As the title suggests I am one of those countless people who will not have a say come November but will feel the affects of this election no less than those that have the privilege to vote. I'm writing this to share my views as one of the countless citizens of the free and not so free world. And to plead with you all to cast your vote for Barack Obama.
First let me tell you a little about myself, to start with this is my very first Diary and I want to thank all involved with this site for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
I'm from Belfast Northern Ireland and am old enough to remember the very height's of the conflict here. I've personally witnessed the horror of terrorism so know more than most how hard a struggle it's been for my country and it's people to drag themselves out of the past into a hopefully bright future. And it's that experience that has shaped my views on who should win this coming election.
When Senator George Mitchell and President Bill Clinton became involved with the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland the whole process was still very precarious both sides had a sense of deep distrust and suspicion of each other and the process though still alive had stalled, we'd send the IRA stutter back into violence with a renewed bombing campaign in England, while hard line loyalists had also begun to try and unravel the peace. Both Communities where very afraid of losing even the small dividend from the cease fires.
That's when President Clinton became involved personally, though it can said truthfully that beyond a few cajoling phone calls to both parties, that he had little direct input. That others like John Major, Tony Blair and Senator Mitchell where the one's directly involved with the complex day to day negotiations, all of which is true. It is important to remember the felling of hope, the sense that the process in Northern Ireland was important and that the eyes of the world where upon us.
I remember standing in Belfast at the City Hall as he switched the cities Christmas Tree lights on, feeling for the first time that maybe the process could work that we could have a brighter future. Though the IRA was soon to break it's ceasefire we now had hope.
It was this hope that saw Northern Ireland and it's people through, the very fact that he picked up the phone, that he visited our small nation helped us secure what I hope is a true and lasting Peace
He of course returned, again to give his renewed hope after the atrocity in Omagh, he gave us a different type of hope. The hope that we got survive our grief that we could endure and still carry on the long painful process towards peace.
It is this power that George Bush has squandered, where America was seen as a force for good, a bringer of peace, now it is seen as a warmonger out oil for the spoils of war. When George Bush visited Northern Ireland earlier this year the people of the City either ignored or we literally turned our backs on him. There we protests and a sense from everyone that we would rather he didn't come.
Bill Clinton will always hold a place dear in our hearts, and the people of Ireland will always love our American cousins, but in the case of your current President can cannot pretend that it was the right choice.
That is why you MUST elect Barack Obama as President, he will help restore America's standing in the world. He will help America once again be a shining beacon upon a hill. I only wish I could get actively involved, donate, knock door anything but unfortunately all I can do is share my thoughts with you all, so please for the sake of this planet ELECT BARACK OBAMA ON THE FOURTH OF NOVEMEBR