FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

How do you say, "Hallelujah!" in French???

GO-Bama!

In my husband's Paris office today, the French workers were coming up to him and "congratulating" him on his new president! And all understood why he was late - we stayed up till 6:30 am to see the final results and hear both excellent speeches. I love France but will love the USA even better when we head home next summer! Go Obama!

"Barack Obama élu président des Etats-Unis" --Le Figaro Barack Obama Elected President of the United States

"Victoire écrasante de Barack Obama, premier président noir des Etats-Unis" –AFP Crushing Victory by Barack Obama, First African-American President of the United States

"Elections US - Barack Obama, la renaissance du rêve américain" --France Soir US Elections—Barack Obama, the Renaissance of the American Dream

"McCain, très digne, félicite Barack Obama" --Metro France Very Dignified McCain congratulates Barack Obama

"Le nouveau président-élu des Etats-Unis Barack Obama a reçu l'appel de son rival John McCain concédant sa défaite" --Métro Montréal The New President-Elect of the United States Has Received the Call of Concession from Rival John McCain

BARACK OBAMA ÉLU À LA MAISON BLANCHE! --Radio Suisse Romande Barack Obama Elected to the White House !

"La lame de fond démocrate a emporté des bastions républicains" --Le Monde Substantive Democratic Blade Cuts Through Republican Strongholds

"La victoire de Barack Obama «n'est pas un raz-de-marée" --20minutes.fr Barack Obama’s Victory « Not a Tsunami »

"La victoire d'Obama marque la réconciliation de l'Amérique avec le monde" --L'Express Obama Victory Marks the Reconciliation of America with the World

"Elections US - Barack Obama, la renaissance du rêve américain" --France Soir

Despite the evil responses I'm sure I'll get for saying this, one man does not a "renaissance" make. Whether speaking of "renaissance" in terms of finances or equality, the US spent a long time getting into its current situation and expecting 1 person to fix it all in the span of 4-8 years is simply unrealistic. It's unlikely anyone could live up to such a lofty headline. I remind everyone that the historical "renaissance" covered several hundred years and references multiple "grands hommes".

This sentimental octogenarian cried repeatedly knowing that he has now lived to experience another momentous and startling event, hearing this kind and disciplined man deliver still again an eloquent and inspiring acceptance call to all Americans -- all the world. WHATEVER HAPPENS next, I believe he, with all of us who believe in him, have given our country a huge growth spurt, opening unlimited possibilities for reaching new horizons. and moving us a bit closer to government "...of the people, by the people, for the people", keeping the goal of equal opportunity for all.

Senator McCain was magnanimous in delivering a concession speech portraying his greatness.

My home-made Barack Biden lawn sign was destroyed. My hopes and fears will be on our new president's safety for the next four, and even better, eight years.

For now, in my mind, we have been greatly blessed. Godspeed, Barack!

But, Stacey, France Soir is not talking about a "renaissance of America," but rather a rebirth of the American dream, and I think that is a fair observation. (I hope this does not count as an "evil response.")

Bonjour Kristin,

During the past month we've been enjoying unusually warm weather in New Mexico. Brilliant blue skies were the perfect backdrop for the red and gold of autumn trees.

As I walked the neighborhoods to canvass for Barrack Obama, I was grateful that our good weather continued to hold. And on Tuesday, when a promised storm failed to materialize, again I was glad that voters would not have to brave the challenge of bad weather, on top of the long lines.

Last night rewarded all our hopes and hard work. We went to sleep exhausted, well past midnight. And this morning, I woke up to the sound of a gentle rain on our roof. Our high Sonoran desert has been suffering a decade-long drought. This morning's rain seemed like an unexpected blessing, a sign of good times to come.

Everything you say is true, Stacey, but as dkshane pointed out, you're refuting something the newspaper did not say.

The "American dream" is that every one of us can accomplish whatever we want to (assuming we have the ability and put forth sufficient effort). Tuesday night, 40 million Americans realized that that applies to them, too.

McCain said something it being a proud moment for African-Americans. I'm a WASP, but I turned to my wife and said, "I'm pretty damn proud myself right now."

Thank you Kristin for sharing with us this slice of your landscape seen from the gorgeous mustard field and through the trees.

I'm not as elated as others are by the election of this relatively unknown candidate who has past associations that are troubling. We always hope things won't turn out as bad as we fear, but Obama's stated plans to disarm this country and to raise taxes in bad economic times with the market needs more cash are troubling. Only after the election, on Wednesday, then the Associated Press agree that we have elected a man who is "an enigma." People seemed to get caught up in something here...something emotional; I'm not clear about what it was. But we always hope for the best.

I hope this isn't too inappropriate, because I know this is not a political blog. But I would like to mention to Betty that Obama has said repeatedly that he would cut the taxes of 95% of the people in the country, and he has never to my knowledge said anything about cutting military spending, limiting military purchases, or reducing the number of people in the armed forces. Given that, it seems rather inaccurate to say he "plans to disarm this country and to raise taxes."