Editor’s Desk
By Barry E. Moore
Executive Editor

I woke up Wednesday, Nov. 5 and found that the world had not ended.

I still had my Second Amendment possessions and money in the bank, and the government had not redistributed my property. What I did find was a sense of renewed patriotism for me. True patriotism is not merely reflected in the wearing of a pin on your lapel or the flying of the flag outside your home, but is borne from what we as Americans do in the worst of times for each other.

I listened to the pundits talk about the pride they have now in knowing that America has moved forward in a progressive manner by electing an African American as president. Some said it signaled to the rest of the world that America finally was in touch with the people.

How wrong they are! America has never been out of touch; America has always been and will always be the beacon of hope and opportunity not only for Americans, but the entire world. Name another country that the world looks to first in the time of natural disasters for relief. Name another political system that embraces a greater cross-section of ethnic, cultural, or religious freedoms and tolerance within its legal confines.

When was the last time England, France, Germany or any other of the so-called enlightened European countries had a minority leader? When was the last time you saw or heard of a crowd waiting hours or even days in line for a visa to leave America for another country? And how many of the world’s embassies have waiting lines for visas to America?

McCain’s speech to the people, in which he accepted their decision to elect Obama, reaffirmed his status as a true gentleman and senior statesman, and showed his honest commitment to America. Obama’s address to his supporters went further; he was genuine in his hope to be every American’s president. African Americans have a right to be proud of this moment in history, but so does every American. Once again, America has stood above the rest of the world and led the way.

It is now time for us to look ahead and see how we can mirror President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain’s dedication to America. How can we affect America, our state, our community locally and in a large and lasting way? It is time, it is right, and it is the American way.