In November, on the 5th, 2004 I cried. They were tears of sorrow and I remember hugging my friends and asking why and the fear was all there, everyone felt it.
Another failed, corrupted election.

Today is November 5, 2008. I cried. I called Patrick, who was weeping and together we agreed
We had never felt more happy in our entire lives.
There was screaming, when it was announced at midnight, people ran into my street.
They clanked things together, screamed at the top of their lungs, cried, shivered and sweat without coats
"YES WE CAN!" "AMERICAAA!" "SI SE PUEDE!" "OBAAAMA!" "CHANGE! CHANGE!"
until 2:30 in the morning.

There was this really incredible feeling of hope that I feel is completely unique to the people of America on November 5 2008, it was like this surging,pressing feeling and when Obama spoke in Chicago and McCain accepted defeat last night we felt for the first time
Democracy actually exists here.
We, us, all, put Obama in that place- not one else, it was just us. The Oil tycoons hated him, the 10% wealthiest hated him, the lobbyists...no...it was us.

Patrick, while sniffling tears said what we all felt, after years of heartache, struggle, with a breakdown of the state at hand, to me last night on the phone
"For the first time, ever...I honestly think...I'm really really proud of America"