I have just woken up to the news that Obama has done it.. I am so chuffed. I may not be American but if i had a chance to vote he would of got mine. Roll on 20th Jan when Bush goes!!!

Lets hope this is a new era of change for the good!!

I, also, think this is fantastic news. 

I agree, i think this is fantastic news, goes to show as well how far America has come! :)

Young, gifted and black, and a definate improvement on Bush

I am really pleased too :) Great news!!!

Well he certainly seems to be a good and sensible man, and almost anyone's got to be better than Bush eh, but as most politicials seem to be able to talk the talk but act very differently, I'll wait and see. :)

Ditto now lets see what he does with that power. I am afraid that USA will still wade into areas that they should not go into. They found nothing worse than aspirin in Iraq and the country is devastated now. Lets not mention Osma Bin Laden - I fear the head may have have changed but the body lives on.

But its encouraging to see them elected a black man, they have come a long way, for such a young nation. I hope their "politics" improve in relation to global warming as well.

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Am very pleased.

There were people interviewed today who had marched in Alabama can you imagine how they feel.
I am so impressed that so many Americans turned out to vote as well!

I also echo Whistlers comments.

Yep, think I'll withold judgement for now.

I've heard many many conflicting reactions from black and white Americans and non Americans.

>its encouraging to see them elected a black man, they have come a long way, for such a young nation.

There was an interesting letter in the paper yesterday from a woman who married 'outside her race' many years ago (as she herself said "before it was fashionable!"), and had mixed race children. She found it very insulting that her children (and Barack Obama, Lewis Hamilton etc) are all referred to as being black - the 'white' half of them is totally ignored.

> She found it very insulting that her children (and Barack Obama, Lewis Hamilton etc) are all referred to as being black

I have very close relatives that are mixed race so I appreciate what she is saying but I do think it is important to celebrate his "blackness" when you consider what Colin Powel said when he rose to a level of emminence that reporters were no longer referring to him as black, which was 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'

Well I am American, I did vote for him and I've been dancing, cheering and weeping tears of joy for a change. I hope this means the insanity is over and that the US is ready to rejoin the world as a part of the global community. I'm actually proud of my country this morning and hopeful for the future.

Ha Ha!  Imagine if you had popped up and said you didn't :-D

Congratulations! :-D

I think I'd be invited to leave the country! LOL

I'd never realised Colin Powell was black!!

> Roll on 20th Jan when Bush goes!!!
>

day before my birthday- the most favorite present of all!!

my bf and i have been up most of the night watching it, it was great! we had little maps to colour in red or blue lol

not such big changes though, a retraction of gay marrage in california and an attempt to ban abortion in colorado and (i think?) south dakota...

Congratulations America!!!
Lets hope this is the start of somethink good! As he is from Mixed parentage, It may be the thing that will unite many.
I also have a very mixed family, and also do not agree with calling a mixed person black or white they are mixed!
Lets hope things get better for all.

There was an interesting letter in the paper yesterday from a woman who married 'outside her race' many years ago (as she herself said "before it was fashionable!"), and had mixed race children. She found it very insulting that her children (and Barack Obama, Lewis Hamilton etc) are all referred to as being black - the 'white' half of them is totally ignored.

I think this all stems from history, until I think 1967 it was firstly illegal for mix races to marry in the US but more importantly anyone who had black parentage or grandparentage legally were known as black.  I believe right up to 2000 when you filled in the US Census you had to declare yourself to be the race of the "non" white person.    It seems so racist and I feel sick even typing it but it was to keep white "pure". Very sad indeed.

Barack Obama himself I believe was born into an illegal marriage in the 60s so I would imagine has encounter a fair amount himself as a child.

Not sure if ever became fashionable , people just decided love doesn't pick colours and disregarded historical hang ups.

> Well I am American, I did vote for him and I've been dancing, cheering and weeping tears of joy for a change. I hope this means the insanity is over and that the US is ready to rejoin the world as a part of the global community. I'm actually proud of my country this morning and hopeful for the future.

I think that so many Americans did vote,I can not remember what % was quoted ,but it was high says a lots. And a lot of us non americans feel the same about You rejoining the global community.

Lets hope he fulfills expectations.

It seems so racist and I feel sick even typing it but it was to keep white "pure".

That was also Hitlers thoughts wasnt it?
To create the ultimate blue eyes blonde haired race with no other coloured races in existance and mainly to 'cleanse' the White race which had in his eyes been 'tainted' by other colours and interracial relationships (Makes me feel bad writing it too lol) Obvioudly there was the rest of it but that Im sure was one of Hitlers main points, so its good were moving away from all that jazz.

