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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2008 > November > 05 > Entry
blog: “Your country Is amazing!”
I have never been prouder of my state. My country. We have shown what we truly are made of. We went through a hotly contested —sometimes quite nasty — election process and then voted vigorously and peacefully and, once again, showed the world what true democracy can be.
A couple of weeks ago here — in a dispatch entitled “Ashamed of Some Fellow Ohioans” — I was critical of some folks in this state who had been spewing racial and religious hate at a Sarah Palin rally. While they may have been a minority, they were loud and unwavering in their disparagement of Barack Obama.
I said we are better than that here in Ohio — and while some people took great offense to that — in the end, we showed just that.
For the most part people here were concerned about the economy, health care, the war, the way we interact with the rest of the world and not the color of a man’s skin.
Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States and Ohio played a big part in it. When he won the state and its 20 electoral votes Tuesday, it sent a a ripple across the country. As Charles Wilson on Slate.com put it: “An Obama win in Ohio preserves the state’s role as an election kingmaker.”
People embraced Obama’s message of hope and his non-polarizing style along the campaign trail. They saw his focus and certitude and they believe in his competence.
As was said in Wednesday’s USA Today: “If racial prejudice and mistrust die in a thousand moments of progress, this is the most important one in a long, long time.”
No one helped that thought along more Tuesday night than Republican candidate John McCain, who once again showed what a good man he is.
His concession speech was full of grace and good will and showed more than anything how much he loves his country. He’s given long service and much sacrifice to our nation, has stood up to the most partisan of advocates and regularly has reached across the Congressional aisle and shown the power of compromise to get something done.
In the years to come, it would be great to see him playing a pivotal role with the new president in moving this country back in the right direction again.
I know there are some people who still don’t get it. As I do almost every day, I stopped by the United Dairy Farmers store at Brown and Stewart Streets early this morning and a guy had just been in there on a rant that was full of prejudicial passion.
He told everyone “This is the worst thing to happen to American… It’s the end of the world.”
The end of his world maybe — and we are the better for that.
As I watched the returns come in last night — and saw the huge crowds gathered across the country from Chicago’s Grant Park to Times Square in New York City — I remembered a scene that struck me three days after the Olympics ended this past summer. I was still in Beijing, staying at a media village that housed people from all over the world.
I walked into our communal dining area for breakfast that Wednesday morning and saw everyone — people from across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean — all fixated on the television. It was tuned to CNN and because of the time difference. it was still Tuesday night here in the U.S.
Everyone was watching the Democratic Convention. People were mesmerized by it. They all wanted to know what was going to happen in America.
A couple of days ago, I got a phone call from one of my best friends — a columnist in London — and all he talked about was the election. He wanted to know how Ohio would vote, what black athletes thought, what people in the farmlands of northwest Ohio where I’m from were thinking.
Another columnist at his paper — prefacing a recent story with “why so many of us love the United States,” — noted how the first 26 U.S. presidents could have owned the possible 44th as a piece of property and then marveled about the remarkable transformations our nation undergoes.
And then this morning, I got the biggest surprise.
I got an e-mail from a sportswriter I know in Estonia. His message contained just four words:
“Your country is amazing!”
Like I said, I’m proud today.
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Comments
By SOS
November 12, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
I guess only time will tell if the right decision was made for the country.
By Teacher
November 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Dear SOS, please note that I did not call you a liberal…I don’t even know you. Obama’s voting record and comments tells us that he is extremely liberal by supporting abortions, including partial birth abortions. I find that anyone that thinks it’s okay to kill the most innocent, an unborn child, they are a liberal. If someone has a socialistic governmental viewpoint, they are a liberal. And so on and so forth. God help us.
By SOS
November 12, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Teacher - I am so NOT argumentative and I don’t mean to come off that way. I was just going by some of your comments - “Look folks, those who voted for John McCain did so because of his polical views, he life long commentment to our country and to his moral character, not because of race.” That seemed like a generality to me. That was my point. BTW, just because I supported Obama does not make me a Liberal. I’m not a party-line voter. I vote for who I think will do the best job. Geesh - this is why I try to stay away from these boards and political talk in general. :)
By Teacher
November 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
SOS, you appear to be an argumentative sort, which is just not my style. I never stated that I was speaking for “all” McCain voters, surely your are familar with generalities. Liberal hatred for conservative morality means nothing to me personally, as that’s an issue between the liberal and God. My recommendation is..be nice :o)
By SOS
November 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
My point is, Teacher, that you can not speak for each and every citizen that voted for McCain. I am well aware that not all of them may have voted the way they did because of the color of Obama’s skin, but I’m certainly not going to be ignorant enough to think that some did. That’s like saying that Obama supporters only voted for him because of his color. Did some of them? Heck, yeah. But not all of them.
By Teacher
November 7, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
S.O.S., you will need to select your own lottery numbers. McCain supporters voiced their concerns regarding the canidates’ substance and not on the superficial. Ohio GOP supported Ken Blackwell for governor because of his policial platform…pigmentation had nothing to do with it.
