05 November 2008

Final thoughts on the election



TYWKIWDBI joins the rest of the world in being glad that this election is over, and over the next few days will gradually shift gears to return to a more normal balance of non-political material for this blog. But a couple parting thoughts are in order.

The top image comes from Sydney, Australia. Election night parties are a staple in the U.S., but I was fascinated when one of the networks took viewers around the world to show parties and celebrations going on in Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Down Under. I don't ever remember a time when the results of the U.S. presidential election were followed with such interest around the world.

The second thought arose last night when one newscaster commented that at polling places around the country, voters were showing up with their small children in hand, taking them into booths to show how it is done and explaining the process, but more to the point having them present for what everyone views as a defining moment in this country's history.

On the bottom is a brief video of Jesse Jackson captured by the cameras of CNN. What impresses me is that during these moments he wasn't on the stage, wasn't apparently surrounded by celebrities, wasn't even at the front of the crowd. He was just another spectator at Lincoln Park as the announcement was made of Obama's victory. It's a poignant moment.

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