Bittersweet

November 6, 2008

Yes, I am absolutely giddy that Obama won. It was such a surreal feeling. I was sitting in my living room in Canada, watching CNN with my husband, my sister-in-law and her fiance. The west coast closed up and whammo, Obama was President Elect.

All I could do was clasp my hands to my chest and say thank you. Finally we can see some change. Finally we have someone in office who seems to genuinely care about the future of this country and not just how to better himself. Will he screw up? Absolutely. Will he be better than the administration of the last eight years? Hell. Yes.

What saddens me is that America can take such huge strides forward in electing a black president, while at the same time taking such huge strides backwards in allowing discrimination and hate to continue. Prop 8 passed in California, effectively banning gay marriage. Same-sex marriage was also banned in Florida. Other states managed to pass laws against gay couples adopting children. Because no parent is better than two loving same-sex parents? Riiiight.

We have a long ways to go, but at least we made SOME progress in electing Barack Obama.

Here’s to the next four years, USA. Do me proud.

Posted in Everything Else | 7 Comments

  1. Caasi

    I was rather dissapointed about Prop 8 passing. It prompted me to do a bit of research into gay marriages in Australia. It’s interesting. I should really look more into around the world.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_relationships_in_Australia

    November 6th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
  2. Sarah

    I am totally with you. Regardless of who people voted for, having a black President- elect is monumental and we should be proud.

    The same sex marriage thing is ridiculous. The same thing happened in Arizona and one other state besides CA. It does seem as though we take one step forward and two steps back.

    November 7th, 2008 at 7:52 am
  3. Zoot

    There was a lot of the two-steps forward/one-step back. California voted to protect the chickens from unethical treatment, but banned gay marriage? That seems like two different voting blocks. And then Arkansas allowed the lottery (which the Religious Right didnt let happen in Alabama) but banned adoption by gays? WTF?

    November 7th, 2008 at 7:54 am
  4. always home and uncool

    You are 100 percent correct. But the right to contradict ourselves is the American way. Go figure.

    November 7th, 2008 at 9:00 am
  5. Odette

    I agree with you about everything. One thing that I find really impressive is how this election mobilized the young voters and I am SOOO impressed by the sheer voter turnout! Way to go Americans!

    About horses, I have been riding in BC for the last 12 years! Are you in the Lower Mainland? I know lots and lots of people. Oh and what kind of riding do you want to do? English or Western? Let me know! :)

    November 7th, 2008 at 10:03 am
  6. Minneapolismama

    I agree with you 100% too. It really makes me wonder sometimes how people approach the ballot holding such contradictions in their minds.

    On a different note, what has really surprised me is how much people are talking about the election results, and how excited everyone still is. It seems like everywhere I go, there’s conversation in the air. My 7 year old came home from school and said, “It’s a whole new world, mama.”

    November 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
  7. Vegas Princess

    I was so upset about Prop. 8. To me it was like saying “go ahead, no wait stop, no now go ahead, no wait, just kidding!” It is unfair and cruel to overturn that law. Not to mention unconstitutional. And while yes I am estatic that this country elected Obama, we still have a LONG way to go.

    November 8th, 2008 at 1:21 am