Foreign diplomacy improvement has already started :-)

One of the things that drove me crazy about the Bush presidency was how I was constantly received overseas, and many of my friends had the same problem. When we would travel, and introduce ourselves (or just simply "become known") as Americans, we would end up automatically on the defensive. I don't think I ever met someone overseas who said "Hey - you guys have a GREAT GUY as a president! Thumbs up!" It was frustrating to have to clarify to everyone I met that not all Americans supported the administration that has caused so much chaos and bad feeling overseas.

I am happy to say that time has ended. :-) At least in Vietnam.

Even in the most limited of English language situations, the conversation usually goes like this:

Vietnamese: Where you from?

Me: America.

Vietnamese: (Smiles) Ahhh, Obama!


It is SO great.

The conversations got even better with the several Australians we have encountered, who mention the hope and optimism that he has brought, not just to us in the US, but to the world.

Now, I have always maintained that while I like the guy, I wasn't drinking any Kool Aid and thinking that he was going to be capable of changing the world (I've worked in politics. I know better!), but it's so lovely to hear, nonetheless.

Finally I can have a little more pride in being American when I travel overseas. And no, I'm not being unpatriotic in saying that, like so many people jumped on Michelle Obama when she said something similar about pride. I will never be blindly and unconditionally proud of my country and what we do - and that's a positive thing in my mind. Every country has something to be ashamed of or embarassed by in their pasts, and anyone who doesn't think that, in my humble opinion, is a little bit ignorant.

That doesn't mean I'm not happy that I'm American. I think that being so has offered me a lot of opportunities that I would not have had in other places (though that has just as much to do with being in my demographic and socioeconomic group as it does with being American - maybe more).

But it's nice to travel now and feel like I don't have to defend myself anymore. We've done something good in the eyes of the world. And it's about time.