Linda McGurk

Journalist & Author

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Kungen har landat

September 25, 2009 By Linda McGurk

Drygt två veckor kvar till presidentvalet och Obama håller den amerikanska drömmen vid liv

Text och foto av Linda McGurk

Det är dagen efter den andra tv-sända debatten mellan John McCain och Barack Obama, och parkeringsplatsen vid Indianapolis största mässområde börjar systematiskt fyllas av Prius-bilar och illegala gatuförsäljare. Nyheten att Obama ska göra sitt sjätte kampanjstopp i delstaten Indiana sedan primärvalet i maj har spritts snabbt och nu ringlar två kvarterslånga köer genom marknadsplatsens asfalterade huvudstråk. En del är trogna fans med fraser som ”History in the making” och ”In Obama we trust” tryckta på t-shirtar jämte närmast helgonlika bilder på Obama. Andra är nyfikna väljare som inte har bestämt sig för hur de ska rösta i november. Men en sak har vi gemensamt: Vi är här för att med alla våra sinnen uppleva mannen som kanske kommer att bli USA:s näste president.

Obama är känd för sina politiska massmöten och vid det här laget är hans kampanjmaskineri ett under av effektivitet. Säkerhetskontrollen är rigorös men betydligt snabbare än på en genomsnittlig amerikansk flygplats, och en armé av frivilligarbetare ser till att allt går smidigt till när vi fyller läktarna framför den tillfälligt uppbyggda utomhusscenen där Obama ska tala. Varken det ljumma duggregnet som faller från molniga skyar eller det faktum att New York-börsen rasade fem procent dagen innan verkar göra mycket för att dämpa känslan av folkfest. Lukten av optimism och ostindränkta nachos ligger i luften.

– Han är karismatisk, ja rentav elektrisk. Och han kan relatera till folk som inte växte upp med silversked i munnen, säger Kassi, en mammaledig kosmetolog som spänt väntar på att få se Obama live för första gången.

Medan lokala politiker värmer upp publiken med Obamas välkända slogans spejar krypskyttar ut över folkmassan från taken av flera strategiskt uplacerade skåpbilar. Så plötsligt rullar en konvoj av två stadsjeepar, flera polisbilar och två bussar fulla av journalister in på den leriga galoppbanan bakom scenen, och publiken bryter ut i ett kollektivt vrål. The King has landed.

Det är först nu, när 12,000 personer hetsigt stampar i läktargolvet likt en skenande hjord bisonoxar, som jag till fullo börjar förstå styrkan i Obamas popularitet. När han sedan gör sin minutiöst koreograferade rockstjärne-entré vill jublet aldrig ta slut. Det är, som Kassi uttryckte det, elektriskt.

Personkulten kring Obama föddes ur framträdanden som dessa. Det är när han står på en scen inför masspublik som hans presidentlika framtoning och förmåga att trollbinda åhörarna med sitt bländande språk får fritt spelrum. Jämförelserna med John F. Kennedy och Martin Luther King börjar kännas lite slitna men det är inte svårt att se att Obama har samma effekt på unga amerikaner idag som Kennedy och King hade på deras föräldrar på 60-talet. Nu som då söker de sig till symboler för hopp i tider då samhället står inför oanade utmaningar och osäkerhet.

– Jag är här idag för att säga till er att det kommer att bli bättre tider, säger Obama självsäkert. Jag vet att det är tufft just nu och att ni är oroliga. Men det här är inte rätt tillfälle att känna fruktan och panik. Det här är en tid för beslutsamhet och tillförlitligt ledarskap. Därför kandiderar jag till president av Förenta Staterna.

Det är precis den här retoriken publiken har väntat på och har kommit att förvänta sig av Barack Obama. Och det funkar varje gång. Obama har inte stått på scenen mer än några minuter förrän tusentals supportrar reser sig och taktfast börjar mässa hans namn medan de vevar nävarna i luften. Demokraterna brukar traditionellt inte vara särskilt populära bland USA:s mest religiösa grupper men det här är så nära ett väckelsemöte man kan komma.

McCain och andra politiska motståndare har försökt göra Obamas något bombastiska framtoning till en belastning. I en av McCains mest omtalade reklamsnuttar anklagar han Obama för att ha ett Messias-komplex. ”Det sägs att år 2008 kommer världen att välsignas. De kallar honom ’den utvalde’” säger filmens sarkastiska speakerröst till tonerna av gospelmusik och taktfast klappande händer, medan bilder av Obama ståendes inför en jättepublik flimrar förbi. I en annan reklamsnutt hånas Obama för att vara ”den störste kändisen i världen” och jämförs med skandalbrudarna Paris Hilton och Britney Spears.

