It seems like the Impeachment complaint against the President has died once again this year, following the Congressional Justice committee's junking of the new complaint yesterday. Nevertheless, life goes on.
It's almost 2009, barely 1 1/2 years to go till Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's highly contested 9-year regime ends. In those 1 1/2 years, what worse can happen? We've seen the worst and the worst has been surpassed.
A rundown of major controversies faced by the current administration:
1. PIATCO - Fraport Scandal
2. Jose Pidal accounts
3. Hello, Garci? recordings
4. ZTE Broadband deal
5. Northrail Project
6. Fertilizer Fund Scam
All these involve millions, if not billions, of pesos! But why did we let it slip? Because we are sick and tired of all the mess!
We have been sick and tired of politicians bickering and mudslinging. We are tired of those oppositionists whom we know were once allies but because of political conflicts, they are now asking for the President's ouster. In short, both sides are simply unbearable. Thus, we are in a political deadlock. We are not apathetic, we are just afraid that we will be in excatly the same position as we are now if the regime changes, only worse. Sigh...
As I said in my previous entries, I am in no way siding with the administration, but this time I think we should just let it pass. What we have to do as concerned citizens of this country is to be more alert and awake, that no more onerous contracts will be signed, no more "tongpats" will be paid, no more plans to extend the regime will be successful. All lies in the hands of the populace.
In this time of global crisis, political fighting should take the back seat and we should work together for the common good. And it all starts by being vigilant and cooperative.
Let the administration stay until 2010. In May of that year, let us go out and vote who we think the right leaders should be. That is assuming someone is nominated with that type a calibre.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Motorcycles and Road Accidents
Just a few weeks ago I saw two motorcycle drivers lying in Edsa, in what looked like a major mishap between the two drivers. One was trying to get up, but the other seemed unconcscious. Bystanders from the sidewalks and the nearby overpass were looking on, as he traffic in Edsa worsens because of the incident. A few minutes later, I heard sirens of the ambulance. I hope they were okay.
A week before that, my mom had a mishap with, again, a motorcycle. It damages the side of our van pretty badly, while the motorcycle driver did nothing but apologize for his reckless behavior in the road. We did not get paid for the damages even if it was not our fault. The driver admitted that his brakes slipped him, causing the crash to our van's sliding door.
Another motorcycle incident occurred with my girlfriend, Bubbles. They were traversing the Banawe area when suddenly a motorcycle comes slipping through their side. Their driver did not notice the speeding bike, thus kissed their Revo's side, heavily denting its front door.
A lot of incidents involving motorcycles are happening these days. While the volume of motorcycles in the streets have increased by gargantuan proportions, our law enforcement officials seem too lenient when it comes to regulating motorcycle drivers. We still see a lot of motorcycle drivers without helmets, we even see policemen in scooters not wearing any helmet! We see motorcycles swerving here and there, beating the red light, turning in barricaded slots (since their motorcycles still fit the little holes in between), overspeeding, and some even contributing to noise pollution by playing loud music! What's worse is that motorcycle drivers tend to be ultra-arrogant in the streets because they know that when we hit them, we are the ones at fault. In short, motorcycle drivers are now the most notorious drivers in the country, even outranking our killer bus and truck drivers.
According to statistics shown by the LTO, motorcycles accidents are among the highest road related accidents in the country today. And many would agree with me that it is NEVER because of reckless CAR drivers. Most of the time, it is the fault of these reckless, misinformed, arrogant motorcycle drivers!
If ever there is a need to reinvent law enforcement in the streets, it's the laws against motorcycle reckelssness that need to be re-engineered the most.
A week before that, my mom had a mishap with, again, a motorcycle. It damages the side of our van pretty badly, while the motorcycle driver did nothing but apologize for his reckless behavior in the road. We did not get paid for the damages even if it was not our fault. The driver admitted that his brakes slipped him, causing the crash to our van's sliding door.
