(no subject)
As much as I hate the 24 hour news networks, for their banal overanalysis, constant punditry, and general inability to segregate the profound from the trivial (or even just shut up), I can't seem to turn CNN off. It's just an amazing day for America. It's all well and good that he's the first black president, and I certainly don't mean to disparage or minimize the significance of that, but I think even more important is that he's one of the first intelligent presidents in ages. Many of the others (Clinton, Bush Sr., Reagan, Carter, etc.) have been great speakers, accomplished political wonks, or generally just 'good with people', but I can't recall the last president that you truly felt was the smartest person in the room, regardless of the room. That he seems a principled, honourable, and compassionate individual just seems too good to be true. It took a lot to break my cynicism, but I can't help but feel proud again of this moment.
And as one aside, I keep hearing people say that Obama taught them that anyone could be president. Just my two cents, but I think GWB was the one that really showed us that damn near -anyone- could become president.
And as one aside, I keep hearing people say that Obama taught them that anyone could be president. Just my two cents, but I think GWB was the one that really showed us that damn near -anyone- could become president.