Tonight I read a blog when I should have been doing mileage reports to get reimbursed! But I am glad I did. One blog I follow is Mark Sayers from Melbourne. He's insightful and often a keen thinker.

Today he commented on the election here.... I suggest you read it yourself! If you do, stay with it until the end of the article - his point is made in the last paragraph. Having lived in Europe and New Zealand, and having spent significant time in Australia, the UK, France, Germany (enough?) I would endorse and agree.

The surprising note that struck me, besides his accurate assessment is that Yanks fail to really appreciate, underestimate, just how much the entire world looks to the US -for better and worse, and how, in the midst of their criticisms, deserved and not deserved, there is a hope that brings them to look to the USA... Besides the clout the nation carries, the world watches and hopes and the reality of just how they watched the outcome last night is evidence how the entire world watched this election and now hopes! Let us NOT forget that.

If Mark were to read this, my one comment I would share and discuss in his assessment, which I do not necessarily disagree with, was that the enthusiasm, the hope, the fervor he witnessed was out of the ashes of disillusionment, cynicism and apathy that had spread across the country. Wha the world witnessed was a people longing for change, for hope, for unity again after decades of hate filled divisive politics and foolish leadership. What he saw was what he synthesized, but it is no longer the norm, but this, no this is history. Now, the Constitution, the aspirations of the Declaration and MLK's Dream speech have become reality.... and it occurred with people of every stripe. Even if you disagree with his policies... well, we can agree that he is a good man, a wise man, and one who sincerely wants what's best and is not afraid to lead.

Hope...one more time, dare to hope.