Reflection on Hope

It's easy to say that the youth who voted for Obama are disillusioned. It's infrequent to see an explanation of why we are. I guess the reasons are varied, and perhaps that's why you don't see it spelled out. But I have my own reasons, if anyone cares about them.

I said to everyone who implied it that I wasn't putting Obama on a pedestal. Even in blog posts, deny deny deny. The message I was attached to was "Hope". Quite literally Obama's presidency was literally the only thing that I found that gave me hope for the future. Obama became my hope.

I want to say now that even though I count myself among the disillusioned youth, I believe that Obama has done some real good for America. I believe that he is steering the country in a direction that is good not only for me but for the children I may some day have. The problem is that steering a country isn't like steering a boat. Our boat has thousands of rudders and wheels. Some are larger than others and have more influence, but one man at one wheel does not change the course.

The disappointment stems from the reality that surfaced after the election. Politicians, business leaders, and others in power don't change overnight. The country itself was already running full on into peril.

I guess this is all nonspecific word splatter, but it gives me perspective. The other major theme four years ago was change. And the two themes of hope and change still ring deep in me. Though they're changed somehow.

Instead of a blind hope that one man can do it all, I now have hope that we are changing course.

Obama Rally at UNR

**Edit** These photos have been color correced, but I'm starting to think color being pretty for everyone on the web is a really hard thing to accomplish**

**Edit** These photos seem to have a bad color cast to them. And it's making me very sad. I apparently edited them on a screen with bad color calibration. They are supposed to have a nice warm tone to them. And as soon as I can I'll be fixing these. **Edit**

Sen. Barack Obama is amazing. And I'm not going to be nonpartisan about this one. I'm sorry, I just can't. He's a fantastic candidate and I hope you will all come to the same conclusion on election day (Nov 4th).

His rally was attended by over 10,000 people according to the RGJ. It was a fantastic event and I got a few good photos. (Well I actually got a lot of good ones. Blogs aren't set up for lots of pictures though.) So, I give you 7 photos. (If you want high-res photos e-mail or message me and I'll see what I can do.)

Barack Obama Speech Photos

prepare later today for photos from the Barack Obama rally at the University of Nevada, Reno after I get out of class today. I'd put them up now, but I have class in less than 30 minutes.

So it's over.

Obama will finally win, and Hillary will bow out. Or so I hope. I think Hillary should play this song during her concession speech. It's upbeat enough to allow some optimism, but modest enough to retain the melancholy feel of a speech like that.

But people don't soundtrack their speeches. they really should...

My thoughts on the Caucus.

Why do people assume that because Hillary has more "expirence" she is a better candidate for president? How does she even have more experience? Oh wait. She doesn't.

I absolutely hate being another one of "those" people, but for the love of god people, pay attention.

Obama: 7 years in the Illinois Senate and 3 years in the U.S. Senate.
Hillary: 7 years in the U.S. Senate.

I'm not going to lift Obama on a pedestal here. I just want to say that They are suprisingly similar people. They stand for the same principles and beliefs.

As for who you think should be president, that's a personal choice. None of you should decide to vote for Obama just because I post a bulletin saying you should. What you should do is try to look past the rhetoric and look to see who you would want to represent you and your nation to the world. Either Obama or Hillary will be good at what they do. They both have concrete plans and the will to lead. I just want you to read, learn, and most importantly: participate in the caucus on saturday.

Spread this image. I made it a while ago. I feel it's an important message.