Race was Obama's ace
After falling over ourselves to convey how "historic!" this election was, the press has turned its collective attention to the mess Barack Obama will inherit in January.
The rest of the country woke up with a massive hangover on Wednesday morning from drinking themselves silly in either celebration or disappointment.
Thankfully, my 10 a.m. professor canceled class on Wednesday. Unfortunately, my 9 a.m. professor did not. And he's the boring one. Sigh.
I was tasked with writing a column about the historic importance of the election, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It's so obviously historic that saying so is akin to declaring that the Lions suck again this year. We're all numb by now.
So, uh, don't tell my editor, but I'm going plain and writing about the race issue instead.
I checked my hometown newspaper Web site Thursday and one story grabbed my attention: "Local shop flies American flag upside down."
Oh, crap.
Hampel's gun shop in Traverse City couldn't quite deal with the upset on Tuesday and the clerk, Rod Nyland, told a reporter that the inverted flag is "an international signal for distress and we feel our country is in distress because the (explicit) got in."
An hour later, Mr. Nyland said it was a "poor choice of words." Uh, too late buddy. Thanks for soiling the image of my hometown in the eyes of everyone.
I posted the story on Facebook.com and within an hour, more than 14 of my friends had commented. Here's a sampling:
"It must have been difficult for them to completely avoid learning anything since the '60s," my friend Jesse said.
"(Hampel's) deserves to go the way of Michael Richards' career," my friend Tom said.
"I hear there are lots of homes for sale in Canada if these people are interested..." my friend Jessica said.
My sentiments exactly.
I ran across a column that I'm sure would just boil Mr. Nyland's blood. Essentially, the argument was that being black was Obama's ace in the hole.
This flies in the face of most conventional wisdom in the election run-up, which had Democrats jumping at the specter of how secret racists were lying to pollsters.
All Americans, regardless of race or ideology, are raised to believe that America is special. But since the War in Iraq began, this image has taken a beating.
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible . tonight is your answer," Obama said in his acceptance speech. McCain echoed that, saying Obama "inspired the hopes of so many millions."
Now, electing our first black president won't immediately solve the financial crisis, nor will it win us the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. But it might just make us feel special again.
Better flip that flag right side up, Mr. Nyland.
(Looks like I ended up writing what my editor wanted, anyhow. D'oh).
