The US presidential election is like the best reality TV show for me now. Ever since I read about the credentials of Barack Obama, heard his debates and speeches, got to know about his victory in Iowa and the imminent triumph in New Hampshire, it is no wonder this guy is such a big deal in the US where people queue for hours in freezing cold temperatures just to catch a glimpse of him. In Facebook, there were people who think he's the second coming of Christ because I came across a group that called themselves "Obama is not the second coming of Christ!"
Barack ObamaYou can easily find him on youtube when you type in his name. Just listen to him speak and you'll know what I mean.
His speeches were very inspiring and touched on all the right issues that matter to people - climate change, Iraq war, issues with the poor, the sick and the average citizen. He's got the magic and he gives hope to people listening to him. Even though I have nothing to do with it, I must attest that I too, was inspired after listening to his speeches. If only I have learnt about this guy last year, then it would have been so much easier trying to imagine the term "change agent" when we were learning it in Cambridge. He's the epitome of that!
Obama has also inspired me to think that it is possible to run an election without touching on sensitive matters like racial issues, spreading lies, hatred and deceit on other people. When I juxtaposed this with the way Malaysians hold our elections, we really have alot to do! For a start, political campaigns should never sow seeds of hatred of one segment of the nation while toadying the other segment deemed as larger or more promising of a victory. What we're missing or have been missing all these while is the quality of which campaigns can inspire and affirm us as a great citizen of the country or one that can be convincing enough for us to cast our votes without doubts.
Like a reality show, there are no predictable outcomes, no scripts and certainly no visibility of the next moves by the participants. The US presidential election is interesting in two ways; the possibility of having the first female president in American history (Hillary Clinton) or the first black American president, Barack Obama. Anyone who hasn't heard Obama or Clinton's speeches would deem these two reasons good enough to follow the news.
I am certainly one of them now. And am really gobsmacked how bloody hooked am I now to the internet, news on TV and newspapers!
6 comments:
same here...im hooked and awed over Obama's victory over Iowa but unfortunately he lost to Clinton in NH.His speeches are very inspiring.However,his chances of becoming the first black president may not materialize as sen. John mcCain is a strong democrat candidate over the southern states and many yankees believe he will triump eventually.It's gonna be exciting!
Err..Raymond, I think John McCain is a Republican.
I'm rooting for Obama. I feel like he is a breath of fresh air to American politics.
And also, Obama and I live in the same neighborhood here in Chicago! Hehe.
-Teri
Hey, I would like to suggest you guys reading his bestsellers, Dreams from My Father and the Audacity of Hope. They are equally inspiring and no matter you are a white or black or Asian, you'll learn something about yourself and others.
This may be the most important and history changing election for the US, seeing the challenges that we are facing and will be facing ahead. It's quite an exciting experience for me here in the US. It will be a great learning experience when the effects of the policy change alter the direction of the country...I'm an Obama girl. hahaha....
Tze Wei
Our political system is devoid of quality people, both government and opposition. The good ones in question, on the other hand, are waiting in the wings, put off by the stinking system. Unless something or someone breaks the deadlock, the great Malaysian brain drain shall continue unabated...
"...it is possible to run an election without touching on sensitive matters like racial issues, spreading lies, hatred and deceit on other people. When I juxtaposed this with the way Malaysians hold our elections, we really have alot to do!..."
results are what counts, i sure hope his inspiring speeches are not just flowery phrases full of rhetorical flourishes (as they would say).
And certainly the excitement over the US election is never going to happen in the UK (or Aus for that matter) where indifference, apathy and cycism are more apparent
Post a Comment