REMAKING A NATION - BLUE IS BACK

My daughter can claim dual nationality - her father is American (from the East Coast). When she first saw his blue passport, and was old enough to understand what it represented, she asked if she could have one. Yes, of course he replied.

As her mother however, I flatly refused. I had, indelibly etched on my mind, what happened on Pan AM flight 73

The unpalatable truth is that holding an American passport in many countries across the world has been a dangerous thing for a long time and that danger grew under the misguidance of the Bush dynasty and their administrations. Why would I want to even risk the potential of my precious offspring being singled out to be the recipient of the anger and tensions that their oil wars, arrogance and short sightedness produced, if she had an option?

1986 aside, many educated American's know that the international standing of the USA had eroded so much in the last 8 years that some citizens would have been well advised not to openly display a US passport, for another reason, fear of ridicule. Although McCain was an obviously worthy contender, one cannot underestimate how much Sarah Palin was adding to the legacy of Bush, in turning the country into a laughing stock from an international perspective. Palin was more unbelievable as a choice of VP for the mood and needs of this time than even the 'might makes right' policies of her ultimate boss.

Today, however, everything changes and I will tell my daughter she can indeed apply for that passport and even actively encourage her.

Many of the past fears and considerations simply melt away with the election of a calm, sensible, articulate, peace abiding leader called Barack Hussein Obama - and I'm sure many other people across the world feel the same.

I personally have little doubt that this man's ethnicity and ancestry, his given middle name, the fact that he has spent time outside of America, his grasp of international relations, religious differences and respect for them; his transparency, dignity, spirituality, intelligence, eloquence, authenticity and inspirational leadership qualities, will help in continuing to transform the way many of America's enemies (and allies) see the country.

If he had lost this election all hope would have been lost for America.

New life has been breathed into the country and it now has a leader (elect) to be proud of. One I really believe in and know will give his heart and soul in an attempt to guide America back to being the greatest country in the world. He may not do it, it will be a tough ride, but he's obviously willing to die trying, such is his vision and commitment*.

I am confident, despite what you read by political pundits, that we have now seen the last of Palin on the world stage. Soon Bush will follow suit with his tail between legs (but hopefully wiser for the experience). A new era really has dawned for America today and with it a chance to alter people's perceptions of authority, democracy and the US - across the globe.

To paraphrase Obama, 'Because of what you did on this day, in this election, at this moment, change has come to America'.... and on this side of the pond many (not least the Kenyan's, Syrians, Iraqi's and Iranians of this world) are very grateful to those of you who voted him in . Thank you.

* * * * *

As the great synchronicity of life would have it, the planet Jupiter on Sep 5 1986 was at the same degree as Uranus opposing Saturn is today - restoring what changed in international perception in '86

*Sadly I fear Obama's greatest threat will now come from within the US

UPDATE: Dec 1 08 Due to recent events in Mumbai where the terrorists were asking for British and US passports it would seem I am being a bit idealistic but change will, hopefully, come