TDL’s Sports, Wrestling, & Otherwise

I won’t pretend to be happy about the outcome. I wanted McCain to be the Republican candidate in 2000 and I wanted him to win the presidency this year. But, I’m tremendously proud that this country elected its first African-American President. While the college student turnout, and their relative obnoxiousness, rubs me the wrong way — it gives me great hope for the future of this country that less and less people think race means anything. My grandmother, a minority herself as a non-racist, 70-year-old Irish woman, said something to me when I was a little kid that always stuck with me: “Anyone who tells you someone can be judged by anything other than the content of their character is someone you shouldn’t listen to. People are just people.” She was different for her generation. I hope it’s the norm for this one.

Outcome aside, I was moved by his speech. I think you’d have to be a robot to be unaffected by 106-year-old voter’s story. My great-grandfather passed a few years ago at 101. I remember wondering about the things he’d seen after being born in 1899. This was another level entirely as the woman wasn’t allowed to vote. And if there’s one lasting image I’ll take from the speech, it was Biden, Obama, and their families standing on the stage together. I hope the image of the country’s highest two officials in a multiracial man-hug is a symbol that helps heal some of the nation’s 150-year-old scars. Oddly, the second image I’ll take is the image of Oprah Winfrey, standing in the crowd of commoners with a disbelieving look. Even Oprah, an American success story from anyone’s perspective, didn’t believe the United States could do this. I hope the multiracial man-hug is the cover image of a new chapter in American history. Maybe the US did choose the right person at the right time.

Regardless of any sarcastic posts that may or may appear in this space in the next four years, for this one, single moment… I’m happy for Barack Obama and proud of the country. I’m happy for all the people who feel this represents a new era in the United States. And I hope that all the things he promises — a better United States, unity, compromise, an openness in government, and better lives for everyone — happens. Selfishly, I hope this kicks off a huge shift of power in the Republican party to remove the religious maniacs and conservatives in their own little holes.

I’ll end this before cynicism and sarcasm starts to creep in to what I want to be positive congratulatory post. I still believe there are too many people who believe government is the solution, not the problem and Obama’s government wants to be the solution. The hero worship in the eyes of many people shown during his acceptance speech seem to indicate they’re in agreement. I find that terrifying. But, for now, congratulations President-Elect Obama. You earned it. And congratulations America for probably doing the right thing to heal the divisive wounds in this country. At the very least, I’ve been waiting for a Gen-Xer to be in charge, and now one is. Maybe it is, in fact, our time.

And to the Secret Service and God if you’re up there — for the love of all that is good and holy — protect this man.