Another motorcycle incident occurred with my girlfriend, Bubbles. They were traversing the Banawe area when suddenly a motorcycle comes slipping through their side. Their driver did not notice the speeding bike, thus kissed their Revo's side, heavily denting its front door.
A lot of incidents involving motorcycles are happening these days. While the volume of motorcycles in the streets have increased by gargantuan proportions, our law enforcement officials seem too lenient when it comes to regulating motorcycle drivers. We still see a lot of motorcycle drivers without helmets, we even see policemen in scooters not wearing any helmet! We see motorcycles swerving here and there, beating the red light, turning in barricaded slots (since their motorcycles still fit the little holes in between), overspeeding, and some even contributing to noise pollution by playing loud music! What's worse is that motorcycle drivers tend to be ultra-arrogant in the streets because they know that when we hit them, we are the ones at fault. In short, motorcycle drivers are now the most notorious drivers in the country, even outranking our killer bus and truck drivers.
According to statistics shown by the LTO, motorcycles accidents are among the highest road related accidents in the country today. And many would agree with me that it is NEVER because of reckless CAR drivers. Most of the time, it is the fault of these reckless, misinformed, arrogant motorcycle drivers!
If ever there is a need to reinvent law enforcement in the streets, it's the laws against motorcycle reckelssness that need to be re-engineered the most.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Name is...
Is it my pronounciation or is there something else wrong that makes my name turn into hundreds of different other names. The one below is the latest. If I recall correctly, I have repeated my name more than a couple of times.
The next time I order and they ask for my name, I'll just use my second name John to prevent my first name to get murdered. But then again, the "ordertaker" might type it as JHON. How about Boy? They might type it as BHOY! Darn. I gotta think of an typo-error-proof name.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Yes! Magazine November 2008 issue
Finally! After year of seemingly endless dreaming of being in a printed material, I was able to be seen in the country's most widely read magazine! hehehe Thanks to my affiliation with the country's most eligible bachelor and one of the world's sexiest men (along with yours truly! hahaha), Dingdong Dantes, our 1998 Ateneo High School Class Picture was part of Dingdong's clipboard page of past pictures. This just shows that his Ateneo High School education is one of his most cherished memories.
Don't we all agree, AHS people around the world? Nothing beats the fun, laughter and friendship of high school. Majority of my most trusted friends come from my class in high school. And of course, we develop all the initial networks from our high school classmates from way back. In fact, in most organizations and government positions in the country, we can see colleagues who were former high school classmates. Indeed, the bond and the camaraderie of high school is probably the most nostalgic, most remembered, most valued of all levels of school. :)
It's quite difficult to see me in this picture. I was the one seated on the bench, rightmost. Luckily I wasn't cut off. :)
A little backgroudn on the photo: This was our wacky shoot during our 4th year high school class picture. Apprently, our longing for a high school uniform (AHS had no uniform before, only a collared-shirt requirement) made us decide to try out uniforms from our sister schools (or our sisters' schools?!). No offense, discrimination, insult, or pun was intended in this photo. It was simply meant to add a little fun to our usual boring formal class pictures. :) Unfortunately, the picture was pulled out from our order list because some factions of the school found it quite offensive. And as expected, we were heavily scolded by our principal. So this hard print from Dingdong's "baul" of pictures is one of the very few pieces that were printed. Wow! Collector's item!
Here's the latest picture of us now. Still wacky and fun as ever.
To my AHS 4F98 friends who are reading this, buy a copy now! And to my avid fans, buy a copy as well! hehehe.
Thanks to my man Mike for scanning the magazine. http://traveller23.multiply.com/journal/item/10?mark_read=traveller23:journal:10&replies_read=12&goto=12#reply12
Cheers!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Should not be forgotten
During the gala run of the play "Gerilya sa Powell Street," we were able to see some familiar faces like national artists Ben Cabrera and F. Sionil Jose, DND Usec. Ernesto Carolina, and the head of Tanghalang Pilipino, Nanding Josef. Jun Lozada was also present, along with her trusted friends from the religious sector.
