Unlikely Words » obama http://www.unlikelywords.com A blog with delusions of grandeur Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:48:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 No more dollar bills! http://www.unlikelywords.com/2011/04/07/no-more-dollar-bills/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2011/04/07/no-more-dollar-bills/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:27:01 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=7880
  • Pink Houses
  • Shark Tea Infuser
  • Oh.
    • ]]>     $5.5 billion over the next 30 years if the dollar bill was phased out in favor of a dollar coin. I don't feel strongly one way or another, but I want Obama to propose this just so we can all see how much the Tea Party cares about our paper currency. I think the meltdown would be epic.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Pink Houses
    2. Shark Tea Infuser
    3. Oh.

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2011/04/07/no-more-dollar-bills/feed/ 3     2008 Election Look Back http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/11/03/2008-election-look-back/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/11/03/2008-election-look-back/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:28:01 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=5601
  • A REAL Comprehensive Election Reference – Archive.org Election 2000
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    • ]]>     2008 Election Round Up of reactions, articles, thoughts, videos, etc. It's fun looking back at it now and actually using it the way it was intended. It seems like a year was a long time ago and yet not that long ago. I'm not sure how many of the links are broken now, but take a look through it and pass it on.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. A REAL Comprehensive Election Reference – Archive.org Election 2000
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/11/03/2008-election-look-back/feed/ 1     You Can Not Have A Reasonable Argument With Idiots http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/20/you-can-not-have-a-reasonable-argument-with-idiots/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/20/you-can-not-have-a-reasonable-argument-with-idiots/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:25:25 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=5199
  • Why I Hate Stupid Undecided Voters
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    • ]]>     Talking Points Memo, a poll from Public Policy Polling drilling down into the nonsense regarding whether President Obama is a naturalized citizen of the US.

    According to the poll, 24% of the population do not believe Obama was born in the US. That's not a huge surprise, because that's about the % of the country that supported Bush until the end of his presidency (though, it's obviously not certain these are the same people). More of these people (10% to 7%) believe he was born in Indonesia, rather than Kenya, which is weird because as TPM notes, everyone knows that Obama was born in Kenya, or at least that's what they say.

    Most telling, tough is the 10% of people who acknowledge Obama WAS born in Hawaii. 6% of them don't think Hawaii is part of the US and 4% aren't sure.

    Reasonable people can disagree, sure, but these people aren't reasonable.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Why I Hate Stupid Undecided Voters
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/20/you-can-not-have-a-reasonable-argument-with-idiots/feed/ 0     Happy One Year Anniversary To Tire Gauge As Political Prop http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/04/tire-gauges/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/04/tire-gauges/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:02:31 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2013
  • More Political Baseball Cards – Al Gore and George Bush Together Again
  • Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
  • Will Arnett Says Arrested Development Movie This Year
    • ]]>     Remember these?

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. More Political Baseball Cards – Al Gore and George Bush Together Again
    2. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
    3. Will Arnett Says Arrested Development Movie This Year

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/08/04/tire-gauges/feed/ 0     Van Jones is in a Hurry http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/23/van-jones-is-in-a-hurry/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/23/van-jones-is-in-a-hurry/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:53:53 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=3604
  • Mad Men’s January Jones Loves Sharks
  • Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
  • Harold T. P. Hayes – Editor of Esquire
    • ]]>     profile of Van Jones in the New Yorker a couple months ago and was struck by what he's doing tying the environment to the war on poverty. A couple weeks ago, the Obama administration tapped him to be the 'green' jobs adviser.

    The profile of Jones is interesting on a couple points, Jones changed his name from Anthony to Van to create a new persona, his ability to speak to different audiences (“That was my street rap, you get to hear my élite rap later on”), and his single-minded approach to recognizing his goal.
    I’m not looking for the points of difference. I’m looking for the points of commonality. I’ve trained my mind so that people can say twenty-seven things that might be objectionable, but as soon as they say one, that twenty-eighth thing, that’s in the right direction, that’s where I’m going to go in the conversation. I think that’s really important in a country as diverse as ours, to listen. So this guy, he says, I don’t want this, I don’t want that. But he says, I want everybody to be included. Well, that’s all I need. Dayenu.


    The aspect I found most fascinating about Jones is how everything he says sounds like a sound bite (in a good way). I imagine this comes from his appreciation of Ronald Regan's speaking ability.
    Ronald Reagan I admire greatly. You look at what he gets away with in a speech—unbelievable. He’s able to take fairly complex prose and convey it in such a natural and conversational way that the beauty of the language and the power of the language are there, but you stay comfortable. That’s very hard to do.


    I'm not the first to say this, but I know I won't be the last. Van Jones is going to be a very big deal very soon. Mark it.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Mad Men’s January Jones Loves Sharks
    2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
    3. Harold T. P. Hayes – Editor of Esquire

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/23/van-jones-is-in-a-hurry/feed/ 0     badpaintingsofbarackobama.com http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/04/badpaintingsofbarackobamacom/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/04/badpaintingsofbarackobamacom/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:09:54 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=3379
  • Roger Ebert Computer Voice
  • Oops!
  • Bad Paintings of Barack Obama Version 2
    • ]]>     The single serving site to rule them all. I can't stop clicking refresh because every time I do, I'm greeted by another bad painting of Obama. The paintings aren't all bad. And some are good. But as a collection, it's like a car crash. This is the type of internet I want on my computer and I can't look away.

    (Via Woot, thanks, Aaron!)

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Roger Ebert Computer Voice
    2. Oops!
    3. Bad Paintings of Barack Obama Version 2

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/03/04/badpaintingsofbarackobamacom/feed/ 5     Shepard Fairey Is All Over My (Internet) TV http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/shepard-fairey-is-all-over-my-internettv/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/shepard-fairey-is-all-over-my-internettv/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:44:20 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2628
  • Obey Boston – Shepard Fairey at the ICA
  • Somerville Shepard Fairey Mural Defaced, Repaired
  • Shepard Fairey Talk At The Institute Of Contemporary Art (ICA) – 2/6/09
    • ]]>
    Also, you know what? I don't care that the Shepard Fairey backlash is in full swing, I'm still going to the Supply & Demand show at the ICA, and you should to. Let me know how much of a hack or farce or fake or fraud or rip off he is in the comments, I'll be at the museum.






    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Obey Boston – Shepard Fairey at the ICA
    2. Somerville Shepard Fairey Mural Defaced, Repaired
    3. Shepard Fairey Talk At The Institute Of Contemporary Art (ICA) – 2/6/09

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/shepard-fairey-is-all-over-my-internettv/feed/ 2     Inauguration Fireworks or Missle Defense http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/inauguration-fireworks-or-missle-defense/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/inauguration-fireworks-or-missle-defense/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:03:54 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2625
  • Harry Potter Policy
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – 273 Facebook Status Messages in 27 Hours
  • The First 100 Days of Other Presidents
    • ]]>     in the days surrounding the Inauguration - it gets crazy around 9 AM Tuesday morning.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Harry Potter Policy
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – 273 Facebook Status Messages in 27 Hours
    3. The First 100 Days of Other Presidents

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/23/inauguration-fireworks-or-missle-defense/feed/ 0     Chuck Klosterman Blog http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/22/chuck-klosterman-blog/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/22/chuck-klosterman-blog/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:35:38 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2607
  • Chuck Klosterman Blog Part 2
  • Chuck Klosterman Blog Part 3
  • Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story by Chuck Klosterman
    • ]]>     my favorite authors refuse to have blogs of their own, I will do it for them. Here's an article by Chuck Klosterman about Obama's brother-in-law Craig Robinson a college basketball coach in Oregon. The famous campaign story of Michele making (NBA alumni) Craig let Obama play basketball with him and his friends is retold and analyzed from a different light.

    Here's Klosterman on The B.S. Report podcast. Haven't listened yet, but I imagine it will be good.

    And you know what else? Someone needs to come up with an Alltop channel that features all the articles by all the good authors who refuse to have blogs. I'm thinking Michael Lewis, Michael Pollan, Klosterman, maybe Susan Orlean if it's about origami or orchids, maybe Krakauer, Gladwell because he never updates his site. There's others. Who am I missing?

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Chuck Klosterman Blog Part 2
    2. Chuck Klosterman Blog Part 3
    3. Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story by Chuck Klosterman

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/22/chuck-klosterman-blog/feed/ 1     208 Facebook Status Messages in 24 Hours http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/21/208-facebook-status-messages-in-24-hours/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/21/208-facebook-status-messages-in-24-hours/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:19:46 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2599
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – 273 Facebook Status Messages in 27 Hours
  • Is Facebook Status Message Humor Still Funny?
  • Facebook is Google
    • ]]>     273 Facebook Status from Election Day.

    You can see the waves again, from mood to mood, more subtle this time. From eagerness the night before, to some folks waiting in line on the Mall, to when CNN/Facebook started up (those status messages are tagged), to when Obama was speaking and peeps were calling out their favorite quotations, to Rev Lowry calling for an 'Amen', to people getting ready to go out to Inaugural Balls.

    One surprising absence is commentary on Chief Justice Roberts' flubbing the oath (it's been confirmed that the 20th Amendment makes the Oath a formality, so Obama IS officially the President). And it's hard to tell that anyone was watching the parade (even the viewing stand was empty by the time it started). CNN was making references to the ceremonies running late all day and I hope, hope, HOPE, they don't turn this into a 'theme' of the Administration. We'll see. I watched the ceremony in a conference room at work on ABC via Slingbox. There were about 30-40 co-workers watching as well. Those are my memories from the day, what did you catch?

    I'm exhausted and the Obamas still have 4 more balls to get to as of 11:46PM on 1/20. Not sure how they're still going.

    I'm going to lay it out right now. Facebook/Twitter needs to allow for exporting of these streams, or someone's going to have to build the tool, because I don't have the time to format these bitches every time we come together as a nation to celebrate the election of a transcendent figure. Got it?

    Without further adieu, below are 208 Facebook Status Messages from my friends in 24 hours including the Inauguration.

    BK is celebrating the final night of the worst 8 years our country has seen -- at least in my lifetime. on Monday
    JA has acquired his inauguration tickets. We're in the back in the silver zone. Can't wait till tomorrow! on Monday
    EL is so excited for tomorrow i can hardly focus on anything! holy schmoley! we will finally have an inspiring leader! on Monday

    More messages after the jump.

