January 20, 2009
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A new direction for America
I hope my readers will give me a bit of room for some editorializing. I have a few readers who are Americans. This entry is for them.
Today, America took another step in renewing, redefining and rebranding itself. The journey ahead for you will not be easy. Humility, hardwork, hope and optimism will have to replace arrogance, greed, divisiveness and despair. Some of you may feel that they don’t have the strength to finish this journey. But you can’t falter. Those of you who are strong must help others who are faltering in this journey.
Much is expected of you. You have big dreams and big ambitions. I hope you will get there. It won’t be easy and you will have many critics. I fear some of your fiercest critics will be from your fellow Americans. I hope you will never lose sight of your dreams. The only way you will get there is to be inclusive, to be caring and to treat every one with respect. A lot of Americans already do this so you’re not starting from scratch. You have some of the smartest and innovative people in the world.
I’ll be cheering for you. As a child growing up, I looked up to America. I ended up in Canada and I’m proud of my country. But today, I’m can see your optimism and hope. I feel your pride. Today is a great day to be an American. I hope you'll meet the high goals that your President has set for your nation.
Regular blogging will resume in a day or two.
Comments (26)
Thank you!
You're welcome.
Very eloquent of you indeed! Thank you for the encouragement!
let's hope that we can do what we've promised ourselves!
@curry69curry - @ABSOLUTmichael - I'm rooting for you guys. Even your blogging needs to be raised a notch.
Although I am Canadian, it felt as if President Obama was addressing to humanity in general. The speech was inspirational yet grounded in reality. Unlike before, he tamed much of his hefty rhetorics and it seemed like he was getting ready to be a do-er, rather than a say-er, president. Let's keep an eye on how things go.
Forgot to mention that your entry was very sophisticated and it could easily be incorporated into the actual Inaugural Speech itself!!!
@Blizzardi - thank you... *blush* I thought the speech was very balanced too. Hopeful but mindful of the long road ahead. Lots of straight talk... roll up your sleeve type speech.
Matt. ever consider running for President? I will vote for you, very nicely written.
I hope so too for the Americans!
Thanks for your support.
I'm glad George Bush didn't bomb Canada!!
I feel a tide turning and washing over us... like the din of the multi faceted human voice washing over the Mall as he swore his oath. Hope in many guises is renewed.
@stevew918 - Yeah, but he's not a native born US citizen...
Thanks for the kind words of support, Matt. As an American living abroad, it has been fascinating to observe non-Americans' interest in the Presidential race and in President Obama. One thing I observe is that there is no shortage of non-Americans who rush to bash what they identify as America's inflated sense of self-importance, but their very interest in this American political event reminds us that there is some truth about America's importance in the world.
That said, I think President Obama made it very clear to the nation and to the world that our relationship with other countries has changed, returning to a collaborative style which, in the past has given rise to some of America's proudest accomplishments. Let us hope that we can once again be good world citizens.
I'm confident that forty or fifty years from now, as I'm (hopefully) in my twilight years, we will look back and be able to recognise that January 20, 2009 marked the start of a new and great chapter in history.
@christao408 - True, maybe President of his own company? I suppose?
Amen
sadly, it seems like many of my fellow American citizens shirk from taking responsibility for their own country--they tend to place the weight and the blame on the shoulders of their leaders(as is evidenced by the blatant scapegoating of former President G.W Bush)...I hope we can rise above this childishness, but it seems very far off.
It's refreshing to see a non American rooting for us (unlike before with Bush). I really hope the new administration will deliver. As much as we are hyping up Obama, I won't be impressed until I see the new changes put in place.
thanks for your support of our nation! right now america needs all the help it can get, both from within the country as well as beyond its borders. i think a lot of us are hoping obama can turn things around, although many of us also know that it will take a lot of time, effort, and money for us to do so. i think if obama actually puts into practice the ideals he speaks about, our country will be moving in the right direction.
@stevew918 - hahaha - thank you. The words sort of just spilled out although I was thinking about it for a couple of days.
@Dezinerdreams - we're not alone rooting for them.
@jaxomsyd - yeah, I hope that voice will help their resolve.
@CareyGLY - you're welcome.
@christao408 - I think when you're in your twilight years and checking on your blog archives, you'll be proven correct.
@greenbird321 - one small step at a time. I have great hopes for you.
@Rm2046 - yeah, I know what you mean. People are expecting him to deliver miracles in the first 100 days. It's not going to be easy.
@kunhuo42 - I'm sure you're heading in the right direction.
nope, sadly, performing the latter not the former
Thank you for your good thoughts and wishes. It's good to know that our new administration will see Canada as our friend. The rest of us have always thought so, but the Bushies had odd ways of looking at things. Cheerio!
@AppsScraps - I had to do that before - sigh.
@jojobaDESIGNS - You're welcome. I think Bush liked our PM - a fellow conservative.
interested in suicide hill ehhhh haha. it's insane!
@ElusiveWords - Well, yes, that's true.
thanks!
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