YES WE CAN!

I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones, or that fact that we took part in history yesterday, but my God I was moved last night. During the campaign I never really thought about Obama being the first African American president because, well, he never emphasized it. I thought of him as bringing the change we needed in this country. I thought of him being the Democrat in office that I have wanted for the past eight years.

But after they announced the win in Ohio, this historic occasion started to hit me. And then even more during John McCain's speech. Now, regardless of what you think of this man or his political party, you can't deny that was one of the most powerful concession speeches in recent memory. 

And then it was Obama's acceptance speech, where out in the crowd you saw the emotional faces of Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and numerous African American people. 

And then his words -- I was breathless. Chills even. 

Now I know this doesn't mean puppy dogs and rainbows (wait, I guess it does mean at least one puppy dog!), but it does mean that change is going to come. As Obama said himself, 

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

President-elect Obama, yes we can.

A huge virtual hug to all the red-to-blue states that helped make this happen (is North Carolina officially a blue state now?! Hooray!).

People First, Idiotic Ideas about Global Warming NOT Being Caused By Humans Second.

Trip and I were discussing the Palin controversy last night, and the different opinions people -- particularly women -- have regarding a mother of 5 holding such a high powered and demanding position (not to mention the whole 17-year-old daughter being pregnant thing). We both learned something interesting from our conversation: Trip learned that her youngest child has Down syndrome; and I learned the term PFL, people-first language.

When I first told Trip about Palin's infant boy, I said, "she has a Down syndrome baby". Trip quickly corrected me, saying that with people-first language you should emphasize that they are a person first. The disability comes second. So I should have said, "she has a baby with Down syndrome". Wikipedia has a page dedicated to the topic (of course they do), with a very helpful table of examples.

Interesting tidbit I thought I'd pass along...

One more thing... I am not a fan of Palin, especially since she doesn't believe global warming is caused by humans, nor does she think polar bears should be listed as endangered (I can't even get my head around that one). But I do think she is entitled to a personal life, and conducting it as she chooses. I wouldn't make the same choices as her, but it's her life, let her live it.

Is His Term Over YET?

Doesn't this make you proud to be an American.

And speaking of Bush (who got us in this mess), how cool is this! 350 days, people! (Seems like FOREVER).

Only 350 More Days.

Doesn't this make you proud to be an American.

Speaking of Bush's term being over, how cool is this?!?