Regardless of political affiliation, race, religion or age, citizens of this country should be proud Barack Obama is the president-elect.
His election symbolizes the maturity and evolution of our country. For a minority to be elected president only cements Martin Luther King’s dream that someone should be judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Obama is a symbol, not only to minorities but to everyone that if you truly put your mind to accomplish something, it can happen. He symbolizes to the world that this nation is still that “beacon on a hill” where anything’s possible. He is a symbol of self-reliance and that fundamental American value of hard work: You’re not going to get anything for free.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible,” Obama said during his victory speech at Grant Park in Chicago, “who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”
Someone out there believes they can’t get a job because of who they are or can’t go to a certain place because of who they are. I say to that person: Look at Obama; put your mind to it and you can accomplish whatever you wish.
Now, does the election of Obama suggest we are not a racist society? Of course not. There are still ignorant people out there who believe this country should always be one exclusively for whites. These are the same people who feel threatened, whether they know it or not, that the rise of minorities is on the horizon.
This election, however, means that this nation is not as racist as we all thought. Within our American identity as we know it, at least in the short 232 years of America’s existence, race is used to identify with others, and particularly politicians.
Voters are more comfortable voting for a candidate with whom they share key elements of identity. The fact millions of white voters cast their ballots for change, hope and the eventual vision of a post-racial America demonstrates that some things are more important than voting for a candidate who shares their pigmentation.
That’s progress, son.
Obama has certainly set high expectations throughout his campaign, now he must deliver. As a journalist, just because I am personally pleased with the outcome of the presidential election, professionally, I am certainly not going to take it easy on him.
For all of us, whether you voted for him or not, it’s imperative we remain critical and skeptical of the Obama presidency. We cannot lethargically think everything’s kosher and he’ll fix this nation. We all have to work together.
“This victory alone is not the change we seek,” Obama said. “It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.”
Obama has a lot of work to do. A ballooning national debt, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a troubled economy, immigration issues and restoring America’s position around the world await him.
He needs to responsibly manage these issues. The American people can’t wait for some accountability.
His vow to reconcile this nation, despite being part of a party hell-bent on retribution, is not going to be an easy task. If he goes about governing the same old way, surely this nation should vote him in 2012.
He needs to find Republicans willing to work with his administration and for his cabinet, not just Veterans Affairs or Health and Human Services positions, but real cabinet positions.
In closing, big up to Sen. John McCain. Although I disagree with many of his campaign tactics, he showed class when he conceded the race to Obama, he showed graciousness during his appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and I have no doubt he will work tirelessly in the Senate and with Obama’s administration for the best interest of our nation.
Do you agree? Disagree? Kareem at elgazzka@email.uc.edu
The News Record > Sections > Opinion
Nation Should be Proud of Obama’s Win
The Kareem Filling
Published: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Updated: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Comment: LET'S TALK ECONOMICS--and what has led to our "meltdown" prior to 911 when DEMOCRATS WERE IN OFFICE the Usa sent our law enforcement to Yeman to arrest Osama bin laden. The Yeman ambassador promptly got into a 'turf battle" with USA law enforcement to claim the USA LAW ENFORCEMENT was "infringing" on YEMAN ambassadors "turf". So what happened OUR USA LAW ENFORCEMENTS WERE TOLD by DEMOCRATS--to go home empty handed. The DEMOCRAT Administration didn't know at the time their irresponsible actions had paved the way for terriorist to make plans and lay groundwork for 911. The Wall Street journal at that time printed a small article on it and to the recent it has been discussed but apparantly NOT ENOUGH. I submit for your reading NY Times 1999 - MUST READ! Well, it???s about time, the mainstream ???brainwashing media??? is finally coming out with the truth on this meltdown??? I think if they would???ve come out with the truth right away instead of letting obama camp point fingers at the Bush Admin. THE Gallup polls etc would HAVE LOOKEDA whole lot different FROM RIGHT NOW! I just hope the ???American People??? Get it ~ before it???s too late! Look! The New York Times is catching up to the American people..it???s important for ALL Americans to know who is responsible for this Economic Meltdown we are experiencing???in fact, some of you might remember that I posted the notice from Bill Clinton himself [I posted again, what Bill said at the bottom of this post] Who???s administration
caused the problem??? See below. Amazing
