we won’t have to worry about participating in international tourism and travel…
Campaign rhetoric soon collides with the gritty duties of governing, and hard realities stand in Obama’s way.The youthful president-elect appears to know this. His victory speech emphasized humility far more than his fabled confidence, with remarks heavily leavened by references to the difficulties before the nation.He declared “change has come to America” and closed with his “yes we can” campaign slogan, but not before speaking of the certainty of setbacks. “The road ahead will be long,” Obama warned. “We may not get there in one year or even one term.” People are going to expect quick changes from the centrist and be disappointed that as he predicts it may take all of 8 years to get done half of what he wants. Obama’s honeymoon with the public — both anxious and hopeful — could be fragile. I think it is great that he is surrounding himself with people who have experience with the Clintons and have been down this road before, more specifically his new chief of staff. Clinton “retreads” have seen what works and doesn’t so they can guide him through the first two years not making the same mistakes Clinton made.I really do believe he will govern as a moderate but I am nervous we are in such a state of turmoil and chaos already as reflected in teh markets.
Market down 500 today and it’s Obama’s fault? What about yesterday. the week before, month before etc.? All Obama’s fault? The meltdown started on the 5th? Geez! Don’t become a trader, you won’t be able to handle the daily fluctuations and you’ll jump out a window. I’ve never before seen so many people try to cobble together a bunch of random, unrelated stuff and try to sell it as a coherent product.
I could talk back on the negativity that persists in the comments, even in the face of history. But instead I will follow my President-elect’s lead and be above it all…. Alot of images will crystallize in my memory, the outpouring of joy in churches across the country, the embraces of perfect strangers, the tears. And yes, the impromptu party in front of the White House! (Good to know Miz Jackie gets her sprint on!) America chose to go a new direction, and as a result, ended up choosing its first Black President of the United States. Finally, a President that looks like me. More importantly, he looks like America, and thereby will represent the nation, not just the Bible Belt or the East Coast or the suburbs, or West Texas or specific religious groups. This country needs healing, and President-elect Obama is correct when he says we have much work to do. TOGETHER. ALL OF US. I’m inspired by his life story, his class, and his meticulous organizational prowess. Seeing how he built a 21st-century campaign from scratch, I have no doubt he will summmon the intestinal fortitude necessary to even exceed our former greatness to finally live up to the promise of what we should be. “This is a day the Lord made. Rejoice, and be glad.”
What a great election! Maybe now we can get our country back from the Neo-Con Cabal and the pillage and waste crowd that have controled the White House the last eight years. They inherited a projected budget surplus from the Clinton admin, and gave us the largest debt in the history of the USA and some of biggest wastes of taxpayers’ (and borrowed money) in our history, and did this while trashing the US Constitution and our Constitutional Rights. When Reagan said, “The government is not the solution; the government is the problem.” I did not realise he was being a prophet about future GOP admins. Since history shows the USA does better under Dem admins than GOP ones, I am looking forward to a better economy. I am also looking forward to a more secure future without: 1)the neglected infrastructure, 2) the neglected higher education systems (it will be nice to have a President who valued his educational opportunity as a road to a better life, and not an excuse to party), and 3) a health care system that is is the most expensive in the world, but not the best at providing health care. It will a nice change to have a health care system that delivers care in some proportion to what it costs. The sobering part of all this is that Bush-Cheney will be turning over to Obama a morass in Iraq, and such massive debts and deficits that he will have to spend so much time and effort just to get our government back to functioning after eight years of mis-management. How sincere is TexasVoter in his dislike for entitlement programs? Does he think Cheney’s old company is going to renounce the no-bid contracts that Bush & Cheney determined it was entitled to? Or, is there only a dislike for entitlement programs that go to individuals?
Bart – Limbaugh, OReily, etc. are just comedic entertainers (i.e. adults don’t take them seriously). Is it really surprising that they’re going the way of Andrew Dice Clay? Crabby, irrational guys are funny at first and then it gets to be a bore. Fox “news”, on the other hand, is actually a dangerous, foreign-owned propaganda machine. I’m eagerly counting the days until the FCC’s regulatory powers are restored!!
The one thing I hope this administration will choose to work on is our Education system.. because judging by the backwards, ignorant, naive and easily frightened people bashing the President-Elect and Rick.. we desperately need it.. The last Republican president worth anything was Eisenhower. Who also traveled Europe extensively.
I’m pretty sure I saw Jackie Steves on screen for a few moments tonight on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. She was at the front of a boisterous group of Georgetown students reveling outside the White House. Her hair was pulled back and she wore a dark teal colored shirt and what looked like a campaign button. At least she looked like the picture Jackie posted on her blog.
Unlike the Euro’s, we vote for hope, not for our selfish interests. My hope is that the Pelosi/Reid/Obama troika is contained by the remaining adults in Congress — you know, the ones with (R) after their names. The scariest thing about the cocksure representative of the slimy Chicago political machine is that he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know — and it doesn’t matter to him….
Gee, OC Matt are you sure you don’t have Crawford confused with Chicago, GW Bush confused with Obama? He is the simpleton, judging by his actions, that doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. Obama talks to people who challenge his view and make him think. Bush has bootlickers.
An old Arab Proverb goes like this. He who knows not, and knows not he knows not is a fool; shun him. He who knows not, and knows he knows not is simple; teach him. He who knows, and knows not he knows is asleep; wake him. He who knows, and knows he knows is wise; follow him.
