Open Thread, election style
by javabeans
All right, I wasn’t exactly planning to do this, but since there have been a few scattered election comments in various threads, I figured, why not just have a place for us to all play, spazz, and rejoice (hopefully???) together?
Have at it.
I’ll start. I may just be THISCLOSE to feeling honest-to-goodness genuine hope again — WITHOUT IRONY — in this country. Go go go go go. I may also be drinking on a caffeine high.
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1 Javabeans
November 4, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Oh, also: Who else saw Anderson Cooper talking with that weird hologram figure thing on CNN and went, "WTF?"
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2 OMG
November 4, 2008 at 8:01 PM
CNN calls Obama!!!!!! Woahhhh
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3 lin
November 4, 2008 at 8:03 PM
wow so early! does this mean this is a landslide?
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4 gallivanter
November 4, 2008 at 8:04 PM
I JUST got home. A full two minutes before NBC called it for Obama. Wow. I'm stunned and elated. Thank you America.
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5 serendipity
November 4, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Yes! Yes! This is hope not just for America, but for the whole world. As a non-American I am only too pleased to have to reassess my despair at and contempt for the myopia and parochialism of the majority of Americans (so it seemed to me four years ago).
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6 Anonymous
November 4, 2008 at 8:11 PM
President Obama!
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7 serendipity
November 4, 2008 at 8:14 PM
President Barack HUSSEIN Obama! Amazing!
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8 k john
November 4, 2008 at 8:14 PM
I missed the hologram? Darn! I was watching CNBC.
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9 stargazer377
November 4, 2008 at 8:15 PM
wow! this is definitely a step in the RIGHT direction! i'm still holding reservations on Obama (only because i don't trust congress) so i guess i'll have to see what kind of decisions he makes these next several months to gauge how he's going to lead America in a new direction. AND i really hope he has a tight control over congress. i really hope Obama will bring about the change he's been talking about for the past 1.5 years!
what a relief now that this is over!
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10 K4Ice4Thu
November 4, 2008 at 8:21 PM
LOL so that really was a hologram that Anderson was talking to. I thought I was seeing things as a result of my free caffeine from Starbucks totally wearing off.
It is a relief now that the election is over. I really hope that things will change for the better here!
random note: politics and family do not go hand in hand lol
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11 Javabeans
November 4, 2008 at 8:23 PM
I can't believe the McCain rally frakkin' BOOED (President!) Obama during his concession speech!
It's that kind of blind hate that LOST YOU the election, fools.
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12 cranky
November 4, 2008 at 8:23 PM
I am not American but I have been following this since last year and I have to say there are times that I feared for Obama to be denied the chance to change American politics but I am now satisfied...
Writing this from Hong Kong, so I've been up since 7 am to wait for updates. You have no idea how despairing it was for me to witness Bush's re-election a few years ago.
I'm listening to McCain's speech now on MSNBC, this is the first time his utterances of 'My friends' hasn't get me all cranky and feeling the need to kill something. It's going to be a good day for me today!
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13 daylin
November 4, 2008 at 8:24 PM
i saw the hologram agree WTF!!!!!!! LOL
OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLLYYYY AMERICA IS READY FOR CHANGE!!!!! FINALLY WE CAN LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND!!!!!!!!
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14 paranblue
November 4, 2008 at 8:27 PM
i never thought id actually be seeing holograms on the news-- (COOL!! star wars XD)
right now seeing mccain's speech, he's being very professional (im not republican) he was trying to stop the "booing" by the crowd (the crowd supporting him is very annoying....) when he congratulated Obama on winning. (aww... palin and mccain are tearing T_T) seriously, hearing and seeing his speech makes me once again look at mccain as a nice, next door "grandpa", who'll dress up as santa claus
... i always feel bad for the "loser" of the presidential race... so good job mr mccain!!! and hopefully mr. obama will do all that he promises to do ;)
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15 serendipity
November 4, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Booing again! McCain is a better, more gracious man than the Republicans deserve.
