There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan.
The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.
We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?"
I've only just found time for this, and that also because it is too depressing to read anymore about the sunday arrests and the follow-ups.
And my reaction to Moore? I am jealous of america. Because the one thing that Obama is offering them, is the one thing that I want more than anything for this country, and for me: hope.
America is rejoicing because it can start anew. Hit the 'refresh' button, or even open a new file, eh? What must that feel like, I can only but wonder.
What a wonderful selection of new books, most of which I hadn't hear of. I've just ordered 2 to read with my daughter. Look forward to following your incredible blog!