The Planet on Obama

I've spent the early morning hours before work trolling foreign newspaper sites, looking at the world's reaction to Obama's historic victory. Most everybody seems pretty happy with us...

"Change Has Come to America" - or some version of that - is the number one headline. Lots of video of US ex-patriots celebrating (or not) in Sydney, Tokyo, the UK, etc. Lots of videos of various world leaders congratulating the President-Elect. Dancing at the Obama family compound in Kenya.

There is a great deal of hope being expressed that the US will reverse its course, tone down the beligerence, and help bring change to the world. There is great admiration for our ability to overcome our racist past and elect an African-American to our country's highest office.

Our democracy once again inspires.

The Times of India is the best illustration of that inspiration. A country divided by caste and religion, a nascent democracy that is ambitious and has been modernizing quickly; but a country burdened with the second-largest population on the planet. They've got a lot of problems, including crazy people willing to blow themselves up. And who do so with some regularity.

My favorite comment was from "Manoj Thomas" in Amsterdam:

"What a moment in history! As an Indian citizen, I can but admire the determination of both candidates to focus on the future of their country..Obama in victory, McCain even in a demoralizing defeat. If only our politicians could take a page from this. While our politicians (and we as Indians) bicker fight to carve up smaller and smaller states and actually try and differentiate between each other based on region, creed, and caste, America with a bitter history of civil strife has come full circle, finally realizing the dream of its founding fathers. It is no wonder that she still draws the best talents and people and more importantly motivates them to excel. If India has to live up to its tru potential, we will need to learn to live with each other peacefully, focussing on our common good, and what really matters to make all Indians prosperous and happy. This has been a peaceful revolution in America, in some ways inspired by Gandhi (Martin Luther King & the Civil Movement). Isnt it ironic that the land of the Mahatma has itself failed to use this powerful channel of transformation and still resorts of violence and hatred as a solution?"

Enough said. Have a great Wednesday.