    RH in chicago, listening to sufjan's 'chicago', and getting ready for a chicago politician to pull us past the W years. on Monday
    MP is excited about tomorrow--too bad I'll have to see the inaugural fanfare after the fact. Back to back meetings (lame, right?) on Monday
    PO just heard that Cheney injured his back moving boxes into his new home. He will attend tomorrow's inauguration in a wheelchair. How appropriate! on Monday
    CM wishes I was in DC with Mama, Papa, Ellen and Conor. on Monday
    CM was going to make cookies to celebrate tomorrow but realized we only had one (salt) ingredient called for in the recipe. Peanut M&Ms it is. 23 hours ago
    JO is 14 hours away! Happy ObamaEve everyone! 23 hours ago
    TJB is falling asleep for the last time under a GWB presidency. Amen. 23 hours ago
    JG says change, change, change Change from fools. 20 hours ago
    WA goodbye to all that. 19 hours ago
    JJ says hooray Obama! Looking forward to the speech! 19 hours ago
    ED what is Obama's plan for the Zombie War? huh, huh? 17 hours ago
    JA is in line for the inauguration! Only three hours till they open the gate. 15 hours ago
    SW was up at 5:45, and is on the way to the inauguration! Metro parking lots already full, Mall near the capital already packed, this is gonna be cahRAzy. 15 hours ago
    TJB is Janurary 20, 2009. 15 hours ago
    AK is layers layers layers!! 14 hours ago
    VV is OBAMA! 14 hours ago
    LS wants to be teleported to d.c. stat. 14 hours ago
    KS is excited for the day! 13 hours ago
    EEC is celebrating her dog's 10th birthday and a Democratic president!!! 13 hours ago
    EJH Wishing the inauguration were on a weekend or a holiday. 13 hours ago
    BK has the audacity to hope. 13 hours ago
    EG is hopeful. 13 hours ago
    RTM is feeling JUBILATION! 12 hours ago
    EB is OBAMA. 12 hours ago
    JO is ready for high noon! Very very very exciting day for me! 12 hours ago
    TP is in inaugural bliss.12 hours ago
    BF is so excited!! yes we can!!! 12 hours ago
    KH is so thrilled that inauguration day has finally arrived! yaaaayyyyyyyy!!!! 12 hours ago
    SB is happy that Bush is on his way out the door! 12 hours ago
    DA is going to have another week from hell but is psyched about change starting today!!! 12 hours ago
    JH misunderestimated exactly how excited I would be waking up today! Yes! 11 hours ago
    AFM is happy first Obama day!! 11 hours ago
    PW is Obama!!!!! 11 hours ago
    JF happy Obama! 11 hours ago
    SF is very happy to welcome our new President Obama. Best wishes to everyone. 11 hours ago
    EL is OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA!!! 11 hours ago
    LMC Happy Obama Day! 11 hours ago
    SBS is relieved. 11 hours ago
    GB is watching the inauguration before his last day of skiing. That's a LOT of people. 11 hours ago
    RH is wearing red, white, and blueand is very happy. 11 hours ago
    IM is so excited. he wishes he could watch tv with his wife in his arms all day. work gets in the way of everything. 11 hours ago
    MS is hopeful for our new start. 11 hours ago
    ESJ is ready for change. 11 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    CR wishes she had the day off.and a TV. 11 hours ago
    JD is so glad Dustin Hoffman finally got to see this day come. 11 hours ago
    SP is covering local reaction to the inauguration here in Portland, Maine for the Press Herald. 10 hours ago
    HC is at home watching the inauguration sipping ginger ale and popping ricolas and tylenol. 10 hours ago
    NS is proud to be an American! buhbye Bush!! 10 hours ago
    AC is getting totally and completely inaugurated. 10 hours ago
    PO is fired up. 10 hours ago
    BF is loving Michelle Obama's dress! 10 hours ago
    MP is optimistic! And moved stuff around to witness history. :-). 10 hours ago
    CM hopes I don't start crying watching the inaugeration at work today. Keep it together. 10 hours ago
    MM is woohoo! 10 hours ago
    JB wants to ride in one of Obama's new tank/car things. 10 hours ago
    JD is facebook has jumped the shark live on CNN!!! 10 hours ago
    SGW is heading up to watch the inauguration! 10 hours ago
    JW is excited for the big O. 10 hours ago
    JO is under an hour away from saying President Obama. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SC what tha? FACEBOOK is everywhere. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WA here we go. 10 hours ago
    WS loving this day! 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    NS is OBAMANOS! 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JS wants to watch the inauguration without the press commentary. 10 hours ago
    CB is glad we get to watch inauguration at work.10 hours ago
    CP is watching the "connecting to stream" screen. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WS move them out - fast! 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SC I love those guys. What a cute couple. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WS love Hill's blue coat. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JO thinks the guy MCing the Innaugatio should do call baseball games. Now batting. Number 44 Barack Obama. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WS Obama girls are so sweet. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    LMC They are so freaking cute. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JO can these kids get any cuter? 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    RT is digging this facebook in CNN thing 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SM thinks this is f-ing huge. 10 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    PS is happy to be with the KGBV girls, but wishing she could partake in inauguration festivities 9 hours ago
    CP is CONNECTED! Finally! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    TH was thinking last night, what are all the angst-ridden political bands gonna sing about for the next 4 years? 9 hours ago
    GB feels pretty damn lucky to be an American today. 9 hours ago
    SM can comiserate with back pain but Cheney hurting his back moving out makes her giggle. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WS goosebumps. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    CP HAHAHAAH at the Dick'in-a'chair. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WA still can't believe it. 9 hours ago
    WS cheney is hell on wheels. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    CP honorable George W Bush?! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SM is "oh boy oh boy oh boy." 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    ESJ is here he comes! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    MS is sharing a back spasm with Dick Cheney. 9 hours ago
    ESJ WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    MM is watching. 9 hours ago
    SM wonders why the prayer when they have that whole separation of church and state thing. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    MC is oh my god this is SOOOOOOO great!!! Hit the road "W"!!! 9 hours ago
    PW is trying to watch the Inauguration during class. Thank you Ty! 9 hours ago
    JJ is thinking wow! Amazing history Obama! 9 hours ago
    SR this keeps getting better and better!! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    ESJ thats one big bow. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    GB 's closed captions said "my country advertise of thee." 9 hours ago
    RH is CHILLS. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SM is yay! the queen of soul!!! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    AL says GO ARETHA! 9 hours ago
    SP is glad change is here!9 hours ago
    BF is oh my god it's happening!!! 9 hours ago
    DM is solidarity of joy and accomplishment vs. anger and pain. 9 hours ago
    AK is hoping obama's first act as president will be to outlaw winter! 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    LN is still in a meeting, and lost the feed. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SM is wondering if they will bring out "Obama Girl" from SNL 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SF is standing. 9 hours ago
    BK - HOOOOORRRRAAAAAAAYYYYYYY! 9 hours ago
    DM see you in HELL george w bush!!! 9 hours ago
    MM is listening. 9 hours ago
    LMC is happy. 9 hours ago
    LN is missing the whole thing :(. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    BK -- all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. 9 hours ago
    9 hours ago
    AL is down with BHO!
    SM loves this guy. 9 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    RTM is watching change happen with her daughter knowing "People will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." 9 hours ago
    AK is truly enjoying the moment. 9 hours ago
    CP is goosebumps. 8 hours ago
    MC is so happy to have a president who can deliver a speech like that!! 8 hours ago
    GB says, "Amen!" 8 hours ago
    RH is smiling. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    NW is American. 8 hours ago
    BS agrees: "Your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy" 8 hours ago
    GJ is wondering who this Obama guy is??? 8 hours ago
    DR is very hopeful. 8 hours ago
    JS says AMEN! 8 hours
    SM says amen. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JO is proud. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JFA is hopeful. 8 hours ago
    SM says "wheeeeee." 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SB is happy. 8 hours ago
    MS is enjoying the interv. 8 hours ago
    MS is yay Social Studies teacher from Medford on CBS! 8 hours ago
    SK is waving good-bye to our worst president ever and filled with excitement for the Obamas and the country! 8 hours ago
    SM is pleased watching Cheney leave. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JW is "Our Founding Fathers drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man…Those ideals still light the world" 8 hours
    SM likes the new whitehouse.gov site. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SC bye bye. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    WS watched history with Jackson and Mom. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    SBS is so happy she got to watch the inauguration from work. Thanks, Stonyfield! 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    CW New direction! 8 hours ago
    PJ I saw Obama levitate, anyone else see it? 8 hours ago
    KH is wow. wow. wow. 8 hours ago
    KB just watched the inauguration. What a great day this is! 8 hours ago
    NS thinks the real reason why Cheney (Dr. Strangelove) was in a wheelchair was because he pulled a Plaxico Burress. 8 hours ago
    SGWis happy that it's official. 8 hours ago
    JW agrees with G. Smith that it's kinda awesome that Cheney is going out as a Bond villain. 8 hours ago
    ME is restoring science to its rightful place. 8 hours ago
    NS is wondering why Bush gets to ride in AirForceOne. Give the guy a bike and call it a day. 8 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    AC Just compared notes on innaug with a gas station attendant in Santa barbara. It's a new day. 7 hours ago
    LJBP is an inspired American! 7 hours ago
    JG is hell yeah Barack! 7 hours ago
    PW is welcome!!!! 7 hours ago
    IM just downright enjoyed it all. 7 hours ago
    EL is AMEN! 7 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    BF is making a special inauguration day cake. go-bama! 7 hours ago
    JR is Obama time! 7 hours ago
    HS is perma grinning from Obama! 7 hours ago
    JG thinks this is one of those days when you'll always remember where you were. 7 hours ago
    TYY just ate a barackwurst and is waiting for Mr. President to walk by in the parade. 7 hours ago
    FH was just behind the Washington Monument it was moving. Me, the jumbo-tron, and thousands and thousands of others! 7 hours ago
    GB is taking his first ski runs under a Democratic president in eight long years. 7 hours ago
    CP loved Elizabeth Alexander's 'Praise song for the day.'. 7 hours ago
    CP is did it. 6 hours ago
    PC loves that ABC is using the Illuminations theme for their Inauguration ad breaks - represent Epcot! 6 hours ago
    AK is "people will judge you on what you can build, not what you can destroy." 6 hours ago
    CP Haha so good! @timparker: http://www.rundc09.com/RUN_DC_09.html. 6 hours ago
    EL is cheney looks _much_ more evil in a wheelchair. if only he had a hairless cat. ;). 6 hours ago
    RH 's thoughts are with teddy. 6 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    MM wants to be optomistic. 6 hours ago
    JH Is proud and emotional. 5 hours ago
    VV is wondering what Obama is thinking right now. 5 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JG kinda wonders what was going through Barack head when he was escorting Bush to the helicopter. 5 hours ago
    AK is sore feet, empty stomach, and a heartful of hope! 5 hours ago
    VV thinks choosing Rick Warren was a strategic move to appeal to the Christian right, a smart move indeed although a bit ethnocentric. 5 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    PW is procrastinating with the parade. 5 hours ago
    SK thinks it's a good day to be alive. 5 hours ago
    EL is :) http://socialentrepreneurship.change.org/blog/view/the_entrepreneurial_presidency_five_ways_to_govern_like_a_startup. 4 hours ago
    VV wonders where they got those Native Americans. you mean there are some left? 4 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    AL Barack looks like he's reading to go home. 4 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    VV thinks Obama wants a cigarrette now. 4 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    VV thinks Obama's simle is BEAUTIFUL. 4 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    VV thinks this CNN thing is so ADD. 4 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    MC If only the inauguration was on tv everyday I think that's the first time in ages I was able to actually stay on the treadmill. 3 hours ago
    VV is glad Obama is really intelligent. 3 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    JA was there. 3 hours ago
    JH Thinks it is in poor taste to run an infomercial selling "obama minted coins" directly following this historic moment. 3 hours ago
    LB is happy new president everyone! 3 hours ago
    MC Maureen Dowd - very cool and very scary all at the same time. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/opinion/18dowd.html. 3 hours ago
    VV is Aretha Frankin's hat. 3 hours ago via CNN.com Live
    DB Hooray, America! 3 hours ago
    AK is heading to the Western ball, thanks to her awesome new boss! 3 hours ago
    CM what an amazing day. Let the celebrating begin! 2 hours ago
    MC Love this headline: Obama raises hand, lifts a nation. 2 hours ago
    SM is attempting to be ungrumpy. about an hour ago
    JFA doesn't think that shovelling out a spot entitles you to it for the rest of the winter. about an hour ago
    TYY is about to do the ball thing. about an hour ago
    RD is obamanation. about an hour ago
    GH thinks it really IS a new day, and can tolerate Will I. Am. about an hour ago
    HW is wearing short sleeves and got to watch the inauguration in class today. Best first day of classes ever! 51 minutes ago
    ME is Neighborhood Ballin!!! 49 minutes ago
    ME wants to watch Barry dance all night. 35 minutes ago
    AC has not taken a shower since the bush administration. 4 minutes ago

