I just received this email from my sister - she summed up the way I am feeling today, and I thought I would share this. Over the past few years, I have been embarrassed by our country. I did not feel like I belonged. But today, I do. This is a new day. I am proud to be an American.
From my sister, Hillary:
Last night, I was in Grant Park, Chicago, and watched the election results. As I looked around it was evident that the crowd was America—we were black, white, Latino, young, old, gay and straight. I was proud to be standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder with all these people that come from very diverse backgrounds, yet we still are the same. We are Americans. It was an awesome experience and I could not think of a better place to be as our country made history and entered into a new era.
I know that many of you do not have the same feelings today as I do. But, like our president elect Barack Obama, I am reaching across the aisle. America and the world are facing major crises—our globe is facing a huge economic meltdown and recession; the US is engaged in two wars and fundamentalist extremists on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan are gaining strength; our planet Earth is facing a severe global warming threat will lead to a chain of catastrophic natural disasters if left unchecked. We need to come together, address these issues and find solutions to bring our country and the world out of these disasters.
One quote from George W. Bush after 9/11 was “you’re either with us, or against us.” I was not on board with Bush’s initiatives, so by default, I was out. For those of you that do not have the same feelings that I do this morning, I can empathize with your feelings. However, I can assure you of one thing—Barack Obama’s administration will work with you. Obama's administration will see your perspective and he will make you feel included. If you’re not with him, then tell him what your opinions are and we’ll come to an understanding. We need to bridge these gaps if we are going to address the catastrophes’ we are facing. Please, let’s work together to get out of this messes. We're only at the beginning.
Today I feel proud. I am proud to live in a country where intelligence is respected and rewarded. I am proud to live in a country where we will seek a diplomatic path before war. I am proud to live in a country where every child of any race and any religion can believe again they can be whatever they want to be. I am proud to live in a country that will seek to be on the frontier of new technology and new energy. I proud to live in a country that will assume a leadership position against the fight on global warming. I am proud to live in a country that is respected again by the world. I am proud that we have an inspiring first family in the white house. I am proud to be an American.
My final comment is that I heard John McCain’s speech last night and I applaud this speech and have a lot of respect for his comments and him as a person.
Congratulations America!
Hillary
I know that many of you do not have the same feelings today as I do. But, like our president elect Barack Obama, I am reaching across the aisle. America and the world are facing major crises—our globe is facing a huge economic meltdown and recession; the US is engaged in two wars and fundamentalist extremists on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan are gaining strength; our planet Earth is facing a severe global warming threat will lead to a chain of catastrophic natural disasters if left unchecked. We need to come together, address these issues and find solutions to bring our country and the world out of these disasters.
One quote from George W. Bush after 9/11 was “you’re either with us, or against us.” I was not on board with Bush’s initiatives, so by default, I was out. For those of you that do not have the same feelings that I do this morning, I can empathize with your feelings. However, I can assure you of one thing—Barack Obama’s administration will work with you. Obama's administration will see your perspective and he will make you feel included. If you’re not with him, then tell him what your opinions are and we’ll come to an understanding. We need to bridge these gaps if we are going to address the catastrophes’ we are facing. Please, let’s work together to get out of this messes. We're only at the beginning.
Today I feel proud. I am proud to live in a country where intelligence is respected and rewarded. I am proud to live in a country where we will seek a diplomatic path before war. I am proud to live in a country where every child of any race and any religion can believe again they can be whatever they want to be. I am proud to live in a country that will seek to be on the frontier of new technology and new energy. I proud to live in a country that will assume a leadership position against the fight on global warming. I am proud to live in a country that is respected again by the world. I am proud that we have an inspiring first family in the white house. I am proud to be an American.
My final comment is that I heard John McCain’s speech last night and I applaud this speech and have a lot of respect for his comments and him as a person.
Congratulations America!
Hillary
Hill
Thanks for your thoughts and a hopeful insite into the future of our country. I too believe that reaching across is the correct way to begin addressing the divisions that have occurred in the last 25 years.
There is going to be a need for a lot of sacrifice for all of us in order to accomplish the goal of making America a great place to live.
Also of note is to remember the advice to live by of our dear Mike Adamczyk.
" Stop we's-in and start I's-in"
Posted by: DAD | November 05, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Dad, I am proud to be your daughter, and Hillary, I am proud to be your sister. Out of all my dads and sisters - you two are my favorite.
Posted by: Gerah | November 05, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Beautiful letter from your sister!
I can't wait til he starts on Jan 20th 2009.
"Yes We Can"!!!
Posted by: Shalini | November 05, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Hey, Does anybody besides a Richmond post on this site anymore? Gee Dad, I love you too, but you never call me... OK, enough B.S. Hill, I hope you're right. My fingers are crossed with most of the nation. You may want to send him a shovel for Christmas because there's a lot of Do Do waiting to be scooped up... And who taught you all this open-mindedness stuff? I thought you came from Allegan...
Posted by: Craig | November 21, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Wow, I haven't been over in a long time. Can I join your family? Mine's not nearly so happy about our President-Elect. I, on the other hand, am elated!
How's life?
Posted by: candace | November 22, 2008 at 10:50 AM
This has nothing to do with this post but can I just say I love your blog name. LOL!
Posted by: Rohini | February 07, 2009 at 12:48 PM