the process of remembering: a photoblog by andrew huth

“Waves of Change”

I am grateful, proud and excited that our country voted in Barack Obama as our 44th president.  As waves rush in to wash away the marks on a beach to make things fresh and new once again, I am filled with hope.  I am hopeful that we are charging ahead at tackling the many troubles that face our nation and the greater world with him at the helm in Washington.

Not everyone will agree with the wisdom of all of the policies and promises he has made to us.  For this reason we have to be willing to listen to each other and include everyone in the discussion.  The solutions to the problems our nation faces will challenge all of us.  For this reason we need to hope together and work together.

I believe Obama embodies the virtue of hope in the face of cynicism and fear, the virtues of humility and a willingness to listen in the face of uncertainty, and the virtue of hard work in the face of a mountain of trouble.  Today, more than any other time in my life, I am filled with more hope and excitement for what our country can be under his leadership.  I am equally excited for and hopeful of the things we can accomplish together through our collective willingness to be a part of the solution.  I believe voting this man into office was our first step.  I am proud of us.

I know that not all of us agree that voting in Obama was the right decision for this country, but I know that most of us will have a difficult time disagreeing with his message of hope, unity, and sacrifice while we strive toward a brighter future.

Below are some great quotes from Obama’s acceptance speech.  If you did not see the speech I encourage you to check out the full video HERE.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.  I promise you, we as a people will get there.”

“There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can’t solve every problem.  But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”

“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.  It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.”

“As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

“And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.”

“This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”