General Election GDT 11/04/2008

[92bDad]

I will agree to an extent. Obama ran as an American who happened to be black...I don't like his views on the issues, but race to him was not a part of his platform.

However, there is no doubt that voting both for an against where a result of race on behalf of some voters. That is the frustrating part.

But regarding Obama, we are looking some bad ideas, that hopefully we have some politicians with courage who will stand up to the liberal/socials ideology fixing to hit Washington.

I will be ticked about this election and several things about this campaign...that go back several years.

[Maringa]

Congrats to Obama. Disappointed in the outcome, but it has been a long time coming. I think there will be a 6 month honeymoon period where he can do no wrong, but once people realize that his administration will not be able to effectively improve the economy, you will begin to see some cracks.

The Republican blew a perfect opportunity to lead during Bush's first term, to manage the budget, and implement safeguards that would have prevented the current financial mess. The Dow futures are currently down 300 plus points on the news. I imagine oil/energy stocks are going to take a hit until the investors figure out what's going to happen.

The demographics of our country will be changing so much during the next 10-20 years that I predict that you will begin to see new parties. The Republicans will die off, or will be relegated to a minor party like some of the conservative parties in Europe. The Democrats will become the new conservative/moderate party (Socialist Lite), as new parties are created to appeal to the other minorities, ultra left groups that are currently beginning to grow and spread. These new parties will exist because the Democrats will not move quickly enough to promote their ideals.

I just hope that Obama is able to move to the center and not implement some speculative suggestions that the conservatives have feared about Obama: fair doctrine, gun control, nationalizing 401K's, unconditional meetings with Iran, cease to be an ally to Israel, pull out of Iraq prematurely, etc.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

I'm dissapointed in you to be honest. This is one of the most beautiful days in history and you're on a message board spewing hate. Its not even about your opinions of Obama. We can agree to disagree. That's life. But put your hate aside for atleast 2 minutes and realize how beautiful this moment is right now.

It's really not that beautiful of a moment to almost half of the US. Many people believe that Obama is a pretty crappy guy.

[Murphy3]

[QUOTE=92bDad;922864]I will agree to an extent. Obama ran as an American who happened to be black...I don't like his views on the issues, but race to him was not a part of his platform.

[QUOTE]
It would have been stupid for Obama to make race part of his platform. He could get a chunk of the African American vote just because he's black. Making it a part of his platform would have led to failure in my opinion.

[ocelot_ark]

Like one of the CNBC anchors just rambled...

We just regained some of the naive, idealism that we lost when Robert Kennedy died. McCain's concession speech about got me in tears. I feel sorry for the guy. I have no doubt that he would have been a great president. But, with that said, I am truly excited about Obama's ability to captivate a nation like no other.

And images of Jesse Jackson crying, no matter how much I despise the guy, spoke volumes.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by Rhylan

I just want to be the first to say that Jesse Jackson was crying because he's out of a job.

You know i'm not fan of Jesse Jackson myself but i'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. He played a huge part in this election as well. More than some want to admit. Him and Shirley Chisolm both played a huge part in this. So I understand his tears. I'm sure after his failed campaign he thought he'd never see this day in his life. And he's been through it all. He was around when he couldn't even vote and he's here watching a black man get in office.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I don't think that anyone has to apologize for voting for a candidate just because they are of the same race. I truthfully wish that race wasn't a deciding factor for some, but it always will be. If you look at 2 candidates and truthfully cannot decide based upon what they stand for, then race or sex probably becomes a deciding factor for many. Hey, something has to be a deciding factor for those that otherwise cannot make up their minds. Perhaps it's age..

Personally, I cannot say that I have ever voted for someone based upon age, sex, or race...but, I suppose there could come a point to where I had to come up with a reason to decide between 2 candidates that I believed were equally qualified.

That's a very, very reasonable stand.

[Underdog]

Abraham Lincoln - 16th American President

Barack Obama - 44th American President


145 years is a relatively short time in human history, but it's been a long time coming in American history... Let's keep making history!

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by ocelot_ark

Like one of the CNBC anchors just rambled...

