New President Takes Office

[Bulldog_916]

I know it seems crass but god damn it we have a new president. I havent been able to say that since my first year of high school. For all the doubters and doomsayers (including myself, in a way), I say, suck it up kid, there's never another first time. Enjoy this one. Some day I'll be telling my grandkids how the country either changed for the better or at least blazed the inroads to a real American transformation.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama. Congratulations to the United States of America. I can finally say unequivocally that I'm proud again to be an American. I havent been able to say that since the days after 9/11/01. 7 years has been way too long.

[Hippo_Master]

I can't say that I'm proud to be an American, far from that, but we are one step closer to becoming what we need to become!

Maybe he can lift the embargo on Cuba...

[Giant Ninja Robot]

It feels so strange to have a sense of pride well up in me when this nation stands for so much deplorable corruption. I can't halp but feel a sense of hope that we may be on the cusp of a new day for a new generation.

I'm sitting watching it unfold with my 2 year old daughter and all I can hope is that she spends her youth with an underlying sense of peace and hope and that the mood of her generation is one of such.

We're far from where many of us feel we should be but just maybe we're one major step closer to that time.

[Scoop]

i dont like the fact that obama covered up for his friends in the house and lending sector by saying it was not only greed that caused our economic crisis, but also all people not making hard decisions.

wtf does that mean, how can i make hard decisions that impacted the economy.

i do sure hope they fix the economy.

[Scalliwag]

I am not sure which I like more; that a new president has come in or that the last one is finally gone. My hope is that he works to bring unity and does not just say it. The last chump campaigned on being "a uniter, not a divider" yet his legacy is "you're either with us or against us".
Seeing Cheney in the wheelchair reminded me of Mr. Potter from "it's a wonderful life". Gawd I hope we're in for a better next 8 than past 8.

[liquidglass]

i dont like the fact that obama covered up for his friends in the house and lending sector by saying it was not only greed that caused our economic crisis, but also all people not making hard decisions.

wtf does that mean, how can i make hard decisions that impacted the economy.

i do sure hope they fix the economy.

Well hard decisions cover a lot of things and people including everyday people to govt officials.

Hard decision like not buying that car/house b/c you knew you couldn't financially handle it, etc.



I for one am happy to see Obama in office and I had a smile on my face as bush flew away. It's a new day, let's not fuck it up.

[ahwahoo2006]

i dont like the fact that obama covered up for his friends in the house and lending sector by saying it was not only greed that caused our economic crisis, but also all people not making hard decisions.

wtf does that mean, how can i make hard decisions that impacted the economy.

i do sure hope they fix the economy.

Well hard decisions cover a lot of things and people including everyday people to govt officials.

Hard decision like not buying that car/house b/c you knew you couldn't financially handle it, etc.



I for one am happy to see Obama in office and I had a smile on my face as bush flew away. It's a new day, let's not fuck it up.

I'm happy for the change, but I don't think anything will really change all that much. Politicians are politicians whether they have a (D) or an ® after their names.

[noca$h]

Finally.

[newjacksm]

His speech was subpar I wasn't moved at all, I was actually kinda turned off from the way he is trying to sound like Martin Luther King JR. The last guy who spoke got me mad when he mad those racist remarks.

Its 2009 race is no longer an issue like it was in the 70's and back, it keeps on getting rehashed we need to worry about America and its people and its people is black, white, yellow and brown. Start getting to work congress and fix this shitty economy.

[SimplexCoda]

His speech was subpar I wasn't moved at all, I was actually kinda turned off from the way he is trying to sound like Martin Luther King JR. The last guy who spoke got me mad when he mad those racist remarks.

Its 2009 race is no longer an issue like it was in the 70's and back, it keeps on getting rehashed we need to worry about America and its people and its people is black, white, yellow and brown. Start getting to work congress and fix this shitty economy.

Have you been to the south, they are still wearing white sheets over their heads down there.

I really do hope that Obama does great things for the country. He wasnt my choice, but since he's the president i will support him unless he makes things worse. Just cause he wasnt my first choice doesnt mean that he cant do great things, but just because he can do them doesnt mean he will. All i can do is hope.