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – 273 Facebook Status Messages in 27 Hours
    2. Is Facebook Status Message Humor Still Funny?
    3. Facebook is Google

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/21/208-facebook-status-messages-in-24-hours/feed/ 2     Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/full-text-of-president-barack-obamas-inaugural-speech/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/full-text-of-president-barack-obamas-inaugural-speech/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:15:40 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2597
  • Matt Taibbi vs Goldman Sachs (Full Text)
  • How to Pick a Vice President
  • Thoughts on President Obama
    • ]]>     Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Matt Taibbi vs Goldman Sachs (Full Text)
    2. How to Pick a Vice President
    3. Thoughts on President Obama

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/full-text-of-president-barack-obamas-inaugural-speech/feed/ 0     It Really Does Feel Like Something Is Different http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/it-really-does-feel-like-something-is-different/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/it-really-does-feel-like-something-is-different/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:20:24 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2594
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business
    • ]]>
    Here's the Election Time Capsule I put together in November.

    Introduction
    Celebrate! - A run down of the celebrations.
    WINS! - A list of 38 sites and their winning posts.
    Winners and Losers - 18 lists of election winners and losers.
    Turnout, Voting, and Polling - Articles and stories about voting, polling, and turn out.
    Reactions - Reactions from the world, pundits, and celebrities.
    How Obama Won - Some thoughts on how Obama won.
    Why McCain Lost - Some thoughts on why McCain lost and what next for the GOP.
    Expectations and Advice - There are a lot of people with expectations and a lot of people with advice.
    Race - Obviously electing the first black president is going to bring up comments on race.
    Money and Business - What will the impact on your money and you business be?
    The Media - Without the media, wherever would we be!?
    Humor - Without the humor, wherever would we be!?
    Miscellaneous - Without the miscellaneous, wherever would we be!?
    Personal Stories from Friends - Just what it says.
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours - Just what it says.
    Via - Here’s a list of all the sites I used in putting this together – the sources.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/20/it-really-does-feel-like-something-is-different/feed/ 0     The Speech http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/19/the-speech/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/19/the-speech/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:29:24 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2552
  • Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream Speech
  • Joshua Sacco’s “Miracle” Speech at Fenway Park
  • Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech
    • ]]>

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream Speech
    2. Joshua Sacco’s “Miracle” Speech at Fenway Park
    3. Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/01/19/the-speech/feed/ 0     AC’s Year in Review http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/31/acs-year-in-review/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/31/acs-year-in-review/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:44:02 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=2202
  • 2009 Year in Review
  • Matt’s Year in Review
  • 2010 Year In Review
    • ]]>
    In no real order...

    A horse statue was vandalized in Saratoga Springs, Billy Ripken and Ken Griffey reminded me of how I spent the second half of the eighties and one summer after Sophomore year of college and Guns n' Roses released an album leading to me telling 2 stories of my younger days.

    I documented 12 cities that banned plastic bags, as well as the the 2008 Election and was PSYCHED this got linked by Kottke and Wonkette. Bill Simmons listed his favorite sports journalism and I found links to almost all of them as tons and tons of musicians told John McCain "Don’t Play My Song! and I compiled a list. I was hoping this would catch on, but, alas...

    A seafood truck crashed in Worcester. Someone rented a refrigerated truck and the lobsters were sold all over town. Until they were discovered, seized and...dumped back into Boston Harbor, which seems like it could only happen in Worcester, the Paris of the Eighties.

    World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks was my favorite book this year, Mad Men Season 1 my favorite TV show, and Eastern Promises my favorite movie. However, my favorite movie to talk about was the utterly horrible Unknown. It's not unwatchable, though.

    "Dodgers touch Colon for run in fourth" was my favorite headline of the year, while seeing Sir Ben Kingsley as Ian MacKaye was my favorite video. The Barack Brains T Shirt (Bad Brains logo/Barack) tied the Cry Celtic Green T-Shirt for garment of the year. And I got an iPhone.

    A hawk attacked a girl at Fenway Park and I introduced the world to cold cut flavored jelly beans, which surprisingly elicited a prompt reaction from the inventor of Jelly Belly (see the comments). I continued hating sharks while Pat Matheny continued to hate Kenny G's "Lame-ass, jive, pseudo bluesy, out-of-tune, noodling, wimped out, fucked up playing.”

    Eliot Spitzer banged a prostitute and I was there to flow chart it. I also created a recipe to make Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream at home, watched my street flood, enjoyed this article about getting stuck in an elevator, and found out BJ Upton's BJ stands for Bossman Junior, which is just awesome.

    And finally, my favorite picture of the year:
    Big Baby Davis and the Trophy!

    Happy New Year everyone, thanks for reading and see you next year.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. 2009 Year in Review
    2. Matt’s Year in Review
    3. 2010 Year In Review

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/31/acs-year-in-review/feed/ 2     Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/02/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/02/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:03:26 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1603
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business
    • ]]>     found a message board called ‘Win it For’ that was started at some point before the World Series and was filled with stories from people who wanted the Red Sox to win the World Series for someone or other. I spent about 5 hours, reading it straight through, the morning after the World Series and it was the best way I could have celebrated the Red Sox winning.

    On November 4, when Barack Obama was announced the winner of the 2008 Presidential Election I was searching for a similar sort of catharsis. Not so much because of Obama winning (which was nice) but because the election had been building as an event for almost 3 years – from the speculation of who would run, to the announcements, to the campaigns, to the primaries, to the general, and finally, November 4th came and went. I thought maybe I’ll collect a few thoughts from friends, or collect all the Facebook status messages, or collect a few links that helped tell the story. As I thought about it, I decided I wouldn’t be able to do what I wanted without going overboard. And I won’t lie, despite my attempts at making this document impartial, there’s no way it could have been. And though I’ve tried to make its focus 11/4, Election Day, there were certain events from the campaign that creeped in.

    I wanted to create something to look at a couple years from now to remember the election and hopefully present a good representation of what both sides of America were feeling on that day as evidenced by the response in the press and on the blogs. I didn’t capture everything, though I’ve certainly tried. I want to consume all of this information, have it put on a microchip in my brain. Until that’s possible, I just read a lot. I don’t know how many of these links will work in a year or 5 years, (when this doc might be helpful to show younger people who may not have ever remembered having a president who isn’t black), but here’s what I’ve got. At the bottom is a list of all the sites I used and the domains that helped.

    This is a LONG post, when you get bored, bookmark it so you can come back later. There are several different sections. If you want to skip around, you can use the Contents Section below.

    Celebrate! - A run down of the celebrations.
    WINS! - A list of 38 sites and their winning posts.
    Winners and Losers - 18 lists of election winners and losers.
    Turnout, Voting, and Polling - Articles and stories about voting, polling, and turn out.
    Reactions - Reactions from the world, pundits, and celebrities.
    How Obama Won - Some thoughts on how Obama won.
    Why McCain Lost - Some thoughts on why McCain lost and what next for the GOP.
    Expectations and Advice - There are a lot of people with expectations and a lot of people with advice.
    Race - Obviously electing the first black president is going to bring up comments on race.
    Money and Business - What will the impact on your money and you business be?
    The Media - Without the media, wherever would we be!?
    Humor - Without the humor, wherever would we be!?
    Miscellaneous - Without the miscellaneous, wherever would we be!?
    Personal Stories from Friends - Just what it says.
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours - Just what it says.
    Via - Here’s a list of all the sites I used in putting this together – the sources.

