a day for hope

Tomorrow is International Human Rights Day. It’s also the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (That’s why the 10th of December is Human Rights Day.)

For a couple of weeks after the terrorist attacks of 9-11, the entire world was sympathetic towards America. We finally felt some of the pain they had become accustomed to. Even the Iranians sent messages of understanding! Rarely had there been a moment when we had the opportunity to work with our allies and enemies toward a common goal. But the Bush administration decided to go the other way. Bush belligerently bellowed, “Either you’re with us or against us.” Cheney famously declared that we would have to work “sort of the dark side, if you will.”

I’ve posted a couple of cartoons with the feeling that, as terrible as the past eight years have been, we aren’t inspired by endless rehashing of mistakes. I find that as tedious as anyone else. As someone who voted for Barack Obama, I actually am hopeful that a new era for America is at hand—one in which we really can take the time to listen to others, rather than loudly announcing how it’s gonna be! (And I really haven’t “drunk the Kool-Aid” of believing Barack can solve all our problems!)