We just regained some of the naive, idealism that we lost when Robert Kennedy died. McCain's concession speech about got me in tears. I feel sorry for the guy. I have no doubt that he would have been a great president. But, with that said, I am truly excited about Obama's ability to captivate a nation like no other.

And images of Jesse Jackson crying, no matter how much I despise the guy, spoke volumes.

Do you really think he captivated the nation? The election was much closer than it ever should have been. Republicans should have had absolutely no shot to win this election following Bush and the economic downturn. If anything, I believe this race showed that the Democrats really didn't have a strong candidate.. that's the only reason why this election was as close as it was.. A candidate that America truly could get behind would have absolutely blown any Republican out of the water.

Now, some will say that he did blow McCain out of the water.. but, I truly believe that if Obama would have been someone that this country could really get behind, the popular vote would have had a much larger discrepancy.

With that being said, I wish for nothing but the best for Obama. He has his shot. Do the US a favor and make the absolute most out of it. Ideally, I hope he's in office for 8 years. I truthfully believe that this will mean that he's doing a damn fine job. Otherwise, I do believe that the US will have a short leash on any President in the near future that isn't doing a great job.

[jthig32]

Let me just say, as a white boy originally from West Texas, I'm unhappy about the outcome of this election. I agree with Obama on very few of the issues.

But setting aside all the issues for a second, you absolutely can not deny the historic, and moving event it is for this country to elect an African American President. You just can't.

[92bDad]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

I'm dissapointed in you to be honest. This is one of the most beautiful days in history and you're on a message board spewing hate. Its not even about your opinions of Obama. We can agree to disagree. That's life. But put your hate aside for atleast 2 minutes and realize how beautiful this moment is right now.

It's not hate...it's purely a sad day.

I disagree with his views and his proposals.

I believe there are some serious issues with groups such as ACORN.

Sure we want voter turn-out...but do we want turn out based on issues or based on cultural background?

After 8 years of hearing Bush Hate from the left and basically annointing this candidate with virtually no invesitgative reporting from the leftist media. I feel that America is being cheated.

McCain is an Honorable man and has said honorable things all along the way...but I believe Obama has simply done whatever it took to get elected and he has not called out those who used very questionable tactics.

I feel as though I have been robbed and quite frankly it angers me. My son, came home today after voting for the first time, and he looked at me with discouragement that his vote didn't count. The only positive was that I was able to explain to him that our vote is our ONLY voice and that we have to work hard in the next 2 years to make our vote count again!!!

Keep in mind that the Democrats had a LOWER approval rating as the majority in the House than the current Presidential administration...yet they are somehow gaining seats.

We need to truly push this message out and share with the young people and first time voters the Authentic hope through the Republicans...either than or defeat ALL Republicans with a new more conservative Independant party!!!

Again celebrate all you want...but as a Freedom Loving American, I must speak out and capitalize on my Freedom of Speech.

My communication is that of love for this nation...your feeling of Hate is your issue not mine. I will not apologize for loving this Nation and looking forward to campaigning against Liberalism/Socialism ideology!!! I am for Freedom and AGAINT Racism!!!

[Flacolaco]

I see Cornyn killed Noriega...I voted for the independent. That sorry SOB Cornyn voted for the bailout so I told him he was fired. I guess not.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

It's not hate...it's purely a sad day.

I disagree with his views and his proposals.

I believe there are some serious issues with groups such as ACORN.

Sure we want voter turn-out...but do we want turn out based on issues or based on cultural background?

After 8 years of hearing Bush Hate from the left and basically annointing this candidate with virtually no invesitgative reporting from the leftist media. I feel that America is being cheated.

McCain is an Honorable man and has said honorable things all along the way...but I believe Obama has simply done whatever it took to get elected and he has not called out those who used very questionable tactics.

I feel as though I have been robbed and quite frankly it angers me. My son, came home today after voting for the first time, and he looked at me with discouragement that his vote didn't count. The only positive was that I was able to explain to him that our vote is our ONLY voice and that we have to work hard in the next 2 years to make our vote count again!!!

Keep in mind that the Democrats had a LOWER approval rating as the majority in the House than the current Presidential administration...yet they are somehow gaining seats.

