"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where any things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive ... who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer..."
"...This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America"
President Elect Barack Obama
Presidential Victory Speech
November 4, 2008
4 comments:
Awesome- such a great move for our country.
In the spirit of documenting the moment for our children. . .
What a joy and honor it was, over the past few days and weeks, to sit with our son and help him understand this process and its significance. And I don't necessarily mean the historical significance of this particular election. A joy to have a little boy who is inquisitive enough to wonder what all the fuss is about, who asks why people have different signs in their yards and why the equally loved and loving members of his own family might cast votes for the “red team” or the “blue team.” As a father, what an honor, to be given the opportunity to participate in one (and in four more years, another’s) young American’s developing understanding of democracy, what it means to vote, and more importantly to be able to vote; what it means to live in a nation where each man and woman is permitted, encouraged, and responsible for checking his or her own conscious and taking action that seems right at the moment. What wonder in me it evokes, to see his little face crinkle up in contemplation, and then relax, content in his beginning understanding that “who” is not the most important part of this process; rather “that” we vote is the real wonder of it all. What a wake-up call it is to see the look on his face and in his eyes as he contemplates places in the world where there is no voting, no choosing, no official consideration for one’s personal choices, beliefs, and convictions. What a privilege to live in a nation where a small child can accompany parents into voting booths, don the “I Voted” sticker with care and pride, and begin to think about the day when he too will have choices to make. What relief that our children will always only know a nation, even a nation that is 43-1, where those choices matter, where their choices matter no more and no less than every other choice potentially cast on election day, just that it matters. Just that they are allowed to matter. Expected to matter. Responsible for making a choice that matters.
I agree - it is just too big for words!! Oh, what a day!
I too would like to add my thoughts of the last few days. I cannot contain this overwhelming pride that I have in OUR children's generation. Coming from the generation of the '60s who, as first time voters, elected the first Catholic president (we had our own struggles with the older generation); we challenged our own awareness of our responsiblity. We learned that to teach our children acceptance and that NO man is better than or beneath another, was in some way, sometime, going to make a difference. Sadly it took 40 years, but it was YOU that made a long time dream come true. I am so happy and proud that I lived to see it. I pray that what you teach your children today will come to fruition in your lifetime and you will understand. From an entire generation, thank you!
Love you!
Grammy
PS - If this posts twice, my apologies. Seemed my first one did not.
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