A New Day Has Dawn

“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.”

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.”

“This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”

~Barrack Obama, President of the United States of America~

"Yes We Can"

Famous 3 words on plague cards , t shirts , commercials and chants of voices....

Of the people, By the people, For the people...and glides in an amazing day in History, in honour of one man who made the impossible a reality. His name, Barrack Obama. His mission has just begun on this day...

His victory speech in Chicago truly moved me, and reassured me that there is hope yet for a better tomorrow, not just for the people of America but for the world.  Staying up to hear the election results and the acceptance speech live made my day! 

Particularly, what strikes me deeply is the massive turn out of the American people who voted at this year's elections on Super Tuesday. Over 68% of people turned up at schools and churches all over the US because they believe they were part of this American Dream...and because they wanted to make history together with the one man they believed was the right man for the job! Wow...it helps us see the heart of people - that they really really CARED and they knew their voices really mattered! Its the same feeling I felt when Malaysia had her elections this March, and we saw a rapid increase of voters and the swing in key states and seats going to the opposition.

One thing that we were discussing last week in our Ethics Lecture was - Do you change the society (or an individual) to change the culture, or do you change the culture to change society? And here we see an interplay of both strands...

A new day has truly dawn...and shouts of "Yes We Can" encourages me even in the very thing we do each day and our dreams that we sometimes write off, that perhaps what we need is resilence in a conviction so deep to believe the impossible and do our best to be change agents because "Yes We Can",  even when we doubt, when we are cynical, even when others tell us we can't. YES WE CAN!

It is that time for and of "POSSIBILITIES"

The process of our own dreams or a revival in our churches is possible, and a God filled city with God filled people is possible...It may not be today or tomorrow or even in 2 years to come. The road is indeed long, but we will get there - as a united people who seek to reach each person for Christ and to make a difference!

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.”

Congratulations Mr Obama...and God Speed!

And that's not it...

Secondly, what struck me really deeply was Mc Cain's concession speech - it was one full of grace, integrity and support. He recognise that America had made a choice they can be proud of. So much emphasis can be put on Obama's victory speech yet I feel that credit needs to be given to Mc Cain in the way we lost, but with his head high, and with so much grace and support to his President, and once rival. These kinda things don't happen often. It is not a norm. And it should happen more. Mc Cain's speech really silenced me from the ra-ra  ness rather it was very refreshing. Something we as Christians or just human beings can learn. I respect McCain because he responded with grace, and inspired others to support the man chosen to lead America. And he recognised that it indeed today was significant. History has been made. And a new day has indeed dawn.

For what its worth, I think both were good men. I believe they are both winners as they provided LEADERSHIP for their country today, in the way they won and lost. They both FINISHED WELL! McCain reflected his heart when he ended  his speech brilliantly in saying "Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant"

"To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too."

~John McCain, Presidential Candidate 2008~