So yes – I’m jumping on the election bandwagon too. To be honest I rarely state my opinions – in public – because I am quite afraid of being shot down by someone more experienced and knowledgeable than me. I dislike debate and argument and prefer to remain meek and silent. But it seems a shame not to reflect on the history that has been happening all around us over the past few days, that has been enveloping us as a living, breathing entity. Something tangible we are a part of - a movement greater than ourselves - something to change the course of history altogether. Today has been an amazing day – the dawn of a new era with change in the air – if I’m not being too grand. I must say that I was – like so many other young Americans out there – so very proud of my country for electing President Obama to the White House! When I listened to his victory speech at about 6:00 in the am, I was shaken not by how majestic his words were – but more at the humility in his voice, and the sober acknowledgments he made about the future. I was glad to hear him take in reality, and also emphasize the steep road ahead of him. Still, it made me incredibly proud of America when I saw how Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia – all turned to Obama. It made me incredibly proud, though I am in England, to think of how young people across the country showed up to vote, take a stake in the political process, and make our democracy a reality again. It made me extremely inspired to think of how Obama has mobilized the youngest generation – perhaps in the past the most disillusioned and apathetic regarding politics – to play an active role in their country’s future, and become hopeful and even wildly optimistic about our country’s future. I am most impressed with Obama’s tremendous charisma and strength, and his persuasive power when it comes to making people believe in politics – something that has failed the people over and over again – in a time when our country is in utter economic disarray. If Obama can inspire people to believe in a failed institution like politics at a time of such crisis, I am confident he can accomplish so much more. Yes, I was a Clinton supporter, but I wholeheartedly embraced the Obama campaign when I saw how much he inspired people – and inspired me. I love our country’s democracy and last night made me believe in it – all over again
I am incredibly excited for the future of our country, because I know that whatever change Obama makes – it will be better than anything that we would experience under John McCain. I know that doesn’t sound very substantial, but I feel that it is important to also keep our expectations from soaring wildly out of control – before we pin way too many hopes on one political figure and perhaps, become disappointed. At the same time, words are not enough. I do hope that Obama does begin to act – the right way, the right time. There are so many things that need to be done to put our country together, and I hope he knows where to begin. I hope he begins now and does not delay action and “change” any longer. We need his strong leadership, when the entire world is waiting on America’s next move. Something that is key to me is the way we are viewed by the international community. America has been on the decline internationally, and we have been accumulating nothing but negativity and dislike in other countries. Having been in the UK and speaking to young people from all across Europe, I am seeing firsthand how much our reputation is suffering (rightly) in the eyes of other nations. There is so much to be changed if we can renew the faiths of countries across the globe in the U.S. We have so much power, and it cannot be abused. Electing Obama has been a first step in repairing our tarnished reputation – but Obama has to take this forward.
I will not reiterate the main issues – economy, politics in Washington, health care. We have all heard about these issues time and time again throughout this election. But I would like to say a few words about things I care about. It was a promise on his behalf, and I hope Pres. Obama will stick to it and close down Guantanamo Bay very soon. He needs to act quickly because prisoners have been languishing in that hell hole – some without even being told why they were arrested – in a gross violation of their rights for over 5 years. I know there are so many more pressing issues, such as the economic crisis, but this is something that we need to act on to show our leadership in the world, and to free those who are innocent. It is imperative that Pres. Obama transfer the prisoners either to be tried in their home countries if they will not be in danger, or to be tried within the U.S. federal court system. Some have argued that this is dangerous, but the truth is that the federal courts are the only courts well equipped to provide fair trials to these detainees. The CSRT military tribunals currently in place at Guantanamo are complete failures when it comes to guaranteeing a fair trial. Prisoners are not guaranteed counsel, often are not even told what they are charged with, and often are unable to assert their innocence because they lack the resources to collect evidence themselves! This makes a joke out of the American judicial system, and Pres. Obama must take moves to close it down once and for all. If you were stuck in a prison for 6 years – from the age of 15 to 21 – would you want to wait another day? The short answer is no.
Another thing I hope that Obama remedies as a president is the U.S.’s position with regards to the International Criminal Court. Our policy with the ICC is absolutely shameful – we are only of the only 7 nations to vote against the Rome Statute of the ICC in 1998. Our policy aligns us with countries like China, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar, and Israel – the only others not to ratify this treaty. Our closest allies all support the ICC, and we must join in to give it full force. Although Clinton signed it, Bush reversed this policy. The U.S. (esp. Pres. Bush) has been against the ICC due to fears that the ICC might conduct politically motivated investigations and prosecutions of U.S. officials. These fears have absolutely no basis because the ICC investigates only the most serious genocides and war crimes; it has a very detailed mechanisms with checks and balances to ensure against politically motivated cases. I won’t go into it, but it is quite sure that the ICC would not indict a U.S. official without a great deal of accurate evidence and without approval from a panel of judges. The ICC does not try cases unless a national government refuses to investigate an issue, as well. The Bush administration has also been trying to get other countries to sign agreements requiring them not to surrender American nationals to the ICC, which effectively exempt U.S. nationals from ICC jurisdiction. This is clearly something that needs to be changed, if the ICC is to be able to exercise its power fairly and indiscriminately. If the U.S. is to be an international leader in democracy and freedom, it cannot continue to promote impunity for the most serious crimes, and oppose one of the most important human rights institutions in the world. If the U.S. is to criticize other countries for their human rights violations, we cannot continue to take a hypocritical stance against human rights and civil liberties. Our policies with the ICC and Guantanamo tarnish our credibility as a champion of human rights and justice. Where is the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all the detainees in Guantanamo? Pres. Obama must work to change these policies, so we can finally be a role model and live up to our constitution in providing our people with liberty and justice – for all.
I’ll end with a few inspiring quotes from his victory speech in Grant Park because he can say it better than I could ever dream of (All my classmates back at NU – I am so jealous that you were in the midst of all this action, excitement, energy – and some of you even had the chance to go to Grant Park. I wish I was there!). I hope sincerely he lives up to his words – and I wish him incredible luck in his journey over the next four (maybe eight!) years
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
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.
Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
Yes we can!
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