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Obama's Call
02-Nov-2008
Just few days left to the election’s D-Day and most likely, almost definitely, Barak Obama will be in the White House in January 2008.
What makes this election an historical event in the United States is not only the contrast in the president’s color with that of his place of residence, but the contrast in tone and climate that this man of color would cast with those of his predecessors in the recent American history.
What heightens this contrast is the exceptional exhibition of vulgarity, superficiality, manipulation, accusation, and lies employed by the Republicans in this race. Joe the Plumber became the symbol of the average American; Joe Six Pack sets the standard for working class Middle America; a hockey mom with a pregnant teenager daughter has become the symbol for the average American women; a vice presidential candidate who acknowledges that her $150,000 wardrobe is just “like lighting and stage props” serves as décor in this race, defining the role of women in politics; chatty talk show hosts and gossip columnists become advisers and consultant to the candidate; and actresses with fancy cloths and make up appear to judge the credentials of a Harvard graduate.
The Republican Party’s defeat is not a mere political defeat or a strategic defeat. It is a cultural change, if I dare say, a cultural revolution. I think it should be a source of pride for all of us that most of us, although not all of us, have reached a level of maturity and wisdom. The defeat of McCain/Palin is the defeat of vulgarity misapprehended as the simplicity of middle America, displayed by Joe Six Pack, the hockey mom, and the Joe the Plumber who joined the bandwagon in last days of campaign, all heading to the graveyard of history, thanks to their ringleader, John McCain.
The coincidence of the economic crisis with the election has brought about many discussions as if we are in the end of some era. If this is the end of Capitalism, Colonialism, American Imperialism, or any other -ism, I do not know. Heaven know it might be the beginning of something called “hegemonyism”. It might be, as one Iranian journalist said a few days ago, a new wave of right-wing populism as opposed to a new emerging wave of leftist populism forming in Third World countries. But I’m sure no one will ever again dare to come forth to run for the presidency of the United States claiming he/she receives his/her mandate from the Joe Six Pack or hockey moms, or establishes his/ her policy based on Joe the Plumber’s dreams and demands. These average-simpleton-representatives do not exist any more, or if they exist, they are in the minority and on their way to extinction.
I’m not so sure as how green the future landscape of the country will be, but I’m sure that it is definitely fading where the workers are sitting in front of their TVs drinking six packs, women are always pregnant housewives, teen age girls attending high schools are getting pregnant, $118,000 tax offenders serve as spokesmen of working class people. Instead, I see more colors coming to the picture, brighter shiny eyes, more young energetic people with lots of hope, less fear, and abundant determination, and lots of older men and women adorned by wisdom rather than just the accumulation of years.
I’m sure it won’t be the end of greed; I’m sure there will be many people who want to make millions of dollars overnight; and I’m certain there will be enough people who think the road to riches is the road to happiness. Indeed I’m not equipped to challenge any of them. However, the praise for these ideas, the glamorous portrayal of “rich and happy” would be off the screen for a while. Vulgarity is not going to be pampered, and wisdom will not be displaced with simple repetition.
I’m not sure it won’t be the end of racial hatred, or the religious fanaticism, or monopolizing the God; but for sure we all would find a chance to trust “others” who appear different than us. It would be an opportunity to find out “others” are just the other side of “ourselves.” And it would be a great chance for God as well. He would be given a chance to enjoy democracy, to look upon all of us equally, as He promised us all!
I’m sure we are all going to speak English. Once again the rules of grammar will be in effect. The dictionary will come into use, words will be chosen with care and used according to their agreed upon meanings, and above all, they will be used to heal, to comfort, to sooth, to explain, to clarify, to lead one to the truth, rather than to deceive and misguide, hurt or abuse. The rules of logic, deduction and induction will be brought back into our discourse; manipulation will be left to mothers who want to keep their children out of trouble. Statements coming from the leadership will reveal some ideas, aimed at achieving some purpose, rather than meaningless statements thrown about randomly as darts. Heaven knows our youngsters might be delighted to find out that the president of the country thinks first, evaluates his thought next, appraises them to see if they are doable, and if so by what cost and if the cost worth it, and then comes forth to propose his plan. He might become a model for many.
After eight years of the promotion of illiteracy in the White House, the leaderships of the country will be handed to literate and educated people who speak good English. Both the President and the First Lady will be Harvard graduates and neither of them got there by using his parents and grandparents’ alumni ticket, but through meritorious scholarship. They can deliver speeches with beginning, middle and end with some meaning and significance, rather than a jumble of words, the English version of Ahmadinejad’s speeches. They are able to gather needed information, to argue and to discuss; attend press conferences. They do not need to be reminded through a script written for them before hand, but can listen, think and answer. And astrologers will certainly not decide on the issues in Camp David, and those who make the decisions will be more precise in their aims and reaching their goals than Dick Chaney when shooting birds on his ranch.
