Strange country

We've just been through eight bad years under the leadership of a president that has been called the worst in living memory by some. He will always be connected to a unnecessary war, the stripping away of civil liberties, letting his citizens die in New Orleans, dismantling the Constitution, and the worst financial crisis in about a century.
Even after it became clear that the Iraq war was started under false pretenses, Bush still got re-elected. And both the media and the people just let him do his stuff. Sure, Keith Olbermann and other liberal Pavlovian dogs foamed at the mouth with indignation, but we didn't exactly see picket lines outside the White House every day demanding his resignation.
In short, there was enough reason to be very cynical about America and the American people.

And here we find ourselves at the beginning of a completely different eight years (you heard me, eight years). An African-American in the White House would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago. But he's also common sense personified, a man who has made intellect, nuance and calmness into his trademarks. Sort of like Al Gore, but funky. The opposition has tried to push every emotional button of the voters they could find, but it was all in vain.

In short, there's enough reason to be very hopeful about America and the American people.