The World Reacts to Obama’s Victory

So reports are coming in from all over about how happy everyone is that Obama has been elected. The outpouring of joy is really quite remarkable. I do wonder whether part of it is elation at Bush leaving office, but far be it from me to sour people’s love for us Americans. If the world wants to love us, I say all the better. Anyway, I did find the whole thing to be slightly bizarre, but interesting. In the same way I am puzzled at all the people who reported having tears in their eyes when Obama won. The only conclusion I can make is that these people have no life and will probably commit suicide now that the election is over. Anyway! The world is aparently falling all over themselves as well. Here are some pictures:

bama

The world over people are acting as though the world had just been saved from total destruction. People weren’t this happy when the Allies defeated the Nazis. People were less excited about the end of the Black Plauge.

“The New World,” the Times of London declared on its front page, beneath a huge smiling portrait of Obama.

“One Giant Leap for Mankind,” echoed the Sun.

Maybe I’m just an old crank, but I’m not too impressed. A half-black man with a silver tongue won the presidency. And? Has everyone in the world gone retarded? This man hasn’t done anything yet. The man is not even president yet, for Christ’s sake. I’ll be honest, all this crying and people shitting their pants because a mulatto got elected. And for all these people know, this mulatto may bomb the hell out of their asses. I mean, if this guy does bring about world peace, cure cancer, and turn Africa into a paradise, then I’ll be pretty damn impressed. If it turns out that simply by virtue of this man being president, all the Muslims stop strapping bombs to their children, I’ll be impressed. Call me a cynic, call me whatever you want, but a man promising “change” being elected to office doesn’t make me go all crybaby style. Sorry if I sound like a prick.

But I forgot…this is all so historic. Never in America has a mulatto been elected before. This is true. He is also the first president to have brown eyes. If this is what people are weeping about, then I say shut the hell up. I’m all for a black man, a yellow man, a red man, a queer man, a fat man, a man with a ZZ Top beard becoming president–so long as he actually does a good job. Now, I’m wiling to give old Obama a chance, he won the job. He might do damn good and bring us peace and prosperity. If so I will cheer for him and write his accolades. But remember, he isn’t the first man to talk some good words and be cheered by weeping crowds…

People weeping and excited about "Change."

Reactions from Leaders around the World

In general, the leaders from around the world were pissing themselves over Obama’s victories as well.

Make USA A Partner In The World

Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place. We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead.

We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream (of) making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.
Nelson Mandela, Former President, South Africa

We Share The Same Values

Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future. I know Barack Obama and we share many values. We both have determination to show that government can act to help people fairly through these difficult times facing the global economy.

Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister

Obama’s Victory Is A Special Resonance
We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya.
Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan President

Obama’s Election Raises Hope In France
With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America’s identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future.”At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond. France and Europe … will find a new energy to work with America to persevere peace and world prosperity.
Nicolas Sarkozy, French President

China Will Work Together With USA
The Chinese Government and I myself have always attached great importance to China-US relations. In the new historic era, I look forward to working together with you to continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges between our two countries.
Hu Jintao, Chinese President

Pakistan-US Relations Will Be Enhanced
President (Asif Ali) Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan-US relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that received a popular mandate in [the] poll.
Pakistani Embassy In Washington

Africa Is Proud Of Obama’s Achievements
Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but looks forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a bilateral and multilateral level in our endeavour to create a better world for all who live in it.

We express the hope that poverty and under-development in Africa, which remains a challenge for humanity, will indeed continue to receive a greater attention of the focus of the new administration.
Kgalema Motlanthe, South African President

Canada Will Build Strong Working Relationship With US
In the weeks and months ahead Canadian officials and diplomats will be working closely with members of President-elect Obama’s transition team. Ministers in our government look forward to building a strong working relationship with their counterparts in a new Obama cabinet.

I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States.
Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister

Obama Should Bring Peace To Afghanistan
I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later.

I applaud the American people once again and hope that this election and President Obama’s coming into office will bring peace to Afghanistan, life to Afghanistan and prosperity to the Afghan people and to the rest of the world.”
Hamid Karzai, Afghan President

Obama Will Join Forces With Europe
We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world.

As the world faces many difficulties, I am sure that the United States, under the excellent leadership of President-elect Obama, will move further forward while co-operating with the international community.
Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President

We Will Strengthen The Japan-US Alliance
The Japan-US alliance is the key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With President-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-US alliance further and work towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the environment.
Taro Aso, Japanese Prime Minister

He Should Look At Facts On The Ground
I think you will hear a lot of discussion and goals and slogans during the election campaigns. When there is a reality check I think any US president has to look very hard at the facts on the ground.
Hoshiyar Zebari, Iraqi Foreign Minister

He Will Change US Policy Towards Middle East
We congratulate (Obama) on the confidence of the American people in him and we hope that he will change the policy of the United States towards the Middle East and towards the crimes which are happening in Afghanistan and Somalia, in other words that he adopts a just policy that restores to America its natural position of respect for humankind and democracy.

Mohamed Mahdi Akef, Leader Of The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, One Of The Largest Islamist Groups In The Middle East

And so there you have it folks.