Barack Obama thank you...

As my first ever blog entry I am so happy I could write this at a time when history is being made. The date of November 4th 2008 will live on in the memories of all of us. It is the stories we will pass on to our children and them onto theirs. This was the day that America improved itself as a nation and now gives itself the chance to lead the world into a brighter future.

This election was historic for many, many, reasons. Obviously 'race' being what many political analysts where focusing on. Thankfully and ultimately this contest was not about 'race' for most, it was about having someone who believed that people wanted change. No disrespect to John McCain and the decisions he made during the contest, but he was a 20th century guy in a 21st century world. Plus having the albatross of the worst president in history hanging round his neck, he was on a hiding to nothing.

Having lived in the United States for over 5 years now I finally wake-up knowing that at long last this country has woken up to the fact that there can be a better future for us all if we truly believe it can happen. My wife and I made donations to Barack Obama, not because we wanted too, i'd rather have spent it on Pizza to be honest !!! However it felt that there was a unique calling on this occasion to try and do something good, something honest.

As an outside observer to this process, never in my life have I witnessed such passion, energy and drive for change. When the results came in last night for Ohio it was obvious to most that the deal was sealed and Barack Obama would be the next president of the United States and ultimately the free world.

When he delivered his acceptance speech I felt that this was a one of those moments in history which would always be pointed at as when 'good triumphed over evil'. In my lifetime and indeed most people's those moments are few and far between. From my own experience, the release of Nelson Mandela, the collapse of the Berlin Wall and indeed Arsenal winning the league at Spurs in 2004 ;-) were probably the best examples of this. Not that I ever voted for Labour when I lived in England, but I can start to understand their euphoria at finally defeating the Tories in 1997 in such a way it would change the political climate for generations to come.

Seeing those people on the streets in New York and Chicago just so happy gives you hope that as people we can overcome whatever barriers that may be in our way. In fact it was poinient when there was a cheering crowd gathering outside the White House. I asked myself why would people do that ? Part of me wanted to see those people rip down those fences and remove George Bush and all of his cronies so we can start our tomorrow today.

No doubt I will be writing alot more over the next few days, weeks, months and years, but today I think I can say that we have all played our part in history and when Barack Obama delivered his speech, telling us the story of a woman of 106 years old who had voted. He went on to tell us about all she had seen in her lifetime and how when the people of America were told "You can't do that" (something particularly prevalent during the Bush administration). On the occasions that as a people we stand strong, we can all say "YES WE CAN".

Thank you Barack Obama, thank you.