Stunning in so many ways

Watching Global National this evening. In covering the massive party that was Washington, D.C., last night, one sentence jumped out at me:

"There was a police presence, but it wasn't necessary."

Wow.

I hasten to mention that this has absolutely nothing to do with race. I've just come to expect little mini-riots and some amount of looting whenever more than a hundred people gather no matter the reason or how joyous the occasion. Your team lost a championship? Riot and loot! Your team won a championship? Loot and riot! 

That some 200,000 people can gather and remain peaceful says more about the appeal of Barack Obama than Barack Obama has managed to himself. That such peaceful celebrations can take place all over the United States is nothing short of incredible. And it gives me the first faint flickerings of hope for humanity in some fifteen years--ever since I observed university students, the leaders of tomorrow, stomping on cars and kicking in windshields because--wait for it--exams were over. Ever since that moment, I've despised groups and sought desperately to avoid them. In light of last night, I'd love nothing better than to consider rejoining that tribe called Human. I won't hold my breath--the next team championship will probably result in rioting and looting in both contesting cities. But it sure is nice to be reminded of what people are capable of.