We need to truly push this message out and share with the young people and first time voters the Authentic hope through the Republicans...either than or defeat ALL Republicans with a new more conservative Independant party!!!

Again celebrate all you want...but as a Freedom Loving American, I must speak out and capitalize on my Freedom of Speech.

My communication is that of love for this nation...your feeling of Hate is your issue not mine. I will not apologize for loving this Nation and looking forward to campaigning against Liberalism/Socialism ideology!!! I am for Freedom and AGAINT Racism!!!

[rmacomic]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

It's not hate...it's purely a sad day.

I disagree with his views and his proposals.

I believe there are some serious issues with groups such as ACORN.

Sure we want voter turn-out...but do we want turn out based on issues or based on cultural background?

After 8 years of hearing Bush Hate from the left and basically annointing this candidate with virtually no invesitgative reporting from the leftist media. I feel that America is being cheated.

McCain is an Honorable man and has said honorable things all along the way...but I believe Obama has simply done whatever it took to get elected and he has not called out those who used very questionable tactics.

I feel as though I have been robbed and quite frankly it angers me. My son, came home today after voting for the first time, and he looked at me with discouragement that his vote didn't count. The only positive was that I was able to explain to him that our vote is our ONLY voice and that we have to work hard in the next 2 years to make our vote count again!!!

Keep in mind that the Democrats had a LOWER approval rating as the majority in the House than the current Presidential administration...yet they are somehow gaining seats.

We need to truly push this message out and share with the young people and first time voters the Authentic hope through the Republicans...either than or defeat ALL Republicans with a new more conservative Independant party!!!

Again celebrate all you want...but as a Freedom Loving American, I must speak out and capitalize on my Freedom of Speech.

My communication is that of love for this nation...your feeling of Hate is your issue not mine. I will not apologize for loving this Nation and looking forward to campaigning against Liberalism/Socialism ideology!!! I am for Freedom and AGAINT Racism!!!

For the love of all things American......STOP!

[Flacolaco]

Sometimes if you just ignore certain things and don't respond to them, they'll go away.

[Rhylan]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I see Cornyn killed Noriega...I voted for the independent. That sorry SOB Cornyn voted for the bailout so I told him he was fired. I guess not.

I was a little worried about Noriega so I went for Cornyn, but I wish I'd done what you did.

[92bDad]

Originally Posted by rmacomic

For the love of all things American......STOP!

Stop what? Being a Proud American who is celebrating America!!!

Duty, Honor, Country!!!

This is the greatest country in the world!!! I am celebrating by voicing my thoughts, opinions, feelings!!! Is there anything more American than free speech?

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

It's not hate...it's purely a sad day.

I disagree with his views and his proposals.

I believe there are some serious issues with groups such as ACORN.

Sure we want voter turn-out...but do we want turn out based on issues or based on cultural background?

After 8 years of hearing Bush Hate from the left and basically annointing this candidate with virtually no invesitgative reporting from the leftist media. I feel that America is being cheated.

McCain is an Honorable man and has said honorable things all along the way...but I believe Obama has simply done whatever it took to get elected and he has not called out those who used very questionable tactics.

I feel as though I have been robbed and quite frankly it angers me. My son, came home today after voting for the first time, and he looked at me with discouragement that his vote didn't count. The only positive was that I was able to explain to him that our vote is our ONLY voice and that we have to work hard in the next 2 years to make our vote count again!!!

Keep in mind that the Democrats had a LOWER approval rating as the majority in the House than the current Presidential administration...yet they are somehow gaining seats.

We need to truly push this message out and share with the young people and first time voters the Authentic hope through the Republicans...either than or defeat ALL Republicans with a new more conservative Independant party!!!

Again celebrate all you want...but as a Freedom Loving American, I must speak out and capitalize on my Freedom of Speech.

My communication is that of love for this nation...your feeling of Hate is your issue not mine. I will not apologize for loving this Nation and looking forward to campaigning against Liberalism/Socialism ideology!!! I am for Freedom and AGAINT Racism!!!

[92bDad]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Sometimes if you just ignore certain things and don't respond to them, they'll go away.

Saddly we ignored the Demos, the Media and well, we are paying for it now!!!

