The Aftermath

by JASON RAEDE

I watched the election unfold at my buddy's apartment in downtown Jerusalem.  After giving up hope at 4:30 AM, I woke up at 7 to catch Obama's speech.

I was captivated. Maybe not so much as the black ladies on the verge of tears, or the jubilant GWU students dancing in front of the White House, but I felt the emotion.  Regardless of my feelings for the man, he is going to be the next President of the United States, and for that much, I'm happy for him.  And I respect him.

I'd like to be excited for the change to come. I'd like to be excited for "better opportunities."  The problem is, I know too much about him.  I arguably know more about him than 99% of the people in the world, because my job for the past four months has been essentially to dig up dirt.

My conclusion is this: His past contains everything bad he has to offer.  His speeches contain everything good.  He's mesmerizing. Even I felt drawn to him.  But again, I know too much about him to be excited. I know what he has stood for in the past; I know who his friends are; I know what he voted for.  And knowing all that, I can honestly say I'm scared of what's to come.

I'm a rational person.  I'm not going to sit around clamoring for a recount, threatening to move to Canada, or react in any other foolish manner reminiscent of 2000 and 2004.  I'm going to put behind Barack Obama what little faith I have in his ability to successfully lead this country.  I can only hope that I'm wrong about him - and if I'm not, well, we'll have four years of hell, and hopefully Israel and American capitalism will still exist at the end of it all.  And with that hell will come more policies to criticize, more speeches to analyze, and much, much more dirt to dig up. 

Comments

[Grow Up]

Move to Canada and stop complaining.

[pretty simple]

Obama will be the downfall of this country. Not because he is black, not because of his inexperience, but because it is in the written word of God. We are in the last days. Believe it ignore it, it just is what it is. We don't serve a president we serve our lord and savior. Those who don't might want to check out Revelations chapter 13

[Retired Navy Chief]

My flag is folded and stored. All my medals and ribbons, anything having to do with my military career is stored away and hidden, I have removed anything having to do with my service to this country. I am so very happy that I am not serving now. It would be such a slap in the face. Even worse than I experienced with Draft Dodging Clinton. This is my last post.

[Bill]

Hey, Brian...

You display your ignorance, or at least immaturity and lack of class. Are you proud of your vulgar vocabulary? Were you trying to use the f-word as frequently as you could? Obviously, you are oblivious to the fact that it renders what little of substance your miniscule intellect has to offer totally ineffectual. Grow up !!

[T]

Why all of this cry for unity behind Obama? Where was this cry for unity 4 years ago? or 2 Years ago? Or when the financial crisis erupted? The Dems knew that cooperation was not the way to win back power, yet they want it now from the Republican side. They know that if we all line up like sheep the slaughter will continue. I choose to fight, to expose Obama for the fraud he is and to get our country back on the right track. Not necessarily the Bush track, but the track that McCain would have us go down.

Canada and some European countries have figured out that going down a road to socialism spells economic disaster and have started to return to conservative values and have shifted back to conservative control.

[Red Dawn]

V - you are a perfect example of what is wrong with this country. You believe everything the liberal media and Hollywood told you, and didn't do any fact-finding of your own. Why would you think idiots like Bill Maher and Janine Garofolo know anything??? I'm sick and tired of you all claiming Bush lied because WMD was not found. How dumb are you all? Just because it was not found does not mean it is or was not there. The list of your liberal insane beliefs goes on and on. The only good thing at this time is that by now you should all just shut up. You turned your back on the President and Country for 8 years, and you should all be ashamed for the rest of your lives for it. But now you've moved yourselves one step closer to going where it's hot when you die; you have voted in a communist. And as far as the vote goes, it was not a huge win. 52% to 46% is close. The problem is the elctoral vote breakout. The looney liberal states get way too many. California getting 55 votes? Come on, half of the Sates West of the Mississippi combined don't add up to that amount. Maybe your messiah will change that.

