Congratulations, America.

[GliderGuider]

What a wonderful, inspired, inspiring thing you have done!

As I was reading the post-election commentary this morning I was struck by the thought that this election had a sense of inevitability about it. As the world faces its gathering crises in so many areas, the mounting pressure seems to be midwifing a global surge of awakening. Seen in that context of consciousness, Obama's election takes on additional significance. The United States (and the adjective "united" has never been more appropriate) has signalled that it has had enough of being the world's problem, and has joined the ranks of solution. While I know you did this magnificent thing primarily for yourselves, I can't help but think that the "Blessed Unrest" that caused this shift at home will spread to power a global resurgence of hope. And if there is one thing the world needs to help us face the gathering storm in the environment, energy, economy and social justice, it is hope.

Thank you.

[phantom power]

1. Heh. Thank us if we manage to fix anything...

But yeah, it restores some of my faith in humanity.

:woohoo:

:toast:

[Terry in Austin]

2. Thanks, GG. We got a little lucky on this one.

Winston Churchill pretty much nailed it:

"Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing...after they have exhausted all other possibilities."

We got a planetary alignment that happened to work: a general fed-uppedness with twenty years of "ideological food-fights" in place of governance; collapse of the "free market" as a social organizing principle; a GOP already starting to fray from the bankruptcy of their ideas; and the emergence of a phenomenal talent for leadership in the person of Barack Obama.

The times create the circumstances for greatness to emerge, but the great individuals don't always show up. In this case, he did -- almost out of the blue. Obama was able to bring us his talents through hard work, brilliance, authenticity, and making the most of a couple of lucky breaks.

Obama is a game-changer and I'm truly looking forward to the restoration of the Republic that was stolen from us eight years ago -- looking forward to its resumption of a responsible role in world affairs, as well as some kind of return to seriousness in civic life here at home.