I think it's amazing that one man can have this much of an effect on so many hundreds of millions or even billions of people. I will never forget this and one day I will tell my children about this moment.

Given the world"s overwhelming reaction to Obama"s election victory it"s important to discuss Italy"s. I"m not surprised by Berlusconi"s comments ("Obama is handsome, clever and tanned")? They reflect a pervasive view. I was born in Italy; I can attest to this. In September 2008, a poll showed that over 50% Italians favored McCain over Obama. Clearly, race was a main reason. Italy"s relationship with its home-turf immigrants, especially from Africa and the Middle East, is, increasingly, a very difficult and troubled one. Yet, racial intolerance is not widely discussed in Italy. Most agree that some people are more equal than others; there"s no need to debate or question this "fact". It"s a shame. It"s embarrassing! My (maternal) great-grandfather traveled to America in 1904 and stayed for a while. My family and relatives are spread all over Canada and the United States (and Italy). I know I speak for many immigrants all over the world in condemning Berlusconi"s stupid, ignorant and intolerant remark. He won"t apologize; he maintains his comments were intended as a compliment. I will apologize on behalf of the millions of Italians forced to leave their country of birth during the last century due to political corruption and nepotism, and the industrialized north"s disdain, political and economic oppression of southern Italy. In Milan, garbage trucks are referred to as "Calabrese", a slur against Calabrians living in northern Italy. The other slur of choice against Calbrians living in northern Italy? Africans! Berlusconi is simply following tradition.

Given the world"s overwhelming reaction to Obama"s election victory it"s important to discuss Italy"s. I"m not surprised by Berlusconi"s comments ("Obama is handsome, clever and tanned")? They reflect a pervasive view. I was born in Italy; I can attest to this. In September 2008, a poll showed that over 50% Italians favored McCain over Obama. Clearly, race was a main reason. Italy"s relationship with its home-turf immigrants, especially from Africa and the Middle East, is, increasingly, a very difficult and troubled one. Yet, racial intolerance is not widely discussed in Italy. Most agree that some people are more equal than others; there"s no need to debate or question this "fact". It"s a shame. It"s embarrassing! My (maternal) great-grandfather traveled to America in 1904 and stayed for a while. My family and relatives are spread all over Canada and the United States (and Italy). I know I speak for many immigrants all over the world in condemning Berlusconi"s stupid, ignorant and intolerant remark. He won"t apologize; he maintains his comments were intended as a compliment. I will apologize on behalf of the millions of Italians forced to leave their country of birth during the last century due to political corruption and nepotism, and the industrialized north"s disdain, political and economic oppression of southern Italy. In Milan, garbage trucks are referred to as "Calabrese", a slur against Calabrians living in northern Italy. The other slur of choice for Calbrians living in northern Italy? Africans! Berlusconi is simply following tradition.

It's so incredible to see how much we matter to the rest of the world. When we are not at our best, the world suffers. When we are right, the world feels safer. Part of what makes the election of Obama so important is that we sent a message to the rest of the world to let them know that we understand our responsibility to the peace and stability of this planet.

We lost sight of that and let the greedy get control of our country, and we can't ever let that happen again. Thousands die and millions suffer when Americans put profit over patriotism. With today's announcement that 10 million of us are out of work, we're among the millions who suffer. We can lose America unless we're always vigilant. If we lose America, the world descends into chaos.

This reaction to our new president is proof that they got our message and we got theirs. America has been AWOL for the last eight years, but we've taken back our country, and we're keeping it. Now that we've seen how our vote changed our nation, there are no more excuses for not voting. Now we just have to make sure we don't just elect people because we know their names.

Oh ...I am sooooooooo Excited ...NOT !!!!