Another week nearly gone, me ol' chinas...

Hello guys, this weekend I will be in Rio de Janeiro so I will not have access to internet or to my faithful Mac, so I have decided to anticipate, by a few days my diary.

I am writing in the aftermath of the sensational victory of Sen. Obama in the Presidential Elections and I can certainly declare myself very happy about the result. I have to be honest, my pleasure is linked not much to what he is going to do but for what he is, what he represents and for what America has done.

What is he? He is an afro-American son of immigrants with Muslim background… This already makes the event nearly miraculous, as far as I am concerned. He is not even a Kunta Kinte descendent. He is a first or second generation American, a bit like Sarkozy of France. In my country we still cannot accept people from overseas moving in, imagine if we were going to have a black Prime Minister.

What does he represent? He represents America, he represents the progressive people living on the most developed area and more open minded states of America. The traditional states have voted for McCain. Obama is a black man and colour is still a big issue in many parts of the States.

What has America done? America has decided to break a big taboo and show to the world that they can be democratic and not only preach democracy. I am not sure anything will change internally, but for sure, the perception of a change can heal America from the bad image that the world has of the last presidency. Those who were anti-Bush will no longer be considered anti-Americans. I will be one of those.

I have a fear… I fear that Obama will soon become an Icon. An icon for minorities, an Icon for poor people, an Icon for the GLBT community and so on… like any Icon he will be idolised and, eventually, demolished. I am really afraid for Obama’s safety. I hope he will not be a new Martin Luther King, I really hope that his presidency will show to the world that Alexis de Toqueville’s America is still possible.

But, I have to admit, I got really touched by McCain’s speech when he conceded presidency to his rival. A true gentleman! It has been the climax of the long election night. McCain has taught to the whole world what love for a country means. Hillary Clinton’s declarations at the time of conceding victory to Obama were nothing like that. You could see that McCain, if he had to vote for someone but not himself, he would have possibly voted for Obama as well.

While the world congratulates Obama the usual Italian politician, a well known asshole, Maurizio Gasparri, declared that with Obama victory, Al Qaeda (perhaps) will be happy.

I am tired of Mussolini’s grand children. A foot in the mouth every time they try to express a thought. Italian politicians have a lot to learn from their counterparts fro the States and, I believe, that we, Italians, should learn to be more selective about the people we send to represent us. However our PM has revealed his kind nature offering to help Obama and advise him seen his age and experience. I am sure that Obama will benefit of Silvio’s recommendations.

Another thing I would like Italians to learn from the US system is the way a citizen decides if he wants to be considered an elector or not. I am one of those who do not exercise the right to vote in Italy and I would love to be excluded from the electoral roll. In America you choose to be part of the electors, why do I have to be an elector in Italy? I do not want to be part of the 100% having right to vote, I want to be part of that 20% who wants the e right not to vote!

America… a black president is now no longer taboo while gay unions still are… Prop 8 has not attracted enough No’s and California, Arizona and Arkansas have voted against same sex marriage and extension of family rights based on some sort of morals…

America breaks taboo but for some, those between the bed sheets, some resistances are still there. How about a gay president? Or a lady president? Or, why not, a Lesbian President?

Well guys, Brazil… nothing to report. I am getting fatter and fatter, food is still very heavy, I feel like shit and I am tired of Sao Paulo. I made a bad choice and those who come over here and say that they love Sao Paulo are definitely those who love easy sex, getting drunk and endless nightlife. Not for me.

Take care folks and catch you next week.

Cheers!