I’m sure it is not going to be the end of warmongers in the world, but we are not going to be grist in their mill. (Obama announced that already.) He would leave the bellicose talks of Ahmadinejad as a gift unreturned, rather than paying him in his own coin of war and bombing, a discourse he needs to survive. Serious, determined and confident, he would call for dialogue. It is the Islamic Republic now which is loosing sleep as to what to do. Obama will certainly leave many like Ahmadinejad out of job.
Barring misfortune, pride would replace the embarrassments and humiliation when our president speaks or appears in public. Who was not delighted by his speech in Berlin? Could we imagine a few like that every year? Could we imagine that the president talks to us as if we are not retarded? Could we imagine being treated as if we know where Pakistan is and where Iraq is? Could we imagine not being children, deceived by few empty words? Could we imagine that we are talked to as if we are able to think and decide? How wonderful life would be not to hear McCain’s and Palin’s infantile talks and arguments?
And finally, for four years, hopefully, we are going to be free of belligerent messages to the other nations, we are not going to be a breed apart, but one among many. We might hear the old-fashion talk of peace, since we heard already a call for unity and equality. I hear already a delightful melody coming from not such far distance. Let’s listen, let’s have hope, let’s pray. It looks like our golden opportunity.
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MrX funny you should say that
by Abdollah (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 04:45 PM PST4 years ago on Larry King live one woman called in and said well maybe we can just sit back and wait for Bush to screw up so we can say later, we told you so.
Larry King responded by saying; maam you want country to do bad? That's not good.
So same question to you MrX; do you want the country to do bad?
Obama is never going to do as bad as Bush. No one is ever going to do worse. Of all the presidents, including Hoover who presided over the great depression, Bush has done worse. Hoover didn't have the programs available today.
You are just out of things to say. Your best bet would be to just throw up your arms in despair. But then again, keep on keeping on! Like Palin you guys are the gift that keep giving these days!
Maybe the future won't be so green...
by Future green? (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 04:24 PM PSTbut hopefully at least it won't be so white.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA
Ok instead of waiting for BHO to screw up- worry about yourself
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Mon Nov 03, 2008 01:58 PM PSTYou know MRX represents everything that sucks about politics. It's not a sport. There are consequences to f-ing everything up and losing. Bush has messed up, and it's good for Democrats in terms of winning, but people are HURTING because of those failures. It's not a reason to be happy you maniac.
Obama has a crapload of work before him, if he wins. More than any president ever has. If you wish for him to fail or for the country to be worse off, i'm sorry but that defines what a low-life you are.
I want this country to succeed. We didn't immigrate here to see it fall to the floor and be at the mercy of China and Saudi Arabia.
and like I said
by American Wife on Mon Nov 03, 2008 01:57 PM PSTin a different post.
You just sit there waiting like a good boy....:-)
so touchy
by MRX1 (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 01:46 PM PSTwho knew BO supporters are so touchy! if you guys liked clinton years so much,how come you did not support the wife? hum! (it didn't have to do anything because it was a woman running, I mean you guys are enlightend and open minded and all that kind of stuff)
Like I said in my other posting I can't wait for him to become president. I am serious. It will be FUN.I am loving it! I will be still happy six months,a year or two down the road, while you guys will be majorly dissapointed six months from now, hoping some one will deliver free health care, free college, free kindergarten, free child care, free mortgage, free this and that.
GO BO GO!
American wife
by IRANdokht on Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:56 AM PSTDon't get all worked up about some idiotic comment dear. If someone is smart enough they know how to read and how to learn. The information is out there. Ignorance based prejudice does not allow one to educate him/herself. We're already left with just change in our pocket, that was the "change" GWB promised in the 2000 elections. Now we need the real Change and we're Hoping that the one candidate that looks, speaks and acts more dignified will deliver. The people who are arguing against him do not deserve to have an educated, intelligent and hard-working president.
You can't save some folks from themselves dear, calm down... ;-)
IRANdokht
Since Mr X has given up and
by Abdollah (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:46 AM PSTSince Mr X has given up and knows Obama is going to become the president he has nothing else than to say wait till he becomes president.
How can he screw things up any more?! What else can he do to make it worse?! What did Carter ever do compare to what Bush has done?
