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11/07/2008

Friday Haiku - Yes. We can.

He won election
He ran against John McCain
He said, "Yes. We can."

He won election
He defeated prejudice
He said, "Yes. We can."

He won election
The world over, moved to tears
He said, "Yes, we can."

He won election
But he'll not do it alone
He said, "Yes. We can."

He won election
He, and we, can make it change
He said, "Yes. We can."


I am not trying to persuade you to my way of thinking. I am, in fact, attempting to show you how I'm thinking, what I'm thinking.

The simple truth is that if we all sit back in our hands and say, "Okay, go do.", it won't get done. It isn't that he wouldn't try. So would John McCain have tried. And if he failed in his mission, he would have failed for the same reasons that Obama could fail - because people sat back and expected things to just 'happen'.

Obama won because people, everyday, common, John Doe average folks got up off the Lazy Boy and got involved. The trick is, now, to stay involved. To get your neighbors involved. To stand up as a people and say to the 'Status Quo', "He's our man. He has our mandate. He has our best interests at heart and what he wants is what we want. Do it his way." And the 'Status Quo' WILL bend to the expressed will of the people, as long as the will of the people IS expressed. LOUDLY. So it cannot be ignored or turned away from.

How do we express the will of the people? Letters. Written to Congressmen and Senators and the White House. To the editor of your local newspaper. TV stations. Emails to State and local officials, and Congressmen and Senators - and the White House. And the editor of your local newspaper. And TV stations. Protests, when it's appropriate.

Talk to your neighbors. Talk to your friends. Become involved - read - become informed, know what's going on. Be a citizen. Get involved. Work for a cause. Support a cause.

None of the above applies only to Obama supporters. Agree or disagree, your voice must be heard. It takes all of us to make this country. Red, Blue or Purple - ALL of us.

I don't care what you think - but that you DO think. And participate.

Peace.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even for those who voted differently, these are such amazing and inspiring times to be alive, and more than ever Americans should feel like we can absolutely make a difference and can make things happen. I'm still in awe at where we were not many years ago and where we are now because people worked tirelessly to make it happen. And we still have further to go.

Jientje said...

There is still a long road to be travelled, but at least there is already that spark of hope.
Like you said, everybody should be in this together.
Beautiful post Lou!

Shadow said...

this weekend is voter registration weekend for elections coming up our way next year. as i said, don't complain if you don't vote, and participate as you say. have a fab weekend dear LouCeel!!!

Anonymous said...

Very motivating!
I hope it works out!

Expat No. 3699 said...

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Lou. Yes. WE can."

Ndinombethe said...

You're so right Lou. Obama said:

"What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. "

And Mc Cain said:

"These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that."

It has to be a joint effort... yes we can!

Patsy said...

The American spirit lives on in us. I like what you said about being involved at a the *grassroots* level. If the local and state governments hear us then the there will be a filtering up (so to speak) of what we the common man needs and wants. I've been bad about leaving it to someone else. It is time to change a lot of things, beginning with me.

Anonymous said...

This was a phenomenal piece, Lou.

I did not vote for Obama. I know, it strikes people odd that I wouldn't. But, I just tend to lean more conservative. Regardless, I am 100% supportive of and congratulatory towards President Elect Obama and VPE Biden. I will do my part and I will also pray for our new officials.

moneythoughts said...

Well Lou, you know where I stand. You read my blog. I write my blog and make my suggestions about what changes I think need to be made. I know there are people that don't want the changes that I call for because it is there "rice bowl". But, I will nevertheless continue to write my blog, Moneythoughts, and give my ideas. Anyone that wants to read them or challenge them is free to do so. I am an old man now. I served my country like you, and I am continuing to throw in my 2 cents.

I loved you blog today. Well said. I hope the vast majority of the American people will give this bright, intelligent and resourceful young man a chance to lead us. I never thought the President could have such an affect until this last president and vice president, but now I know. I can't wait until the Obama-Biden administration takes over.

www.ayewonder.com said...

