Obama's Influence on the rest of the world. Get a tissue.

[Servonaut]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7864564

graywarrior  (1000+ posts)         Thu Nov-13-08 10:04 PM
Original message
Obama's Influence on the rest of the world. Get a tissue.
A friend just emailed this to me.

Hello,

The world rejoices with us. I wanted to share this with every one in my address book. My daughter Brook works in Thailand and traveled back to there from a conference. The following is her report of her day yesterday.


Katherine


My dear friends,

Today I have had to travel from the island of Borneo...from SABAH and the town of Kota Kinabalu. Then to Kuala Lumpur where I had a 5 hour lay over and finally arriving very late at night in Bangkok. The election has already begun....

Today, in honor of the election, I am wearing an Obama '08 button on my lapel. If the treatment and reaction throughout my day is any indication of what our world might become....I am overwhelmed with optimism. First, every single place I went, someone noticed the button and called out, "OBAMA!". There were international administrators from across the region at the Hotel. Many of them nodded and smiled, and even the non-Americans who reacted with huge enthusiasm. One man from Australia stopped me to talk politics for 10 minutes. The crew working behind the desk all gave a thumbs up...the taxi driver did not charge me for taking me to the airport.

I must explain that, once at the airport, I am one of very few Americans among Asians from all over this region. I might possibly be the only blond in either airport I have been in so far today, and won't see many if any Americans until Bangkok. I do not speak the language...thank goodness they speak English.

Upon seeing my button, everyone, without exception, smiles. I have received preferential treatment all day long. They didn't make me pay extra for a heavy bag, they treated me in short, like royalty. The stewardess told the pilot, who stood up in the cock pit to give me a thumbs up. Even the immigration official barely looked at my passport. He was much more interested in knowing an Obama supporter and what I thought would happen today.

When I was buying dinner at a very American McDonalds (the only place to get something to eat), the entire crew behind the counter (not one American) came to say kind words to me. The man who exchanged my money asked how I could do anything so far away from the USA. I told him, with some amount of pride, that I had voted by absentee ballot. He took my hand and said, "thank you so much for voting for Mr. Obama." There were actual tears in his eyes.

While waiting at the airport in Kota Kinabalu and girl about 9 years old saw my button. She smiled broadly. I said hello and she asked if I wanted Obama to win because she did and her whole family did and that that morning they said a prayer that he would. I told her that I thought Barack would like that a girl all the way in Kota Kinabalu said a prayer for him. She asked could I tell him that they were praying for him and I said I would send an email to his headquarters. She was so excited that she ran to tell her

parents. Her father came over and asked me if I knew Obama. I told him I had seen him speak, but never met him. He said that his whole community was praying for Obama and that he appreciated that I would write an email to tell him. He took my hand and said, we are praying for all of the American people too. This was the second stranger to take my hand today. It was my turn to have tears in my eyes, because this man, who I didn't know, was completely sincere. I thanked him. He said, "all of us, together...do you understand?" I said, "All of us together." We parted...smiling!

I write this as I sit in the airport at Kuala Lumpur waiting for hours for the plane. The women who guard the doors have on muslim headdresses , orange pants outfits and lime green jerseys. They are shy and reserved, yet they give me the thumbs up, and quietly whisper, "Obama" as I walk by. There are Thai and Chinese, and Indonesians and Indians surrounding me...The languages, dress, foods are all interesting. And sitting right next to me is a Buddhist monk, in just his orangish/yellow robes and shaved head. He smiles broadly when I look at him. He says frankly, "I like Obama."

The man behind the counter is Malaysian. He asks if I voted and when I confirm I have he laughs really loud and says something to the other official sitting next to him. This man laughs too. They both look at me intently. The one, fighting to find the right english begins, "This is (something in Malay). I smile saying I don't understand. He looks at his colleague and rattles something in Malay...The man says just a minute. He gets out a book. It is an english translation book. He says something to the man and hands him the book....pointing to a line on the page. The 1st man turns back to me and says...."this is fan/tas/a/tic...fan-tas-aahhh-tic...how do you say?" I tell him, yes, he is right "Fantastic". They laugh again at their attempts. I laugh too. He stamps everything forcefully, "wham! wham! wham!" And then he says something none of these officials ever take time to say, "We hope you will come back and visit our country!" "Of course, I say, of course." I don't quite know how to explain the full meaning of his invitation. Americans haven't been at the top of the list for quite awhile and traveling around, it isn't hard to sense.

