yeaaa!

[katluvr]

I have been very amused reading this thread as I finish my lunch.
Like other threads I "click on" those that seem to be something I want to read or be part of. Since I voted for Obama, I thought...hmmmmm this is a thread I am interested in.
I did not click on many others. It is all about choices. You chose to read or skip to another post.

I do not talk politics w/ my family. I do not START these discussions with others until I know it is safe. I came here, felt safe. If this was a discussion about McCain or a Obama bashing...I would not visit, I would not provoke.

Kuddos to the one who started this thread (sorry, can't see that now). Thank you for a thread I wanted to visit and read. Thank you for a space to share the enjoy the feeling of a great occasion. If feels great to me. And celebrating, quietly and respectfully, is what this is about.

By the way...I won't be getting married in this stinkin state, either! Oh well, who needs a state's permission to be w/ the one they love!

Now that I am done enjoying this conversation..I'll move on. Next topic...food, workout, weight gain, HOW DULL!

[jobob]

Ice cream all around!

(I went to the Ben & Jerry's factory a couple of days ago. The heck with Disneyland, the B&J's Factory to me is the Happiest Place on Earth.)

[Cataboo]

I should probably just shut up...

But I think part of what lost McCain the election is that in a time that when the country is fighting 2 wars, our banking system is teetering, I'd say we're not safer than after Sept 11th, and our civil liberties are in tatters... Someone mentioned earlier how Obama would squash any opposition, we'd have a civilian security force, etc... And tell me, how is that different than the liberties that they have already been taken with our constitution and homeland security.... (Okay, this is going to lead me off on a tangent)

But anyways, in light of the world & bleak situation, the McCain campaign concentrated on negative campaigning having to do with Obama's religion, Obama's preacher, Obama's tentative connection to Ayers as a terrorist, Obama's supporting sex education for kindergartners, and whether or not someone wears a flag pin. And on him being an elitist... When did it become bad to have competent smart leaders in the US? And really... None of that is relevant to the problems that are facing America... and I'm glad that America has sent that message to the Republican party that they don't want to be treated like children, that they want competent politicians, and they want to hear about the issues.

I'd say I was a republican, but when I go through all of the things that I associate the republican party with and compare that to the current republican party... There's nothing in common between the two anymore.

I can remember when George Bush (the senior) ran and Bob Dole ran... Noone had to prove they were american by wearing pins, and noone had to prove their christianity or belief in god constantly. I find it one of the greatest tragedies of this race the constant implications that Obama was a muslim or had too many associations with Muslims and that somehow just being or knowing muslims is a bad thing. And really, America is better than that. America should be better than that. I'm not muslim or Christian, and I've voted for someone who's not my religion in every election in my life... And that's never made a difference to me, I vote on the issues and on who's most competent to do the job. Not on whether they're the same religion as I am or whether or not I want to get a beer with them.

And I hope this election shifts the focus of our electorate towards the issues and what really matters as opposed to all of the nonsense that this last one seemed to be focused upon.

[Veronica]

Two of the sweetest, most repsectful kids in my class this year are Muslims.

They don't say the Pledge of Allegiance, but they do stand and show much more respect than some of my other kids.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

I guess I'm just a dreamer, but I'm hoping that this election marks the END of negative, vile, lying, hate campaigning.

This campaign was so negative that phone bank people, who are usually barely getting by (and need their jobs!), walk out on the jobs so to get the evil message out, they had to resort to robocalling to do it.

And telling people they could vote BY PHONE or better yet, wait until Wednesday! This is reprehensible. And I hope that by losing, this may NEVER happen again.

[Susan Otcenas]

So, after a bit of thought, I've moved this thread to the way off topic category.

My preference would be that folks did not talk politics or religion on the forums. But, I'm not one that likes to stifle discussion, and I know that I enjoy talking with my cycling friends about lots of things that don't involve cycling.

Sooooo, I won't shut down this thread, but I WILL ask folks to limit their political discussion to this way off topic category, and to refrain from bring up politics in cycling-related threads.

Thanks,

Susan

[Geonz]

I personally feel intimidated at this forum because I don't happen to worship at the steel-bikes-and-brooks-saddles church .

And sometimes I feel like I just don't belong here, because merino wool, regardless of what anyone says to the contrary, makes me itchy...

Me 2 Me 2!!!!!