Amidst these famous personalities, the real stars of the night were the valiant veteran men and women who fought hard against the Japanese invaders during the Second World War. There were about 20 of them present that night, representing the hundreds of thousands of Guerillas who sacrificed their youth and their private lives to protect our country's sovereignty against foreign oppression.
Although old and seemingly frail, these people managed to grace the event, with an underlying message that Filipinos all over the world should never forget what these people have done almost 70 years ago. Let their heroism and sense of nationhood be not just forever remembered, but be emulated by every single Filipino living today.
Amidst these famous personalities, the real stars of the night were the valiant veteran men and women who fought hard against the Japanese invaders during the Second World War. There were about 20 of them present that night, representing the hundreds of thousands of Guerillas who sacrificed their youth and their private lives to protect our country's sovereignty against foreign oppression.
Although old and seemingly frail, these people managed to grace the event, with an underlying message that Filipinos all over the world should never forget what these people have done almost 70 years ago. Let their heroism and sense of nationhood be not just forever remembered, but be emulated by every single Filipino living today.
The play ran for about three hours, but because of the cast's comic antics led by veteran screen actors Tommy Abuel and Lou Veloso, they managed to keep the audience interested, awake, and satisfied. I had fun watching the play. and I'm sure all others who were with me in the theater felt the same way.
Cheers to all Filipino war veterans!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Gerilya sa Powell Street
I have always been a supporter of the Philippine Entertainment Industry, be it directly of indirectly. I have the privilege of being able to see the first screening night of Gerilya sa Powell Street, which opens tonight at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.
If ever you have the time and are contemplating of things to do, try watching a Filipino play. With "Gerilya," it is starred by two of the most prized actors of our generation, Tommy Abuel and Bembol Roco.
The ad was taken from http://www.ccp.gov.ph/:
If ever you have the time and are contemplating of things to do, try watching a Filipino play. With "Gerilya," it is starred by two of the most prized actors of our generation, Tommy Abuel and Bembol Roco.
The ad was taken from http://www.ccp.gov.ph/:
Below are the details fo the play:
Venue : Tanghalang Huseng Batute(CCP Studio Theater)
Time : 8:00 pm, Date : Nov 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 2008
Time : 3:00 pm, Date : Nov 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 2008
Synopsis: Elderly war veterans battle loneliness, homesickness and despair with a deep reserve of humor as they endure the life of exiles in San Francisco, California. The relentless rhythm of the cable cars become the background for the poignant ruminations on patriotism and homeland. Leading actors from Philippine cinema share the stage with the bastions of Philippine theater. Rody Vera’s adaptation of Benjamin Pimentel’s novel is directed by Chris Millado.
-------------------------
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
44th President of the United States
Congratulations to Barrack Obama for a well-deserved win. And now, the fun part: choosing the best allies, the most eligible set of cabinet members, and the most important direction for America's promised change.
Kudos to John McCain for accepting his defeat and for calling for unity to stand behind the President-elect. Though it may seem hard for him to face defeat for the second time around, he managed to accept it wholeheartedly and in a gentlemanly behavior. He has exemplified the true essence of stateshood.
We have always been imitating American culture, why can;t we emulate the sense of nationhood and political zeal that the Americans possess? Why can't our Philippine politicians imitate John McCain, who after being defeated, accepts his defeat lightly, and extends his arms to his opponent to whatever he might do to help the country move forward. If only we could have true statesmen for leaders, and not power-grabbers, sour-grapers, and grandstanders, the Philippines would be a better place. The search is on, ladies and gentlemen. It's about time we experience change, just like the Americans experience theirs over the past couple of days.
"Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face." --John McCain, in his concession speech.
-------------------------------------------------------
Below is the transcript of Barrack Obama's Victory Speech in Chicago (taken from www.nytimes.com)
OBAMA: Hello, Chicago.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.
Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.
I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady ... Michelle Obama.
Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us ...to the new White House.
And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.
And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best _ the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.
To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who's been a partner with me every step of the way.
To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime _ two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!
OBAMA: There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years _ block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
To those _ to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons _ because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America _ the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves _ if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see?
What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
-------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, here's John McCain's concession speech in Arizona:
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening. (Cheers, applause.)
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama -- (boos) -- to congratulate him -- (boos) -- please -- to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now -- (cheers, applause) -- let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (Cheers, applause.)
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans -- (applause) -- I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. (Cheers, applause.)
It is natural -- it's natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought -- we fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
AUDIENCE: No!
MR. MCCAIN: I am so --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain!
SEN. MCCAIN: I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother -- (cheers, applause) -- my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead. (Laughter.)
I am also -- I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen. (Cheers, applause.) One of the best campaigners I have ever seen --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) Sarah! Sarah!
MR. MCCAIN: -- and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. (Cheers, applause.) Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children -- (cheers, applause) -- with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and- tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. (Cheers, applause.)
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know -- I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: No!
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You deserve more!
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting off mike.)
MR. MCCAIN: Please. Please.
I would not -- I would not be an -- an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it. (Cheers, applause.)
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
SEN. MCCAIN: Tonight -- tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama -- whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. (Cheers, applause.) We never hide from history, we make history. (Cheers, applause.)
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you all very much. (Cheers, applause.)
Kudos to John McCain for accepting his defeat and for calling for unity to stand behind the President-elect. Though it may seem hard for him to face defeat for the second time around, he managed to accept it wholeheartedly and in a gentlemanly behavior. He has exemplified the true essence of stateshood.
We have always been imitating American culture, why can;t we emulate the sense of nationhood and political zeal that the Americans possess? Why can't our Philippine politicians imitate John McCain, who after being defeated, accepts his defeat lightly, and extends his arms to his opponent to whatever he might do to help the country move forward. If only we could have true statesmen for leaders, and not power-grabbers, sour-grapers, and grandstanders, the Philippines would be a better place. The search is on, ladies and gentlemen. It's about time we experience change, just like the Americans experience theirs over the past couple of days.
"Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face." --John McCain, in his concession speech.
-------------------------------------------------------
Below is the transcript of Barrack Obama's Victory Speech in Chicago (taken from www.nytimes.com)
OBAMA: Hello, Chicago.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.
Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.
I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady ... Michelle Obama.
Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us ...to the new White House.
And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.
And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best _ the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.
To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who's been a partner with me every step of the way.
To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime _ two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!
OBAMA: There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years _ block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
To those _ to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons _ because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America _ the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.
AUDIENCE: Yes we can.
OBAMA: America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves _ if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see?
What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
-------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, here's John McCain's concession speech in Arizona:
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening. (Cheers, applause.)
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama -- (boos) -- to congratulate him -- (boos) -- please -- to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now -- (cheers, applause) -- let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (Cheers, applause.)
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans -- (applause) -- I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. (Cheers, applause.)
It is natural -- it's natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought -- we fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
AUDIENCE: No!
MR. MCCAIN: I am so --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain!
SEN. MCCAIN: I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother -- (cheers, applause) -- my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead. (Laughter.)
I am also -- I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen. (Cheers, applause.) One of the best campaigners I have ever seen --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) Sarah! Sarah!
MR. MCCAIN: -- and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. (Cheers, applause.) Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children -- (cheers, applause) -- with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and- tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. (Cheers, applause.)
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know -- I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: No!
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You deserve more!
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting off mike.)
MR. MCCAIN: Please. Please.
I would not -- I would not be an -- an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it. (Cheers, applause.)
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
SEN. MCCAIN: Tonight -- tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama -- whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. (Cheers, applause.) We never hide from history, we make history. (Cheers, applause.)
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you all very much. (Cheers, applause.)
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