[Eden Mesfun]

Look. I'm as pissed [and mainly] depressed as all of you. I had been rooting for McCain from the get-go, and now I've got to watch some Democrat take the stand.
Yes, we can disrespect him. Yes some of us will leave this site today to criticize our next president.
But should we? I understand and sympathize the pain we're all suffering--- heck, I'm suffering it too. Yet, as the days go by, I'm finding more and more conservatives like me only getting angrier and angrier.
Is that how it should be? Should we feel dejected that OUR man didn't win, or should we accept this loss and continue on with life? Sure, we didn't win. Yes, John McCain lost the election and with it, our hope. But Barack Obama is going to represent America now. He will make choices and although we may not always like them, we will have to accept them because we're Americans. We are NOT conservative Americans, or liberal Americans. In the end, it doesn't matter who is right-wing or left-wing. We are Americans.
In a time where economic recession is taking place; where we are all praying for our troops; praying each night for a better America, now is not the time to break apart because some Demecrat is going to take hold for the next 4 years.
In fact, I propose that we do the opposite. I propose that instead of uniting against him so strongly, we unite in support of our great nation, we Americans only want a better America. We all are devastated by this loss. All of us knew McCain could've brought the change we seeked. But now he cannot. And no matter what we say, or even do nothing can ever change.
So, fellow Conservatives, let us unite. Let us unite, because we want a better America. Let us unite for our troops; for our brothers and sister, aunts and uncles: even mothers and fathers, who are risking their lives for the effort. Let us unite, because i nthe end, this great nation represents hope, and peace, and although we don't think Obama can give it to us, working against our next president will only do the nation harm. If we can work together and help our communities; our families in their lives and problems, we would at least be helping someone. We could bring change to an environment we live in.

It's tough for all of us, but I can only ask you to do this one thing for me. Consider the possibility of what I've just said.
All of us--- every Liberal, or conservative, wants one thing in the end; a better America. And although our methods are different, our principles are the same. Our goals are the same.

A better America.

[Conservative Resistance]

Well the conservative resistance movement starts now. Barack Obama promised the moon to a bunch of idiots and they came running to the polls.

Don't worry democrats we plan to give Obama the same support that you gave George Bush after he defeated Gore and Kerry. We get to make idiotic charges, we get to throw proverbial stones and run away, we get to blame the democrat party for every wrong in the world.

[Conservative Resistance]

Well the conservative resistance movement starts now. Barack Obama promised the moon to a bunch of idiots and they came running to the polls.

Don't worry democrats we plan to give Obama the same support that you gave George Bush after he defeated Gore and Kerry. We get to make idiotic charges, we get to throw proverbial stones and run away, we get to blame the democrat party for every wrong in the world.

[Jason Raede]

"Grow a pair and defend itself?" When has Israel ever counted on America to help defend against the Arabs?

[Dan]

Kevin as "The Lord Messiah Obama" teaches, votes for and supports partial birth abortion as a humanitarian thing to do...as for eating them I don't know...but he does like to kill them

[Dan]

Mike you clicked on a link so you could terrorize people (Sounds like the Democratic Party and their Philosophy)

You cannot make this stuff up! LOL

I have just one question for you. What did the "Lord Messiah Obama" actually do...I mean accomplish as a US Senator, which led you to support him and vote for him. Besides *feelings* and all that gushy stuff. Name me some bills he sponsored or co-wrote and how he reached across the proverbial aisle so to speak on those bills that he co-sponsored, co-wrote, wrote or had anything to do with.

You see as a senator the legislative branch of the government that is the job they are suppose to do.

[Kevin]

Barack Obama is going to eat the babies of you conservatives !!!!!! Bwahahahaha!! It's the socialist monster!!! Rawr!!! You pubs crack me up :)

[Dan]

I could not agree with you more AD

[Dan]

Big V you are a dolt of stupendous proportions...I frankly do not know where to begin

[drz]

Hey Jason. Don't you wish Israel would grow a pair and defend itself instead of being dependent on US taxpayers for military welfare?

I hope Obama pulls all of the military aid out of Israel and puts it into education.

Signed,

Liberal elitist

[V]

Just remember, George Bush has brought his country to a long stand still. Other countries around this world HATED HIM for a good reason - invasion on their foreign soil. We have asked him to provide proof that they are carrying nuclear weapon - no, he lied over and over. He's doing for the will of the American that put profits ahead of our lives - oil, medicine, and war. George Bush shall be known as the man of war, not peace.

