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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

God Bless America

Yes, God Bless our nation and God Bless our world as a whole.
...and yes. God Bless President Elect Obama. It’s would be hard to imagine two more moving addresses than Senator McCain’s concession speech and President Elect Obama’s victory speech.
Congratulations to President Elect Obama and congratulations to Senator McCain for all that he achieved in this campaign. To quote from President Elect Obama's victory speech, "He fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader."
No matter which way you voted, this is a great day for our nation. The election process, this FREE election process is testament to one of the things I love most about my nation. More people participated in this election than in any other in recent history. That’s a good thing.
No, that is a fantastic thing. The exact percentage of voters who cast their ballots yesterday will not be determined for days or even weeks, but there is every indication that a historic number of American citizens participated in the election process this year. I realize that many who stop by Rabbit Run Cottage are disappointed today. Some of my friends and family members join you in your disappointment. Many I know through blogging, as well as other friends and family, are thrilled with last night's results. But the campaign is now over. The people have spoken and now is the time to put aside any rancor and come together as a nation. This man, Barack Obama, in just a few weeks time, will take on one of the most difficult jobs in the world. He will also be the US military Commander in Chief. For that alone he deserves your respect. One of the things I learned in 27 years as a military wife was to hold our Commander In Chief in respectful high esteem, whether you agree with all of his policies and ideals or not. He has a difficult job ahead of him and needs our prayers and well wishes. Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation's 44th president Tuesday, breaking the racial barrier to become the first African American to be elected to the country's highest office. This nation, stained by slavery, scarred by years of civil war and generations of racial strife, delivered a resounding victory to the 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois. His victory was a giant leap in the march toward equality for all people regardless of race, color, sex or religion. When President Elect Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying. This alone is reason to celebrate. I well remember a nation of segregated schools and the fight for voting privileges for all Americans regardless of color. No matter which way your political leanings may be, all Americans must see this defining moment with great pride. It is truly a historic moment, one that I feel blessed to have witnessed.
We must come together as Americans, as one nation, as one people. Our country deserves that... no...our country demands that. Continued division hurts our nation and demeans us as human beings. We must find a way to work through our differences and respect one another as thoughtful, well meaning, educated people. Those who disagree with us are not ignorant, stupid, Un-American, Un-Christian sheep being led to slaughter. No one I know, no matter which way they voted, fits these assumptions. We can do better than this. We MUST do better than this. To quote from President Elect Obama's speech last night, "This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America." Yes...God Bless America. God Bless you all.

35 comments:

Sugar Bear said...

It is such a wonderful and humbling to be able to witness this moment in history.
Karla

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

A wonderful post my friend.
xo
Penny

Gretchen said...

Amen. Beautifully said.

SaraG said...

Great post.
I sent you an email to your address on your profile.
Take care!

SmilingSally said...

I can only wish that this country had come together during the past eight painful years, but so many thought that it was fun to Kick at the president. I will pray for my president (Bush) and my president-elect (Obama) and even for John McCain. I will not listen to or join in with those who mock that office.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post, Sue.

Yesterday, our 18 year old granddaughter, Xanti, voted for the first time. I wonder what my Granny, who, along with other women of her era, did not have the "right" to vote, until she was 27 years old, thought, as she "watched" her great great granddaughter vote for the first time.

And imagine the opportunities, our sweet Gabi and Drew might have. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could grow up in a world where they aren't attacked or bullied because of the color of their skin or heritage.

Perhaps there are better times ahead, for all. I certainly hope so. We must come together and remain united. No matter who our choice was in the 2008 Presidential Election. We absolutely must.

I am not one to talk politics, but your post moved me so much, I just had to comment.

Latharia said...

Wonderfully expressed sentiments! I'm pushing for some change, myself!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Great post! It was a momentous day in American history! The biggest step our country has taken, in over 40 years, to cross the racial boundaries that prejudice has placed upon us. As my DIL said (who was a McCain supporter) "it was a win-win situation for me".

I loved what President Elect Obama said..."And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too."

The man's got grace...we could use a little bit of that in the oval office.

Salmagundi said...

Three cheers for UNITY!! Sally

Laume said...

I have to say, your post reminds me of both Obama's and McCain's speeches last night - meant to mend instead of rip. You're one gracious rabbit!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wonderful post! Both speeches touched me!

Manuela

bj said...

A wonderful post and you said it so vey well!

NOW...on to OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS...
I am needing a RABBIT RUN COTTAGE "SHOW US YOUR KITCHEN PICTURES AGAIN" FIX.....

Tammy said...

You're a good bloggy friend but I am going to politely disagree and hope we're still friends...
If it were a godly African American who had been elected, I would be rejoicing greatly right now at this historic first...but as it is, my heart is just deeply saddened.

But I'm praying for him...and for our country like never before.

Cindy said...

Very well said Susie Q! It was such an honor to be part of such an historic event in our lifetime! I'm feeling very hopeful about our future with him as our leader!

Ruey said...

