A Historic Moment

Can’t help but be excited by the election result. Congratulations Barack Obama, and congratulations America.
The world breathes a sigh of relief. I stayed up until about 3am to watch, when Ohio was announced for Obama and it was clear that he was going to win. Although I believe this is a hopeful development, of course Obama is not the messiah. He cannot possibly live up to the expectations and the huge desire for change. He will make mistakes, and compromises and much will remain the same. Their will be backlashes, and ‘I told you so’s and disappointments. But for now let's celebrate the historic moment that this is, and let's pray for Obama, and his incoming administration, and for the great nation of the USA.

Here is a list of some of the policies that I believe offer hope for the world - (from avaaz) ht: Peter Kirk

Reduce the US’s carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and play a strong positive role in negotiating a binding global treaty to replace the expiring Kyoto Protocol

Withdraw all combat troops from Iraq within 16 months and keep no permanent bases in the country

Establish a clear goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons across the globe

Close the Guantanamo Bay detention center

Double US aid to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015 and accelerate the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculoses and Malaria

Open diplomatic talks with countries like Iran and Syria, to pursue peaceful resolution of tensions

De-politicize military intelligence to avoid ever repeating the kind of manipulation that led the US into Iraq

Launch a major diplomatic effort to stop the killings in Darfur

Only negotiate new trade agreements that contain labor and environmental protections

Invest $150 billion over ten years to support renewable energy and get 1 million plug-in electric cars on the road by 2015

Let’s pray for wisdom and perseverance for Obama as he pursues these goals.