Our leaders reflect who we are as a country/nation. I have always been proud of my family and Oregon. I have not always been proud of our leaders and the choices they make. Today I am proud...I am proud of our country and I was tearful watching a top French official trying to explain to the BBC reporter why the whole world is watching this election and praying that Obama will become our president.

Well, thank you for letting me share. Tomorrow at 7am we head to the American

Embassy gathering to watch the election results come in. We are attending with world leaders and diplomats. We are to dress "smart casual".. It should be quite the experience...one I hope brings new hope to our country and the world.

With love always,


Brook

 

Divernan (1000+ posts)        Thu Nov-13-08 11:07 PM
Response to Original message
7. My Berlin taxi driver said: "Please be telling me you vote Obama."
 When I turned my backpack around to show him my big Obama button, he turned off the meter and gave me a free ride the rest of the way to Tegel Airport(this was first week of October).

I'm going to Dublin in early December and look forward to receiving hearty congratulations from all the Irish people who on previous trips bemoaned how corrupt the Bush administration was and asked me how any American could have been stupid enough to vote for W for a second term.

 

CLW  (1000+ posts)       Fri Nov-14-08 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
10. I was in Mexico over the election, and they were overjoyed at the results.
 How wonderful at last to have a President we can be proud of.

RushIsRot  (1000+ posts)       Fri Nov-14-08 12:15 AM
Response to Original message
11. Wonderful post! I know I feel a heckava lot better now that Obama
 will take charge in January. I have no doubt that the rest of the world feels the same.

Intelligent leadership again. What a concept!

Karenina  (1000+ posts)      Fri Nov-14-08 10:42 AM
Response to Original message
18. Went to the kiosk to get a bier...
 Ahmed's delight was palpable as he handed me a long-stemmed red rose.

I think I need to hurl.


 

[bijou]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7864564

 
 
 
 
 

I think I need to hurl.


 

Great minds ... I was reading through that thinking a tissue would not be enough and that a vomit bowl may be more appropriate.

[TheSarge]

[Ralph Wiggum]

 

[DumbAss Tanker]

Problem with that plan is that FDR took a national catastrophe and made it longer, deeper, and world-wide.  The collapse of world trade caused by the Smoot-Hawley protective tariffs (and the retaliatory tariffs enacted by all our trading partners) crushed a German economy that was just emerging from its own deep depression of the early-to-mid 20s, strongly helping the rise of Hitler and his vile anti-Semitic scapegoating in Europe.

[Lord Undies]

Stupid thoughtless socialists supporters are the same all over I guess.  They cannot think beyond two minutes into the future.  They don't have the intelligence to realize they are signing their own death warrants when they're wishin' & hopin' for a socialist USA.  Without the capitalistic and dynamic USA, none of them have an anchor to keep their paper boats of socialism securely in the safe harbor.  They are all going to sink and drown on the high seas of idealism.

[TheSarge]

You laugh...but that is the actual cover of the November 14th issue of the magazine.

[USA4ME]

These reports of what happens in these occurances of individuals heaping praise on those wearing Il Duce shirts and buttons are just *slightly* over the top.  Zero bongs.

.

[BEG]

Stupid thoughtless socialists supporters are the same all over I guess.  They cannot think beyond two minutes into the future.  They don't have the intelligence to realize they are signing their own death warrants when they're wishin' & hopin' for a socialist USA.  Without the capitalistic and dynamic USA, none of them have an anchor to keep their paper boats of socialism securely in the safe harbor.  They are all going to sink and drown on the high seas of idealism.

I'll say it again, I watched a documentary about Hitler this past weekend and the way the people reacted to Hitler is exactly the way the crazy moonbats are acting about Obama.  It is friggen scary as shit.  Hitler liked to speak to large groups because people would "feel" what he was saying rather than "THINK" about it.  It is a friggen cult, stupid sheeple.

[Carl]

Stupid thoughtless socialists supporters are the same all over I guess.  They cannot think beyond two minutes into the future.  They don't have the intelligence to realize they are signing their own death warrants when they're wishin' & hopin' for a socialist USA.  Without the capitalistic and dynamic USA, none of them have an anchor to keep their paper boats of socialism securely in the safe harbor.  They are all going to sink and drown on the high seas of idealism.

They will find themselves in Europe as a no mans land between islamist takeover and resurgent communism.

