[Andy B]

Well he's done it then. On behalf of the rest of the world I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank Americans for making the right choice.

Although of course it's democracy that's the real winner here.

[foot-loose]

So.

Who won then...?

[kendra k]

I'm still a little shocked Obama won. He got 90% of the vote in my precinct, but I live in one of the most liberal areas in the country.

I'm actually quite upset about Prop. 8 in California. I can't believe in 2008 we're actually removing the rights of citizens. It's ludicrous and shameful.

[Yudster]

Now for the important bit - what happens next. We shall see.

[Boboff]

This is going to be fun isn't it.

It's almost the same as when Maggie came to Power in 1979 I think, a total ground swell of change of opinion. The draw bridge is coming up and the US is turning it's back on the world to spend some time on much needed housekeeping.

Been a good week for Black chaps though hasn't it, F1 champion and US president, I bet old Markool is gutted. I like the term "post race" it kind of sums up how society has changed in the last generation.

[MK Chris]

Well, I think it was a good result, but as Yudwuk says, time will tell.

[ladbroke]

The first Irish President, Mr O'Bama.

[Munki Bhoy]

Just 76 more days for Bush to * it all up. Oh I hope he just sits and plays with a rubik's cube instead.

You know, as much action as he had when Hurricane Katrina hit.

[Yudster]

Hillary Clinton would not have made a great president. She's not her husband and she'd sell the country for a bit of power. I don't trust her and didn't vote for her.

Well, I liked Jimmy Carter, what do I know?!

Obama is not going to fix this country, but he's a step in the right direction.

It wasn't until I saw the coverage this morning that it really sank in what a massive deal this is in US history. The equal rights struggles of the sixties, Martin Luther King, the Richmond, Virginia shootings - all that is in my lifetime (ok, not yours, but mine!). The idea that things have gone from that to this in such a short time is astonishing really.

I, like many, have had my doubts about Obama as a potential leader, but the bigger picture of what's happened in America (although I realise that in terms of contemporary policies and government the race issue is irrelevant) just makes me want to wish him the absolute very best of luck. And I hope no-one shoots him.

[kendra k]

I quite like Carter's legacy and think he got short shrift when he was in office. I think Hillary Clinton could have been a good president, but she really has twister herself to be "electable." Many people don't entirely trust her because she seems like she'd do or say anything to get elected. Her primary campaign was terrible and a clear indication that she needs to figure somethings out before going for the big seat. It really made me question my previous feelings about the Clintons. (I remember 1992 and how excited people were that we were rid of the Reagan-ites.)

Last night was historic and cathartic. In Berkeley, people were marching through the streets cheering. All over the country were spontaneous celebrations. I think a lot of this is because we finally elected our first black president, but I also think it's because people are really excited to be rid of Bush and change the course of this country. Obama ran a very effective grassroots campaign that got people who were normally disenfranchised excited again. His acceptance speech was fantastic with his "Yes we can" message. (Though it totally reminds me of Bob the Builder.) I never drank the Obama kool-aid, but I did tear up driving through the throngs of people celebrating in Berkeley after I dropped off my ballots. Of course, we have to see what Bush does in the interim, but I'm still optimistic for the next year.

[foot-loose]

I don't understand this thing about I'm getting shot. The President of the US is one of the most high profile targets in the world. Just cos he is black it doesn't really make him a more likely target. Maybes a target to a different group, but he is just as likely to be shot as Bush, Iraq hater.

[kendra k]

I think most of the anti-war people are more sensible than shooting Bush. I'll admit bthat I was afraid of Obama being shot last night, and I guess I'll probably always be a little afraid of it as long as he's in office. There's a history in America of the conservative radicals doing things like this. Look at Lincon, JFK, MLK, and RFK. I could easily see it happen to Obama.

[TIAL]

That was a great night, I'm shattered but it was well worth staying up for. It really felt like we were watching history unfolding.
I agree with Kendra though, I was worried that something bad might happen to him straight away - and the presence of the bullet-proof glass he was talking behind did nothing to calm anyone's nerves. I think his skin colour does make him a bigger target, as there will still be a quite a few people who won't be able to accept this news (I wonder how the Westboro Baptist Church felt this morning).

[foot-loose]

Are they the ones who go and form picket lines outside gay folks funerals and tell the family that their son is with satan now?

I don't like them very much.

[TIAL]

That's the one.

I can't say I think much of them either.

[C-Kay]

They are one * up clan.

That Loius Theroux show was disturbing. Fair enough the adults have an opionion, but taking their kids out with them is too far, even by their standards.

[C-Kay]

opinion*

DOH!

[Yudster]

They are one * up clan.

That's insulting to clans. They are a cult. A particularly pernicious one.

In fact that might even be insulting to cults.

[Jacqueline]

I remember going onto their website when I first heard about them.

I was interested in what they had to say for themselves(not in a good way) until I realised that going onto their website encourages them, because as far as they are concerned, a visit to their website is another person in support of them. I hate the way they name specific people whose funerals they have picketed

Example (not a real one obviously)

"Joe Jones- 144 days in hell"

These are people whose funerals they have picketed purely for being gay- and if they've made it up then it's even more sick...they put it on their website to show that they think that gay dead people are languishing in hell. It's disgusting. I was horrified, especially as I had only researched them as Harry Potter haters...

[MK Chris]

Are they the ones who go and form picket lines outside gay folks funerals and tell the family that their son is with satan now?

Not exactly. They picket the funerals of American soldiers killed in combat and claim that their death is God's punishment for America tolerating homosexuality. It's just as bad, but the detail was slightly incorrect.

[Jacqueline]

OK, so I read it differently too...but I read it the same as foot-loose. I still think it's disgusting, because all they say is that they are right and everyone else is wrong- there isn't a millimetre of tolerence anywhere in their society as far as I have read...

[Andy B]

Did Joe Jones by any chance work in the plumbing industry?

[Jacqueline]

Yes...of course he did...

But I think he changed to become part of the American Steel Industry...


(if anyone's seen that episode of the Simpsons...everybody dance now)

[foot-loose]

Are they the ones who go and form picket lines outside gay folks funerals and tell the family that their son is with satan now?

Not exactly. They picket the funerals of American soldiers killed in combat and claim that their death is God's punishment for America tolerating homosexuality. It's just as bad, but the detail was slightly incorrect.

I'm pretty sure that they do the gay folks funerals and the satan thing as well.

As in - i've seen videos.

[chrysostom]

I like the Barackobamabamabama song.

I've not slept since 9.02am yesterday.

I've gone a bit funny.