Hunter smith's blog http://www.blogher.com/blog/33844/atom/feed 2008-07-21T20:36:06-05:00 Are Americans Too Cynical About Politics To Accept European Enthusiasm for Barack Obama? http://www.blogher.com/are-americans-too-cynical-about-politics-accept-european-enthusiasm-barack-obama 2008-07-26T07:15:14-05:00 2008-07-26T07:15:14-05:00 Hunter smith    I have been amazed at what I find to be completely inaccurate reporting concerning the Barack Obama visits to Europe, in particular his appearance and thirty minute speech in Berlin. Senator Obama is overwhelmingly supported by Europeans. this fact has been established in every poll conducted overseas in a European venue, but clearly in Paris and Berlin he is deeply admired.

]]>    I have been amazed at what I find to be completely inaccurate reporting concerning the Barack Obama visits to Europe, in particular his appearance and thirty minute speech in Berlin. Senator Obama is overwhelmingly supported by Europeans. this fact has been established in every poll conducted overseas in a European venue, but clearly in Paris and Berlin he is deeply admired. The New York Times continues to publish strange and almost childlike headlines which defy understanding, such as yesterdays headlines acknowledging a mile deep crowd but including" The Bold and the Beautiful.." "How do you all have such straight teeth?" "Ciao American girl. Do you know what time it is?" Now that I visit my husband's relatives in Italy every summer I know this is no longer the case. The conversations are about torture and why we love George Bush. Nice. My daughter pretends to be italian so that she will not be harassed. She hides her American passport and longs for dual citizenship which she will be getting at 18. Both my daughters have decided to move to Europe if Obama does not become President on January 20, 2009. Even my 21 year old niece who is graduating from William and Mary wants to leave the country if Obama is not elected and return to Rome where she studied this summer after having spent a summer with us in the mountains of Italy and learned the language.

When three bright college educated American women are deciding to abandon the country in which they were raised to become italian citizens, not a country known for its decent politicians and democratic government, something is deeply wrong in our country. When the New York Times repeatedly reports that Europeans are wary of Obama, they are simply not telling the truth. Three young women returning from Italy, Dublin, Spain and London, have reported Obama enthusiasm that they say is deeply political and profoundly informed. Why are we resisting the fact that there is indeed a politician to be excited about? He is informed, morally grounded, and profoundly intelligent and fair in his representation of the issues, as well as honest. Are we too jaded to be relieved and proud of this man? 

]]> It's Got to be Hard Michelle, but we are with you! http://www.blogher.com/its-got-be-hard-michelle-we-are-you 2008-07-21T20:36:06-05:00 2008-07-21T20:36:06-05:00 Hunter smith    Last Christmas I took a trip to New Hampshire with my oldest daughter and one son. (I have four children).The purpose of my going was to campaign for Michelle Obama's husband Barack...he he I like the way that sounds. While I am awed by the story of the Obama family and how it fits into my story as an American woman, I  often wondered how you, Michelle were holding up. For an anniversary present my husband bought me tickets to listen to you speak at Ned Lamonte's house in Greenwich.

]]>    Last Christmas I took a trip to New Hampshire with my oldest daughter and one son. (I have four children).The purpose of my going was to campaign for Michelle Obama's husband Barack...he he I like the way that sounds. While I am awed by the story of the Obama family and how it fits into my story as an American woman, I  often wondered how you, Michelle were holding up. For an anniversary present my husband bought me tickets to listen to you speak at Ned Lamonte's house in Greenwich. (Nice diggs), when they were talking about their addition and tittering I wondered what you were thinking) Actually we won't even go there. What was amazing was your presence. Your story is the American woman's story, the only difference is now history has taken a turn and the spotlight is on you making life surreal. Your struggles between raising children and building a career are all of our struggles. When do we take a day off, how can we miss that meeting. Etc. I know that after graduate school I had expectations that my career would finally take a position of importance in our family life, but one of my children is emotioally crippled from being in an orphanage in Russia for four years. HOWEVER... when we went to hear your husband speak everything changed. At 11 years of age he knew that something important was happening. He threw himself over the barrier and the secret service into your husband's arms and told him that he loved him. Your husband hugged him back. Every one else was flipping out. I knew this is a man that loves children. My son Misha then introduced himself to Susan Rice and Tony Lake. What a night. While it must not be easy for you...this road in the spot light..it will be worth it. We are with you and your family every step of the way!

 Hunter 

      

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