Living through history...

I know everyone (i.e. my Mum, Lisa, Lisa's family etc) thinks I'm nuts. But really, why I get so excited by Obama is that people don't seem to realize how historically important this is, and how lucky we are to be living in these times. I'm not talking about him being 'the first Black Nominee' or anything like that (although that's cool enough), I'm talking about the obvious (to me anyway) conclusion that Obama is a once in a generation leader, someone that will fundamentally change not just the country, but the world that we live in. As is often the case in the course of human history, it's often at the worst of times that a leader emerges to lead us through and out of those times, forward to a better place and time. Now, I believe, is such a time.

So, I get excited, and frustrated (looks like angry to someone at the receiving end but it really isn't), at my inability to fully explain to people why this man is (or can be) so important to so many people in the world. Not because his policies are radically different (they aren't). Not because he's black (he is). Not because he's an idealist (he isn't). It's because, more than anyone in this time, he is able to harness the good will, and ingenuity, and spirit that have made this country, and this world, what it is today.

In the end, Obama is just a dude with some good ideas, and a great way with speeches, but the people who believe in the direction he articulates, are the ones that will be empowered and inspired to start to go down that long and difficult path.

So anyways, here's Michelle, his wife. Take a look at this and try to remain cynical...