The Day After the Election –Final Reflections

I thought you might be interested in what some Italians said to me (REPEATEDLY in different fashions) in the streets and the pub just before, during, and immediately after our election:

“It’s really great that Obama will be your president; we all need him; we all need change.”

“You know it says a lot that you elect him, not about him, but about Americans.”

“I don’t know how you voted for Bush a second time; you can’t make the mistake a 3^rd time!?!????” –This last one was said with pleading eyes, searching for agreement, and unfortunately I could give him no reassurance as I was losing my hope as the election results trickled in. You see, I’m Irish, or at least half (the better half as my mother likes to say,) and although we are dreamers and believers, when the time comes, we pray for the best while expecting the worst.

I was in Florence, in a B&B that had no TV and no internet connection. So at midnight I wandered over to the Irish pub with my laptop (they had Wi-Fi) and watched their CNN with a bunch of university students from all over the world. My Microsoft cousin and I were pinging back and forth till 2am, she was watching NBC, I was getting results from CNN, CBS, and Fox (I know but I had to –the Irishside wanted to see the worst case scenario.) So at 2am they closed the pub and I had no news except McCain had won KY and WV and Obama VT. VT!!!!!??????? That was hardly going to do it. So I went to bed and hoped for the best but expected the worst.

When I awoke the sun was shining; it hadn’t shown for 6 days but rather had been cold and wet, reminding me of home. Home seemed so far away at that moment; all the world knew and I knew nothing. The election had gone on without me. With my face to the sun, the Irish-me said, “Oh please, dear God, shining the sun will not be enough to soften the blow.” I wandered over to the pub and shocked the bartender, who must have thought I needed a straight jacket, as I stood in front of the TV staring, mesmerized, laughing, and then crying. Strange American Girl.

I had a professor in college who said my generation would never amount to anything because we had not had a great national tragedy in our lives to respond to like he had with Vietnam. Out of his Vietnam tragedy came great poets, musicians, and artists; because it takes great tragedy to bring about new movements, at least this was his theory. Well, September 11 was my generation’s great tragedy or so I had thought. But out of that single event came many more tragedies rather than a great new movement. Pick your tragedy: war in Afghanistan, war in Iraq, reputation around the world, economy, class warfare, the war on civil rights, etc—any one of these could have started a new movement. But they didn’t, it took the collection of them, not any one event or tipping point to start this new movement, and like a dear friend of mine has reminded me, the election is just one step in the movement of my generation. It will take a collection of events to make this a movement worthy of great poetry, music, and art.

In tribute to my professor’s theory, I have included the lyrics and the link to a song by Scottish musician, Sandi Thom, from her album “Smile…It Confuses People” (and it really does-I do it all the time!) She’s no Bob Dylan but we’re young, the best is yet to come!

“I wish I were a Punk Rocker”

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In seventy-seven and sixty-nine revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When the head of state didn't play guitar
Not everybody drove a car
When music really mattered and when radio was king
When accountants didn't have control
And the media couldn't buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn't know everything

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In seventy-seven and sixty-nine revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When pop stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when god saved the queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
My mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In seventy-seven and sixty-nine revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand me downs
And playing games meant kick arounds
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In seventy-seven and sixty-nine revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

If I had children today

I just watched Obama take his daughters to the voting booth and I thought about how significant this day is for them. Their dad’s name is on the ballot; how cool is that?! Yet, they will never know exactly how monumental today is to the rest of the world.

I don’t have children to share the importance of what today means but if I had daughters right now I would tell them this:

Today is a once in a lifetime day for me, but I hope the beginning of many “once and a lifetime” events for you and future generations. Today we elect a president who’s a mediator. A mediator is someone who brings parties together, not to compromise, but to collaborate; a mediator gives hope to parties who believe a solution is impossible; and a mediator reminds us that we can respectfully disagree and still work together. Today we elect a strong, intelligent and peaceful, young man who strongly believes in our nation’s constitution and rule of law. Today we elect a leader who believes in transparency, tolerance, and hope, three elements crucial to being a leader and a fair human being. Today, in choosing this “first family,” we show the world our diversity, respect, and admiration for all humanity that our country has finally evolved to.

Today we put a great deal of faith in a man who has reminded us that we, as individuals, must participate in our own success. And we do this because he has promised to lead in a manner that will put our collective resources to their greatest use. This is what an effective leader does. After the September 11 attacks and the Afghani War that followed, many Americans (and other countries) had a collective desire to help rebuild America, but we were never given a direction and there was no leadership. Many groups tried to do it on their own, but government and leadership are crucial to making such work successful. This is the hope and expectation I have for the Obama administration and the commitment I will make to my country in my own life’s work.

Americans are not afraid of hard work and with the right leadership and encouragement, Americans can do great things. It is my greatest hope for you and me and all mankind that an Obama administration will live up to its promises of making this country not the red or the blue states, democrats or republicans, but rather the United States of America. Today I elected Obama for me, you, America, and the whole wide world.

Elections Overseas

It is the Big Day and I am in an Irish Pub called the Lion's Fountain, 200 meters from my hotel in Florence. It is 10am and nothing is happening in the US but we're getting ready for the vote here with newspapers and buzz at the pub about whether it will be crowded tonight. The Swedish bartender is trying to understand how 52% of the US voted for Bush and how they might now vote for McCain-Palin. Needless to say, I don't have a sufficient answer for him and he complains, "But he's soooo old! And she seems soooo stupid!" I asked him if he votes in his Swedish elections and he replies, "usually, though this last time I didn't because I didn't care." "Well my Swedish friend, that is exactly what Obama supporters are worried about, youngsters that don't care."

My friend Lyn sent me the funniest thing from Moveon.org. It's a video you can send to your friends about how YOU (actually fill-in the blank with your friend's name) ruined the election by not voting. It is the funniest thing, so if you have any young voters in your life (ie: anyone under the age of 35) feel free to pressure them with it. Here's my video below (don't worry I voted!)

http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=4zVhnauBBJq6c2LhiWjmnDI3Njc2OQ--&referred_by=6190027-7Pm_AIx

I can't tell you how good it feels to be in Florence for this election. This is a very college town with something like 26 US colleges with programs here. I wouldn't say I am lonely for home but after spending a weekend trying to figure out Milan with the parents and a month of trying to figure out Toscana and Umbria, I am relieved to be a place I "know." This is my 3rd time in Florence and I know where to get my panni and I know where to get my caffe and I know both the local and the touriste markets. Adventure is exciting and exhausting, familiarity is quiet and comforting. Of course, one needs both.

Enjoy your election.