Yay, Lou wrote a political post. ;-)

Cathy said...

That's really true. The average American was heard on Election day, and we can't sit back now and let lobbies take over.

Casdok said...

It also takes us all to make the world. :)
Great haiku.

hockeychic said...

What I love most about this last election (besides the outcome) is that people got involved again. It felt like "government for the people and by the people" won on Tuesday night. We can not stop now, we must keep moving forward. YES WE CAN!

Tara R. said...

Regardless of how I voted, I so want this new administration to succeed. I want to be part of this 'Yes, We Can' movement because now that we have a new leader, we all need to get behind him and make it work.

Joyce-Anne said...

You got political on us Lou...but that's okay. I liked haiku. And, you're right, if we want change we have to all work together.

Eric S. said...

Well said, so very well said. I agree, I was not 100 percent for Obama, nor 100 percent for McCain. I ended up leaning toward McCain, but I congratulate, and applaud Obama for his win. I do support President Elect Obama 120 percent, and I hope everybody else will open their thoughts and minds to new possibilities.

It will take a joint effort, people working together no matter their background or beliefs. I think in this way of open diversity, we can accomplish some impressive things.

So many things have to change, and the only way they will is if we all keep talking about them. Voice our opinions loudly, and be heard.

Excellent post

Unknown said...

Maggie Mind: Yes. there is still further to go.

Jientje: Thank you, Jientje.

Shadow: Thank you, Shadow. You, as well. And Happy Birthday this Sunday.

Nicole: Thank you, Nicole. As do I.

Employee: Yes, Linda, WE can.

Tash: The thing I find fascinating is the response overseas. Amazing.

Patsy: We have all left it to others, for way too long.

Secret Agent Mama: You are one classy Mama.

Moneythoughts: Like Letterman asked, last night, "Anybody mind if he takes over early?"

Ayewonder: I know. I violated my self imposed rule. But the election IS over. And I don't think it's wrong to encourage people to get involved. Political? Yes. Partisan? A little. Peruasion? None - except that you get involved.

Cathy: Well said, Cathy.

Casdok: Thank you, my Queen.

Hockeychic: I could not have said it better myself.

Tara R: Right on, Tara.

Joyce-Anne: This will more than likely be the last politicking I will do from this site. I feel very uncomfortable doing this. But I just felt the need. I just want people to know I favor involvement.

Holly said...

I do write my elected officials on topics I think are important. Thanks for the reminder, Lou!

Melissa said...

That was so well said. I hope that people will remember all of that.

Michael said...

I think its great whats going on in america at the moment, record turn outs at the polls everyone coming together, just wish our poletitions here in the UK would become more interesting!

Bee said...

I supported Obama from the start. I worked with the campaign here in my rural red part of southern Virginia. I was privileged to have very bright, successful-in-every-way democrats from Washington, DC stay at our house while they stumped for Obama. I've seen marked changes in the demeanor of people, in particular the less fortunate, since Obama won. And I have heard from people from around the world I'd not heard from since September 11. Finally, there is hope.

And still, I found McCain's concession speech to be as courageous and profound as anything. He is a good man. I so hope those who supported him will heed his words. Sadly, I don't see that happening.

Unknown said...

Eric S: Thank you Eric. Well said.

Holly ATOM: Good for you, Holly. It's something we should all be doing.

Melissa: Remember? ACT!!!

Michael: The same things that would work here would work In England, Michael.

Bee: I see it happening. People who read this blog, who voted for John McCain, have expressed a willingness to participate and support the new administration. And the Obama people have seen what the participation can do.

Zoeyjane said...

There's so little words to describe how I feel about the potential. Not Obama's potential, but everyone's, now that they've seen the world unite without mass causalties as an immediate precursor.

Jennifer said...

yes! he did.

yes. we can.

i'm hopeful for great changes for our country!!

xoxoxo

Momisodes said...

A brilliant post, Lou.

So sorry I'm here so late.

You're so right. We must keep this momentum going!