foresight!! Take a gander at this while they try to lay blame for the whole meltdown??? 9 years ago???this one is priceless and worth the read- right out of New York Times September 30, 1999 Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending by steven A Holmes where the DEMOCRATS admitted that faulty lending pracitces along with ACORN activities have brought use to the crossroads our Nation is today. SO here we have it DEMOCRATS BROUGHT ON 911 AND CAUSED OUR MELTDOWN thru their FAULTY LENDING PRACTICES and now are once again all for this FLEECING OF AMERICA thru this bailout bandwagon!Just found out days ago that this bailout will derail the economy by encouraging businesses to engage in the same kind of IRRESPONSIBLE risky business practices knowing full well that when the irresponsible business practices are overdrawn the PUBLIC WILL once again be left PAYING FOR IT. WANT TO KNOW what happened to all those SO CALLED ACORN AND DEMOCRATS properties they claimed they wanted? WELL THEY ARE ALL BOARDED UP. MEANTIME our economy is still reeling from the effects of the DEMOCRATS CONSTANT IRRESPONSIBLE ACTIVITIES. NOW THE BAILOUT which gives all businesses a blank check to engage in every conceiveable irresponsible business manner knowing the public will be forced to pick up the tab when the company runs out of money. This will bankrupt our Nation, people and we will wind up like CUBA. here is what the ACLU THINKS how stupid AMERICAN'S ARE SPELLED OUT BY NORMAN THOMAS ONE OF THE FOUNDER'S OF THE ACLU quote American's will never knowingly accept Socialism but under 'liberalism' accept every fragment of the Socialistic agenda; until one day they wake up in a Socialist nation and "wonder" how it all happened. by norman thomas one of the founders of the ACLU. We need as a nation to make sure we legally and legislatively never leave WASH DC alone until everyone of our freedoms are iron-clad protected. What we need to investigate is how the DEMOCRATS can count on the USA continuing to be as "stupid as the ACLU THINKS AMEIRCANS ARE' so that the ACLU and DEMOCRATS can further their communistic/socialist/marxist agenda.feel free to cut paste and comment please
Instead of sitting around rambling on about Palin nude video or wardrobe--
What is needful to be investigated is whyyyy the mainstream media suppressed the video from LA Sun see debbieschlussel.com for the info showing people being decapitated for sport to raise funds. However, the media didn't want to disclose that in order to keep the public from finding out the "real" truth about obama.
Also, the fact that the ACLU keeps attempting to usurp this nation's soverieignty by attempting to claim we need to be "ruled" over by the UN instead of governed BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.
As you will note the Republicans told these people whom want to take away the sovereignty of the US to stuff a sock in it because this Nations soverignty and the people's RIGHT to govern themselves is NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE OR NEGOTIATION or infringement. Shall we wonder how many Americans missed that when it was even on tv?
Also, needful to be investigated is that a man who built his career on illegal amicable associations with terriorist groups wants to deprive decent law abiding citizens of their rights to free speech and lawful bearing arms.
Also, needful to be investigated is the fact that in 2006 the violence in kenya was pre-planned. There was also violence pre-planned here in the US towards the US officially reported by the press thru a statement to the press, if obama didn't make the elections.
How many American's MISSED that info because the Mainstream media wanted to sit around talking about palin's naked video and wardrobe rather than the fact the LA SUN video showed was at a charity affair whom is a front for terriorist groups. wait till you read whaaat was on that video and there are pictures.
I don't suscribe to violence. I think that we as a Nation need to continue to investigate and LEGALLY and LEGISLATIVELY make tracks to protect our flag our allegience and our Soveriegnty and our seal and our freedoms from being infringed on any further.
All this talk of Racism however, the DEMOCRATS don't love our flag, our allegience, or our seal originally created to represent the beloved blacks and whites and every shade in between of this Nation.
All this talk of violence towards Democrats only attempts to give more fuel to the fire for those whom want to
infringe" on USA and take our guns away and infringe on our FREE SPEECH RIGHTS and rights to petition thru lobby.
Since election we have heard--that obama wants an army of HIS OWN FINANCED PRIVATELY and whom ANSWERS TO HIM instead of WE THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE.
Now they claim that Bush wanted it too. Well, Bush was someone who was/is 100 percent FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE and our constition. There is a difference.
For the record Bush didn't get the army either because the military of this country are FOR THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE PEOPLE and NOT to do someone else's bidding.
So, we need to make sure what is needful to be investigated is this--
the ACLU says quote American's will never "knowingly" accept socialism, but under the name of "liberalism" they will accept every fragment of the socialist party; and one day wake up in a Nation that is Socialist and "wonder" how it all happened". unquote. by Norman Thomas whom is one of the founders of the ACLU.
What American's need to investigate is how groups like this think they can count on Americans being BLIND to their COUNTING on America's stupidity to further their communistic,marxist,socialistic agenda.
feel free to refute, rebuttal, cut, paste, print and just plain comment