[BlueStateSaint]

They will find themselves in Europe as a no mans land between islamist takeover and resurgent communism.

And it will be far too late to forestall the consequences that will undoubtedly come.

[NHSparky]

After a couple years of the Obamanation, people will be needing a lot more tissues.

I'm seriously considering going to the unemployment office in about 18 months or so and asking, "And who did YOU vote for in the last election?"

[Tantal]

I'll say it again, I watched a documentary about Hitler this past weekend and the way the people reacted to Hitler is exactly the way the crazy moonbats are acting about Obama.  It is friggen scary as shit.  Hitler liked to speak to large groups because people would "feel" what he was saying rather than "THINK" about it.  It is a friggen cult, stupid sheeple.

You'll notice that economic conditions are very similar as well. With no Congressional checks in place now, I can foresee this being a rough four years.

[franksolich]

You laugh...but that is the actual cover of the November 14th issue of the magazine.

That wouldn't surprise me.

This would be, what, the 16th time the Big Zero's graced the cover of Time magazine in 2008?  In what, about 45 weeks?

They ought to rename the magazine All the Big Zero, All the Time.

No wonder Time's going down the tubes.

Henry R. Luce is probably spinning in his grave, seeing what happened to his creation.

[PatriotGame]

graywarrior  (1000+ posts)         Thu Nov-13-08 10:04 PM
Original message
Obama's Influence on the rest of the world.

No further comments needed....

[JohnnyReb]

Typical liberals....did ya'll notice all the "free rides". A free ride is all they're looking for.

...and my shirt sleeves are soaked.
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.I know better than to wash dishes while wearing a long sleeve shirt.

[Chris]

Divernan (1000+ posts)        Thu Nov-13-08 11:07 PM
Response to Original message
7. My Berlin taxi driver said: "Please be telling me you vote Obama."
 When I turned my backpack around to show him my big Obama button, he turned off the meter and gave me a free ride the rest of the way to Tegel Airport(this was first week of October).

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

"Please be telling me you vote Obama."

You sure you weren't in Detroit?

[jinxmchue]

My Berlin taxi driver said: "Please be telling me you vote Obama.

Why does this DUmp monkey's "Berlin taxi driver" sound like the Indian guy in "Short Circuit?"

[Vagabond]

So now that will get crushed by either communism or islamofascism they are happy.

By the way, I know some Irishmen that are were not happy at all with the Barrackstar's election.  Granted, Ireland has transformed itself into a low tax haven for business.  I have considered going there to start a robotics (my hobby) company, and I might yet.

[dandi]

That is one massive Bouncy.

Even if any of it is true, I'll bet those Malaysians didn't ming GWB so much when he was sending all that manpower and $billions in tsunami relief.

Probably believe The Obamessiah is going to open our pockets wide for them, too.

[bijou]

Why does this DUmp monkey's "Berlin taxi driver" sound like the Indian guy in "Short Circuit?"

Because the DUmmie doesn't know enough about the German language to fake speech in English by a native German speaker.  Native speakers of one language tend to make very similar grammatical errors to each other when speaking in another they have yet to master completely, until the point that one is almost truly bilingual, there is always the temptation to rely on the tactic of thinking of a word or phrase and then translating it. That is why comedic stereotypes of foreigners work and why the audience can easily identify which group of foreigners is being impersonated.

[formerlurker]

This is of course the biggest crock of bullshit -- while the moronic left leaning halfwits of Europe and beyond will rejoice, their governments will not.   The United States moving towards isolationism is a rather frightening and sobering thought.   Just ask Poland and Israel, both of whom are stunned and scared.    Russia is our friend.   Iran is not a threat.   Uh-huh.   

All is not well in the world.  While the loons in the Libertarian and Democratic party will rejoice now, the bartender will be flashing the lights soon.   That's when it will get ugly. 

It's not good folks.   

[Uhhuh35]

CLW  (1000+ posts)       Fri Nov-14-08 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
10. I was in Mexico over the election, and they were overjoyed at the results.
 How wonderful at last to have a President we can be proud of.

Of course they're overjoyed, they're gonna get Amnesty!

[Tantal]

Of course they're overjoyed, they're gonna get Amnesty!

And a willing partner in the Reconquista. Mexico isn't going to have to take back the southwest U.S. by force, they've just pumped in enough of their citizens to stuff the voting box for a candidate willing to give it up freely. Pretty ingenious move my the Mexicans. Pretty dumb move by us.