In the wake of Barack Obama’s monumental, historic victory in the United States Presidential election, here are some thoughts from my addled, sleep-deprived brain…
(1) I stayed up until 12:40am (no mean feat, when my usual wake up time is 5am), but it was worth a day of staggering around like a catatonic moron to hear that soaring, majestic victory speech.
Obama’s tale of the life of a 106-year-old female acquaintance wasn’t simpy a charismatic tale…it was the history of 20th century America in microcosm, wrapped up in a big bow of poetic rhetoric. Hope seemed to rain down from the sky as he spoke to tens of thousands in Chicago’s Grant Park…
(2) Unfortunately, there are signs that this historic movement of hope isn’t quite as successful as many of us want it to be. California…of ALL states…passed a constitution ban on gay marriage that is preposterous, and a sign that horrific, ugly prejudice is alive and well…even in the most liberal of American states. Minorities continue to be crucified on the altar of bigotry…shame on you, California.
(3) While we’re on the subject, certain statistics from last night convince me that racism is also alive and well (or, at the very least, still simmering, dangerously out of sight). Warm and fuzzy hope, notwithstanding…
For all the stunning magnificence of FINALLY electing an African-American to the highest office in the land, look at the electoral college map. The ex-Confederacy continues to vote solidly for right-wing Republicans, in spite of the gains in Virginia and (apparently) North Carolina. Meanwhile, as the Union continued to hold solid above the Mason-Dixon line, some stats provided comfort (eg. 66% of 18-29 year olds voted Obama; 61% of Latinos voted Obama) while others pointed to the fact that some things still need work (only 44% of white Americans voted Obama).
Dr. King would have been proud of yesterday’s events…but he’d be the first to remind Americans (and the rest of the supposedly “civilized” world) that the struggle isn’t over…not just yet.
(4) CNN introduced holographic technology during its coverage last night…
![holo_darth_sidious[1].JPG](http://www.danielkukwa.com/images/holo_darth_sidious%5B1%5D.JPG)
That’s right…HOLOGRAMS! Straight out of a Star Trek holodeck! My brain continues to hurt; no one should have to watch Anderson Cooper interview someone who isn’t really there.
It’s like watching the all-news version of a tele-conference between Darth Vader & Emperor Palpatine! In fact, I’ve decided to label the use of this new interview technology “Palpatine-ing”. Watch out for more “Palpatine-ings” in the future…and watch the geeky/sci-fi centres of your brain melt out through your ears.
(5) Finally…an ironic laugh on which to end this random rantiness.
CBC’s Washinton correspondent, Henry Champ, was reporting live when the spontaneous White House demonstration/party/mini-riot occurred, following Obama’s projection as the winner of the Presidency. There has never been a more explicit example of the divide between generations as there was when Mr. Champ, in describing how this event happened to CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, referred to college kids using their “text messaging machines” to spread the word about the demonstration/party/mini-riot.
“Text messaging machines”, eh? I picture giant, 1950s boxy devices, full of lights and giant buttons, spewing ticker-tape. I’m sure he did as well… ;-)