I just PRAY that Obama is going to keep to his word, I havent been keeping up with it but I hope he does do what he said he will do as America deserve a break and so do her people, their moral has been broken and their trust shattered, now its time for change :)

Would it be wrong of me also to say that i think Obama is easy on the eye?? Lol.

Bit of fun with Bush..

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/editors_corner/article/7847/

The photo is a classic of him. he always gets caught.

> Would it be wrong of me also to say that i think Obama is easy on the eye

Definitely not, he's gotta be the fittest US president ever, yum yum! Looks aside I think he is a great man & will do wonders for America (fingers crossed!), I would 100% have voted for him if I could have.  I'm so glad that America haven't let the fact that he is mixed race cloud their judgement, he will make a fantastic president.  Well done America - you made the right choice at long last! Good riddance to the Bush Administration, I hope that name never returns to the White House!

My younger brother married in 1981 a coloured girl I have two coloured nephews and 1 niece, and now 4 great nieces and a great nephew. At the time I was working as a Librarian with a nice lady who (I quote) said Kim was very pretty "but I hope when my sons marries, he marries one of his own kind". I have never forget such a biggoted comment.
My OH youngest daughter has a coloured baby so my family is truly multicultural. My graet nieces 2 of them have an Indian father and they are withdoubt doubt beautiful as is my great nephew. My other two G. nieces curiously enough are blue eyed blondes!! with white mum's. But we embrase the feeling that we are non predjudice to colour or creed. But I wish I could say the same of my nieces husband's family that have cut them off because he married outside of his culture, they are racist but because they have dark skin get away with it..
But thats another story, let's wish USA & President Obama good luck I think he may just need it.

No just truthful

Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness

"I understand small business growth. I was one."

"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we

These famous quotes of Bush have to be my favourite from the link that Blue posted LOL
Good ole Bush, if he said Good morning to me I would have to go and check!!! lol :)

> Would it be wrong of me also to say that i think Obama is easy on the eye?? Lol.

No it wouldn't ;-) What, you don't think I voted for him because of his policies did you? ;-) LOL Next time BIL has lunch with him I'm asking for an invite. :-p

The state of Alabama had restrictions against mixed-race marriages until the election in 2000.  Even then 40% of people voted to keep the restriction.  This makes today's events even more extraordinary.

I also have to say that there was something very nice about Bill Clinton too. I know he did the dirty on his missus which is wrong, but even so he was a lovely man and he did good for the country.

I love how the Americans get so patriotic towards their country and i would say many are more patriotic about our monarchy than we are...
Then again i think the States is a fabulous country with so much going for it.

Anyone know any American guys who are single, love dogs and live in Cali?? Oh and need to be pretty cute and without an attitude also.

> Anyone know any American guys who are single, love dogs and live in Cali?? Oh and need to be pretty cute and without an attitude also.

Sue if they existed I'd still be living in California. I had to move to the UK to find a man that could say marriage without gagging on the word. If you look for an american man don't look in california!

Hmm. The i'll have to find one in another state and then move there with him. I just love the laid backness of the state.
I am living in this dream world that one day i'll meet mr right and live out there.

> I think this all stems from history, until I think 1967 it was firstly illegal for mix races to marry in the US but more importantly anyone who had black parentage or grandparentage legally were known as black.  I believe right up to 2000 when you filled in the US Census you had to declare yourself to be the race of the "non" white person.
>

Exactly, in the bad old days we wanted nothing to do with them and now the tides are turning it tickles me a little that the move is on to reclaim that bit that is white :-) 
Most mixed race people refer to themselves as black, perhaps because they feel that is the part they feel the proudest of and who can blame them.  I think they have the right to decide when it is no longer an issue and we are all as one because nobody gave them that right before.

In his speech Obama praised his children and promised them they would get their Puppy for the new house!!
So a dog lover another plus LOL

What breed do you think he will choose.

For some reason I automatically though of a golden Lab.. no idea why!

> I may not be American but if i had a chance to vote he would of got mine.

Mine aswell, I tried to stay awake to watch the results but had to admit defeat, but put sky news on at 6 this morning and was pleased as punch with the result, I must admit whilst watching the repeat of his speech I became very emotional had a few tears, guess I was overwhelmed he won :-)

> though of a golden Lab

At the same time daughter and I said "Flat Coat Retreiver", !!