Congratulations to Rick and all of your neighbors to the south on this historic and hard fought election. It’s been interesting to watch how this progressed over the last year or so. Regardless of which way you voted, this has been an incredible example of democracy in action, something which has been noticed in many parts of the world. It will be interesting to observe the policy changes and initiatives that unfold over the next four (or perhaps eight?) years with the new Obama administration. I’m sure the economy will be the first priority on his agenda. I believe that foreign policy will be handled very adroitly, with the guidance of the very experienced and knowledgeable VP Biden. One point I’d like to add is that I don’t mind Rick’s political or social comments (with reference to some of the previous replies in this section and others). I often find his point-of-view quite refreshing and thought provoking, whether I agree with it or not. To those who would prefer Rick’s comments to be strictly limited to travel, I’d suggest that you might want to avoid the Blog and “click” only on the travel related links on his web site.
Bart, card check failed to pass in the current Congress because of a Republican filibuster. The bill was written by comrad obama. A large company I know is the dominant company in Washington DC in their area of business and that business represents half of their income. This company is also in the top 100 of its kind in the US. DC is not a right to work zone. This company is vigorously redirecting their business to abandon DC because of being targeted by “card check”. They are concentrating on right to work states. Additionally, I probably dislike Limbaugh and people like him more than you do. I do not ever listen to them, period.
First of all I’m not American, so I guess you could say I’m an observer on the outside lookng in. Change for change’s sake is usually unwise, as is the adage of “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” The fact of the matter is that America is broken and it needs fixing badly. I’ve read many posts on this blog and others with many of them highlighting the same themes and arguments of why a Democrat government and Obama as president will be bad for the nation. Only time will tell if Obama is the “real deal” and manages to pull America out of the slump that it finds itself in but one thing is for sure change had to happen because the system currently in place simply does NOT WORK! America needed a new government with fresh ideas. It now has a glimmer of hope.
Things just got better for the ETBD employees benefits. Washington is a forced unionism state. No right to work protection for Rick. Just think if one employee says they were told not to sign a union card, then tne NLRB will sue for obstruction and the union moves in.
Comrad Obama? “Al Qaida must be rubbing its hands together in glee”? Puh-leez. Is it me or does it seem that this blog has attracted the attention of some pretty extreme fringe views? Personally I think the election is over and rational people have made their choice. We may disagree with that choice, but we accept that it’s a legitimate choice. That’s the democratic process. The losers have gracefully bowed-out in a manner that shows they not only respect the process, but also have class. Now it seems to me that I must give the democratically elected choice the benefit of the doubt and take at face value that he intends to be inclusive in his approach and will do his best to tackle some pretty darned daunting problems. He is, after all, the President of the United States of America. I should either offer to help or, at least, not immediately obstruct his efforts based on nothing but partisanship. Down the road there might be reason for critisism and opposition. But for now, it seems the height of poor-sportsmanship to immediately jump to name calling and obstructionism. It almost rings of contempt for our democratic process. Surely that is not intended.
Hear hear! Nice post Tom.
I was a McCain voter but the popular vote said Obama so here we are and the world has not stopped spinnig. I am worried about his inexperience but folks he has Joe Biden by his side who has been around Washington forever and has some experience under his belt. For everyone who had a slam for Palin as a function of the McCain equation we need to remember Biden is a function of the Obama equation and he should help him tremendously work his way through the next few months. Obama is also going to have a team of people around him that will help him with their expertise, they all have been around the block and know where the mistakes were made and what not to do again . I honestly see him coming on board in January as a centrist not the far left liberal he has been portraying himself as to win the election and I see him having learned from the first two years of Bill Clinton’s mistakes that he is not going to do anything wild and crazy right away. He is on a learning curve and a smart man who learns fast. The man is a lawyer and as lawyers even in our private life, having been through the rigours of law school and trial experience, we weigh each option extraordinarily carefully looking at every side there is and impulse is not in our vocabulary. Every thought we have is a thought looking 4 steps ahead of how that will affect us at 2 steps ahead. We are always evaluating and looking for the ah ha gotcha. He may want to do certain things and may have the congress to help him but I think in the end he is really scared right now and will be more moderate than many are expecting. I want him to succeed because if he succeeds I succeed. If he stumbles and throws up on his shoes I look bad.I watch him and I see an emotionally measured man who thinks before he speaks and I think I can depend on him to think before he acts and I am looking forward to him having warmer conversations with out European allies and hope he is restrained with out proven enemies.
About 35 years ago I work for 3 years in Europe and found many people who liked Americans and some who hated us andalot who wanted to come to our country and work and become citizens
Worst-case thinking makes life harder. Expect things to go smoothly for a change.
alfran, great post. Finally I have someone that looks like me, too. Not on the outside, but on the inside.
Sorry about that I shouldn’t work and blog. About 35 years ago I worked for 3 years in Europe and found many people who liked Americans and some that hated us and alot who wanted to come to our country and work and become citizens. So when I read your blog about dancing in the streets because a socialist was elected president and all of Europe is celebrating because Bush is gone, I said to myself don’t any of these people understand what happen 7 years ago and we’ve been safe since than because of his policies. So if Europe does like us because we are defending our country I say with millions of others Who cares we don’t need you. One other thing “Which will be better for our country politicans redistributing our wealth or growing more wealth”. Watch that change in your pocket. God save America.