    “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Money and Business

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/12/02/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference/feed/ 10     The First 100 Days of Other Presidents http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/23/the-first-100-days-of-other-presidents/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/23/the-first-100-days-of-other-presidents/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:17:30 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1702
  • Teenagers lost at sea for 50 days rescued
  • 100 Skills Everyone Should Have
  • We’re All Gonna Die – 100 meters of existence
    • ]]>     click through to this chart.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Teenagers lost at sea for 50 days rescued
    2. 100 Skills Everyone Should Have
    3. We’re All Gonna Die – 100 meters of existence

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/23/the-first-100-days-of-other-presidents/feed/ 0     Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Via http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-via/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-via/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:37:34 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1926
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Reactions
    • ]]>
    And now, finally, I can have my life back, not having to worry about politics every second of every day.

    (Many, many thanks to the following websites for making the above possible. Seriously. Via Wonkette, Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish, Apelad, Soldier’s Home, Rob Pitingolo, Wired, Mark Cuban, SF Weekly, The New Republic, Change.gov, The Corner, Culture11, Daily Kos, Callie Shell, Dooce, Ed Cone, ESPN, Gawker, Gothamist, Wicked Local, Jezebel, Kottke, Nicholas Kristof, Paul Krugman, Marc Ambinder, Marketplace, Media Matters, Miami Herald, MyWay.com, Google News, Yahoo News, New York Magazine, Obama 2008 Headlines, Opinionator Blog, Perez Hiltion, Political Ticker Blog, Politico, Ross Douthat, Salon, Slate, The Stranger, Der Souegel, Swamland Blog, Talking Points Memo, The Board Blog, Think Progress, Tucson Citizen, Z on TV, The Wall Street Journal, Michelle Malkin, Curt Schilling, AfterEllen, The American Conservative, Baloon Juice, Barry Eisler, BeyondChron, The Boston Globe, The Big Picture (Boston Globe), Brand Week, Chris Piascik’s Blogzilla, CNN, Controlled Greed, Christian Science Monitor, Dallas News, Digby, D Magazine, EbonyJet, The Economist, Bill Whittle, Wikipedia, Atrios, Chicago News Examiner, FiveThirtyEight.com, FOX News, GQ, The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Mother Jones, msnbc.com, National Journal, Saturday Night Live, Newseum.com, Newspaper Index, Newsweek, The New Yorker, New York Daily News, The New York Post, The New York Times, Patrick Mosberg, Bill Moyers Journal, Playboy, Pollster.com, Portfolio, The American Prospect, Real Clear Politics, Reason, RedState, Republicans for Obama, The Big Picture (Barry Ritholtz), Rolling Stone, Glenn Greenwald, Salon War Room, sarahpalin.com, Hello Everybody, Steven Johnson, The Next Right, The Onion, The Root, Time, Tiny Revolution, USA Today, Washington Monthly, The Washington Post, YouTube, Zefrank)

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Reactions

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-via/feed/ 0     Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – 273 Facebook Status Messages in 27 Hours http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-273-status-political-status-messages-in-27-hours/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-273-status-political-status-messages-in-27-hours/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:34:58 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1924
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins
    • ]]>
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours
    I was fascinated by the number of status messages left by Facebook users from 4:00 PM Tuesday, the 4th , until 7:00 PM on Wednesday, the 5th. They were almost exclusively about the election, and all but two friends were happy about it. It’s amazing how easy they were to divide up by the emotions that seemingly everyone was sharing…

    4:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST - Some people still voting, donating their status messages, etc etc.

    JB just returned from voting! on Tuesday
    RH is overwhelmed by western PA. on Tuesday
    JA can't wait for results time! on Tuesday
    JG literally might throw up from election induced anxiety disorder. on Tuesday
    CKL is so happy she didn't have to wait in line to vote today. on Tuesday
    PO did his civic duty. on Tuesday
    JW just voted and got the chills...let's make history. on Tuesday
    EL is getting out the vote for Barack Obama. Last chance to join the rally: http://causes.com/election/3755431?m=c41805ab. on Tuesday
    MD is getting out the vote for Barack Obama. Last chance to join the rally: http://causes.com/election/13860967?m=a56f182a. on Tuesday
    SMZ is getting out the vote for Barack Obama. Last chance to join the rally: http://causes.com/election/26867237?m=b82ec408. on Tuesday
    MS has donated their status to remind everyone to vote for Barack Obama today. Donate your status: http://causes.com/election/9755311?m=41d830db. on Tuesday
    JT is antsy! on Tuesday
    AT VOTED!!!! it'll be a long night of waiting to see the out come though :(. on Tuesday |

    6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST - Nervousness, jumpiness, eagerness, drinkiness.

    GB is crazy nervous. on Tuesday
    TJB has voted and is now getting ready to party! Anyone in the Valley within shouting distance is welcome to stop by:). on Tuesday
    RD is the 1,593,543rd person to donate their status to get out the vote for Barack Obama today. Donate yours: http://causes.com/election/. on Tuesday
    SW is HOLY CRAP JUST A LITTLE EAGER. on Tuesday
    CP I love this http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/joe-the-plumber-vs-cnns-r_n_141091.html. on Tuesday
    PDS is down with the Force. on Tuesday
    CM is going to the Obama rally tonight. Hot damn! on Tuesday
    EEC is pissed that only 10% of people care about Iraq anymore when there are still people dying over there.... on Tuesday
    JG just rocked the vote. on Tuesday
    JO just voted and got a flu shot all in the same building. Yay America! Yay Obama! on Tuesday
    JB is elated after casting my vote. on Tuesday
    AK is mixing a stiff drink and bracing herself. on Tuesday AFM is election party tonight! Lots of beer on hand to celebrate or commiserate depending on circumstances. on Tuesday KC is waiting for the election to end. on Tuesday
    LJBP So proud of America for voting - looking forward to curling up in comfy clothes with Scott & pizza to watch the election results roll in! :). on Tuesday
    KM remembers when terrorists planned 9/11 under Democrat Bill Clinton's watch. 23 hours ago

    6:30 PM – 7:05 PM EST – Hunkering down, and the first noticing of CNN’s holograms.

    DM is going to get himself a mess of sushi, crack open a bottle of red and watch the election returns on his very own couch all by himself. 23 hours ago
    PC reminds everyone to fasten their seatbelts... (and if you don't know the rest of this, remember to vote NO on 8!!!) 23 hours ago
    KSG misses Tim Russert a little bit. 23 hours ago
    FH is ready for returns, although her fingernails are getting shorter... 23 hours ago
    SBS voted and is buzzing with excitement! 23 hours ago
    LG is the 1,668,494th person to donate their status to get out the vote for Barack Obama today. Donate yours: http://causes.com/election/. 23 hours ago
    RC can't believe how ridiculous the CNN holograms are. 23 hours ago
    JG thinks CNN's holograms are hilarious. 23 hours ago
    JFA is horrified at the reports of voter intimidation. But then again...it is Fox News. 23 hours ago
    IME is moved by this story - that's dedication. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081104/ap_on_fe_st/odd_vote_in_ambulance. 23 hours ago

    7:05 PM – 8:30 PM EST - Polls stat closing, votes start coming in.

    MM can't get information fast enough....refresh...refresh. 22 hours ago
    CC is extremely anxious, but has already (optimistically) purchased celebration prosecco. Cheers! 22 hours ago
    NS is holding his breath. 22 hours ago
    MC voted for Barack!!!!!!!!! 22 hours ago
    JB is just waiting... 22 hours ago
    MC wants to give away all the red states. 22 hours ago
    MM is FREAKING. 22 hours ago
    JF has her fingers crossed for Obama. 22 hours ago
    RD is GOBAMA!!!!!!! 22 hours ago
    MC hearts David Gergen and Chris Matthews. Maybe DG a little more. 22 hours ago KB can't believe people are beginning to decorate their houses for christmas. Completely non-political status but....my head is racing. 22 hours ago
    MM NH - check! 22 hours ago
    JA is at Rockefeller Center and it is waaay cool! 22 hours ago
    MC thinks that Jean Shaheen is fun to say. 22 hours ago
    VK Ole ole ole ole, Batak, Barak!!! Ole ole ole ole!!! 22 hours ago
    MS Hagan > Dole. It's starting, and it's gonna get better before it gets better people!! 21 hours ago
    MC is a little bit proud of NH and has decided that they may remain a New England state. 21 hours ago
    MF is projecting the CNN hologram has lost in a landslide. 21 hours ago
    MM waiting on FL. 21 hours ago
    SF is also stoked how many people were out voting and showing they want to be heard! 21 hours ago
    RD is YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL! 21 hours ago
    NM is elated to see the US vote for their first black president. Right man for the job!!!!! 21 hours ago ME adrenaline. 21 hours ago
    BB is feeling beyond addled. 21 hours ago
    WEW is watching the votes roll in. GOBAMA. 21 hours ago

    8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST – OHIO!!! is called, people start to feel it.

    TJB is OHIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21 hours ago
    AFM wants to remind you not to get the projections confused with the actual votes. CNN needs TV drama too. 21 hours ago HV is 70 to go!!!!!!! 21 hours ago
    HS is soo proud of her husband for making Ohio BLUE! 21 hours ago
    DM is God I love seeing Fox News Talking Heads squirm and spin!!! 21 hours ago
    MM wow. OH! 21 hours ago
    LMC Yay Ohio!!!! 21 hours ago
    RTM is having so much fun reading updated statuses pertaining to Obama's anticipated victory. 21 hours ago
    RD is. 21 hours ago
    MFS is HEY! HO! WAY TO GO O-H-I-O!!!! 21 hours ago
    MH declares that today, we are all Ohioans. 21 hours ago
    CP psyched about Pennsylvania and Ohio! 21 hours ago
    KB loves refreshing everyone's status updates and getting the play by play... 20 hours ago
    NS is Jim Himes! 20 hours ago
    AK 's heart is in Grant Park, with her brother! 20 hours ago

    9:30 PM – 11:00 PM EST – Anticipation building. Closer and closer and closer. States kept coming in.

