Throughout September Awdalnews graciously gave me a platform to express my views about Cross Culture, Politics, and Feminism. Thank you. At the time I didn't notice that the World Wide Economy was about to implode and that Terrorism was targeting new victims, including little Somaliland . As if Nature, with her earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and floods doesn't accidentally punish enough thousands of people; Man, with his greed, hate, and violence plots to destroy the rest of us.

As the year 2008 comes to an end the entire world endures unthinkable horrors. Can we hear the sirens screeching? The bells clanging? The rumble of falling skyscrapers? The low moaning of hundreds of thousands on the march?

Can we turn the tide?

Barack Obama says, "Yes, we can!"

I'm writing this on Monday morning, November 3rd, as I sit at the kitchen counter in Cowpens , SC. By tomorrow night I should know if the United States has chosen to clean up our past mistakes and bad judgment...our shameful lapse into "the Ugly American". By tomorrow night we will know if the United States is ready to return to our original "course" that made us the model and the envy of the whole world for centuries.

But what if Barack Obama is NOT elected tomorrow night? Will the country and the world continue their frightening tailspin into self-destruction? I think not.

The significance of Barack Obama's nomination is that America is finally ready to "walk the walk" instead of just "talk the talk". The people are ready to get honest. They said it out loud when they broke down this last barrier to the principle of the equality of man. We're on the right track again! Now all things are possible...if not with Obama this year, how about a Native American in 2012?

As for the effect of the economic meltdown and terrorism on my little acre in Cowpens:

My father managed to provide for us during the Great Depression and repeated these word of advice over and over again: "If you can't pay for it, don't buy it". So, I don't.

I lock my doors and call the dogs indoors at night. What else can a Grandma do? If you see a flare go up in the sky tomorrow night...you'll know who won the election.

Wishing the world the peace and simplicity of my acre in Cowpens.

Ruth Shanor

Email: ruthshanor@yahoo.com