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16 Javabeans
November 4, 2008 at 8:28 PM
I admit McCain has been a better man than his campaign has shown. I wonder if he'll get his soul back now that the election is over. I'd like to respect him again.
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17 k john
November 4, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Emotions are high on both sides, so I can overlook some responses. Just keep rising above the fray, javabeans. McCain is at least trying to go out with style and turn his supporters to the nation. I have to admit, he has class. Not like some previous late, very late, concession speeches, even if they were from my candidate.
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18 cranky
November 4, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I was starting to think that he didn't want the presidency half way through his campaign. He was very gracious in his concession speech, so kudos to him for that.
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19 minime
November 4, 2008 at 8:36 PM
I SAW ANDERSON COOPER DO THAT !!! lol, he is so cute XD
Yay, for Obama, I wonder how many people actually got out and voted; I think this beats the 1960 record. woot!
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20 Birofpray09
November 4, 2008 at 8:39 PM
McCain's speech showed all the best things about him that this campaign totally hasn't shown. It's too bad he didn't speak like that the whole campaign, or it might have been a lot closer.
But seriously- Sarah Palin's face? HIlarious.
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21 happy28
November 4, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Congratulations America! To the American citizens thank you for finally voting with your head AND your heart. If only you had done so earlier...
For once I wished I was an American citizen so I could cast a vote (no offence to my American friends reading this, but I love being an Aussie :P) . Not just because this election featured an African American, an ex-POW and a woman on the two tickets (apologises to Mr Biden ain't up to speed on you...but I sure will try harder) This is an election of the possibility for hope and change.
As the world faces increasing challenges - be they economical, environmental, war, famine - the election of Barack Obama brings up the possibility of thoughtful action, motivated not just by special interests (ahem Cheney, Rove) and the $$$$$.
It is also inspiring that this election has motivated those who had never voted, never registered or been interested to embrace the 'privilege' that is democracy. Your vote. Your voice.
(why people who could can freely vote would choose not to embrace it is something I find interesting, I suppose that is democracy. People in other places literally die to have that right...sorry for the rant)
Lastly javabeans love love your blog(s) - and if only I knew about NaNoWriMo would have gotten off my butt to (attempt) writing! Next year perhaps? Also thanks for your recaps - seriously makes it seem like I'm watching it (as well as saves me watching drivel when I next want to watch something - just go with Javabeans recommendations LOL)
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22 ginnie
November 4, 2008 at 8:41 PM
I felt teary during McCain's speech...for the first time, his speech touched me on some level...especially the part about his failure and not the American public's failure. I felt that McCain was very gracious...very good speech with genuine emotions unlike other speeches.
The booing was very bad. This is American elect president that they were booing on national live tv.
Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States - I am waiting for him to speak!
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23 Shaenna
November 4, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Obama! Obama! Obama! A truly beautiful day in history...
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24 Kren
November 4, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Although I didn't particularly care for either candidate, I had to vote my conscience and vote McCain. I too want change, but I find Obama's politics fairly extreme, very far to the left and can't join the happy-fest.
By the way, I always enjoy reading your blog, javabeans. Thanks for helping me find so many wonderful kdramas!
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25 izzy
November 4, 2008 at 8:45 PM
But Obama has many obstacles in front of him, I just hope he's promises wont end up being empty promises, with the amount of funding the US actually has there are many limits to the things he can do, he will be under an incredibly amount of pressure.
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26 ar_arguably romantic
November 4, 2008 at 8:48 PM
agree with javabeans comment #16. McCain's a good man and I might have voted for McCain if it wasn't for the hatefulness of his supporters and very obvious inexperience of his running mate, Sarah Palin-which got me really worried for the future of this country. Congrats to Obama and I hope he does a great job- agree with izzy's sentiments above that Obama's got a hard road ahead of him and there will be limits on what he can achieve.
