Real Shock and Awe

More powerful than was imaginable,
We are almost in a state of collective shock/awe.
The promise -- Antigone before the king comes to mind -- wonderfully hard to process.
He looked as a man with providence; the opposite mirror of Bush.
There was humility inside it.
He was even careful not to get too frenzied -- gave a soft landing.
Sober, reflective, determined... emotional beyond words.
The world looked to America... we showed our best.
For one night at least, the world was sane.
The planet sighs in relief and deserves a righteous party.
We have beaten back the worst in ourselves, the old and inevitable forces of cynicism and greed.
No more patriotic primates to rule the roost.
Real change will take sacrifice, vigilance and will.
The bailout of Wall Street, the wars and the final gorge of the right wing must be stopped now, a return to Keynesian balance.
Bottom up instead of top down.
The gold standard that every human has value -- be awarded respect, dignity and opportunity --
The currency of grace.
A wave of renewal and possibility.
And now the real work begins.

Comments

[ladydriver]

Once again, Mr. Cusack, you have put into words what so many of us are feeling, and you do it so well. Thank you for your part in helping to make this dream a reality. (Can you believe we really did it?!? I just can't stop smiling and crying!)

[AlixV]

You're totally right. The world sighed with relief... For the 1st time in 8 very long years, we (the rest of the world !!) feel that maybe we're gonna be able to talk to you and you're gonna answer back and not dismiss us as if we were some kind of worthless cockroaches !

Yet I would like to reassure you that we've been able to make the difference between the people and Bush's administration. Sometimes, we'd say "Damn those Americans", but only out of fustration, the very same fustration that you were probably feeling too... :-)

And last but not least, I would like to thank you. For your greatness. For your ability to pull yourself up even in the darkest of times and show the rest of the world your true self. For your belief in a better future. For making things possible for everyone. For making things happen. We need that America. And as a French citizen, I feel so much joy and gratitude towards you, you have no idea. Again, thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU.

[AnneBachmann]

Dear Mr. Cusack,

never knew you were such a poet, but great! And thank you! That your country, your people elected Obama is a signal way beyond the United States. Finally you confirmed some of the most (positive) stereotypes of the American people. You say it: the planet sighes in relief!

Thanks so much!
With gratitude,
Anne

[bedeboop]

I am still crying when I see items on the news on the internet. A dream finally become real, living, breathing and walking among us. Congratulations to our newly elected President Obama!

[M1]

John,

You are a beautiful writer.

[rishi851]

Thanks John...That was so poetic!!
4th Nov was a historic day and I was proud to be a part of it.
GO OBAMA!!!!

[lisakaz2]

Great. I'm glad to see John Maynard hasn't been forgotten! My old econ prof (the late Robert Eisner) was a neo-Keynesian talking about the need for balancing the budget. "Tax and spend" is now really "fiscal responsibility" since "borrow and spend" has driven America into a ditch. Finally!

[ColoradoCool]

Wow! I'm a long-time, big fan of Cusack's screen work but hadn't seen any of his political commentary until I started reading Huffington. I'm blown away! In addition to having a first-class intellect, being compellingly enlightened and well-read, he's an eloquent writer! Thanks for just nailing it John!

I'm going to print this post in big font and keep it on my ice box door indefinitely (a high honor indeed! I still have there Norman Mailer’s wonderful description of Bush 43. ) so that, in the coming months and years, I can keep fresh in my mind what a narrow escape Barack’s victory represents from a pit of, yes, real, honest-to-god evil. I feel grateful as hell to Barack with my whole heart and being that he is brave and smart and gracious enough to volunteer to lead us in cleaning up this Republican-engineered cesspool that's being left behind by our petulant narcissist-in-chief. Just in the nick of time, Barack has f**king saved us ALL! (whether all of us deserve it or not) : )

The whole WORLD is celebrating with us!

[ElisaC5596]

I think John Cusack needs to update his Huffington bio to say that he is a writer as well as an actor. John - You have an amazing way of expressing your thoughts. Thank you for sharing them.
(While a previous reader is adding your comments to her fridge -- which is a lovely thought -- mine is full of photos of my young nephew already! Sorry! )

[CaptainStormfield]

Very good post John, Thank you.

I would also like to compliment you on War Inc. Very well done.

And, yes now the real work starts. I cant wait to get my first email from Obama asking me to call my
Congress Critters. I believe that will be the another key part of Obama's presidency, we will keep pushing.

[Juanita9161]

Thanks John, for giving words to our hopes and feelings during this campaign. Although new to the Huffington Post, I have been lucky enough to read this commentary and also the one before "No currency Left to Spend" . I had no idea you could write so eloquently! Keep up the great work.

[BandsofBlack]

Little darling, the smiles returning to their faces

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cx2l8_-t38

[beantowner]

Great post, Mr. Cusask. Thanks for your thoughtful input during this most difficult election season.

"The planet sighs in relief and deserves a righteous party."

And party they did. The photos and videos of celebrations around the world were astounding, and they touched me deeply. I knew the world was watching, but I didn't expect the whole world to celebrate like they did. It was an awesome sight, and I'm very proud of my country. It feels good to have the respect of others around the globe again.

[JustMom]

Hope so.

[violimo]

The Obama victory is a call to action, a call to be vigilant. The conservative monsters are at their most dangerous when they are wounded. Was not the neocon vision that spawned the Bush govt. hatched during the eight years of the Clinton Presidency? Who knows what Rove has up his sleeve right now. The narrowness of the popular vote, illuminates that the US is still very much a divided country as if the historical stain of the Civil War is still writ large on the nation's psyche. I'm not American, but have observed the USA since JFK. and know how important the way of the US affects the rest of the world. That's why I was so proud of the ordinary citizens who voted for Obama. The power of their vote has such global resonance. Don't let the monsters take that power away from you again.

[nolatraci]

Yea you right...geaux boo, geaux.