    JG is witnessing one of the most historic moments in our nation's history. Wow. 20 hours ago
    MM is feeling a little relief... and pride. 20 hours ago
    MS is surprised how many people on the living room floor are posting status updates. 20 hours ago
    NS is SINCERELY thankful for Chris Shays' service. 20 hours ago
    LN wants less talking and more results...you hear me...RESULTS. 20 hours ago
    JS is very very proud of America. 20 hours ago
    LS is amazed. 20 hours ago
    RT is 975 dollars richer thanks to Obama... BC o-ba-ma! o-ba-ma! 20 hours ago
    JG says "Fuck Yeah Ohio!!!". 20 hours ago
    MM is back waiting for FL (or VA)...and getting sleepy. 20 hours ago
    AS welcomes the new era that has just been born. 20 hours ago
    AT is happy she moved to a swing state, did I help swing it? 20 hours ago
    FH is feeling pretty happy. PBR helps. 20 hours ago
    MY is Ha! Will.i.am via HOLOGRAM? awesome. 20 hours ago
    RT is surprised you can smoke pot now. just not at the dog track... 20 hours ago
    MC is wondering wtf is going on with IN, NC and VA? 19 hours ago
    JA has been on NBC a lot tonight. 19 hours ago
    JW has champagne on ice and is beginning to get overwhelmed with joy. 19 hours ago
    RD is we just got virginia. 19 hours ago

    11:00 PM – 1:00 AM EST - HE WON!!!!!! Disbelief, celebration, realization slowly starts to sink in.

    LMC oh my god. 19 hours ago
    NS is HE WON! 19 hours ago
    CP 23 to go! Motherbitches! 19 hours ago
    MM is excited....and tired. 19 hours ago
    JO we did it!!!! 19 hours ago
    AK is inexpressibly happy. let the images speak for themselves, Wolf! 19 hours ago
    RTM no words can describe this! 19 hours ago
    HV is shedding tears of joy...History is made and change is on the way! 19 hours ago
    TJB is oh my god. 19 hours ago
    CP John Stewart calls it, good enough for me!! 19 hours ago
    RH loves this. 19 hours ago
    JB says the Barack has just won the Presidency! 19 hours ago
    CB is happy. 19 hours ago NS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY. 19 hours ago
    SS nice, it's over McCain, our next president is Obama!! 19 hours ago
    MD is celebrating. 19 hours ago
    LG is WWWEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! 19 hours ago
    RD is elated. words can't describe it. 19 hours ago
    TM is ecstatic. 19 hours ago
    CC is drinking some fizzy wine and SO excited!!!!! 19 hours ago IME HOORAY! Though I'll miss Tina's Palin. 19 hours ago
    PW is so proud to be an American right now!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!! 19 hours ago
    ME tears of joy. 19 hours ago
    GB is Yes dammit! We won! 19 hours ago
    JW is listening to Brooklyn erupt in cheers!!!!!! Elation! 19 hours ago
    PW is so proud to be an American right now!!! Tears of joy! Thank you. 19 hours ago
    RS is listening to pandemonium on the streets... GObama! 19 hours ago
    AFM is fuck yeah!!! And I get to sleep at a decent hour! 19 hours ago
    AC is great day. great, great day. 19 hours ago
    JJ is unbelievably happy and proud to have her country back! 19 hours ago
    GG has just witnessed the country go soft. 19 hours ago
    HW Oh yes we did! 19 hours ago
    CR is soooo happy!!!!! 19 hours ago
    CP hell yes. 19 hours ago
    PO can I get a hell yeah!!! 19 hours ago
    CP has exhaled. The best night. Ever. 19 hours ago
    JB just lit about 50 bottle rockets off his roof, the city is pretty much going nuts... 19 hours ago
    JA Yes we can? Yes we did!!! 19 hours ago
    LMC a happy moment of a lifetime. 19 hours ago
    VK We are witnessing history in the making. President Obama. 19 hours ago
    VK I couldn't be happier. Change is here. 19 hours ago
    FH is so excited! I was teary... 19 hours ago
    MM is watching history tonight. 19 hours ago
    PC is blown away by America. 19 hours ago
    KH is OBAMA!!!!! 19 hours ago
    DW just changed the world. 19 hours ago
    CW is right in the heart of history. 19 hours ago
    ED don't tell me, i tivo'd it. 19 hours ago
    CG is proud to be an American again. This day will be taught to and discussed by future generations as a watershed moment in American history. 19 hours ago
    ED says McCain 2012 ! 19 hours ago
    DP is excited to have a president he can be proud of. finally. 19 hours ago
    KS is hoping no one hurts this man. 19 hours ago RC is beyond thrilled that Obama is prez, but slightly disappointed that Wolf Blitzer did not howl when he projected Obama's victory. 19 hours ago
    WA -- it happened. 19 hours ago
    LG has one word for you: landslide. 18 hours ago
    JA is proud to have voted in a swing state that went Obama! 18 hours ago
    TJB is breathless and overwhelmed. 18 hours ago
    KO is amazed. And inspired. 18 hours ago
    NS "Rosa sat so Martin could walk so Barack could run so our children can fly". 18 hours ago
    BS we are not enemies, but friends -- change has come...thank god! 18 hours ago
    VK Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!18 hours ago
    SB is living history in the internet. 18 hours ago
    EO is....PRAISE JESUS!!! 18 hours ago
    AC is give'im give'im give'im give'im give'im give'im give'im give'im give'im the keys to the city. 18 hours ago
    ED yes we can has! 18 hours ago
    ME is inspired and encouraged. One love, America. 18 hours ago
    AL is proud to be in Chicago. 18 hours ago
    JD feels his shell of disaffected, ironic distance crack, crack, crack. 18 hours ago
    GB is ecstatic and exhausted. 18 hours ago
    LG is totally overwhelmed by the absolute yay-ness of the moment. 18 hours ago
    NW is hoping the world is watching. That's how Democracy works, bitches. 18 hours ago
    SO is Extremely Excited!!! 18 hours ago

    1:00 AM – 7:00 AM EST - Moving on, here comes the snark, pride, elation, exhaustion, PROP 8.

    JA is wondering how soon he can sign up for health care! 17 hours ago
    MS is loving the fact that I voted for a winner.....and that Chicago is the center of the earth right now. 17 hours ago
    PC just found out that LA county results come in last - keep the faith everyone! 17 hours ago
    EL is saying - time to spread the wealth!! 17 hours ago
    AK has to sleep and give up on watching for California Prop 8 results. No matter where it comes down, your dignity subject to a vote, and we will overcome! 17 hours ago
    MC wants a miniature Jill Biden doll - she is adorable. 17 hours ago
    GF is surprised that Californians voted Yes on 8. Bright Side: I guess gays won't have to endure divorce. 17 hours ago
    CM is so proud of this country. Yes we did! 17 hours ago
    MC is thinking Rudy and Sarah are starting to figure out what a community organizer does ;). 17 hours ago
    EL loved all the horns (and drums) on the way home! about time we can show the same joy for politics as we do for the red sox/patriots. 17 hours ago
    HW says HELLS YEAH! 17 hours ago
    SR is smiling. 17 hours ago
    ESJ is celebrating Obama victory. 17 hours ago
    JH just got home from Grant Park! Very, very cool. 17 hours ago
    EB is a seriously proud American. Elated beyond description. Ready to contribute to all the good things that are now going to come. 16 hours ago
    CB is overwhelmed! 16 hours ago
    CM is exhausted but too excited to fall asleep. Tomorrow's gonna be rough. 16 hours ago
    JG is ready to go to sleep and wake up on Jan. 20, 2009 in the United Baracks of Amerirack. 16 hours ago
    CH is knocked on her butt, but in an amazing way. 16 hours ago
    WEW is Oboozing. Great day in America. 15 hours ago
    PP is celebrating. 15 hours ago
    JF Obooyah!! 14 hours ago

    7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST – Did that just happen? Excitement, pride, America, happiness, relief, afterglow, more snark, WTF? CA, Bittersweet victory.

    MS is OMG amazing election. Thanks to all that got out and voted, R or D!! 12 hours ago
    SM is YAY! 12 hours ago
    AB is so happy we got it right this time. 12 hours ago
    KB did fall asleep too early last night but woke up feeling as though it was christmas morning. We did it people. 11 hours ago
    SW is so ready for a new era. 11 hours ago
    CG is breathing a sigh of relief. 11 hours ago
    KC is happy there is no recount, the election's over, and it's safe to go back to the grind. 10 hours ago
    NM is so glad to hear the words President Elect Barack Obama. :-). 10 hours ago
    TJB knows that the pendulum swings both ways in this country, and it is time for like minded people to use this time wisely. 10 hours ago
    MR "America has spoken...and has spoken clearly....". 10 hours ago
    JB is tired, but thrilled. 10 hours ago
    MD was so happy this morning that she woke up early BY CHOICE. 10 hours ago
    AK is looking forward to having an intelligent Pres again! GObama!! Best day ever. 10 hours ago
    MS is sifting through data on state races. Massachusetts legislature is approaching Volkskammer numbers for Democrats. 10 hours ago
    AD hasn't been this excited in years! 9 hours ago
    EL congratulates you! and asks you to get to work with him to make this country a better place. 9 hours ago
    SBS thinks the people have spoken...loudly. 9 hours ago
    HS is annoyed with Morning Joe-don't piss on the parade already! 9 hours ago
    LN is proud of her country...probably for the first time ever. 9 hours ago
    EB is http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/11/20081155293464248.html. word. 9 hours ago
    PJ is proud that Mass stepped up and voted YES on Question #3. 9 hours ago
    KM can at least cling to guns and religion until 2012. 9 hours ago
    EDW is OBAMA WINS! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! ♥ . 9 hours ago
    CP second moment when it really sunk in was listening to Delores Handy this morning: http://www.wbur.org/news/2008/81167_20081105.asp. 9 hours ago
    CM such an amazing night... now back to the grind. 9 hours ago
    LJBP Tired, proud and optimistic after an inspiring and historic night! 9 hours ago
    CM is glad he dosen't have to move out of the country. 9 hours ago
    AFM is amused that her neighbors called Obama a communist. What is this, 1950? 9 hours ago
    MS is going into work--late--to toss most of the pictures of McCain and place the pictures of Obama. 9 hours ago
    RS For the first time in my lifetime, I feel truly proud to be an American. Truly. 9 hours ago
    LB is happy. 8 hours ago
    MM is encouraged. 8 hours ago
    KH is overjoyed. 8 hours ago
    SGW stayed up late for the rally and is still happy, but tired. 8 hours ago
    DM is thinking that this weekend is going to be a giant party! 8 hours ago
    JB woke up to a great new world! 8 hours ago
    KH is finding it very hard to focus on homework but that is totally OK with her! 8 hours ago
    TL never saw people shouting from the rooftops until THIS. 8 hours ago
    AK is road trip to dc jan 20th?? 8 hours ago
    AK is content. 8 hours ago MD is so happy he doesn't know how to... 8 hours ago
    GB , for one, welcomes his new Democratic overlord. 7 hours ago
    JFA is pleased. 7 hours ago
    RTM is floating around Jersey suburbia... smiling and spreading the love! YES WE CAN AMERICA!!!! 7 hours ago
    BR is hoping Obama can succeed at what he was elected to do as soon as possible...bring the economy back to life! 7 hours ago
    RD is OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA. 7 hours ago
    JW is still in joyous shock... 7 hours ago
    PO may just have to name his first son Barack. 7 hours ago
    SP is exhaling and breathing in a new day. 6 hours ago
    DB believes a peaceful revolution has spoken. Oh....and go Chicago! 6 hours ago
    EO is wondering what's with the h8te Californians? Very dissapointing. 6 hours ago
    SF is feelin' pretty good. 6 hours ago
    KL is already printing Palin-Bedelia 2012 posters!!! 6 hours ago
    PC is wondering is Elisabeth will be as humble a loser as McCain was. Doubtful. 6 hours ago
    JS thought last night was amazing and is excited for the future. 6 hours ago
    AC hung over. 6 hours ago
    EM is very proud of her PRESIDENT Barack Obama. 6 hours ago
    BK has a restored faith in humanity. 6 hours ago
    AC knows hope, if nothing else. 6 hours ago
    JG is seeing a lot of smiling faces at work today. 5 hours ago
    MS revised "first African American to become a major party presidential candidate" to "...elected President of the United States." P. 167. 5 hours ago
    AFM now has another reason to hate California. 5 hours ago
    TJB is tired, but just can't stop smiling. 5 hours ago
    AC is come on california... 5 hours ago
    AK is happy and a lil more hetrophobic today. 4 hours ago
    MC I think Ralph Nader is done. His handlers need to put a muzzle on him. 3 hours ago
    MD is rejoicing. 3 hours ago
    NM is majorly disappointed with the Question 8 results in CA. WTF people? 3 hours ago
    AK is still totally pumped about Obama. 2 hours ago
    FH wants to know the results of the OR. U.S. Senate race. 2 hours ago
    RH is so saddened by prop. 8. 2 hours ago
    SW appreciates his mom, but honestly: "Mother, he is not Irish. Obama. Not O'Bama." 2 hours ago
    IM is feeling pretty fucking good right now. about an hour ago
    BB is elated!! about an hour ago
    PC is feeling a little better after some good cries, a solid Sex & the City and a chicken gyro. about an hour ago
    CG is yay! 55 minutes ago
    EEC is an Obama mamma. 28 minutes ago
    KM : my state lets you kill babies, do drugs, and votes for Obama...If we didn't have quality men's league hockey and cheap beer I'd be out. 3 minutes ago

