The world has changed

[David Van Os]

The world has changed. Everything has changed. In so many ways. For one thing, the right-wing wedge issue tactics that Richard Nixon started finally ran out of power. Another thing - and related - America broke the biggest possible social barrier imaginable. In one swoop, all of a sudden America is the leading progressive society of the world, as we were through most of our history from 1776 until the era of Reagan and the Bushes replaced the Great Society with the Greedy Society.

We went from one of the worst to the best in one jump. Realize, in none of the supposedly advanced countries of Europe, the old colonial powers, could a person of dark skin color have gotten elected head of state. Only in America. The eyes of the world are looking at America with wonder and gladness again like they used to. People are celebrating all over the world, and rightfully they should. People all over the world trust in the greatness and goodness of the American people again, because the American people stood up and spoke for a new world and a new age.

It is going to take a while for it all to sink in. I'm very glad that I am fortunate to be living right now to experience this.

[sonias]

1. I'm very happy too David

But we have a long way to go in the South still. I am elated that a great swath of this country is moving forward and although we contributed to it with our work in Texas too, we have this kind of ugliness to contend with too:

AAS 11/05/08
Baylor denounces noose in tree on Election Day

WACO, Texas — Baylor University officials said they are investigating "deeply disturbing" incidents the day Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president, including an apparent noose hanging from a tree.

"These events are deeply disturbing to us and are antithetical to the mission of Baylor University," interim president David E. Garland said in a statement Wednesday. "We categorically denounce and will not tolerate racist acts of any kind on our campus."

On Tuesday afternoon at the world's largest Baptist university, some students notified officials that a rope resembling a noose was in a campus tree, Garland said. Campus police took the rope and are investigating.

Remember the case where you represented the union in a similar case of intolerance in the work force. And here it is again, in a state university. This is shameful and completely unacceptable - anywhere in this world. Those students responsible should be found and punished. :grr:


Sonia

[Lisa0825]

2. It's so nice to finally be really proud of my country again.

:grouphug:

[Omnibus]

3. Isn't it, though?

It's been so frustrating. So many of us could tell that we were heading in the wrong direction, from Reagan to Bush to Bush II (second verse, worse than the first). But no one would listen, because they were all spellbound by the RW hate/noise machine.

But even a country as great as America can only be mismanaged for so long before things start to break down. Trickle-down economics finally took their toll on the US, and got us to a crisis point.

Their own poor stewardship begat their demise.


Let this be a new beginning for America.

[yellowdogintexas]

4. Thanks, David. Always good to see your posts here. This is SO true. nt