I can't describe the pride I feel in America today. I can't explain how proud I am to be an American. We have showed the world that we can be better than we are...that we aren't too stubborn to admit our mistakes and humble to the world. We can see past skin color. We can see past stereotypes. We can come together to get things done. We can pay attention to our country and we can make it work for all of us. We can replace the old American exceptionalism, of feeling that we are better than the rest of the world regardless of our actions, with a renewed American exceptionalism of high standards, peace and prosperity. This is, no doubt, a great day in America.
But there is something bittersweet about this election that cannot be overlooked. There are still Americans that don't want to accept those who are different than them. There are still those whose egotistic moralism will hold others back. Today, my heart goes out to those who have been stripped of their rights in so many ways- in Florida, in Arkansas, in Arizona, and most disappointingly, in California. Arizona and Florida have put a state constitutional ban on gay marriage; Arkansas has made it impossible for gay couples to adopt children; and in California, just months after many proud citizens earned their right to marry, it has been stripped away from them by their own neighbors. It is a sad day when we cannot accept that others live lifestyles that may be different from ours. It is an atrocity that we could eliminate the rights of those who have done nothing wrong; who contribute to our society; who have morals and values similar to you and I and who want to be able to live prosperous and happy lives with their families. Who are we to judge them? What makes those who voted to take these rights away better than those who have had their rights abolished? In this election, America has certainly turned a new page, but we cannot let discrimination of one group be replaced by another. Shame on Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and California. You have tarnished a wonderful day.
President Elect Barack Obama has chosen his
Chief of Staff less than 24 hours after winning the General Election. He has chosen fellow Democrat Rahm Emanuel, who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003. Emanuel is no stranger to the White House. He served as a senior advisor to President Clinton from 1993 to 1998. Initially he was Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He will become the third Jewish Chief of Staff, after Kenneth Duberstein, Chief of Staff to Ronald Reagan, and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff to George W. Bush.