    Back to Original

    Celebrate! - A run down of the celebrations.
    WINS! - A list of 38 sites and their winning posts.
    Winners and Losers - 18 lists of election winners and losers.
    Turnout, Voting, and Polling - Articles and stories about voting, polling, and turn out.
    Reactions - Reactions from the world, pundits, and celebrities.
    How Obama Won - Some thoughts on how Obama won.
    Why McCain Lost - Some thoughts on why McCain lost and what next for the GOP.
    Expectations and Advice - There are a lot of people with expectations and a lot of people with advice.
    Race - Obviously electing the first black president is going to bring up comments on race.
    Money and Business - What will the impact on your money and you business be?
    The Media - Without the media, wherever would we be!?
    Humor - Without the humor, wherever would we be!?
    Miscellaneous - Without the miscellaneous, wherever would we be!?
    Personal Stories from Friends - Just what it says.
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours - Just what it says.
    Via - Here’s a list of all the sites I used in putting this together – the sources.


    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Wins

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-273-status-political-status-messages-in-27-hours/feed/ 1     Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Personal Stories From Friends http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-personal-stories-from-friends/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-personal-stories-from-friends/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:30:30 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1922
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Race
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    • ]]>
    Personal Stories from Friends
    I asked my friends to share their personal thoughts from me to show how people I know reacted. These are relatively unedited and somewhat anonymous. If you want to add your own thoughts in the comments, that would be excellent.

    GH, male, my age, from Ohio.
    I put on a jacket and tie to go vote... and, it [was] totally sincere. I wanted to look good- the moment demanded more from me. And, I didn't want to let the moment, history, and our nation down.

    I cried last night, no doubt. I didn't do much at work today, just read and read and looked at the photos.

    The importance of last night cannot be overstated, or understood for a long time.

    VK, female, a bit older than me, from Argentina.
    We lived the election in Buenos Aires as it was the election of our own president. we hold parties each debate, follow the conversation online and did not missed the Daily Show even once. We were conscious that this was going to be a historic date.

    Last night, we hold a party at one of my American friends house. We were watching CNN and checking sites on our iphones like crazy. When it was finally announced, we screamed and shout and cry, and celebrate the fact that America was finally electing the President it deserves.

    JO, male, a bit older than me, from Boston.
    Basically it just feels different.

    Maybe it’s just living through the past 8 years, but I think for the first time in a while something new is happening. As cliché as it sounds there’s before Obama and after Obama as far as I’m concerned.

    It feels like this is a rare opportunity for everyone to come together and actually work on getting stuff done. Not just liberals. Not just conservatives. Not black, white, Asian, Indian, Latino, but EVERYONE. Or at least give it the ol’ college try!

    Oh and if you asked me two years ago if he could be president I would think you were insane in the membrane.

    LS, male, a bit older than me, from NY.
    I voted. It was great. Felt good about it. For the first time in almost a decade, I actually voted for the winner. So that was a nice feeling. Definitely feeling very positive at this point in time that Obama can actually start from scratch on a certain level. Bring a new kind of energy to the political process and make people feel that government is actually on their side. So, overall, feeling good about it.

    SE, male, a bit older than me, from TN
    Bittersweet to say the least.
    The typical scare tactics by the Republican party (rumors of being a Muslim, a socialist, a communist, a terrorist, etc, etc) didn't work this time. I'm glad the American public saw beyond all of the junk and to the core of the issues facing this country today. It's time for a reversible of the trickle down economics and bring the troops home!

    RN, female, my age, from CA
    Before Obama became the Democratic nominee, I heard a comedian on TV say something like, 'If we actually have a black president then how is Hollywood going to portray 'the future USA' in movies and television?'.

    In October I started graduate school, and I'm taking a course called "Paradigms of Consciousness". We're learning about how the world is stuck in the Newtonian-Cartesan paradigm established 400 years ago wherein humans are reducible to parts (like a machine), science says what's not measureable is not real, and that nature has no consciousness and therefore can be exploited by humans. This presidential election, along with the collapsed economy, proves that the old paradigm is not working. We are in the midst of a world awakening! At least I hope we are. Only time will tell if an Obama administration can truly make change a reality

    RD, male, older, from MA – The Big E
    Well, the Presidential E-lection was a watershed event for sure this week and I have to be the first to shout out E-grats, congrats, big-ups & what-alls to our soon to be new Prez Barack Hussien Obama and our new First Lady Michelle Obama. For this weeks E I was thinkin that since most Prezy's have a headline grabbin nick name, you know like; "Ike", "Slick Willie", "Tricky Dicky", Ronald "the Great Communicator Raygun", George "W" (What-Me-Worry") Bush, I thought I would staht the Obama Presidency off with a few moniker sugg-E-tions of my own fer ya, so heah goes:

    1. "BIG BRO". This one has several connotations but he will be Commander in Chief & the brother did tally a whoppin 97% O' the African American vote !

    2. "BARACK-N'-ROLL". Not that catchy but if he stahts taxin anyone making less than 250 Lahge this one could take off!

    3. "OBOMBER". This one might work after one O' dem Tommyhawk Cruise Missiles strikes the fool who sets off one O' dem "test situations" during Barack's first 6 months that Veep Joe Biden was "ludin" to!

    4. "BAROMBA". A take off on the espanish song "Barumba", You may see this one under a picture O' Barack Dancin wit the First Lady at the Inaugural Ball. This one could set off a new dance craze!!

    5. "O-BEAR-Ma". Hopefully dis one don't make it cuz it will mean yer 401K jes went down to a 1-C.

    Well that's as good as I can do fer this Friday's E but if you got more let's hear from ya's!. Here's hopin all O' us includin Barry O have a peacful & prosperous next four years but in the meantime we can all staht by havin a great weekend so long as we don't ferget to: praise Jesus/Jehovah, please the "squeeze", relaxitate & CHILL!!!!!

    LT, female, my age, from MD
    While my story isn't uplifting, hopeful, or celebratory, it's real. Include it if you like:

    I've just completed my first quarter as an 8th grade Ancient Civ teacher. I love the material and there's a ton of room for improvisation. We wrapped up Ancient China and India on Friday (October 31st), with Greece up next. To generate some excitement about Greek history, I thought it would be interesting to tie in some current events. The 2008 election will always remind me of this story:

    The assignment I gave in class that morning was to have the students come up with 3 questions to ask of a registered voter about our democratic process. A key component of this assignment was to be an "informed interviewer" and I emphasized that the students need to be prepared with their questions. I communicated the objectives, which are to connect the students with current events, conduct independent research on the topic, and learn how to paraphrase an interviewer's response. I also mentioned that the interview will come into play later as we discuss the characteristics of Ancient Greek government. I have been very careful not to bring any partisan politics into the classroom (the Head of School specifically requested that I avoid political discussion), knowing that doing so could have been risky.

    One student asked how much research they need to do, to which I responded that each student is different. For example, some benchmarks for evaluation include (none of these questions were open for discussion; each were rhetorical):
    "What is a citizen?" "Do you know the difference between Democrat and Republican?" and as a follow up, "Do you know that both parties are associated with a different color? For example, you hear the term red state and blue state. Do you know what that means?" And, "Do you know what color McCain is associated with?" "How about Obama?" It is to this last question that one of my white 8th grade students answered loudly - to nobody in particular - that "Obama is just black." I couldn't continue. I was distracted, disappointed, and had lost my train of thought. He spent the rest of the day waiting in the office for his parents to pick him up.

    While the story isn't about Tuesday's election, the long lines (mine were short!), or my political leaning, it makes you think... Whew. 8th grade.

    SC, male, older, from MA
    On Election Day, I received a call from a high school friend from New Jersey, with whom I have not spoken in about a year. He was calling because he was trying to figure out for whom he should vote. He had spoken to some friends and family and they were basically evenly split. He was leaning towards McCain, but he wanted to hear my thoughts.