He put the economy in recession, came up with 700 Billion dollar bailout plan just for the CEOs (golden parachutes..). He's doing it for the elite, the bureaucratic, the autocratic, and for those who makes over 1,000,000,000,000 a year.

He imposed a tax breaks for BIG corporations that generates billion of dollars annually. It's obvious - his ideal is embraced based on elitism. Moreover, he embraces the concept of G.R.E.E.D. He destroy the very thing what democracy stood for - for the people, by the people. Instead, he re-branded this concept; "for the will of the corporation, for the will of the elitist, for the will of the rich!

We, the poor of the poorest, stood in astonishment. We see a fat brown cigar smoking puff of richness off from the CEO's mouth, with his black fancy tie suit that's made in China, and overweight. They TOOK our money! OUR HARD EARNED MONEY! Bush taxed the middle class and the lower class. Is he out of his mind?! He doesn't belong in the US. He belong to the land where oppression defines corporation. It suits him well.

George Bush forgot one of the most important aspect of his career: the people. The very people Bush didn't listen to. And because of that, the people abandoned their cause and look elsewhere: HOPE.

A hope is what the American people were looking for. And that's when President Obama steps in. He listened to the people, majority of the people that were oppressed under Bush regime. He will lead them to the promise land, and he did just that on November 4th.

The corporation era lasted their reign and it's come to an END! The people have spoken!

For those people who supported war, racism, death row, oppression, and discrimination. I promise you one thing, your days are numbered and you better believe it. We, the people, ARE FED UP! Enough is enough, don't let 1775 repeat again!

Remember the 9th of February, 1775. As V would say, "Remember the 5th of November[...]".

I am tired of corruption, greed, and elitism. They must be destroyed! I will not rest until every single corruption is rooted out from the US.

[Mike]

I supported Obama.
I voted for Obama.
Last night, I almost cried because I was so happy he got elected.

When I clicked on the link for this site, my mind was filled with thoughts of how to terrorize or criticize you.

But I read your comments and your articles. While I disagree with you on basically EVERY issue, I think your criticisms are (i) based on facts, not assumptions or lies, (ii) level-headed, not angry and (iii) potentially helpful to the Obama presidency and the country.

Keep the constructive criticisms coming.

[jennifer]

Thank you for being one of the most rational level-headed republicans I've seen around. All I've seen for the past few days are the crazy ones saying that our country is doomed and what not~ But thank you for giving the upcoming president a chance. :) The ultimate goal is unifying this country, and I hope people don't forget that. :)

[SCB]

I'd like to repeat one thing that has been said to me by republicans over and over for the last eight years:

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY!

[antimccain]

so glad obama won.

[Change]

Why be such sore-losers? Why not be optimistic and help each other out? The majority (both electoral and popular vote went for President Barrack Obama) has spoken, even your candidate asks you to support the next President, President Barrack Obama. Your country's in economic recession, 2 prolonged wars, your allies are dwindling, the american dollar is on a slump, etc...least thing you can do is support each other so you can get out of the "hole" America is in now. May your country be at peace, God bless.

[Adam]

I was wondering how the other side was taking this news. After last night's emotional victory I am feeling very good.

All things aside about what you like or dislike about either candidate you have to notice that both educated and uneducated people stand on both sides. Both sides have people who would say "I can't comprehend the apathy and stupidity of the society that exists today in America." if the other side won. So you must agree that while we have very different opinions on Patriotism and what being American is, that doesn't make you right or wrong. Its just your opinion.

[Stephen Dupuy]

I hope my views on Mr. Obama are wrong. If they are not and he devides this country even more than it already is, I'll have no problem pointing my finger saying " I TOLD YOU SO...".

[KLAC]

I am young enough to have Facebook which has been irritating the last couple of days. All of my pro-Obama friends on there have posted things like "History has been made!" "America has finally made it into the 21st century" and various things like that. Then all day on the radio and TV, all I hear about is the racial part of Obama's win. Knowingly, yes, it is a milestone of history, but a smigen more important than Halle Berry being the first black woman to win some acting award. Everyone thinks that we are all still stuck in the 1940s and 50s racially. The American Presidency can never be about something other than leading this country, regardless of race and gender. I would have been quite proud of our first African American president IF I also didn't think he would destroy the country. I though that this election was NOT about race...