I refuse to ignore this stuff ever again and I will stand up and voice my opinions. It is time to rally the citizens and prepare for the mid-terms in 2010!!! and then again for a new hope in 2012!!!

The Dems counted on us ignoring them and now ... it just makes my blood boil!!!

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Let me just say, as a white boy originally from West Texas, I'm unhappy about the outcome of this election. I agree with Obama on very few of the issues.

But setting aside all the issues for a second, you absolutely can not deny the historic, and moving event it is for this country to elect an African American President. You just can't.

I suppose I'm different than everyone else. I don't give a rats ass about race...or gender when it comes to politics. We're several years removed from the time when blacks were enslaved.. we're several years removed from the time when women couldn't vote.. to where blacks couldn't vote..

Basically, I say get over it for the most part. It's not a part of my America anymore. I don't factor in the race of a person with my decisions. When a white player wins the MVP award in basketball, I don't say "it's a great time for our country". When there's more than 3-4 black starting pitchers in MLB, I don't say "what a glorious time for our country". When a black man scores a goal in the NHL, I don't say "Wow, this is truly great for the sport and great for the US and Canada". When a girl from Sanger has a powerlifting total of over 1200 pounds, I don't say "what a great time for women... I'd sure like to bone her". So yeah, when Obama wins the Presidency, I don't say "what a great moment for America."

Personally, I think it's a sad day for our country. I believe that he won the presidency because of the incompetency of our current president. I believe that he won the presidency not based upon his platform.. his beliefs..but because he represented change regardless of what that change is. To me, that makes this a sad time for our country. Why? Because I look at a candidate that was just elected into the most powerful position in the world not because of what he believed in or had accomplished..but because he represented something else... a something that many that voted for have absolutely no idea what in the hell it is...

Hey, to me, that's scary.

[Silk Smoov]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

You know i'm not fan of Jesse Jackson myself but i'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. He played a huge part in this election as well. More than some want to admit. Him and Shirley Chisolm both played a huge part in this. So I understand his tears. I'm sure after his failed campaign he thought he'd never see this day in his life. And he's been through it all. He was around when he couldn't even vote and he's here watching a black man get in office.

I am with you on that. Jesse's time has passed by, and he just harbors too much hurt from the past. There are several past civil rights leaders that share this burden. I honor them for their service and what it meant to civil rights. Hopefully, his tears were about the struggles rather than about himself. Jesse has done so much good for people of ALL colors and especially for the African Americans. I salute Jesse, but time is now. It is all about Obama. Lets get behind him and get this economy going and get out our nations back in favor with the rest of the world.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

Saddly we ignored the Demos, the Media and well, we are paying for it now!!!

I refuse to ignore this stuff ever again and I will stand up and voice my opinions. It is time to rally the citizens and prepare for the mid-terms in 2010!!! and then again for a new hope in 2012!!!

The Dems counted on us ignoring them and now ... it just makes my blood boil!!!

[92bDad]

Well folks...it's been real!!! Time to turn in for the night...

You are all in my prayers!!!

God Bless America!!!

[Mavdog]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Sometimes if you just ignore certain things and don't respond to them, they'll go away.

uh, don't look now, but it went whoosh! right over his head.....

what is the saying...better I keep my mouth closed and let them think me an idiot than to open my mouth and prove them right?

well, you put the proof in the puddin' 92bDad.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

uh, don't look now, but it went whoosh! right over his head.....

what is the saying...better I keep my mouth closed and let them think me an idiot than to open my mouth and prove them right?

well, you put the proof in the puddin' 92bDad.

"Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level and beat you with experience"

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I suppose I'm different than everyone else. I don't give a rats ass about race...or gender when it comes to politics. We're several years removed from the time when blacks were enslaved.. we're several years removed from the time when women couldn't vote.. to where blacks couldn't vote..

Basically, I say get over it for the most part. It's not a part of my America anymore. I don't factor in the race of a person with my decisions. When a white player wins the MVP award in basketball, I don't say "it's a great time for our country". When there's more than 3-4 black starting pitchers in MLB, I don't say "what a glorious time for our country". When a black man scores a goal in the NHL, I don't say "Wow, this is truly great for the sport and great for the US and Canada". When a girl from Sanger has a powerlifting total of over 1200 pounds, I don't say "what a great time for women... I'd sure like to bone her". So yeah, when Obama wins the Presidency, I don't say "what a great moment for America."