My biggest concern is all those good ole boys still out there. I really dont want anything bad to happen to anyone, Besides if something happens to him how can we find out if hes any good of a president or not?. Im not saying something will happen to him, im jsut worried that it will. If people think that racism is dead today they are wrong, it has been around since the begining of time and will continue till the end of time.

Again all i can say is i really hope he can help us out.

[AKammenzind]

I just get some lulz from those blacks who feel that Obama getting in the white house is some sort of great personal victory for them. As if they're somehow tied to his success because they share a skin color, and have ancestors from the same continent... it's ridiculous. Just as ridiculous are those of any background who think that because he's a different color than past presidents and stirs people with his speeches that we're entering a new era.

The same people still own us, and they plan on keeping what's theirs.

[TheScotsman]

I just get some lulz from those blacks who feel that Obama getting in the white house is some sort of great personal victory for them. As if they're somehow tied to his success because they share a skin color, and have ancestors from the same continent... it's ridiculous. Just as ridiculous are those of any background who think that because he's a different color than past presidents and stirs people with his speeches that we're entering a new era.

The same people still own us, and they plan on keeping what's theirs.

So true.

Frightening, but true.


It's going to be more of the same-old-crap. get ready to start paying for more gov't "help". Wake me up when it's over.

[delSol_si]

I just get some lulz from those blacks who feel that Obama getting in the white house is some sort of great personal victory for them. As if they're somehow tied to his success because they share a skin color, and have ancestors from the same continent... it's ridiculous. Just as ridiculous are those of any background who think that because he's a different color than past presidents and stirs people with his speeches that we're entering a new era.

The same people still own us, and they plan on keeping what's theirs.

Touche! I was kinda pissed when I found out that a bunch of people voted for Obama based solely on the fact that they shared the same skin color. That is bullshit. Not to mention these same people have never voted before in their lives and have no idea what Obama stands for. I kid you not, I was sitting in class (college) and a black guy comes in and sits down with his home boys and they say "Hey dog, you get your vote for Obama in?" "Yea dog." I am not being racist, I am quoting. It made me sick because we had a political discussion in class that same day and this group of black guys knew NOTHING about the issues or anything.

I will admit, I thought both McCain and Obama both suck, but I thought McCain sucked a little less. I was infuriated when I found out that Obama spend like $3 million on an informercial. What a waste of money. I firmly believe that each candidate should have a set amount of money they are allowed to spend on the campaign and that is it...no more! This is supposed to be a democracy, not a "buy your way into office" country.

I also got completely pissed because when it was announced that Obama had won the election (I think it was around midnight or so), a huge group of black people decided to go outside and just shout and cheer and chant "OBAMA!!" over and over again outside the dorms and actually crying with happiness and whatever like they themselves had one. I was relieved a bit when I started hearing people yell out the window "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" I do not mind them celebrating, I have no problem with that, but do it in a civilized manner. One thing I do admire about Obama is how he mentioned that this just shows everyone in the world that being black should not be a handicap anymore (though it is still treated as one) and that every black person out there has the ability to accomplish great things. I do respect him in that manner.

Overall though, I am still disappointed in America. I would have still be disappointed if McCain was voted in, just not as much. I just don't understand why it is so hard to get a good presidential candidate. It seems that at least the past two to three election we had no good choices. Come on, give us a good candidate to vote for. Pretty much almost every election I just vote for the lesser of two evils. I guess not so much evils, but the better of two bad options. I do not claim to know everything and I know that managing America is an impossible task, but damn, with millions upon millions of people out there, there has got to be a couple people capable of doing a better job that what we have now.

I guess I will quit ranting now, I am not anti-american or anything like that, I love being an American, I just think this country is making a lot of piss poor decisions right now. Boo on you America!!

[Bulldog_916]

I just get some lulz from those blacks who feel that Obama getting in the white house is some sort of great personal victory for them. As if they're somehow tied to his success because they share a skin color, and have ancestors from the same continent... it's ridiculous. Just as ridiculous are those of any background who think that because he's a different color than past presidents and stirs people with his speeches that we're entering a new era.

The same people still own us, and they plan on keeping what's theirs.

