Obama is impressive to listen to, I hope he does well.

Kathleen

“Obama’s too young to be commander-in-chief.”

“Yes, boy, I agree – and he is by far not tough enough. This job needs someone authoritative with assertiveness and expert knowledge how to kill – someone like me”, talkes commander T. Rex down to his bony brother.

Note: Commander T. Rex did not fit in this image anymore.

On the morning the election results were announced, I was in London. That day, my daughter and I went milling about the Southwark area, poking our noses in shops, looking at sites, eating a bite. I have to say that it was the first day of my life that I can remember feeling even minimally proud to be American. I have a bit of an American accent myself – enough to be recognizable – and my daughter speaks what can only be described as “Texan.” Everywhere we went that day, people were asking, “Are you American?” Normally, when I am abroad and people ask me this, my first reaction is to duck under the nearest table or, at the very least, hide my head in shame. I have even been known, on occasion, to fake a “no” with a few words of German, a masquerade which my features tend to support. This day was different, however. I could see not looks of accusation hiding behind their questions, but smiles, waiting to emerge. Everyone was happy to say “Hello,” to shake my hand, to say, “Congratulations!” I don’t know how many times I was congratulated throughout the day, but it was many. Obama’s win does not erase the past (a past that it may take us centuries to live down) but it does give some glimmer of hope to the future. Even if I am not yet exactly “proud” to admit my nationality, as least I am not quite so ashamed as I was a couple of weeks ago and as I have been for the greater part of my adult life.

Incidentally, Teddy Roosevelt was also 42 when he was sworn in as President. Not only was he highly popular with the people of his era, he is, even today, considered by many historians and scholars as one of the greatest U.S. presidents ever to assume office. Even the noted historian Thomas Bailey, an adamant opponent of Roosevelt’s policies, concluded in the end that “Roosevelt was a great personality, a great activist, a great preacher of the moralities, a great controversialist, a great showman. He dominated his era as he dominated conversations….the masses loved him; he proved to be a great popular idol and a great vote getter.” So adored was Teddy Roosevelt that his image was chosen to take its place alongside the likes of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln on Mount Rushmore. It might do us well to remember, too, that the oldest president ever to assume office (also notably a Republican) was Ronald Reagan, who is now considered by many as the biggest buffoon ever to hold office (with the possible exception, of course, of George Bush, Jr.). Age isn’t everything – not unless you’re a bottle of wine.