    Initially, I spent most of the time countering some of the high level rhetoric that people mentioned about Obama (he will raise taxes on everyone, is a socialist, etc.). My friend said this information was helpful, but he still felt confused. Finally, I told him, very simply, that there are certain times in history that demand a certain kind of President. I told him that examples were Roosevelt (both), Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton, all of whom were the right people for that time. I said that there could even be an argument that 2000 was a time for George W. (although he failed miserably). I then said that now is the time in history for Obama to be our President. The message it would send to the country and to the world would be incredible.

    Interestingly enough, he was probably the person that I spoke with during the campaign who seemed to be truly undecided. About halfway through the call, I realized how strongly I felt about the election and how important it was to me to be to convince him to vote for Obama.

    He said thanks and that he would think about it. He has not called back to tell me what he did, but Obama took NJ.

    JT, male, older, from MA
    I'm probably one of the few people you know who was not enchanted by the outcome of this election.

    But I'm reasonably confident that Obama & Co. will have trouble doing permanent damage to the country. We'll probably see a few bad years, both economically and politically, but the pendulum almost always swings back when enough people figure out that Washington is in the hands of the wrong people. And if I'm the one who's wrong--well, anyone who's reading this 10 or 20 years from now can get a good chuckle at my innocence.

    What troubles me far more is the likelihood that the press--a critical part of our political process--has done terrible damage to itself. There's always been some bias in past election coverage, of course, and it's not always a bad thing for reasonably knowledgeable reporters and editors to nudge the public toward the good guys. We've also had eras when there was open war between factional newspapers and publishers who sold their presses (and their souls) to the highest bidders.

    But the past few years of campaign coverage were the first time I can recall when virtually the entire mainstream media--newspapers, magazines, broadcast--openly took sides with one candidate. There was no subtlety at all about the media's efforts to promote and protect "their" candidate, and simultaneously to devastate the opposition. Troubling revelations about Obama and Biden were buried; silly rumors about McCain and Palin ended up on the front page.

    I've spent much of my life around working journalists, and I know that in the past very little of this behavior would have passed muster among professional reporters and editors. Regardless of their political leanings, few journalists would have let large parts of a high-visibility politician's life go unexplored. And few editors, especially at major metropolitan dailies, would have rushed thinly-sourced stories into print the way we've seen in the last few years. Self-respect trumped partisanship.

    That's changed, clearly. And the change occurred at the worst possible time for the credibility of the press, because an army of bloggers and commentators has begun to challenge deceptive reporting with YouTube videos and background research that often spreads around the Web like proverbial wildfire.

    For the mainstream media, the price of this year's aggressive partisanship has been a severe loss of credibility, steep declines in readership, and endless rounds of layoffs and cutbacks. It's hard to feel sorry for anyone caught in this self-induced meltdown: Stupidity has consequences.

    But I'm less happy about the loss to our national dialog. The media played a useful role in defining what's important, and in keeping a lot of the players reasonably honest. Take away the media as a serious, weighty, responsible institution and I'm pretty sure we're all much worse off. Orwell's Ministry of Truth is not going to be a happy substitute.

    SC, male, a bit older, from MA
    McCain redeemed himself with his concession speech. Early in the race I considered voting for McCain simply because I liked the man, and I tend to vote by the person rather than the party. My opinion of him took a nosedive when his campaign resorted to personal attacks in the race against Obama.
    Obama may have attacked in the media, but he wasn't malicious. McCain regained my respect with the bipartisan tone in his concession speech and with the visible way in which he put down the anti-Obama sentiment of the crowd. Perhaps he is a good man...it's a pity he let his campaign go the typical Republican low-road.

    I had a sudden attack of paranoia waiting for Obama to arrive for his acceptance speech. I was struck with worry that something might have happened to him, that he might have been assassinated. He has become hope personified - a symbol that our country wants and perhaps can change. I was afraid for the repercussions to our country's psyche if that symbol were killed. In retrospect I realize I was thinking of him as "our" Obama. The feeling of paranoia and protectiveness gradually eased as he arrived and spoke, but it did not go away.

    BE, male, a bit younger, from CT
    Every presidential election they say it's "historic" and the phrase "generation" is used liberally (progressively?). Personally I don't think the election itself is necessarily historic, it's all about the consequences. Not to downplay the import of our first Black non-TV, non-Warren-G-Harding president, but the history books about the years 2008-2012 won't have more than a few paragraphs dedicated to the occasion.

    KC, female, older, from ME
    For me it is simple. The best man won. Yes, he is a man who is half black and half white. That is momentous. I also think it is important to concentrate on the fact that he is the most intelligent, most thoughtful, most empathetic, most likely to choose the best advisors, classiest, least reactionary--cool headed--and simply is the best man for the job. I am elated that such a large per cent of the American public recognized that. That being said, I am concentrating now on how optimistic and hopeful he is. I am noticing the spring in his step and the clear quality of his voice.This job will wear him down--age him beyond his years. I am sorry for that.

    CM, female, a bit older, from MA
    It was a new, a very new feeling to watch the president-elect of the United States on television with tears in my eyes-- tears of joy, relief, and hope. I have only voted three times, and never have I felt as if my vote held such a weight for my country and for the world. But there he stood, a true, honest, hardworking man who had worked his way through his life and the world to stand on a podium and address the USA as the President-Elect.
    This meant a great deal for me, but what made the tears spring to my eyes was the idea that my two children, who are now two and four years old, would have this man as the first president that they would truly remember. I thought of the great change that he could bring to this nation in his years in the White House, and how those changes might impact my family and my children, and I glowed.
    I have never before felt so proud to be an American.

    CM, female, my age, from Chicago
    It's hard to put it all into words.

    I'm a Cubs fan. We don't win things. I never, seriously, never, expect things to come out how they should, or rather, how I think they should. I'm the product of Jack W____, so of course I always anticipate the worst (again, it really all goes back to the Cubs).

    I'm going to say off the bat that I don't think, no matter how many words, how many analogies, how many accompanying photos, how many tears I cry just thinking about it, I will ever, truly, be able to explain that feeling on Tuesday night.

    It was magic. It was disbelief. It was something that pretty much allowed me to have a renewed faith in this country. I know everyone is saying these things, but it's true.

    So here's how it went down.

    I__ and I had tickets for the big rally, 75,000 expected in attendance. The morning of the rally, my mom told me that they, my parents, had gotten VIP passes through the campaign. I griped, jealous, but was excited they could be there. One hour later my mom called and said they were able to get one for me as well. (I__ was out of luck, but let's be honest, this was a W____-W____ night and he was all about that.)

    My mom, I__ and our friend, C_____, all took the train downtown together. At one point, the train stopped because a major fight was happening on the car next to us. Security, police, guns, it was scary. Very scary. I wanted to leave; go home. The crowds were huge and there was a very nervous tension. But, we stayed on and the train kept heading to Grant Park.

    My mom got a call, mid-ride, from her sister to say that Barack was the projected winner in Pennsylvania. In a way that only my mom can, she whooped and loudly announced to all of our fellow passengers: "Barack's got Pennsylvania!!!" Everyone cheered.

    We got off the train, and my mom went to meet my dad in the VIP area and I went to wait in line with I__ and C___. After a while, it was clear their line wasn't moving too fast, so I bid them adieu and went to the honored guest area.

    You have to understand that there were more people out than I've ever seen. More than at the Bulls NBA championship rallies, more than 4th of July and the Taste of Chicago. It was insane. I walk to the VIP area and it was like a different world. There were people but they were in suits, not home-made tee-shirts. Despite the stuffy facade, the energy and excitement was just as present.

    I called my parents and they told me where they were saving our spot. In the front row. Next to the podium. My dad had a veggie sandwich waiting for me. I'm really lucky- they're good eggs. Before things kicked off, I went to get some water; I ran into none-other than Oprah, making her way to the Port-O-Potties. I am kind of kicking myself for not getting a photo of her entering or departing said Port-o-Potty, but Tuesday night wasn't about 'Stars, they're just like Us.' Tuesday night was about Barack.

    The area where we were was pretty empty. There were only about 5,000 or 6,000, so our spot was pretty prime and people weren't pushing us around, which was nice.

    They were playing CNN on the big jumbotron, and as soon as I walked in, they had just projected Ohio for Obama. Everyone went nuts. Good tears.

    Here's when the real magic happened:

    It was 9:59:30 and everyone started counting down to the close of the California polls. As the clock struck 10 p.m. CST, we heard the thundering intro music, alerting us that there was another CNN projection on its way:

    CNN projects Barack Obama the next president of the United States.

    (here's a video) from my friend, V____, who was in the crowd at this exact moment. I think it does a great job of projecting how amazing it really was among 250,000 fellow Obama supporters)

    I cried like I cried at my wedding. I cried so hard that I'm still exhausted from such an emotional release. And, as I type, I almost cry now thinking about the scene in front of me: My mom and dad, who for years have fought, so hard, for so many good things. I watched them embrace, cry with each other and celebrate a pinnacle in their lives that I don't think either one of them really ever imagined would happen. My mom grabbed me, and hugged me. It was amazing.

    Then my dad put my sister on the phone. (E___, who has made such a sacrifice to work in Portsmouth, NH, and has worked so tirelessly for the campaign since this summer. Did you know that New Hampshire, the 'Live Free of Die' state went to Barack? My sister helped with that. I'm so proud of her.) I began talking to her on the phone, and again, that same flood of feelings came rushing back- to talk to her was to re-live the excitement all over. But this time, the personal connection, the sense of pride for my little sister, almost exceeded the earlier projection.

    In any case, that was what I think of as the most amazing point of that night.

    But that's not to discredit how incredible it was when they announced the new First Family. Or to hear Barack's election speech and to be close enough that I could actually hear his annunciation in person versus over the speakers.

    What was unexpected was the amount of exhaustion at that point. Despite all the energy I think everyone who was there, everyone in the city or country for that matter, was just so emotionally drained because what a long road it's been.

    His speech was so honest. And it was such a look at the leader he is going to be and the leader he's always been. What he has before him is going to be hard. Harder than the past 19 months campaigning and harder than any other modern president has had to walk into. But I have faith.

    That night I wrote a letter to a baby or babies that one day me and I__ will have. I wrote it because I really believe that it's okay to bring children into this world. I want to have a baby because I think we're on the brink of amazing times and I want our child/children to be here to experience it. I wrote a letter because I want to tell our children about how I__ and I were there that night. We were at different vantage points, but we witnessed history. I want to tell our children about the long hard fight that it took to bring Barack Hussein Obama, a black man, into the White House. Oh this is so important and I don't want to leave anything to chance. I don't want to miss any detail. I don't want to forget about how hard my dad held me when Barach was announced or how proud, truly inspired, I felt that night.