Touche! I was kinda pissed when I found out that a bunch of people voted for Obama based solely on the fact that they shared the same skin color. That is bullshit. Not to mention these same people have never voted before in their lives and have no idea what Obama stands for. I kid you not, I was sitting in class (college) and a black guy comes in and sits down with his home boys and they say "Hey dog, you get your vote for Obama in?" "Yea dog." I am not being racist, I am quoting. It made me sick because we had a political discussion in class that same day and this group of black guys knew NOTHING about the issues or anything.

I will admit, I thought both McCain and Obama both suck, but I thought McCain sucked a little less. I was infuriated when I found out that Obama spend like $3 million on an informercial. What a waste of money. I firmly believe that each candidate should have a set amount of money they are allowed to spend on the campaign and that is it...no more! This is supposed to be a democracy, not a "buy your way into office" country.

I also got completely pissed because when it was announced that Obama had won the election (I think it was around midnight or so), a huge group of black people decided to go outside and just shout and cheer and chant "OBAMA!!" over and over again outside the dorms and actually crying with happiness and whatever like they themselves had one. I was relieved a bit when I started hearing people yell out the window "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" I do not mind them celebrating, I have no problem with that, but do it in a civilized manner. One thing I do admire about Obama is how he mentioned that this just shows everyone in the world that being black should not be a handicap anymore (though it is still treated as one) and that every black person out there has the ability to accomplish great things. I do respect him in that manner.

Overall though, I am still disappointed in America. I would have still be disappointed if McCain was voted in, just not as much. I just don't understand why it is so hard to get a good presidential candidate. It seems that at least the past two to three election we had no good choices. Come on, give us a good candidate to vote for. Pretty much almost every election I just vote for the lesser of two evils. I guess not so much evils, but the better of two bad options. I do not claim to know everything and I know that managing America is an impossible task, but damn, with millions upon millions of people out there, there has got to be a couple people capable of doing a better job that what we have now.

I guess I will quit ranting now, I am not anti-american or anything like that, I love being an American, I just think this country is making a lot of piss poor decisions right now. Boo on you America!!

OMG say it isnt so! Black people voting en masse for a black man! But they get that opportunity like EVERY election cycle right? I mean, come on! The fact that you're assuming that black people voted for Obama because he was black just shows how little credit you actually give black people. Kerry got 93% of the black vote. Read it.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/107770/Most-Say...ntial-Vote.aspx

I think McCain actually sucked a lot more. You trust an erratic hand like that to deal with the economy? Terrorism? War? The deterioration of schools in this country? He suspended his damn campaign in order to help "fix" the economy. Some one that takes that drastic of a measure to fix something that most agreed couldnt be fixed like that showed how ill-qualified he was to be making executive decisions. Had McCain come out like he was in 2000, he surely would have gotten my vote and I think, collectively, the vote of the nation. But he didnt. He came out desperate and we looked somewhere that confidence was being shown and levelheadedness levied. That just happened to be Barack Obama.

You must be burying your head in your hand with shame that America is actually happy now. How horrible. An 80% transitional approval rating...terrifying. A world that may be less hostile to America...truly sad. A government with morals, shocking. At least this year most of America can celebrate Independence Day without feeling a twinge of guilt in their souls for being proud. I'm not saying you're anti-American, I would never toss that accusation like the Bush Administration did to people who decried the Iraq War before it happened. I admire you for speaking your mind. But I respectfully disagree.

[delSol_si]

I appreciate your respectfulness in disagreeing, but I have based my opinion on more than just hot air. Does the fact every black person I asked who they voted for saying Obama mean nothing??? Does the fact that we had a mob of black people outside the dorms chanting after the election mean nothing?? I am not saying EVERY black person who voted for Obama did so solely on the color of their skin, I am just saying most. Does the fact that the next morning, the front page of the newspaper I receive had a huge picture of a bunch of black people glorifying Obama mean nothing?? I don't really understand what Kerry having 93% black vote has anything to do with this, we are talking about Obama, not Kerry. I am also not saying McCain would have done a good job. I don't really think either would have done a good job, I just got pissed when Obama says he understands the average American and then spends $3 million on a commercial. Way to piss away a lot of money on bullshit. Again, none of what I am saying is being racist by any means, I am just stating facts. I am also not meaning this to disrespect you, Bulldog. I think we can both say we can agree to disagree huh?

