Andrea Junker 
Someone asked if I was ready for the fall, and it actually took me a moment to realize that they meant autumn, not the complete collapse of democracy.
ArchaeoIain@Strandjunker I remember watching that moment of glory for the US when Obama spoke to the crowd in Chicago after his triumph in the 2008 election. He spoke, he said, "on a warm autumn evening"
@jacquiharper@ArchaeoIain @Strandjunker I’m proud that you remembered this detail
@jacquiharper @Strandjunker that evening was an emotional experience for me, and one of my greatest regrets. I had the opportunity both to go to Harvard Square to join the celebrations of the election and then to go to the Mall in Washington to join the massive crowd at the Inauguration. Both missed. But the complement to the Obama speech was McCain's concession speech which was truly memorable in its graciousness (and is firmness in keeping the woman away).
Red_Shirt_no2@Red_Shirt_no2 @ArchaeoIain @Strandjunker I so appreciated the civility on both sides — lent dignity, respect, and (fans self) composure to the whole endeavor
Like that high-water mark HST described in _Fear and Loathing_
John Rohde Jensen@ArchaeoIain @Strandjunker The Obama years seems like a million years ago. Most countries are now aiming for Orban style ‘Democracy Light’