Now I'm really curious about the number of people who went to vote. I haven't seen so many people so hyped up about the election in the past 8 years-especially those between 18-25 years old.
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27 Abigail
November 4, 2008 at 8:48 PM
OBAMAAAAAAAA!!
I'm a little sad about the current result of a CA prop though.
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28 stargazer377
November 4, 2008 at 8:50 PM
post 24: i know how you feel. i wasn't too thrilled with either candidate but i voted Obama because of his fresh face and new ideas and honestly, it was Obama's stance in funding arts education in public schools that pushed my vote towards him. let's get some real culture back to america through arts education. no more of this avarice! also, Obama knows how to use the younger generation to his advantage and we need someone like that in Washington.
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29 SORA
November 4, 2008 at 8:52 PM
I FEEL THE SAME WAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS OFFENDED .. I MEAN COME ONE PEOPLE HOW THE HECK ARE YOU GONNA BOO AT UR SOON TO BE PRESIDENT WITHOUT A THOUGHT?
THEY COULD HAVE CONTINUED BOOING ALL NIGHT FOR ALL OBAMA HIMSELF CARES
HISTORY HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE PEOPLE GET OVER IT HAHAHAHAHA
I FOR ONE RESPECT
BARACK OBAMA NOT ONLY BECAUSE HE IS BLACK OR WHITE BUT MAINLY WHAT HE STANDS FOR
AS A DIVERSE INDIVIDUAL WHO UNDERSTANDS THE TRUE MEANING OF LEADERSHIP AND MAKING SURE ALL IS SAFE AND PROTECTED BEFORE HIMSELF
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30 lovin it
November 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM
OBAMA! :D
nownow. how much better id like it if it was hillary..
oops. i should just keep that to myself..
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31 etsy
November 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM
HOORAY FOR OBAMA!!
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32 gallivanter
November 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM
As much as I've lost respect for John McCain over the course of this campaign, I was impressed with his speech. It was gracious, and tone-appropriate. To me, it came across as him having realized several weeks ago knowing he was not meant to be president. Sarah Palin? She was almost in tears. She honestly believed she was going to be Vice-President until an hour ago.
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33 Kim
November 4, 2008 at 8:55 PM
OBAMA FTW.
I'm insanely happy right now.
EDIT||woah, totally read the news wrong.
The Repubs need to grow up just a little bit. I understand their disappointment, but -really??-. Booing?
Congrats to Obama, and here's to change.
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34 jo
November 4, 2008 at 8:55 PM
I'm a cynic in all things politics. Obama knows how to polish stuff he says. But whether or not he keeps his words is a different issue.
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35 the stranger
November 4, 2008 at 8:57 PM
YAY!!! PRESIDENT OBAMA !!!!!!
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36 maria
November 4, 2008 at 8:57 PM
me!!!!!!!!!!!1
i saw anderson cooper go "wtf" at the hologram. BIG LOL!
anyway, it really was a matter of policy. personally, i like mccain. he'd led his life. he's proven himself as a man already. at 72, he could have very well just laid back and let the future take it course. but he had something to say, and he really was just the kind of man who wouldn't let "72" get in the way of that. SO. PROPS TO JOHN MCCAIN. respect.
\
it really was just a matter of policy. i think the better man won. AND as i clearly think McCain was a very good man also in his own right, PROPS to obama for being EVEN BETTER than that. :)
let's go world! change is a-comin!
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37 muigeital
November 4, 2008 at 8:57 PM
OBAMA!!! congratsssss!!!
it's so sad that us, canadians, paid more attention to this election than our very own -.-" can't blame us...cuz we had horrible choices...anyway, i hope Obama could help us too...we really REALLY need it...T-T
i liked McCain too, his image throughout the election was quite positive.