>But its encouraging to see them elected a black man,

That's such a true but sad statement.I'll never understand how the colour of ones skin can so heavily define someone.

>She found it very insulting that her children (and Barack Obama, Lewis Hamilton etc) are all referred to as being black - the 'white' half of them is totally ignored.

Could it be because they look black?? Obama doesn't look like a white man does he.If he was mixed race but was more white,he would probably be called white?? I dunno,he just looks like a black man to me.

Clear as mud eh?

> .....now the tides are turning it tickles me a little that the move is on to reclaim that bit that is white :-)

:-D That is so true!

I was told off for referring to someone as mixed race instead of dual heritage a few weeks ago. I certainly hadn't meant to offend but it did make me think about the language we use.

god, dont yo hate pc language nazis

>I have very close relatives that are mixed race so I appreciate what she is saying but I do think it is important to celebrate his "blackness" when you consider what Colin Powel said when he rose to a level of emminence that reporters were no longer referring to him as black, which was 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'

Aha, I said a very similar thing yesterday and caused a bit of a debate.  How black is he?  He is not only half white but was raised by his white family so influenced heavily by white culture.

I can understand how symbolic Barack is to black people. 

Martin Luther King's dream has just taken a huge leap towards reality - "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Yep my brothers wife was black their children are coffee coloured and there children are definately Indian looking coloured. Thats what they are, at school Katie was bullied and told to "go back where you came from". My brother was always asked if he had adopted them? katie turned away from the "white folk" and is happily married to Delbir ( Indian Hindu)  whose parents now reject her and the girls but are dead keen on the new baby "grandson" Ruben. Del went potty and said if anyone treated his girls less than welcome they could ---k off and not see Ruben either. She really cant win you know. I just think there all beautiful as I do our little Masie-May and Paige in NZ. Were so family oriantated that my Dad (age 78) lands in NZ today to see Paige (she's 4 on 20th Dec) as he misses her.
I am proud that I can trace my family back to france in 1066 and all that, I have my heritage as a white British person, but I have never ever felt that I was "better" than anyone else. My old Nannie coined it many many years ago.
"You are as good as anyone else " she said "but not any better" she's have been 108 this year born in the sound of Bow Bells (cockney for any one who does not know) and she was such a laugh.
I dont see why I should be "pc'd" by anyone about my language I live my beliefs as my brother has and we dont need some damn MP or law or nazi pc brigade to tell me im racist take a look at the colours around our christmas dinner table!! We embrace the difference. My son (at about 5) told me his new friend had curly hair - he did he was as black as they come with a full afro but Sam only picked up on his curly hair!! Love my kids there integrated in a multicultural family and all are welcome here! OOpps sorry rant over!!!!

Yes he was a fine man and I celebrate and raise a toast to all children everywhere that will never be judged by the colour of their skin.

Nor the content of their wallet or the size of their fathers bank account ??

Lets  not go there its still a class system, I think money will continue to talk as long as it continues to have idiots that spend it.
Real money is not in this country anymore there are "special" flights that really rich people come in on at "special" airports. Lots of Brazilian & Russian's are richer than our landed gentry. Got a friend in special branch that has to arrange the arrival of those people.

Aye, the rich will always be different and the 'old' families will still look down on the neauveau [sp] rich while doing business with them.  The rich do have to pay to use private airports, indeed Heathrow, which is also public, charges them a fortune for landing slots - and so they should. 

As for Mr Obama, I wish him the very best in getting America back on it's feet, they have regained their credibility by electing him and now he has to prove he is worthy, regardless of colour or creed.  However, he really is, I guess multi-ethnic - he is half Kenyan, half white American but he was brought up in Hawaii which although an American state has a strong Polynesian (or is that Indonesian) culture.  I also wonder if he will uphold the African culture that family is family no matter how far removed and keep his ties with the Kenyan family and even his Step Mother and half brother in Bracknell. 

It will certainly be interesting to see how he manages his working life and private. 

I have serious concerns for his safety.  Not everyone in America has changed their views about the status of black and/or mixed race people.

>I have serious concerns for his safety.  Not everyone in America has changed their views about the status of black and/or mixed race people.

My mum was saying the same thing.She reckons it's only a matter of time before assassination attempts are made on him :( Can you imagine how utterly irate and seething these white supremacist types would be right now! :(

My colleagues have been saying the same thing. They said that a lot of his campaigning was done behind bullet proof glass.

It is a concern for him and his family..

I'm sure it is a worry but I would imagine the American president always has to have top security these days no matter who it is.