Minor Musings of My Mind

I think this sums it up -

Suddenly, it may be cool to be an American again

We just watched Obama's speech after McCain conceded the election. McCain's concession speech was perhaps the best one I've ever heard him give, but I was repelled by the boos of his Republican supporters, who should have the grace that McCain himself showed in conceding the loss.

I am excited about an Obama presidency, in part because it represents change from dismal policies I've seen during the 8 years since I first voted, policies which I have found, while abroad, have made the globe a less safe, less hospitable world for Americans and myself. I have found the last American regime to be self-centered and stuck in a polarized dichotomy which viewed the world only in black and white opposition, erasing shades of gray.

At no point in my adult life have I felt like my government has cared for me, or has cared for the demographics that I have variously belonged to.

Unemployed, uninsured, young, female, college student, young working adult, young working professional, individual abroad. I was invisible to our Baby Boomer president, and to Republicans.

For the first time, I feel like government policy may change to take care of me and groups I care about: people for whom capital gains don't enter into their minds; people who worry about equity and equal opportunity; people worried about the future for a myriad of reasons.

The election of Barack Obama seems like a promise made to me when I was a child. I recall the storybooks where all races were represented, where the future seemed bright and hopeful, diverse and multicultural. In my youth, the future seemed like an exciting time where all traditions would be upheld and respected and discussed openly. In adolescence and adulthood, however, these seemed only as tales hoped for but never to be gained. Other cultures were rather put down, while American nationalism (not patriotism) and egotism grew.

The first African-American president may not be how he was first imagined. Obama is half-white, raised by a white mother and grandparents. However, I am happy to see a multicultural president-elect. He has spent time abroad and felt like an outsider in his own country, much as I have for so long. I have never understood why I should be proud of my country - what have we accomplished in my lifetime? - but perhaps now I can begin to build affection for the country I was born in.

*****

While I am excited that the election of Barack Obama fulfills the promises of how the country should be that were made me during childhood, I fear for the way his presidency will progress. As for any trailblazer, he will have additional hurdles and prejudices to overcome. I did not root for him because of his race, any more than I could root for Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton solely on account of their gender. However, because of his race, he will have to accomplish more and better than any white president would need to. I only hope that the first African-American presidency will accomplish all it can and should, so that it will be that much easier for African-American candidates in the future.

Medicare and Medicaid are socialist projects. Oil dividends for residents of Alaska are socialist, since they redistribute wealth (to people who pay no income tax).

Is Barack Obama a socialist?

Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor and was considered a hero.
Why is it that taxing the rich more to relieve the burden on the poor is considered so bad?

This morning, I saw my first Christmas tree of the season in someone's screened-in porch.

About Sarah Palin: A Letter from Anne Kilkenny

I hate talking politics, but I think the potential consequences for this election frighten me more than the past two elections of my adult life.

Today I read in the New York Times reviewing a political science book that the US economy has grown faster under Democratic presidents than under Republican ones.

Is History Siding with Obama's Economic Plan?

Well, that cup of coffee went fast. 

 I think that tomorrow I should pack a sandwich, a blanket, and a book. Then I can walk at lunchtime, set myself up under a tree, and take advantage of the pretty weather.

 Apparently there was a fire at Universal Studios and movie footage and sets were destroyed. A snippet from the news article:

"the famous clock tower that enabled star Michael J. Fox's character to time travel was damaged."

Of course it was. It was the very act of it being struck by lightning that allowed him to reach 88mph without plutonium in order to return to 1985.

Today marks the second day in a row that my day has started out well and cheerful, only to have my mood plunge around 11. I hope that I cheer up by the time I go home.

Yesterday I got a chocolate-glazed cake donut from Ye Old Donut Shop. I've wanted to go there for the past 4 years. It was the best thing ever. I'm never going to Dunkin Donuts again.

I just woke up because the chain on our lamp in the bedroom was jangling and the floor was shaking. I was briefly worried there was a tornado - after all, one isn't usually woken up in bed by movement of an entire building - but there aren't any storms. I flipped channels, but it must be too early to really have breaking news. So, after a few minutes of searching, I was able to find this 5.4 earthquake in Southern Illinois, about 135 miles south of us, courtesy of the United States Geological Survey:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/at00851141.php



 

Very  fun weekend. Dave came and went. I watched lots of Wii playing. Ate lots of food. Had a ton of fun at Megan's house playing games. Ate lots of food.

I also went to the gym Saturday and Sunday morning, and after I dropped Dave off. There's a lot of socializing to be had this week, too. I think it'll be a good week.

Gina brought in a bag of the new Chocolate Skittles. It only had 4 of the 5 advertised chocolate flavors. Francie is on the phone with customer service. I think they're going to send us a coupon or another bag. We want to try the chocolate pudding! 

I love where I work.

 I am ready for spring. With a passion.

It's so hard to focus. I feel like I did a good job working yesterday overall... don't I deserve today off?

 I'm ready to be awesome today.

 I just registered for my 5-year reunion. I saw a decent amount of names that I know on the RSVP list, too. It's a little weird, but 40 dollars for a weekend's entertainment isn't bad.

 It's a good thing we went to the gym yesterday, so that today I wasn't too out of breath when I had to run from my parking lot, down the alley, across the street, and up the length of the bus today when I was late and the driver was nice enough to wait for me.