Okay, I do have lots of steel bikes

[RoadRaven]

Thankyou Susan for allowing this thread to continue

For someone on the other side of the world, it is very interesting and enlightening to be able to follow personal thoughts on something that sends huge political and social messages globally

(Just think, just a few years before Obama was born, black Americans did not have the right to bus seats [Rosa Parks, 1955] - Obama's parents probably aspired that their son COULD sit where he wanted to - but I bet they never dreamed he would sit in the WhiteHouse)

I am very impressed with the graciousness of both McCain and Obama. I believe America is fortunate to have a leader, and an opposition leader who both appear to hold the people of such a huge and diverse country close to their hearts.

I trust Obama has many friends inside the political machine. More than being at risk from racial bigits, I believe his greatest personal threat will be from the war-lords, as Obama seems to want to withdraw from war-zones like Iraq... Thats "big business" he is talking about inhibiting, and those money-makers are very very powerful people.

[lph]

Me 2 Me 2!!!!!

Okay, I do have lots of steel bikes

Me three. AND I ride with an ipod. Heck, I'll just put myself on ignore.

Back on topic: I've appreciated this discussion, and the mostly balanced and considerate views presented. Personally I'm very impressed by the sheer turnout this election has shown. The USA has a big effect on the rest of us out here, and I believe that the world really needs an America with concerned citizens who believe in making a difference.

But I can see how easy it is, especially if you feel surrounded by "soulmates", to get carried away and say something offensive to people with a different political viewpoint. And the purpose of TE is surely to just enjoy what we do have in common, no matter what views we have otherwise. So I do feel that in general politics should be, not taboo, but not a big focus on TE and treated gently, as the forum main page points out.

[Brandi]

Wait up, Tulip. I'm coming with you

Me too!

[kermit]

I must apologize if I offended anyone. That was not my intent. Differences have arisen in this election that have never been seen or interpreted before. The Bush and Reagan days are over. Hopefully for the best. I also know many peaceful muslim people and I believe that the President is one of them. He brings many firsts to this country, and the traditions (wearing an American flag pin for example) are changing. I come from old school values(my father was straight out of the 40's) and I see good and bad scenarious with everything. I am in a state that sucks, politically (all crooks) and socially. Have a house in Georgia I can't wait to move to. My open mindedness has been jaded by putting bad people in jail for 17 years. All excuses yes, but I meant no offense to my cycling pals. Oh and I ride with an ipod, one ear only.

[Cataboo]

Two of the sweetest, most repsectful kids in my class this year are Muslims.

They don't say the Pledge of Allegiance, but they do stand and show much more respect than some of my other kids.

Veronica

I said the pledge allegiance every day in school growing up.

One of the more embarrassing moments of my elementary school career was at some point in 5th grade I got picked to go to the principal's office to lead the pledge of allegiance over the PA system.

So I went... And I remembered... I pledge allegiance to the flag and ... erm. erm.

The principal had to help me finish it. Despite it being written on the sign near the flag in every classroom, and me having recited it every morning. Stick hand over heart, say I pledge allegiance to the flag and mumbled the rest for the 5 mins or whatever it was and zoned out.

I can't say if I actually know it now. I definitely don't know the words to the Star Spangled banner.

And I don't wear a flag pin and never have...

Does that make me not a patriot? I can still tear up if I hear the star spangled banner sung especially well, I'm willing to pay more taxes to get us out of the mess that this country is in, and I donate stuff to the troops... And having travelled a lot, in spite of all the things that frustrate me in the US, there's no other country that I want to permanently live.

I also don't wear live armstrong bracelets and I don't wear breast cancer ribbons. Does that mean I don't support cancer victims? Does that mean I'm unsympathetic to their plight? No, it means that I prefer to actually have my actions mean something as opposed to what I wear. (I work in cancer research)

Okay, I'm gonna shut up and get back to work 'cause I'm beating a dead point.

And Kermit, I definitely wasn't offended and hope I wasn't offensive in response.

[SadieKate]

I also know many peaceful muslim people and I believe that the President is one of them. He brings many firsts to this country . . .

Being Muslim is NOT one of them. Please check your facts, especially if you participate in law enforcement.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

snopes.com is a highly respected organization and should be a credible source. If you need more, just try google.

[Biciclista]

I also know many peaceful muslim people and I believe that the President is one of them.

GOOD GRIEF!! OBAMA IS NOT MUSLIM!!

[kermit]

Does it matter?