Personally, I think it's a sad day for our country. I believe that he won the presidency because of the incompetency of our current president. I believe that he won the presidency not based upon his platform.. his beliefs..but because he represented change regardless of what that change is. To me, that makes this a sad time for our country. Why? Because I look at a candidate that was just elected into the most powerful position in the world not because of what he believed in or had accomplished..but because he represented something else... a something that many that voted for have absolutely no idea what in the hell it is...

Hey, to me, that's scary.

I agree with your (large)second paragraph on why Obama won. But you could not be more wrong in saying that race does not matter in America anymore. It does, and it will for generations to come. And this is a historic day. I wish it had happened for a candidate I believed in, but I'm glad it happened.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

Sure we want voter turn-out...but do we want turn out based on issues or based on cultural background

You can't divorce one from the other.

[Underdog]

I always thought Colin Powell would be our first black president...

[Rhylan]

What Murph is leaning towards that I have often thought is that race is far more an issue nowadays to "people of color" - for lack of a better term - than for white people. And it was white people's fault that it ever became an issue in the first place.

This gets back to what I was getting on Silk about the other day. It's not an issue for me. I don't have anything to do with the institutional wrongs that have all been righted. Sure, there are still racist people, and there always will be, on both sides. But we have 40 years of laws now that eliminates legal racist practices at the institutional level.

If you're black, or another race, and race is a major issue in your life, it's not the fault of the "white establishment" of today. And if you let it dominate your life, then you're prolonging the problem.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I suppose I'm different than everyone else. I don't give a rats ass about race...or gender when it comes to politics. We're several years removed from the time when blacks were enslaved.. we're several years removed from the time when women couldn't vote.. to where blacks couldn't vote..

Basically, I say get over it for the most part. It's not a part of my America anymore. I don't factor in the race of a person with my decisions. When a white player wins the MVP award in basketball, I don't say "it's a great time for our country". When there's more than 3-4 black starting pitchers in MLB, I don't say "what a glorious time for our country". When a black man scores a goal in the NHL, I don't say "Wow, this is truly great for the sport and great for the US and Canada". When a girl from Sanger has a powerlifting total of over 1200 pounds, I don't say "what a great time for women... I'd sure like to bone her". So yeah, when Obama wins the Presidency, I don't say "what a great moment for America."

Personally, I think it's a sad day for our country. I believe that he won the presidency because of the incompetency of our current president. I believe that he won the presidency not based upon his platform.. his beliefs..but because he represented change regardless of what that change is. To me, that makes this a sad time for our country. Why? Because I look at a candidate that was just elected into the most powerful position in the world not because of what he believed in or had accomplished..but because he represented something else... a something that many that voted for have absolutely no idea what in the hell it is...

Hey, to me, that's scary.

Obama may run this country straight into the ground. But it's the first time in history that an african american gets a chance to do that. It does say something about our ideals.

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

uh, don't look now, but it went whoosh! right over his head.....

what is the saying...better I keep my mouth closed and let them think me an idiot than to open my mouth and prove them right?

well, you put the proof in the puddin' 92bDad.

lol it really did. And I knew it would when I posted it.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I always thought Colin Powell would be our first black president...

If he had the guts to actually run as a democrat, he might have been able to do it.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Rhylan

What Murph is leaning towards that I have often thought is that race is far more an issue nowadays to "people of color" - for lack of a better term - than for white people. And it was white people's fault that it ever became an issue in the first place.

This gets back to what I was getting on Silk about the other day. It's not an issue for me. I don't have anything to do with the institutional wrongs that have all been righted. Sure, there are still racist people, and there always will be, on both sides. But we have 40 years of laws now that eliminates legal racist practices at the institutional level.

If you're black, or another race, and race is a major issue in your life, it's not the fault of the "white establishment" of today. And if you let it dominate your life, then you're prolonging the problem.

I agree with that. I'm not saying racism stil runs rampant and in your face on a daily basis.

