Good thing America voted with the world...

Excerpt from a Times Online interview by Richard Beeston, Foreign Editor, with President Shimon Peres of Israel ahead of his visit to London on Nov. 17, 2008:

Times: How might Barack Obama's election change the situation?

Peres: This is the beginning of the end of racism. A black man reaching the top position is the strongest answer to Hitler. It is the political equivalent of the black runner (Jesse Owens) who won the gold medal in 1936. No one looked at the colour of his leg or the colour of the sportsman, they measured his speed. The capacity of America to renew itself is a welcome surprise. Obama was elected by the American people, but he was chosen by the world.

Me: Speechless. Well, mostly. Even Peres believes this guy is the Messiah!