McCains reklamfilmer fick inte den väntade effekten och den spydiga tonen fick honom bara att framstå som bitter och frustrerad över Obamas framgång. Men visst ligger det en sanning i att Obamas massmöten är en välregisserad show – allt ifrån de officiella kampanjskyltarna som valarbetare placerar ut i publiken bakom podiet för att ge bra tv-bilder, till den gigantiska amerikanska flaggan som hänger från en lyftkran i bakgrunden. För att inte nämna de populistiska vallöftena som driver publiken till extas när Obama skickligt och engagerande levererar dem från sin teleprompter.

– Vi ska tillverka bränslesnåla bilar här i USA i stället för i Japan och Korea. Stålfabrikerna som har stängt här i Mellanvästern ska öppna igen och producera vindkraftverk och solfångare. Vi ska investera i utbildning och rekrytera en armé av nya lärare, och vi ska höja deras löner. Vi ska se till att alla har råd med sjukvård och att skicka sina barn till college. Vi ska kämpa mot korruptionen i Washington och på Wall Street. Och vi ska se till att vi har ekonomisk tillväxt som ger varje amerikan en chans att uppleva den amerikanska drömmen.

Amen.

Förutom en vag formulering om att ”det kommer att bli tufft” och att ”vi alla kommer att tvingas till uppoffringar” utvecklar inte Obama hur han ska betala för sina ambitiösa planer samtidigt som han utlovar skattesänkningar till 95 procent av alla amerikaner. Men det spelar ingen roll. För supportrarna är han mannen som kan dela på fem brödlimpor och två fiskar och få dem att räcka till hela USA:s befolkning. Det hoppfulla budskapet tröstar i tider av ekonomiska umbäranden, säger Kassi.

– Vi är som små barn som är utsvultna på uppmärksamhet. Vi vill bara att någon ska lyfta upp oss i famnen och säga att allt kommer att ordna sig.

Innan han lämnar scenen och jäktar iväg till nästa framträdande upprepar Obama sin övertygelse om att vi kommer att ta oss ur den ekonomiska krisen och att ”vi kan göra även nästa århundrade till ett amerikanskt århundrade”.

– Jag förstår att ni är trötta på politiker. Men jag ber er att tro på er själva och på varandra, och på den framtid som vi kan bygga tillsammans. För tillsammans kan vi inte misslyckas.

När jag står där med gåshud på armarna bland tusentals rusiga supportrar vet jag att jag inte längre är en objektiv observatör, om jag nu någon gång hade varit det. Jag har blivit en av dem som så gärna vill tro på Obama och hans löfte att våra bästa dagar fortfarande ligger framför oss.

Förväntningarna kunde knappast ha varit högre om Obama vinner valet i november och för anhängarna som höjt honom till helgonstatus är risken stor att han inte kommer att leva upp till hajpen. Men kanske är det bättre att hoppas och bli besviken än att aldrig ha hoppats överhuvudtaget.

Linda McGurk kommer ursprungligen från Dalsjöfors men bor och arbetar numera i delstaten Indiana, USA. Hon rapporterar för BT från det amerikanska presidentvalet.

Filed Under: Article, Swedish

BUY THE BOOK

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk

“A perfect antidote to the hyper-vigilant, extra-electrified, standardized-tested, house-arrested, 21st-century childhood.” —Richard Louv, bestselling author of LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS and VITAMIN N

"Smart, friendly and Swedish. Packed with sane ideas that will get your children outside, independent, and filled with the joy of living. This book will open your eyes—or maybe tempt you to move to Sweden. Now: Go outside and play!"
—Heather Shumaker, author of IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE and IT'S OK TO GO UP THE SLIDE

"I could not put this book down! Linda McGurk not only offers a fresh perspective about parenting and outdoor play from a Scandinavian viewpoint, but she is a fabulous storyteller and will hook you on the first page.”
—Angela Hanscom, author of BALANCED AND BAREFOOT

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Linda Åkeson McGurk
Some days we struggle to get outside. Other days a Some days we struggle to get outside. Other days are like this.🙏🏻 There was nothing else I would’ve rather done today, nowhere I would’ve rather been than right here. We may only get this kind of of amazing ice a few days a year - if we’re lucky - so the decision to drop everything else for this was an easy one to make.❄️ The otherworldly sound of the ice singing, the pale sun on our faces, the feeling of being one with nature. This day was one to remember.❤️
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #1000hoursoutside #optoutside #chooseoutdoors #outsideeveryday #outdoorfamilies #outfam #iceicebaby #iceskating #lakelife #lakeliving #sweden #swedenimages
Darkness is a constant presence here this time of Darkness is a constant presence here this time of year and you can either fight it or embrace it. I choose the latter🌑