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38 ichiru
November 4, 2008 at 8:58 PM
yah i saw the hologram in CNN, i was like what the heck, why do they need a hologram for a big screen is better haha! anyway I'm from chicago and it's so crowded at downtown now..CONGRATS PRESIDENT OBAMA! IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE! (this reminds me of the jdoroma CHANGE) haha!
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39 Yvette
November 4, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I liked McCain's speech.
OBAMA! :D
God bless him and America!
Oh my god~ He's on tv now! CNN, NAO !
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40 gallivanter
November 4, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Is everyone watching CNN here? While I adore (and by adore, I mean "am in love with") Anderson Cooper, I've become a huge fan of MSNBC. Keith Olbermann is my teevee boyfriend, and Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow can always provide insight. Sure they're not neutral, but they DO work hard to give accurate information.
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41 Nonbirira
November 4, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Okay, I'm not an American I and have lived in Japan for just about forever but just googled the results of the election during a lull in my computer lab class and let out a great big YAHOO! - which startled my students... OOPS!
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42 Javabeans
November 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
@gallivanter, I'm watching NBC now. I do watch MSNBC and I enjoy Rachel Maddow a lot, but it does skew very obviously liberal, and I get a big "preaching to the choir" vibe from them. I can't stomach Fox News, but I do like a little balance. (Not that CNN is balanced -- most of the cable news is highly unwatchable.)
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43 serendipity
November 4, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Yanking the topic back to television:-- Does anyone else realise that we are living out the last season of West Wing?
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44 rocketfuel
November 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
*ahem ahem*....Dear McCain, Palin, and his racist supporters....SCOREBOARD BITCHES!
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45 yelibean
November 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
I HAVE REGAINED FAITH IN MY COUNTRY
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
*so hyper right now*
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46 popcorn
November 4, 2008 at 9:31 PM
We are living in the time of history. This is the first time I have felt so pulled into politics. Hmmm....this is a sign.
Anyway, I'm excited to see the changes too.
"Yes we can!"
Lol
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47 Alive2008
November 4, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I'm so proud to be an American today. I am so hopeful for the future. Barack Obama is our next President. God Bless America.
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48 Sevenses
November 4, 2008 at 9:33 PM
♥
Just got here from the ecstatic shouting on Facebook, and wow. It's not just the Americans who are cheering Obama's win, but most of the world as well. In a way it's disturbing to see the amount of influence the US wields but in this case is also a cause for great hope, and maybe even a renewed faith in government. :D
I do want to give a hug for the people who didn't get to see their candidate win, though, because I am also seeing too much gloating - and as I have said elsewhere: "Yes, you've won, and now you have to sit down like rational adults and figure out how to fix all these massive problems, which you are not going to be able to do if you keep rubbing salt into other people's wounds."
All in all, what a remarkable night, and an amazing night for the history books as well.
Night, all.
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49 docmitasha
November 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
This is why I believe in the American people! I am so freaking proud of us right now!
EVERYONE, give yourself a pat on your back. Even if you couldn't vote. Just do it.
We're all part of history! Invisibelle and I were in disbelief: looking at an African American man who's middle name is Hussein giving a victory speech while millions cheered him on. What a gigantic step.
What hopes, what dreams, what aspirations...this means so much! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!
I have great hope for this country! I believe WE CAN! We will create the changes and work hard to improve the situation!
Woohoo! :)
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50 Kippy
November 4, 2008 at 9:40 PM
"I admit McCain has been a better man than his campaign has shown. I wonder if he’ll get his soul back now that the election is over. I’d like to respect him again."
Javabeans you speak my mind. I used to have so much respect for the man! It's really so sad that he sold his soul to the Devil (aka Sarah Palin) because greed got the best of him. But under the circumstances, I guess it's understandable (although unforgivable) that he would dip so low - he's been trying to win for EIGHT YEARS. But in the long wrong, he screwed himself over by selling out and walking away from what he really stood for in order to win. Sarah Palin was just the straw that broke the camel's back.
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