Okay, so, in the end, I did NOT vote for Hello Kitty. (She really isn't an American citizen.) And here's one really good reason why I'm glad I didn't. This is from the New York Times headlines (which is all I have time to read at the moment, as I am supposed to be dashing out the door instead of typing this):


Obama Victory Alters the Tenor of Iraqi Politics
By ALISSA J. RUBIN
Iraqi and American officials said obstacles to a security agreement appeared to be fading.


Woot! Woot!! Maybe he will bring the troops home (instead of just sending them to Afghanistan).

And the interviews in the black community have been enormously cheering, too . . . Lots of people saying things like, "We can hold our young men to a higher standard now" or "I can be anything I want. I have no excuse." (Yes, I heard both of those things,)

I have to say, I'm feeling really hopeful this week . . .