    As for what's next, I lilke it. Rahm Emanuel is a crazy motherfucker, but he's good. I kind of liken him a bit to my father (the self-proclaimed Bulldog). I think Barack is going to align himself with the best out there and I'm just eager to see who's brought on board next.

    So, this might be more than what you were looking for, but two nights ago, I experienced something that's up there second to my wedding as one of the happiest days of my life. Magic.

    HW, female, my age, from New York
    Response to Election ‘08
    I was appalled to learn that 4 out of 6 young teachers I ate lunch with that day were not even registered to vote and didn't seem to think that it really mattered. (Like, who cares, I have a bad cold and I am just going to sit here in my Ugg boots with my jeans tucked in and not eat lunch and get other teachers sick and not vote because I am exercising my right not to vote?) Maybe that's what one of them thought. I am just trying to see it from their perspective. I mean 4 college-educated women not voting in the most historic election of our time baffles me. It's simply baffling since we've only had the right for a relatively little time and many women in the world still don't have the right. I feel like how can people be that self- absorbed not to have participated in such a historic event? Are they so involved in themselves that they can't see how important something is in the whole world, in the bigger picture, beyond themselves and their lives? Not to say that they didn’t have big things going on in their lives. But couldn’t they step outside their daily lives for a couple of minutes to fill out an absentee ballot? “Oh, I just moved here so I’m not voting”. How’s about take the couple minutes to fill out the form. Or even in CT you can go to your town hall and vote if you are not registered on time for a Presidential Election, or so I heard. Also, what bothered me were people saying, "oh, I don't care for either of the candidates so I'm not voting". Ack, get me out of this faculty room. The candidates were so completely different that you had to like one more than the other even by just a little bit unless you are brain dead. It’s like “Paper or plastic?” You need to choose one or the other even if the cloth bag is not available. Otherwise how are you going to carry all your groceries? You wouldn’t and then you might starve. But these people are not brain dead; they are seemingly intelligent, educated, awesome teachers. Ack. So, I voted, got my sticker, got my Ben & Jerry’s chocolate chip cookie dough, got my Starbuck’s tall decaf and stayed up to watch the entire event. My blood was all jazzed up without caffeine. (Even though as an Exercise Science major I know there is still caffeine in decaf). I was scared. What if a lot of other people who might have voted for Obama didn’t go out and vote? What if our country actually voted for the wrong person again? Would my rights as a woman go down the tubes? When the TV anchors cut away to the breaking news after California’s polls closed, I cried with disbelief and relief. Could this really be happening? My dad would have whooped and hollered. He had lost faith in the American people, as did I. Two years ago, he told me that America would never vote for a black man. I never repeated that aloud. I didn’t want it to be true. But my dad was wrong, thankfully. A lot has changed in the past two years in this country. But, was Brian Williams or Tom Brokaw going to come back and say, “We’re sorry but there’s been a mistake?” No, it’s true. It actually happened. My husband sat next to me in a silent (for once!) shock. I tapped him, "Obama just won." “I know”, he said. I called my brother in Oregon and cried. It actually happened. Can you believe it? We voted for the winner, for change, for someone I won’t wince at when listening to, for an intelligent leader, a black man. How cool is this? Very. Tres. Muy. And Yes I Can do anything! By the way, I could have just told Conan the joke about Barack using inspirational words from Bob the Builder. “Can we build it? YES WE CAN!” And so we did and will continue to…

    AH, male, older than me, from MA
    11/4/08
    Children boil onto the streets at noon; it's
    a half-day to relieve congestion at polling
    places, all schools. At Bates I'm number

    1057 at eleven o'clock. With absentee
    ballots included, that means half the
    potential precinct votes are in; John Schuler

    says it's running about double the rate
    of a normal election. I embrace my neighbor
    Elizabeth; we have cancelled each other.

    11/5/08
    On the Common a homeless orator
    holds up the front page of the *Herald*
    and chants a raspy enconium to the

    President-elect. Most of us are a
    little dazed, short of sleep, giddy
    with this newfound sense of our

    recovered virtue. Soon enough the
    constraints will tighten; for this one
    day we allow ourselves a big hope.

    Back to Original

    Celebrate! - A run down of the celebrations.
    WINS! - A list of 38 sites and their winning posts.
    Winners and Losers - 18 lists of election winners and losers.
    Turnout, Voting, and Polling - Articles and stories about voting, polling, and turn out.
    Reactions - Reactions from the world, pundits, and celebrities.
    How Obama Won - Some thoughts on how Obama won.
    Why McCain Lost - Some thoughts on why McCain lost and what next for the GOP.
    Expectations and Advice - There are a lot of people with expectations and a lot of people with advice.
    Race - Obviously electing the first black president is going to bring up comments on race.
    Money and Business - What will the impact on your money and you business be?
    The Media - Without the media, wherever would we be!?
    Humor - Without the humor, wherever would we be!?
    Miscellaneous - Without the miscellaneous, wherever would we be!?
    Personal Stories from Friends - Just what it says.
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours - Just what it says.
    Via - Here’s a list of all the sites I used in putting this together – the sources.


    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Race
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-personal-stories-from-friends/feed/ 0     Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Miscellaneous http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-miscellaneous/ http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-miscellaneous/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:28:47 +0000 aaron cohen http://www.unlikelywords.com/?p=1920
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
  • Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Race
    • ]]>
    Miscellaneous
    Because not everything always has a place to go.

    This was at the beginning, during the primary. Yes we can.


    Some of my favorite pictures from the election include this illustration, Obama doing pullups, and Obama as Superman. Here are a few cartoons of Obama doing the terrorist fist bump with the Lincoln Memorial (“Who better to juxtapose with the country's first black president than the commander-in-chief who emancipated American slaves (even if Obama's ancestors were not among them)?”), 35 awesome pictures from the election, a big (in a good way) round up of editorial cartoons and some more pics of Obama.

    I hope he voted for himself.


    5 Signs President-Elect Obama Is a Geek
    1. Obama has pledged to create a cabinet-level Chief Technology Officer for the country.


    Four years ago we were sorry everybody, now it’s Hello Everybody

    An explanation of the above link:
    Right after the 2004 election, a California college student started a website called sorryeverybody.com, "an apology to the world for the reelection of George W. Bush." He invited Americans to submit photos with messages to the world, and thousands did. In one photo, a man holds up a handwritten note: "Sorry World (We Tried). -- Half of America." Another note reads, "I'm Sorry World, I Miss You So Much." A third promises, "Dear World, It'll Get Better."

    And
    No, Obama won't bring peace to Iraq and withdraw U.S. troops in his first month in office, or end Arab-Israeli tensions by March. He won't miraculously persuade Iran to switch from nuclear technologies to solar energy, or persuade Osama bin Laden to give up terrorism and open up a chain of florist shops instead.


    And also from52to48withlove
    From 52 to 48, we can work it out. Together.

    Though, what is 52-48? Wasn’t it 53-46?

    This is a fawning Obama victory montage to the tune of Marvin Gaye’s epic National Anthem performance at an NBA all star game. Maybe shut your eyes and listen.


    Election night sex.

    Here’s a list of bad predictions made during the race. A bazillion of them. Though the predictions of Hilary being the candidate were not bad, Obama was just that good.
    In this case conventional wisdom is not just wrong but comically so. [Fred] Thompson will win the Republican nomination for two reasons. First, he's a very impressive candidate. Second, there's no realistic alternative. He will win the general election for the same two reasons.


    How Simon Cowell saved American democracy:
    And as much as some might scoff at the deleterious effects of Idol on our culture, it has created a culture of voting among our young people. Where past generations of youth might have felt cynically about their ability to affect change, the millions of Idol voters can see the palpable impact of their vote -- live in prime time and with Ryan Seacrest as their Walter Cronkite.


    A white conservative from Charlotte canvases for Obama and learns something:
    I am the dreaded swing voter. So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told.


    36 Red and Blue Maps.

    Barack Obama is a game-changer. The video game kind, not the kind that Nick Gillespie loathes so much.

    What can we expect from Bush's White House? There were stories about the transition from Clinton to Bush. “The vandalism included missing items like doorknobs, a presidential seal and 'W' keys from nearly 60 computer keyboards." Or, well, maybe it didn’t.

    Even baseball is going to be effected.
    Some baseball agents already are thinking about trying to beat a possible tax increase for their well-paid clients under an Obama administration.


    This could turn out to be a very busy last week of December or new contracts this offseason could have lower bonuses and higher per year salaries to cover the taxes. Though I think this effects agents way more than players who don’t typically receive very high signing bonuses.

    Also, Poker Returns to the White House:
    But it was already on the record that, after a cool reception from fellow legislators in 1997, when he first took his seat in the Illinois state senate, Obama won over colleagues of all parties with his charm and expertise at the green baize.


    And three election recap videos from Daily Kos


    Er, The Tonight Show


    And CNN


    Back to Original

    Celebrate! - A run down of the celebrations.
    WINS! - A list of 38 sites and their winning posts.
    Winners and Losers - 18 lists of election winners and losers.
    Turnout, Voting, and Polling - Articles and stories about voting, polling, and turn out.
    Reactions - Reactions from the world, pundits, and celebrities.
    How Obama Won - Some thoughts on how Obama won.
    Why McCain Lost - Some thoughts on why McCain lost and what next for the GOP.
    Expectations and Advice - There are a lot of people with expectations and a lot of people with advice.
    Race - Obviously electing the first black president is going to bring up comments on race.
    Money and Business - What will the impact on your money and you business be?
    The Media - Without the media, wherever would we be!?
    Humor - Without the humor, wherever would we be!?
    Miscellaneous - Without the miscellaneous, wherever would we be!?
    Personal Stories from Friends - Just what it says.
    273 Status Political Status Messages in 27 Hours - Just what it says.
    Via - Here’s a list of all the sites I used in putting this together – the sources.

    ###

    Possibly related posts:

    1. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference
    2. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Winners and Losers
    3. Comprehensive Election Reactions Round Up – A Reference – Race

    ]]>     http://www.unlikelywords.com/2008/11/15/comprehensive-election-reactions-round-up-barack-obama-won-a-reference-miscellaneous/feed/ 0