And Change Prevailed

Last night as many put it, turned a new page of history in US and perhaps who knows in world politics. Me, keeping myself awake on our living room couch, watching data and analysis on CNN found myself delighted not only through high tech performance and glittering hologram show but also by watching the enthusiasm and joy shared by many in America (By the way, would someone please ask Wolf Plitzer of situation room not to tell us ten times per hour that his team is best political team on television?). 

It may seem incomparable but to me as an outsider, the atmosphere is so similar to the time when we in Iran elected reformist Khatami to office. Apart from the shear and obvious difference between these two elections in many aspects, I can see two major drivers that worked similarly to help change prevail. The young and first time voters and their enthusiasm was the major player in both elections who seek and admire change.  One can also say that the high turnout in both cases was a reflection of the disgust from the past. People in distress choking of terrible experience of past governments could embrace any strong hand tapping on their shoulders, opening the path for fresh air.

One thing I am hoping is that a rationale and structure of thoughts that we have seen from Obama could defeat the language of dogma that shadowed White house for eight years and resonated into the safe havens of all the other dogmatic power beholders, creating a cascade of hate that polluted our minds and still itches our senses. Maybe the first thing Obama should do is to release some emergency oxygen masks. After all, two engines are burning on war fire and the economy is plunging hard. By the way, seems that the previous pilot forgot to turn on the fasten seat belt sign!

Comments

[Michelle Tucker]

Hahaha. Thank you for that situation room comment. Don't take anything the American Media says at base fact. I'm sure you already know this, but they really like to think that they run things. Generally, the American people just let them believe this and go on living.

We are proud of our new President-elect, though, even though we still may not be sure what the future holds. Hope, however, is better than despair. Glad you followed the election! :)

<3
Michelle

[Hiva]

I agree with similarities between khatami's election and Obama's. I hope no american ahmadinejad show up in the following...

[Don Cox]

And very little real change came from Khatami's election.
I wish I could be more optimistic, but we have had 11 years of New Labour in Britain, with policies much the same as Obama's. It has been a depressing experience.

As for the possible swing back, Sarah Palin is the US equivalent of Ahmadinejad.