Thank god their nonsense isn't fooling anyone anymore, except themselves of course!
F taxes! I want to pay more for groceries!
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:41 AM PSTgroceries, gas, all goods, all services. let my expenses sky rocket! I want a republican to win just so I can have an inefficient government who continues to fight wars while cutting taxes!
I don't care if I'm getting hoodwinked either! Taxes low low low or zero. Cost of living HIGH! woo hoo!
MRX1
by American Wife on Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:19 AM PSTWhat is it with some of you? Argue his health plan all you want. Argue his foreign policy. Argue his plan for education and social reform. But please don't try to sell me the "change in your pocket" BS. That's all I DO have left after 8 years of Bush. Look at the facts. READ his tax plan. Don't just listen to McCain. I'd say the same thing if I were Republican. Don't listen to the media. Don't listen to iranian.com. READ it for yourself. If you do... if you actually study it for yourself, then come back and talk to me. Once upon a time, I had a retirement fund. Something that actually was GROWING under Clinton. ps... "growing" means MAKING MORE MONEY. Now? I use my quarterly reports for toilet paper. Retirement is a word in the dictionary... not in my future.
Remind everyone to vote!
by Yaa Ali (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 09:59 AM PSTDon't let down this late in the game.
Remind all your friends to vote and vote for Obama.
Many people talk the talk but forget to vote or don't care enough to stand in line and vote.
Your vote is especially wanted in battleground states of Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida where there are plenty of Iranian-Americans!
Get up tomorrow and vote!
can't wait
by MRX1 (not verified) on Mon Nov 03, 2008 08:08 AM PSTI can't wait for BO to become president. What a dissapointment he will turn out to be. It's fine though, every twenty thirthy years you have to get some one in a caliber of jimmy carter for a people to wake up and smell the coffee. By the time this charlatan is done, we will be left with CHANGE in our pocket.
Enjoyed your piece
by Monda on Sun Nov 02, 2008 08:42 PM PSTThank you for writing it.
another voice from the peanut gallery
by American Wife on Sun Nov 02, 2008 06:06 PM PSTadding her appreciation for your extremely well written article. I almost get a shiver when I think of the possibilities for the future. Not without much blood, sweat and tears did we get to this point in history. I hope and pray... and remain every so optimistic... that the best IS yet to come. It will take the efforts of all people, everywhere, to continue on a path of growth and understanding, both economic and internationally. Once all is said and done and the dust has settled, I hope that both parties will reach across that aisle and that WE will continue to reach across the world, joining hands to achieve the one thing we ALL want... peace and prosperity.
Good riddance ignorants, attogants and greedy
by Ali A Parsa on Sun Nov 02, 2008 01:49 PM PSTExcellent article especially when you leave so much room for optimism rather than being a harbinger of gloom and doom. In fact apathy, cynicism and hopelessness is what the ignorant rulers promote in order to destroy the people's reslove in order to transform this nation into a nation of zombies for whom a good time even on borrowed money and inflated feeling of wealth prevents them from seeking truth on what their country is all about. That is the modus operandi of the operators of the hopefully defeated arrogant, ignorant and greedy bunch whose least attribute is a speck of respect for human dignity beyong hyporitic rhetorics.
Please see my website for detail.
IranWrites, well written piece...
by Khar on Sun Nov 02, 2008 01:28 PM PSTIn the last 8 years there has been great emphasis and efforts set in motion by GOP/Rightists/Neo-Cons on “Dumbing Down The America”, from the presidency down to the average Joe/Jane. After the last 8 years we need a president who is smart, I don’t need a president who can drink beer with Joe the Plumber!
Thanks!
Not since Woodrow Wilson
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:32 PM PSTNot since W.Wilson have we had a President who was a college professor. That's a reason to stop and think.
Dear IranWrites
by IRANdokht on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:23 PM PSTI share those emotions and hopes and I believe a big majority of people do too.
Thanks for speaking so beautifully of the future we dare to dream about... I do hope that the world we live in would progress as you predicted.
IRANdokht
IranWrites aziz
by ebi amirhosseini on Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:21 PM PSTVery well written,you said it all.
sepaas
Another winner!
by Nazy Kaviani on Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:52 AM PSTDear IranWrites:
Another fantastic piece, my friend! I loved reading every single word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph of your essay! I loved this:
"After eight years of the promotion of illiteracy in the White House, the leaderships of the country will be handed to literate and educated people who speak good English."
It is always so refreshing to read your pieces; I just wished you wrote more!
Peace,