When the nights are long and the days are short, I fall back on the simple joys of life. Sledding under a starry night, going for a quiet walk along old gravel roads, thawing frozen hands over an open fire. With friends who will always have my back❤️ 

I could’ve been dreaming of a sunny beach in a faraway location, but truthfully, right there and then on this ordinary yet magic Thursday, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Thank you for the hot chocolate and the good times, @mallanut😘
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #campfire #chooseoutdoors #outsideeveryday #embracewinter #1000hoursoutside #winterwonderland #sweden
Reality check. I’m working 50-60 hours per week Reality check. I’m working 50-60 hours per week right now, on top of caring for two children on my own. This work burden is not something that I strive for, nor is it something that I idealize, it’s just how it is for me sometimes. While I know that I’m busier than what’s good for me right now, there’s one thing that keeps me going even when things are tough. You guessed it - nature.🌿

Once I go out the door and hit the trail, nothing else matters. By the sparkling lake, I turn off work completely and all deadlines suddenly become irrelevant. In the shade of the tall pine trees, the constant noise in my brain fades into a whisper. Out here, in the crisp air, all my worries and concerns peel away and my heart is filled with gratitude.🙏🏻

I know it’s hard to make time for nature experiences in this busy day and age, but our harried souls need nature more than ever. And time in nature is never wasted.❤️
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #outsideeveryday #wildfamily #naturelover #naturelovers #naturetherapy #sweden #swedenimages
We have this unofficial rule in Sweden that you “have to” go outside every day, even if it’s just for a little bit. Fresh air is good for you, there’s no such thing as bad weather, etc etc...And on days when the sun is out, even if it’s ever so faint, the rule is that you don’t go back inside until you really have to🌞 
This obsession with the sun may be hard to fathom if you live in a climate where light is abundant but to Scandinavians, a sunny day is a welcome relief from more or less perpetual twilight in the winter. On these latitudes, time in the sun is never wasted. So after our walk in the woods, we simply stayed outside and drank some tea and chatted about everything from the evolution of bitcoin to whatever happened to Octomom. It was a beautiful day with family❤️
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #vitaminn #freshair #freshairandfreedom #nosuchthingasbadweather #outsideeveryday #365outside
I love cooking outside any day but with the pandem I love cooking outside any day but with the pandemic we’ve been doing it even more than usual.🥦 Trying to decide whether to include more of it in my feed🤔So tell me, would you be interested in some tips and recipes for cooking over the campfire?
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #cookingoutside #campfirecooking #outdoorseveryday #1000hoursoutside #cookingram
It’s not a normal New Year’s Eve by any means It’s not a normal New Year’s Eve by any means but with forest, fire and friends it turned out to be a pretty darn good party anyway😁 Are you celebrating outside today?❄️
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Almost thirty years ago, my parents got me a pair Almost thirty years ago, my parents got me a pair of cross country skis. And with that, they gave me another way to connect with nature during the cold months. Sure, they’re a bit dated and certainly not the fanciest skis out there, but they’re good enough. Every time I get them out, I’m reminded that while it certainly helps to have good gear when you recreate in nature, it doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest technology or the hippest brand. Real nature connection is not about competing to be the fastest or greatest at something. It’s not about conquering nature or taking the best selfie. It’s just about being in nature for the sake of being in nature. I won’t be winning any races with my skis, but every time I hit the track with them is a gift, a time for me to reflect, breathe and be in the present moment.❄️
So tell me, do you have any favorite gear that you’ve had forever?
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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thank you to all who This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thank you to all who participated; we will announce the winner soon!

❄️ All Weather Nature Play GIVEAWAY ❄️⁣
⁣
I’ve partnered with some inspiring accounts to give one winner the following set of prizes that encourage all weather nature play:⁣
⁣
❄️ $100 store credit to @mknordika
❄️ Mud boots from @loneconeshop
❄️ 32 oz. water bottle plus carabiner ring from @⁣1000hoursoutside
❄️ Knit hat from @1000hoursoutside
❄️ There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather from and by @rainorshinemamma 
❄️ The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
❄️ Cinders, A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett
❄️ Sky Tree by Thomas Locker

