A defining moment in history.

[Quicksilver]

I have said many times that Mr. Obama or any president
for that matter at times are not elected because of the issues.
The reasons run much deeper depending on who you are.

Part of Obama's speech describes a defining moment
in that regard. It surprises me that most people have not
looked below the surface and recognized what is going on.

Here's the text that illustrates my point.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.

But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.
She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing -

Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;
when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -
the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't,
and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed,
she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.
Yes, we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land,
she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "we shall overcome". Yes, we can.

A man touched down on the Moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.

[ZsX5o3]

Yes that was amazing. and..

Wow does she look good for 106!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/...enarian.votes/

[ylwjacket]

God Bless her. She has seen a lot, and overcome more.

Wait - are we still allowed to mention God in public now?

[chonko]

What I take away from this election is the yearning for a new direction from the country.
I honestly believe we as Americans can overcome any obstacle if we set our hearts to it. When I hear "Yes We Can" those are the emotions that I feel- collectively we are strong.

[JCL]

I thought that was an amazing speech. I agree with chonko that what voters were looking for was a new direction, at least that is how I see it. I also agree with Quick that it is a defining moment.

I congratulate you all on peacefully and decisively choosing your new president. I hope he can deliver now, he certainly has challenges in front of him.

[tijanaw]

That speech was definitely a master piece, at some point it almost seems like it was MLK speaking.

[AW8]

I have just posted the following on x5drivers.co.uk ( please excuse the pasting but my sentiments still stand as posted elsewhere minutes ago).

I appreciate there may be a variety of american political issues I may be unaware of but :


" Barack Obama's post victory speech - absolutely superb.

Took the time to watch it in its entirety today on sky news multiscreen.

I'm cynical and have little time for politicians but I found his speech truly moving - I hope he's as good as a leader as he is at speaking - he'd would have got my vote !

Nice to see someone speak apparently openly and passionately.

Far more convincing than many politicians I could name in the uk.

Genuinely pleased for him, his family and supporters.

History in the making today ! "