Obama!
Four years ago, I was among many people who were blown away by a speech that Barack Obama made at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Then in November 2004, exactly four years ago to this day, I blogged about Obama's interview with CNN after he had won his race for Senator. "Wow, this guy should be the next President", I enthused then. I went on to say that "Barack Obama has the intelligence, passion and clarity of vision to make a great president." Well, enough said. Four years later, it is reality. We at ReadWriteWeb celebrate this great moment in history!
Whatever your political persuasion, I hope you agree that this is a significant turning point for the US - and the world. I am currently in San Francisco for the Web 2.0 Summit starting tomorrow, and after Obama's speech tonight in Chicago, I walked down to Union Square with my wife to see how the locals were taking the news. There were whoops and horn-honking, people smiling and cheering in the streets. The cable cars struggled down Post St, as throngs of people applauded and shouted "yes we can!". Here is a grainy pic I captured on my iPhone (more on Flickr):
Change is in the air and we at ReadWriteWeb are celebrating!!
Share
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
a fantastic time to be in SF for sure, fireworks are going off in my neighborhood. I'm from England so I can't vote but I am really proud of America right now.
This is a historic moment... This is a turning point in history for the US (not for the world). Every other country in the world has had a minority (woman, black, native, working class) in the presidency. It's great that the US has finally caught up (America, welcome to 20 years ago).
Certainly a moment in history for the entire world.
There is a lot of global hope from Obama. I hope he works for making the world more sustainable and peaceful.
You realized he was elected the president of the US, right? Not of the world? So, if you're hoping for a *world* more sustainable and peaceful, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Obama won't be able to do that.
Well the view from this side of the world (Australia) is a good one, the last 8 years has had a massive impact on the world and now there is an inspirational leader who can help rebuild. Congratulations
congratulation to Mr. Obama
Yes you can!
congrats!
Wow, great I really like Obama.
We, the staff of pinoyshowbizcentral are welcoming President Obama. Mabuhay!
Congratulations Barry!!!
I think all over world loves Obama, Congratulations !!!
Yes, it's oh-so-obvious that this election got the global attention it did, because of this one man.
The ideology, the charm, the candor, the charisma, the call, the proposition, and the timing just put together a near-enigmatic picture of the next president of the United States.
Obama is the President America has missed for decades..he's the pivot around which America 2.0 will be built.
I don't expect him to show us visible changes overnight, but I do know that he has the integrity and vision to build a foundation for America to position itself as a first among equals.
Great news all round and tremendous foresight!
Btw
Check Out http://www.jobstaxi.com
New Jobs. Blizzard Ent. Loopt. RockYou. Songbird
I wish you'd keep politics out of RWW, or at least make a connection to the topics RWW is usually about. I can understand that many people are happy about the outcome of the election, but there are many other places on the internet which are more appropriate to express your feelings about that.
When you wake up this morning, please know that we in Europe have woken up ecstatic. God bless America.
Um, sorry Felipe, but it's just not true that "every other country in the world has had a minority in the presidency" and that America is (was) somehow incorrigibly backward.
As a non-American I apologise on behalf of Felipe for the patronizing nature of his comment.
@Martin: If you read Umair Haque(www.bubblegeneration.com), you will find that although he's an economist, he draws many parallels between Obama and next-gen economics.
Today. it is very hard today to draw the line between art, culture, community, technology, politics, journalism and humanity. They intersect in so many ways, and the flow of information is so pervasive from each discipline, that it's now our responsibility to learn from the best of each discipline, and apply them to our own.
So, it's not about being happy for Obama...it's about listening to what the man has to say, celebrating his vision, and sharing the word with an audience that is looking to participate in changing the world....one discipline/system at a time.
Cheers!
Amazing, amazing win for Obama. This last month showed pretty vividly how much the rest of the world is affected by what happens in America so here's a big thanks to all those who voted!
You believed! America achieved. Now the world is waiting for change.
Congrats! Enjoy and celebrate.
It was a popularity contest only. His idealogy represents NOTHING but bigger government and less money in my pocket.
Hooray though, I dont have to work anymore! You can take care of me.
Read Write should be thrilled to watch companies close left and right as they can't afford to pay their workers. Ahhh the glory of it all!
Hooray!!
I just watched the Obama speech again this morning. And cried tears of joy, again. Gob Bless America.
Hureeeeeee! this comes from East Africa for All American good Voters for making History more meaningful,we just wishing HIM and his future Cabinet best of luck in their tough but real battle for CHANGE!!!!!!!!
We in E.A are now busy in constructing a modern OBAMA-Airport for Air Force One to land (regularly) peacefully.
May GOD bless America and the whole Planet under precidency of OBAMA!
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism." - Nikita Krushchev
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." – Norman Thomas, prominent 1940's era American socialist
i voted for the other guy. but i am excited about an obama presidency. congrats to obama and all those that supported his candidacy.
What a great day! I am happy for America!! But more, I am happy that Americans have shown the world they do not blindly agree and support the continuation of a Bush administration.. What an amazing moment also for the whole black community in USA!!
It feels more than just an election won.. Guys you changed the way people over the world look at America, it feels great to not be scared anymore.
I didn't vote for the old guy or the black guy. It makes me nervous though, that the rest of the world that was (until now) clamoring for America to be punished, is now jubilant.
I weep for our country - Obama might have the personality, but he's still a liberal democrat bent on socialism. A tech blog should realize what this portends for capitalism and our economy. If ya'll don't, let me quote Abraham Lincoln to remind you:
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
- Abraham Lincoln
The era of misery and death and fear has finally come to an end. Cheers to all those that have spent the past 28 years profiteering at the expense of others, you had a good run...
...now take you false evidence for war, your market manipulation, your racist old boys club and GTFO.
