Today, Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States of America. The Leader of the Free World (what's that all about anyway? Isn't any country other than America free? Or does the POTUS reign over all free countries in the world?).
As a non-American, I may scoff at times at the US. About how 'simple' the average American is, or how the lead story of local news features a cat stuck in a tree, at Sarah Palin's foreign policy comments, or, especially, at Bush and his many, many faux-pas. But I have to admit, days like today make me understand why Americans believe so passionately in their country.
This is a country where a mere 100 years ago, US senator Benjamin Tillman could declare on the senate floor,"We of the South have never recognized the right of the negro to govern white men, and we never will. We have never believed him to be the equal of the white man". And yet, today, President Obama entered office with the highest approval rating of any US President.
But what makes this country truly great is that Obama was not elected because of a misplaced sense of guilt. He didn't win because he was black, or despite being black. He won because he was the best person to lead the country. He won without needing to play the race card.
(Of course, before I start getting too dreamy eyed abt America, I should also remeber that this is the same country that elected President Bush not just once, but twice! - can you rly blame the rest of the world for doubting America's greatness at that point?)
But, coming back to Obama - this gives me hope. Hope that great things can happen. Will happen.
Viva La America! Long live America!
As a non-American, I may scoff at times at the US. About how 'simple' the average American is, or how the lead story of local news features a cat stuck in a tree, at Sarah Palin's foreign policy comments, or, especially, at Bush and his many, many faux-pas. But I have to admit, days like today make me understand why Americans believe so passionately in their country.
This is a country where a mere 100 years ago, US senator Benjamin Tillman could declare on the senate floor,"We of the South have never recognized the right of the negro to govern white men, and we never will. We have never believed him to be the equal of the white man". And yet, today, President Obama entered office with the highest approval rating of any US President.
But what makes this country truly great is that Obama was not elected because of a misplaced sense of guilt. He didn't win because he was black, or despite being black. He won because he was the best person to lead the country. He won without needing to play the race card.
(Of course, before I start getting too dreamy eyed abt America, I should also remeber that this is the same country that elected President Bush not just once, but twice! - can you rly blame the rest of the world for doubting America's greatness at that point?)
But, coming back to Obama - this gives me hope. Hope that great things can happen. Will happen.
Viva La America! Long live America!
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