Justified Hope

This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

-- Barack Obama Presidential Victory Speech

To be frank, I had been cynical about US politics, especially presidential elections. But since his first victory in Iowa, I have become more and more interested in Barack Obama and have been following his journey to the White House closely. His respect for opponents is the first character that I admire, among many others, such as humility, calmness, acknowledging the imperfections of US, vision, discipline, looking for mutual understanding instead of direct confrontation, and, most of all, the ability to inspire hopes.

His huge popularity around the world proves again that there is something that we human all share, something most fundamental to all, something deeply rooted in our conscience: hope, hope that helps us conquer over fear. But hope alone will not make the change happening. What distinguishes him from the rest politicians is his ability to inspire others to take the responsibility and initiatives, and to be that change. It is only when actions are taken that changes are possible, that the gap between where we are and where we want to be is filled, and that hope is justified.