But it's still there, under the surface in a lot of places, and I think you can safely say it's part of the explanation for why Obama still struggled to capture so much of the popular vote (amont other reasons that I happen to agree with).

If nothing else it's a symbolic step forward for this country's progressiveness.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Personally, I think it's a sad day for our country. I believe that he won the presidency because of the incompetency of our current president.

Why does this make it a sad day for you? You think the incumbent party should be given another crack at it? Your logic isn't reaching me here. The current president is incompetent, you say, but it is a sad thing that the people choose the other party this time round?

How long would you be happy to see the incompetence keep going?

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Why does this make it a sad day for you? You think the incumbent party should be given another crack at it? Your logic isn't reaching me here. The current president is incompetent, you say, but it is a sad thing that the people choose the other party this time round?

How long would you be happy to see the incompetence keep going?

It got 4 too many years IMO.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Rhylan

What Murph is leaning towards that I have often thought is that race is far more an issue nowadays to "people of color" - for lack of a better term - than for white people. And it was white people's fault that it ever became an issue in the first place.

This gets back to what I was getting on Silk about the other day. It's not an issue for me. I don't have anything to do with the institutional wrongs that have all been righted. Sure, there are still racist people, and there always will be, on both sides. But we have 40 years of laws now that eliminates legal racist practices at the institutional level.

If you're black, or another race, and race is a major issue in your life, it's not the fault of the "white establishment" of today. And if you let it dominate your life, then you're prolonging the problem.

I think it's worth reiterating that race played a very, very small role--if it played any at all--in this electoral outcome.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Why does this make it a sad day for you? You think the incumbent party should be given another crack at it? Your logic isn't reaching me here. The current president is incompetent, you say, but it is a sad thing that the people choose the other party this time round?

How long would you be happy to see the incompetence keep going?

you are still buying into the lie that McCain is Bush, and buying into the falsehood that any change is good change.
edit: after rereading, I guess it's more accurate to say, "you are still trying to sell the lie . . . "

[Rhylan]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I agree with that. I'm not saying racism stil runs rampant and in your face on a daily basis.

But it's still there, under the surface in a lot of places, and I think you can safely say it's part of the explanation for why Obama still struggled to capture so much of the popular vote (amont other reasons that I happen to agree with).

If nothing else it's a symbolic step forward for this country's progressiveness.

No doubt. If it becomes okay for non-white people to make decisions based solely on race, and dwell on race, and in some cases flat out obsess about race, then you're going to get feedback and more race tension from the white side, which took years to undo. Endless cycle. It's the old "two wrongs don't make a right" argument.

Race is not supposed to matter at all. That's what I was taught. But if 13% of the population have nothing in common but race, and should be otherwise as diverse across every dimension as any other ethnicity or 13% slice of people, go in numbers above 90% for a single political party.. you have a problem.

We can't have people in this country identifying with a political party primarily due to the continent of their ancestry, no matter what continent or party it is. That's exactly the type of stuff we've been trying to fix for 200 years.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I agree with your (large)second paragraph on why Obama won. But you could not be more wrong in saying that race does not matter in America anymore. It does, and it will for generations to come. And this is a historic day. I wish it had happened for a candidate I believed in, but I'm glad it happened.

I wasn't saying that race doesn't matter in America. I know it does. I was saying that it doesn't matter to me...

[Flacolaco]

Here's a long winded pontification for you. Here's what I know, right now, at 11:34pm on 11/04/08.

When Obama screws up, or Pelosi and Reed screw up, or Biden as he invariably will, screws up, I am not going to gloat, trumpet it, and celebrate it. I'm not going to drag the country through the mud to further my own point of view. I'm not going to revel in our failures, as many of you here, and across the nation have done. I could bump literally hundreds of threads, the sole purpose for which was "look at how much we suck, yeah we suck, and Bush sucks and America sucks."

Now that I'm on the other side, I won't be starting any of those threads next year.

I want this country to succeed and I promise (not promising the complete lack of at least a few 'I told you so's') that I'm going to do my best not to completely and utterly disparage and disrespect the President of the United States of America like so many of you have done for the last 8 years.