[delSol_si]

Oh, and I forgot to add, those polls really don't mean much to me. I do think it is an interesting comment and I thank you for posting it, but honestly, it is not very reliable. Of course people aren't going to admit to voting based on race. I can say this from personal experience. I will admit, yes, race did factor into who I voted for somewhat. My decision wasn't based only on the fact that Obama is black, it did persuade it quite a bit. I don't consider myself to be racist and I certainly hope I treat black people the same a white people, but I know deep down, it does come into play even when I don't want it to. I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say that subconsciously, most people have some racist tendencies. I am a firm believer that there are blacks, whites, trash blacks, and trash whites. But back to the polls, yea people are goin to say that race had nothing to do with how they voted, but I can guarantee you a lot of them are lying so they don't look bad. Hell, if someone came up to me and said "Did race play a factor in your vote?" I would say "No," but deep down I know it did. I am not proud of the fact, but I cannot change it. I think a black president is probably a good idea eventually, but I think it is just way too early right now. I think we need to make black people and white people completely equal before we are ready for it. One example is I know there is a African American (black persons) scholarship and not a Caucasian (white persons) scholarship. We would have to get rid of that. I could go on and on, but I this is a political discussion, not a racial discussion so yea.

FYI!!! All of what I have said is written to be respectful as possible, not a bash. Edited January 21, 2009 by delSol_si

[Scalliwag]

Well, newsflash just in..... a LOT of white people voted for McCain because he is white (actually because Obama is half black) So if it pisses ya off that black people voted for him for skin color then that should be a good enough offset. After all it's the same thing right?

[AKammenzind]

Well, newsflash just in..... a LOT of white people voted for McCain because he is white (actually because Obama is half black) So if it pisses ya off that black people voted for him for skin color then that should be a good enough offset. After all it's the same thing right?

I know this wasn't directed at me, but I'll respond anyhow, hahaha. It's fine that people vote based on race... it's stupid, but it's their vote. What I don't get is that because a black president won a lot of black people feel like they're going to be better off simply because well... he's got similar heritage to them. Doesn't really make much sense to me.

I have no problem with Obama winning over McCain... to be honest I preferred him over McCain although that's sorta like deciding what type of diarrhea you want to spew out for the next four years.

I just think it's ridiculous that people see him as somehow vastly different than all other presidents, but really the main difference is that he's half black. I've heard people talking about how he's going to change everything and how he's going to really work to make our country better, but when I ask them why they think he's different, and what they like about his plans I get a load of shite about how having a non-white president means that we're moving forward, and how he's so smart and went against the odds (meaning effectively that they don't think that black people have a chance to get into office... which seems a bit patronizing.)

[Scalliwag]

people always vote for varieties of bad reasons. I guess that is the best way to explain my point. People voted for Bush because he was the kinda guy they could drink a beer with. I thought about all the people I drink beer with and didn't know any that should be president. Turns out if W was one of them there were at least four that I think would have been better.

[noca$h]

Im going to be honest. I closed my eyes and circled my finger around the screen a couple times and clicked whoever I landed on.











*But I cheated because I looked long and hard who was on what part of the screen and made sure my finger landed on that general area.*

[cotsi95]

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/t..._president.html

[SimplexCoda]

I know i have already put 2 cents in, but i got a little more. Yes Obama might do great things. Yes Obama might do terrible things. Either way he's a politcian, his job was to achieve an office. In my opinion whether he does good or not, hes still a politician i dont like any of them. But if he can prove himself then im cool with him. But it takes a lot to convince me that a politician is a good guy.

[Rafflersauce]

within 24 hours he already is talking about re-banning CCW in national parks....sigh..

[AKammenzind]

within 24 hours he already is talking about re-banning CCW in national parks....sigh..

Now what would be the point of that? /sigh

[Johnny_D]

I hope he does a good job.

I kinda feel sorry for the poor bar steward though. Who cares what -ing colour he is. Can we stop with the
first 'dark shade of purple' president?

Shirley being president is is being president. I'd hate to be the first 'Sky blue' President.

JD - Multicoloured!