User:Stevenarntson/Student Hub/archive/fall quarter

The Yoda Paper
A Simple Peace

Election Week 2008
Please post your thoughts on the the election below, and sign. 200 words seems reasonable.
 * Stevenarntson 20:30, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

San Diego Mayor Stands Up for Marriage Equality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rfea8iEGNw
 * Stevenarntson 19:09, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Stefany
Change. I feel that was on everyone's minds on November 4th, 2008. Never before had I seen people so unified and divided over a presidential debate. I've never witnessed the youth of the nation, so voiced and excited on their point of views on a political standpoint. I also, don't recall ever seeing presidential merchandise before. So many people were donning Obama sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and heavily decorated themselves with buttons and stickers. Unfortunately, I had to work during the whole election, but leadership decided to keep us all up to date on the updates of state votes, even though everyone kept running to the back to check the computer anyway. When Obama was declared the president, the mood in the entire store was so happy. Strangers were hugging, team members were in near tears. Then, we heard a familiar voice over the speakers. Obama's speech was ringing through everyone's ears. I had NEVER seen the store so quiet. No one was moving, the were just listening to what our new leader had to say. When I left work at nearly 11, just walking the five blocks to my bus stop, people were honking, screaming out "OBAMA, OBAMA!" It was such a strange sight. I remember the clothes store, Ross, was flashing their lights on and off in celebration! And as I am typing this now, it makes me wonder when the word processors will start to see Obama spelled correctly... -Stefany

Kimberly
About this election, I'm not sure how I still feel. I'm happy that Obama won, although, at first I was not really sure why because I have been avoiding listening to anything political these last few years. I didn't even watch any political campaign debates or even the election last night; let alone vote. When it comes to anything else I am usually optimistic, which is one reason why I am so confused about how I feel now. It wasn't until my class this morning that I realized how selfish, uninvolved, careless, heartbroken, and confused I have been and am now feeling. I went directly home after class and watched and researched as much as I could in such a short time about the election that I just missed. After my research, I am glad that Obama won because I am now feeling for once, truly hopeful for this country. With which my hope for this country has died in the last few years. I guess after feeling so heartbroken and rejected from how everyone treats each other (as a whole) and how the US has begun to shred itself to pieces, some hearts grow hard; just as mine did. I am still mixed with my feelings, but one thing that's for sure is I believe in Obama as well as this country now. I also pray that Obama sticks to his word and this nation truly comes together and finally becomes “one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.” -Kimberly

Steven
Yesterday was November 4, 2008—election day. I live in Seattle, and it was bedlam here in the streets last night. Thousands of people congregated, climbing up onto streetlight poles to wave flags, screaming, crying, embracing, kissing, throwing arms in the air. Starbucks gave away coffee. The movie theater opened up for anyone—so people could congregate and watch the results come in together. I've never seen anything like it in this city, and it made me very proud. I am writing this on November 5, 2008. The front pages of every newspaper in America today features pictures of Barack Obama, now the 44th president of the United States of America. Some headlines say “Yes We Can.” The headline on the New York Times is the most concise: “OBAMA”. It is historic, no matter what side of the aisle you stand on. I had a morning class today, and had to get up at 6. I was tired and hung over. I took a few aspirins and went to school. In classes, we talked about the election. It was on everyone's mind--many instructors were hugging one another, ecstatic and emotional. I could tell many students had been crying; everyone was terribly moved. And I still am, tonight. I wonder where it all is headed. The potential seems tremendous, and I have only the best thoughts as we continue forward as a nation.

Kellen
YESSSSS!!!!! That’s the word that would best describe my feelings. The last 8 years have been so long and dark that I was beginning to not want to say I’m an American. Now that we have a leader who is not a joke and who is actually smart, I want to say that I am proud to be in this country. I am excited to see the soldiers leave Iraq, less clear cutting of trees and nature alternatives for cars, and I am sure, help the economy out. Its funny to have friends that are haters of Obama. This is my favorite bulletin someone posted on Myspace titled “Screwed with Obama”:

“dont even think of replying to this post in a negative way to me. ill just ignore your message, and even you as a person. people are so sprung off obama i dont even know... its like backstreet boys in the 90s... wtf is wrong with everyone yay hes black, vote for him... woo? cmon now. really... do you even know what he stands for? ive asked ppl at school who cheer for obama hella hardcore what they cheer for. they had NO reply. they were like, we want change... we believe in him. im like, what the f****.... CHANGE to what? think bush was bad.... lets just see what happens. and in 2 years... if people start bitching about how bad obama is ... and they previously rooted for him and voted for him... dont come crying back to me. cause ill say, I TOLD YOU SO. remember, ya reply to this in a bad way. ill just slap you. mccain ftw.”

My response was, “You can slap me if you want, because that was funny. You’re weird.” It’s weird how something I cannot even imagine being a good thing sounds like the greatest thing to someone else. I know I am open and I try so hard to accept everyone’s opinions but this year, they just sound like weirdos.

The only one possible thing that I can think of that I will miss of Bush is the great Bushisms. Obama is so perfect and smooth, you just can’t make fun of the man. Bushisms are so great, that it is a page on wikipedia. My favorite Bushism: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." Here is a great collection of great quotes from Bush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqiPrRG5lNU Even though I will miss the great Bushisms, it is more important to have a great leader who knows what they are doing. It is going to be a great 4 years.

Kellen Peterson (kellendo51@hotmail.com)

Fanny
Kimberly, when I started reading your posting it made me sad, because while you have the right to vote and decided not to, I want to vote but cannot. I am a French citizen, but I am also an American permanent resident, married to an American citizen, I have lived here for over 7 years (which is most of my adult voting life since I am 24) and I pay taxes. I am very political and have strong opinion on the country I now live in, but no real voice. I keep myself well informed and probably know more about American politics than most American citizens. Every decision made by the government has deep impacts on my life, from the price of health insurance, to my school tuition, to the price of a gallon of milk, and to my right to choose (Roe v. Wade). This is why I am saddened when I hear of someone who has a voice but doesn't use it. However I am very proud of you for realizing how important voting and staying informed, it gives me hope that you will vote next time and that makes me happy. By the way, couldn't be happier that President elect Obama won! My husband can finally be proud to be an American when he goes back to our other home, France. Vive l'Amerique! Fanny

Anna
I'm super stoked for Obama. Not only because I agree with most of his policies, (what is the deal with the "civil union" stuff though?), but because now every time I see an SUV in the parking lot of my sister's Christian school that reads "GOP: God's Official Party" or something equally ridiculous, I can chuckle to myself. Not just because that is a silly thing to emblazen your Subaru Forrester with, but because they get to, no, HAVE to live under a Democratic president for at least 4 years, if not 8. Like I said before, GObama, but I do think people need to calm it down. He is a super cool guy, and it's awesome that we have a black president, but he isn't walking on water, or turning water into wine. (at least not yet.) We need to give him room to screw up, as everyone inevitably does. It would be next to impossible for Obama to destroy the country as well as Bush Jr has, (because there isn't much worse we can be doing), but if "liberal", "left wing"ers keep talking about Obama like he is the second coming and building him up so much, if and when something goes awry, the Republicans will have all this ammo to take him down and convince all those nervous, first time Democrat voters in Florida and Ohio that they made a horrible mistake. Also, I didn't necessarily HATE John McCain, but that woman was just... Ick. He was scary, (mostly because I'm pretty sure he is the Crypt Keeper), but Sarah Palin was insane. I mean, if you're second in command, I think you should probably know that Africa is a country.

63.228.106.98 02:59, 13 November 2008 (UTC) annareihl