By irishguy
November 7, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
I hope I’m wrong, but I think BHO is going to make things worse. Gov’t is too big now and he’s going to make it larger. And the “spread the wealth around” remark worries me quite a bit. We’re a democratic Republic, not a socialist state.
By Same old stuff
November 7, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Teacher - so, are you speaking for every McCain voter by saying that none of them voted due to Obama’s color? If you have that much insight, can I have this week’s winning lotto numbers?
By Jack
November 7, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
I am excited for our country that so many people out there voted. What I am not excited for is that a majority of Americans did vote because of race and not actual policies. Please dont weep in front of cameras when you have no idea what the man represents, just that he represents your skin color. Which is not to say I have a problem with African-Americans voting for a fellow African-American. I think the early commercials showing that our President-Elect was more of a celebrity then a politician. He will have to show that he has actual substance. Gore got caught up being a celebrity…hopefully Obama will not.
By Jeremy
November 7, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
“No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens.” I disagree. Most people in the world have nothing against the citizens and everything against the government. Having traveled significantly in recent years I can say this to be very accurate from the people I have met. There are more ill feelings against Bush and the current administration than there are against the citizens of our country. I think Americans are upset with the direction this country is going due to some of the policies the current administration has adopted and how it has affected our economy and international perception. That is not to say that having a house, running water, or food makes anyone ungreatful but the significant changes are in the wrong direction and is not something the United States should be doing.
By Patty
November 7, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
David Letterman wrote this; it’s the David we don’t often see…. ‘As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.’ ‘The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?’ A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week? B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state. F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either. H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings. K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable’ discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.’ ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’ -David Letterman
By Teacher
November 7, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Dear S.O.S. I think there were more people voting for Barak Obama because he is a man of color causing many to turn a blind eye to his socialistic upbringing, associations and actions. McCain voters were not voting against a man of color, but for a man of moral convictions and life commentments to God, family and country.
By Same old stuff
November 7, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
So, teacher - what you’re telling us is that there are no racists left out there who would vote for McCain purely because they would not want to see a man of color (since he’s “not black”) in the White House? That’s a really nice thought, but not very realistic!
By Teacher
November 7, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
Look folks, those who voted for John McCain did so because of his polical views, he life long commentment to our country and to his moral character, not because of race. Barack H Obama is not half black, he is the first Arab-American President, not the first black President. Barack Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother’s side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father’s side. While Barack Obama’s father was from Kenya , his father’s family was mainly Arabs… Barack Hussein Obama’s father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab.It is my understanding that his father’s birth certificate even states he’s Arab, not African Negro.
By Same old stuff
November 6, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
When a co-worker of mine told me yesterday that she didn’t think race would be an issue in the next 5 or 10 years, I told her she was crazy. Posts on these boards just prove my point. Ignorance is not going anywhere.
By jimmie
November 5, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
There you go again Arch - jumping into politics. I have no doubt that Obama was elected because of his race - not in spite of it. Just look at the euphoria over his election. I would prefer that folks get elected or defeated because of their policies. All that being said, it is probably a good thing. We now longer have to listen to all the ranting about how a black man can’t get elected president because this country is racist.
By Same old stuff
November 5, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
To Politically Correct - it is still people like you that try to hold this country back. To say that the majority of the votes that our President Elect received was because of his skin color is ridiculous. I am a white female who voted for him because of his beliefs and what I think he can do for this country and for my family. And I definitely don’t think that I am in the minority.
By Same old stuff
November 5, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
To Politically Correct - it is still people like you that try to hold this country back. To say that the majority of the votes that our President Elect received was because of his skin color is ridiculous. I am a white female who voted for him because of his beliefs and what I think he can do for this country and for my family. And I definitely don’t think that I am in the minority.
By Politically Correct
November 5, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Got news for ya, Joanie. The majority of the Socialist candidate’s votes came only because of his skin color — not about change, not about reaching across the aisle, etc. The only racial hatred you see spewed about is by blacks. Rev Wright’s “GD America” ring a bell? There’s your racial hatred & divide. All I can say to you is stand by…. you’re gonna see a whole lotta change real soon! & that change is in the form of full blown SOCIALISM!
By sad american
November 5, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
There are college presidents who have more leadership experience in the world than barak h obama. It has nothing to do with his color. I’m tired of it even being brought up. Does this mean that we are now all finally equal?
By sad american
November 5, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
There are college presidents who have more leadership experience in the world than barak h obama. It has nothing to do with his color. I’m tired of it even being brought up. Does this mean that we are now all finally equal?
By Terry T
November 5, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
This is the America we all love and respect,when Reagan said “tear down that wall”in Germany, who could have forseen that same passion used here in the USA to take us in to the future with this wonderful pick for president.Our country is amazing!!!
By STINGERS
November 5, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Bullshit……..
By Joanie
November 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I know there are many people who still condemn our new President and, as Tom witnessed, some are still are filled with racial hatred. I know that there are people who voted against Obama because of race (but certainly not even most of them) and those who voted for him because of race (but again, certainly not most of us). But now I have hope that someday we all will be able to refer to our racial divisions and declare “Free at last!”