Brave new world :)

[ciroccoj]

Wow, is what comes to mind first.

It's really interesting, "watching" elections through lj. And this time, I'm so glad I mean interesting as in "cool" and "joyful" and "a relief" as opposed to the 2004 lj experience, where "interesting" = frustrating and heartbreaking. I'm keeping a little html file of my flist this time around, seeing what kinds of things people focussed on, the individual candidates and resolutions and voting stories, all that. So many "ecstatic" mood icons, so many "bouncy" and "triumphant" and the like. It's way cool.

I was going to do the same for the 2004 election, but it was just too devastating. I don't normally feel like hiding from bad news or history, but it was just so damn sad, watching people who had hoped and worked so hard for a change get beaten down so completely. So many people feeling betrayed by their fellow Americans, so many feeling rejected if they lived in any of the states that banned gay marriage, depressed at the face that America was presenting to the rest of the world. And so sad reading the reactions of those of us not in America, because as much as I know none of us could really understand how Americans felt that day, I don't think Americans can really understand what it felt like to be watching from the outside either. Feeling such disbelief, so utterly and completely slapped down, so soundly told "America first and last, the rest of you go to hell." And the loss of what little worldwide respect America still had was really, really hard to witness, and even harder to feel.

Yeah, OK, I'll stop there, and on second thought put it behind a cut-link, because I'm depressing myself just remembering it and this really isn't the time.

I'm just... I'm so happy for you guys. I'm so glad there's a real impetus to not just accept the status quo and go along with what's been happening for the last six years. You go, guys. You rock. I feel like hugging your whole country right now. Even those of you who lost, because I think I can appreciate how you feel and it's not a nice feeling at all.

And damn, it's tough being an cynical atheist when what you really want to say is "God bless America" ;)

Comments

[sangerin.livejournal.com]

I still need to do my election post... it's not going to be all roses, sorry. The state-level elections in my state and region on a few things were... pretty depressing.

But overall, yeah. Much, much better than last time.

Yay!

[culturevulture7.livejournal.com]

I was pretty happy all day, and it was fun to turn to the right wing radio and hear their doom and gloom. Air America, OTOH, was a big party.

I'm just so freakin' happy that the country finally got it! So many scum just got rolled right out of office. It was joy.

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

Well, and people were so upset in 2004 that those of us who were happy and not sadists kept out mouths shut. Not something the other side is too worried about, but that's okay - we'll get 'em in 08. ;)

[nonniemous.livejournal.com]

*bounces*

As I said in my post, I have my doubts about just how real any changes will be. But I am optimistic and happy that my nation has finally "Just Said NO" to Bush and Little Tin God approach to his presidency.

Just because you mentioned it, I went back and looked at my post two years ago. I am SO very grateful tonight's wasn't a repeat.

This says it all.

[13oct.livejournal.com]

From Paris to Pakistan, politicians, analysts and ordinary citizens said Wednesday they hoped the Democratic takeover of both Houses of Congress would force Bush to adopt a more conciliatory approach to global crises, and teach a president many see as a "cowboy" a lesson in humility.

In an extraordinary joint statement, more than 200 Socialist members of the European Parliament hailed the American election results as "the beginning of the end of a six-year nightmare for the world."

By PAUL HAVEN,
Associated Press Writer

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061109/ap_on_el_ge/eln_elections_world_view

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

I still need to do my election post... it's not going to be all roses, sorry. The state-level elections in my state and region on a few things were... pretty depressing.
Yeah, that... damn. I'm sorry.

But overall, yeah. Much, much better than last time.
Much.

BTW, I gotta say, your icon makes me chuckle every single time. And I didn't even watch TWW.

Re: Yay!

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

I was pretty happy all day, and it was fun to turn to the right wing radio and hear their doom and gloom. Air America, OTOH, was a big party.
Oh, I bet :) :)

I'm just so freakin' happy that the country finally got it!
LOL!

Yeah, very nice day. Very... hopeful, I guess. Not that everything's all better now, but at least it feels like there's movement towards something positive.

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

Well, and people were so upset in 2004 that those of us who were happy and not sadists kept out mouths shut.
Myeah... some did. Some posts made me almost physically flinch from the screen. Not just happiness at winning, but really, really virulent hatred for the other side. I believe the word "faggot" was used liberally enthusiastically by one charming lady who I really hoped was about twelve, until she mentioned going to her own polling place and popped my bubble.

Not that I haven't seen a few posts like that this time; just sayin' it's not unique to the Dems.

Not something the other side is too worried about, but that's okay - we'll get 'em in 08. ;)
We'll see ;)

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

But I am optimistic and happy that my nation has finally "Just Said NO" to Bush and Little Tin God approach to his presidency.
LOL!

I'll have to remember that expression. Little Tin God. Hee!

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

*amends earlier post to read "sadists or stupidheads"*

Re: This says it all.

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

In an extraordinary joint statement, more than 200 Socialist members of the European Parliament hailed the American election results as "the beginning of the end of a six-year nightmare for the world."
Truer words... at least, I hope so.

It's not even so much that I think Bush needs a lesson in humility; I think he needs some kind of indication that there actually is a world beyond his borders, and that it's filled with real human beings even if they can't vote for him.

I'd say he also needs to learn that just because America can get away with steamrolling over the rest of the world, doesn't mean it should. But that would be going way too far, I think.

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

*amends earlier post to read "sadists or stupidheads"*
LOL

Re: This says it all.

[13oct.livejournal.com]

"I'd say he also needs to learn that just because America can get away with steamrolling over the rest of the world, doesn't mean it should. But that would be going way too far, I think."

LOL now that unfortunately is waay too much to hope for...

Out of sheer curiosity, I wonder if he ever realizes just how much he is despised world over. But, guess he wouldn't really care about something like that now, would he?