Hello Dear SQ!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have been VERY neglectful of it, and to all my blogging buddies too! Life has just taken a priority to my computer fun, so I am so sorry I haven't been around. I really miss your wonderful blogship and sharing. Thanks for this recent post. While I did not vote for Obama, it was only because I didn't agree with most of his beliefs and where he is headed with the nation. As a Christian, a lot of what he believes doesn't line up with what I believe. As a person, he seems to be very charasmatic and likeable.Race is not an issue for me at all. I just wish he agreed with the values I do! Only God know's where this is headed, and I hope we can all sit back and say that this was a good thing. Only time will tell us that, but in the meantime, I have to keep the faith and know that God is the one that is really in control!
I LOVE what Obama said about Mc Cain. It made me cry!
You have been such a wonderful blogging buddy, SQ!!!
xxxooo Ruth

Justabeachkat said...

Nice post Susie Q!

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

Yes, God Bless American.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susie Q! Thank you for your beautiful post today.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Harbor Hon said...

Wow Sue! I've never heard it put so eloquently. Thank you for sharing that. xxoo

Carole Burant said...

Congratulations to your President-elect! I hope that he can get America back on its feet and that he will be able to prove himself. I just don't envy him the job of cleaning up the mess that Bush is leaving behind! xoxo

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Wow! Well said Susie Q. Although I did not vote for Obama, you are correct when you said we all need to come together. As a Christian, I know it is our duty to respect him despite personal feeligs. I will be praying for him.

Wendster said...

I really enjoyed both of those speeches.

I agree! Let's support our leaders. And pray for them. I pray that they make good decisions when leading our nation, and that they come from integrity and honor when they make those choices.

It sure was good to get an e mail from you the other day, beautiful friend.

Thanks for checking in on me.

Love love love!

Wendster bo bendster Wenderilla

Wendster said...

p.s. You have made some beautiful changes to your blog page. It looks absolutely beautiful. Love the leaves up and down the side, and love the header.

Really really nice.

You always have such nice pictures here. How talented you are!

Wendster said...

OK. That's IT. No I can NOT stop myself from going on and on, because I just read ALL THE WAY THROUGH OCTOBER 9TH'S POST AND THEY WERE SOOOOOOOOOO ENJOYABLE!!!

Things like THIS are what make you so funny:

Walk dog. Dog walks me. Call it a draw.

And why does Bill run? to stay away from mayonaisse! LOLOLOL!

You are just too funny.

And such great photos of all of those porches!

I have been LONGING. Yes ... L.O.N.G.I.N.G. for porch photos. And I come here and there they are.
And I love love loved!!! my birthday trip to New York with you!

Happy 52 birthday!!!! Yes ... I DID have a party in your honor at my house. We even had spider cake. It was yummy and green. And we had lots of chocolate, too. And donuts. And peanuts. Do you like those?

I loved Kips night out, as per usual.

And how sweet of you to post about your friends' dear departed animals.

I loved the way, in the New York birthday post, you brought the "Brian has run to find me a gift" around to his restraining order being a gift.

You are just TOO TOO CLEVER.

OK. I'm just falling asleep tired, here, so I'm losing those little bits of memories that I had listed in my head that I was going to comment on ... but I most certainly DID enjoy catching up on your blog.

You are just TOO talented of a writer.

Very very VERY entertaining.

Love love love and happy birthday. *(my gift? I'll help you hold Brian down while you get your birthday smoochie on the cheek.)*

Wendster your friendster

Alice said...

You are right, of course. I appreciated reading this as I'm one of the disappointed folks. Your words mean so much to me as you are someone I deeply respect. I'm going to try to do better.

Janet said...

Amen to all you said. I am not a very political person and hubbie and I are total opposites ( like Elizabeth and Whoopie on "The View"), so we avoid the topic at all costs. Now, perhaps we can speak again, although he may sulk for a while.

Janet

CIELO said...

Susie your blog is looking great! I love your new blog banner, did you take that awesome pic??? is that somewhere near your house??? is just lovely!... and yes, I'm with you in sentiments....

"Viva Obama"! Yes!

cielo

Rue said...

I'm praying that things will turn out better than my predictions. For once I would like to be wrong and that's not easy for me to say ;)

God Bless America...

love to you Susie Q :)
rue

Anonymous said...

I have sad news Sue. Please see my blog. xoxo

Terri Steffes said...

Well said, sweet Susie! I thought both speeches were inspired. Thank you for saying what needs to be said so that our nation can go forward and work together during this time. We need everyone to lend us their brains, skills and fortitude!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Preach it, sister! I couldn't agree with you more. And aren't we all glad that it's finally over and we won't have to see any more nasty campaign ads on TV for awhile? :-)

Brenda said...

Awesome post! Yes, we can, and Yes we must pull together and get this great country back on her feet. I have hope!

Thank you for stopping by to visit my blog!

Cheryl Wray said...

Wonderful, wonderful insights and post!

Native Pride said...

Wonderful post...

Anonymous said...

Forget God bless America.......GOD HELP AMERICA.
How anyone with brain cells left from the drugs they did in the past,that gives a damn for the USA,could vote for that maggot is beyond me.
Oh,unless you are black.None of them voted for him cause of his color,though.
What an effin JOKE. We are in big trouble now as a country.