Here's some Nina Simone to play you out as you leave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVw0Mb8XR9M
Awww crap. My earnings are above the national median income. If he's going to equalize us all, I guess I have a shoe to the nuts coming.
@ Todd. 28 years? So we're going back to Jimmy Carter economics? Great.
Wow Todd; spoken like a true Marxist. Seems that is popular these days all the way from the pending new administration to those who have no idea what they are talking about.
Watching this campaign and how folks swoon all over Obama is exactly how someone like Moussolini came to power. Same message about change, inspirational, demonize anyone who has been successful.
It is with pride and joy that I cast my vote for Barack Obama. It is a privilege to live and vote in the U.S.A.
Last night, when he was declared the victor of this race, I realized that now I like the U.S. again. I will always love my home country, but I haven't liked how we were being in the world. Now, once again, a person of integrity will be at the helm. Someone who will not tell us to go shopping to support our country. Someone who will discuss situations with others before deciding what is best - bringing diplomacy back to the White House.
And to those of you who are cynical and in fear mode...this is your choice.
Hurray for all of us on this historic occasion. We have all won!
@Martin - "Micery Incorporated" took power January 1980. There has been a Bush or a Clinton in the white house for 28 years.
@Greg - I am far from a Marxist, I am a huge believer in commerce, profits, people making money.
By "Marxist" I think you mean George Bush who in the last few months has become the most vocal supporter of nationalizing private industry and signed into law the largest government hand out ever in the history of the world.
Let's look ahead, there's a lot of hard work to be done, the best is yet to come.
:)
@Todd. Clinton was on your side dill nut. Bush 41 took the white house 19 years ago. Learn to spell and learn some basic math... and go brush your teeth.
I am certainly excited about what an Obama presidency will bring to our beligered nation. He is very articulate to be sure, and seemingly has the intellect and composure to be successful in the highest office of the most powerful nation on earth. However, I am a little skeptical about his level of experience, alleged ties to unsavory organizations and religious affiliations. I voted for him, primarily because of bitterness at the incompetence of the Bush administration. I remain disenfranchised with America so far in the 21st Century, and came across a political graphic that does a fairly good job in capturing this sentiment.
http://www.cafepress.com/usa21stcentury
fancy words and smooth talk from a politician are about as relevant indicative as nice wrapping and a pretty bow on a present. So what's inside the package? We will see soon.
BTW, anyone who takes a politician at his word and hangs his hopes and dreams upon him is a fool who will soon see his hopes dashed to pieces.
No government, politician, or bureaucracy can ever make your life better. It can only either make it worse or get out of the way of you making your own life better.
That said, its a historic event in this country. I hope this will end the race game in American politics, but I doubt it.
From your last post:
"On CNN I watched Barack Obama being interviewed just after he won his race for Senator. Watching him, I thought: wow, this guy should be the next President."
You should take your clairvoyant skills and make a killing on the stock markets or make bets on sports games.
Amit, touche :-) I probably made a bit too much of my post 4 years ago, but it was mainly for context. Of course *a lot* of other people had the same thoughts.
I've had some emails from readers upset about the political views in this post. Interested in peoples thoughts on that.
Richard when people tell you that you can't do this (a political post on a tech blog) just remind them of the three words...Yes We Can! ;)
From France :-)
Richard,
No please do not feel bad about your feeling. Has american with a view of what the world's future shape sould be I do respect you.
Yes america has to change and its PEOPLE took the path. That path will have an impact over the entire world, so yes we all are very happy today.
Now a lot of work have to be done, so let forget the colors we ran for and understand that it is now time to rebuild!
I don't mind political rants as long as I have a way to filter you out from the rest of rrw. Is this possible?
Hopefully one of many celebrations to come in the next 4 years.
Awesome! I figured out how to do it with Pipes. Richard you can continue posting political topics.
Anyone interested in filtering out this author from RRW just subscribe to this feed...
http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.run?_id=wFxTK2ur3RG9stMArbQIDg&_render=rss
Um, Badgerblu (post 16)... Here are a few examples from somebody who doesn't follow world politics much, so I'm sure there are many more: Canada, Pakistan, India, UK (female leaders), Brazil (work class leader), Argentina, Chile (female leaders), Bolivia (native leader).
So, yes, it is true. The US is behind on this. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that they're catching up with the world.
What bothers me is to hear the last country to elect a minority into power say they will inspire and change the world! Please...
I think expressing political opinions on a blog matters. It gives the blog more of a personality and lets you know more about the person behind the blog.
Sometimes the news itself just isn't as interesting as the person that is presenting the news.
I am so terrified of Obama for my children and family because of his association with highly radical university educated killers who have a plan in place for the extermination of tens of millions of Americans. We are very afraid.
Mary
The entertainment industry has made itself public enemy 1# for coaching young Americans how to ruin their country before they even gained the wisdom to know better. But even though, as the passing promise of this once great nation falls into the greedy hands of socialism(the meaning of which obviously lost), makes true the comment, "we deserve the government we elect". God have mercy on us all.
It's a dark day for me. I wanted to wear black today because I was in mourning for my country, but I don't have black scrubs. I was just sick to my stomach about his win... ALL day today.
It won't take long for America to see the mistake. I cannot tell you how many comments I heard today, from patients, who are curious about the cost of land in Canada.
Yes, really.
Richard, everyone has their right to an opinion; that's America.
What I am disturbed about is that somehow a person who passion and clarity suddenly has qualifications to be president. I have a feeling a lot of people were swooned by him without caring about the details. A very educated guy I spoke with recently said: "I read his book and was inspired. So I'll vote for him". No consideration for core beliefs, judgement, nothing. Many of the dictators of the 20th century came to power the same way.
1 2 Next