…still excited about the outcome of the election yesterday.
It is amazing that the majority of people came through and elected Barack Obama president of the United States.
I am totally excited about his landslide victory over John McCain. Who would have thought that the western part of the country didn’t even have a stake in this election? That the decision fell almost before the last polling places closed in California?
Even though this is technically not “my” country (well, you know that is not true, it really has become my country as well, but you know what I mean), I have never been so excited about an election. I had been following the primaries right from the start and was very enthusiastic about some of the issues.
Whenever I visited home in the past, I felt I had to “defend” America… not against my family, but against random people who would talk negatively about the US and Bush (and I did, too!) and who could not understand what I liked about living here. I always felt that I had to stand up for the US, even though I agreed with many of the comments that were made about it abroad.
From now on, I don’t think I have to be defensive anymore, because Germany is very excited about the new president! This will be not only great for America, but also great for the world!
However, as excited as I am seeing Barack Obama and his family move into the White House, I am also deeply disappointed about the outcome of some of the propositions that were voted on here in CA.
Proposition 8 – the ban on gay marriage – passed! It passed!
I am at a loss of words.
How can the Californians possibly elect Barack Obama for president and then vote for Proposition 8 that infringes on the civil rights of gay people. It’s outrageous. I have no words for it.
How can they have people vote to change the California Constitution with an amendement to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry based on their personal beliefs ?
I think it’s simply unfair.
In some ways, we have still a long way to go.
Cathy
November 5, 2008 at 8:59 pmthat does seem wrong… I thought they only just announced it was legal (isnt that how ellen got married?) hmmm not sure about my facts… dont read much gossip mags these days…
Viviane
November 6, 2008 at 12:13 amYeah, I feel the same way about feeling like I have to defend the US (even though I don’t live there), and I saw that Proposition 8 passed, it’s really sad. Must admit I didn’t expect that in California, I think Arkansas also passed a similar proposition and I’m not so surprised about that, but I kind of thought people in CA would be more open-minded.
kim
November 6, 2008 at 12:19 amthe outcome of that proposition is unbelievable to me. it’s a bad step back for the whole country and makes me really sad. i hope the supreme court will do something about it… die hoffnung stirbt zuletzt… :(
Maribeth
November 6, 2008 at 4:11 amYes, I feel very sad about that too. I think when two people love each other they should be allowed to share that love in a legal way, just like you and J and Hubby and I have. Love is a beautiful thing.
Carolina
November 6, 2008 at 10:43 amYou couldn’t have said it better. How can a state be so progressive and “liberal” in the eyes of the rest of the counrty and get it so WRONG in regards to prop.8? Even with my joy at the historic election of Obama, I am saddened by the reality of discrimination!
LilSass
November 6, 2008 at 10:49 amSuch a yo-yo of emotions these days. This is the VERY reason why I still vote in California … it’s really not as “blue” as people think it is. *Thankfully* the most populous places are Democratic but there are A LOT of place that bleed red through and through. As Aaryn said on her blog this morning, the Supreme Court is our saving grace. (Not to mention, our boy Barack is a LAWYER not an ingrate who relies solely on his faith to make decisions).
*sigh*
Susanne
November 6, 2008 at 2:02 pmI agree with you. I always needed to defend the US in Germany. And noone actually nows how it is to live here. But now I don’t need to do that anymore. America has hope. And I have too.
About the Prop 8 – no words. Unbelievable that it passed.
Maren
November 7, 2008 at 1:04 pmgObama!
Yes on prop 8 is total BS. I am really disappointed in California.
ute
November 8, 2008 at 7:36 pmhehe your post sounds just like mine. so cute! i cannot believe prop 8 passed. i mean common? 2008??? wow! so sad. beyond sad actually. yeah for obama though, at least one good thing! :)