Thoughts on the President Elect

Election day/night/early morning was quite a scene out here in Aioun. I'd like to thank everyone who voted on election day, please be aware that living in a country under a military dictatorship makes you much more appreciative of American Democracy!! I'd like you all to know that there were about 12 volunteers in town election night, frantically reloading CNN and NYTIMES webpages trying to glean any sort of information on election results. My friend has a chalkboard at her house and I drew a map of all 50 states and used red and blue chalk to color in each one. The pictures are on facebook. The strongest of us stayed up until 4 am when the election results were decided! It was like 8 consecutive years of Christmas saved up for some of us, and for others it was a crushing defeat. Also it was amazing to be in Africa as we elected the first African American president of the United States. I really do wish I was at home in NY or DC, but I'm happy for the unique experience I shared with my sitemates. Needless to say I am very happy because my candidate won. But I think that the ripple effect felt out here in Mauritania was much bigger than I expected. Perceptions of Americans changed dramatically November 5th. People kept stopping by my house to congratulate me, and wish us well. They are overjoyed that the president elect has an African Muslim father. I'm pretty proud of it too!

I'm also glad I wont get yelled at in the street for any more of George Bush's policies (Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, threats to Iran) anymore.

Another thing I'd like to mention is Obama's campaign promise to double the number of Peace Corps Volunteers by 2011. I'd like to start by saying that we need money more than we need volunteers at this time, our budget has been cut in half! But at the same time increasing our numbers could work at a time like this, with a new administration that is incredibly welcomed by most countries abroad.
Either way, if you'd like to support me, sign this petition below:

http://www.petitiononline.com/morepc/petition.html