TO ENTER:⁣
❄️ Like and Save this photo⁣
❄️ Follow me and my friends:
@rainorshinemamma
@theamericanfieldtrip
@vagabond3
@1000hoursoutside
@mknordika
@loneconeshop
❄️ Tag a few of your adventuring friends in separate comments. One tag = one entry
❄️ BONUS ENTRY: Leave a comment with your favorite children’s nature book! This will give all of us some holiday ideas :).
⁣❄️BONUS ENTRY: Share this post in your stories and be sure to tag me so we can give you credit.
⁣
Open worldwide but winner is responsible for shipping costs if outside the United States. Giveaway ends Saturday, December 12th at midnight, EST and the winner will be randomly selected and notified through direct message by Monday, December 14th. Participants must be 18 years or older. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.
With my oldest daughter now practically a teenager With my oldest daughter now practically a teenager, I find myself fighting almost a daily battle to keep the whole family active outside. Research shows that this is the age when kids’ physical activity declines considerably, while screen time goes up (hardly a coincidence😏). To find some sort of balance I often have to use a combination of carrot and stick to get this girl outside. There’s no screen time without “green time” and my kids both know that daily nature play is non-negotiable in this family.🌿

Although I try really hard to let their interests guide us, they just have zero motivation to leave the cozy comforts of our home some days. But as the saying goes, the hardest part is often getting out the door and once we’re outside they’ll usually find something that captures their attention. A tree to climb, a puddle of ice to slide on or a neighborhood cat to cuddle🐈 Now if only they’d remember all the fun things we do outside, that would be great...😅

I’d love to hear your take on this - are you struggling to keep your tween active outside and if so, what are your best tips?🤔
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #raiseawildchild #wildschooling #1000hoursoutside #runwildmychild #wildandfreechildhood #outdoorfamilies #outsideeveryday
I know the trail description said black diamond bu I know the trail description said black diamond but I didn’t expect this...😅 We weren’t even supposed to be here; we had booked a night at a spa this weekend to celebrate our one-year anniversary but alas, corona put a stop to that. And who needs to soak in hot tubs and drink green tea out of tiny cups when you can be outside in the freezing cold, beating yourself up on a mountainbike trail that is way out of your league? Fortunately, I have a partner who likes to humor my wild side and basically never says no🙌🏻 Here’s to many more years of love and adventure❤️
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #coupleswhoadventuretogetherstaytogether #staywild #livelifeoutside #mountainbike #mountainbiking #mtbtrail #mtblove #mtbnewbie
Black Friday. Literally😂 But yeah, a moonlit wa Black Friday. Literally😂 But yeah, a moonlit walk beats a crowded mall any day in my book. How do you feel about this day? Love it or leave it?🌿
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Somebody put a lot of time and effort into making Somebody put a lot of time and effort into making this fort! Love finding signs of other kids playing in the woods.❤️
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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! The winner will be an THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! The winner will be announced shortly😊

𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯.
-Vivian Greene 

🌧 ☀️ ❄️ No Such Thing As Bad Weather Giftaway ❄️ ☀️ 🌧 

We’ve teamed up with accounts passionate about giving children the gear they need to dance in every type of weather! 

One winner will receive:

⛄️ $80 Shop credit from @mknordika 
⛄️ There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather book from @rainorshinemama
⛄️ @vivobarefoot shoes from @dear.wildlings
⛄️ @janandjul Snow gloves
⛄️ @loneconeshop Rain Boots
⛄️ 1lb Cocoa mix
⛄️ 2 Stainless steel double walled thermoses 
⛄️ Teavana Apple Cider Tea 
⛄️ $50 Amazon gift card to grab extra gear

To enter:
⛈ Like & Save this post
⛈ Share which giftaway item you would use the most
⛈ Head over to @acres_ofhope to complete your entry

Bonus entries:
🌈 tag friends (one tag per comment)
🌈 share in stories and tag @acres_ofhope

***Not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram. Open to the US, CAN, and AUS. International winner outside the domestic US cover shipping fees, import taxes & additional costs. Products subject to change based on availability. Open 11/16/20-11/19/20.
I think we all have our own way of handling the pa I think we all have our own way of handling the pandemic; I’m doubling down on my commitment to going outdoors daily and bringing the girls with me. Nature is proven to reduce stress and a powerful antidepressant. What better place to be when the world as we know it seems to come crashing down?🌿

I always try to find a silver lining in things and maybe one of the positive effects of the travel restrictions is that we’re forced to look at our local green spaces with new eyes. We now spend our weekends trying to discover hidden gems, like this scenic OCR course only half an hour from home. I’m already amazed at all the sights that have completely passed under my radar and thankful that we now have a reason to explore them.🍁
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #wildchild #wildandfreechildhood #runwildmychild #1000hoursoutside #familytime #pandemiclife #antidepressant #natureheals #naturelovers #wildschooling #letthemexplore #letthemplay
Somebody must have had a good time adding a bit of Somebody must have had a good time adding a bit of magic to this old tree stump.🌲🤩 I’ll just file this under the category “Things that make me happy when I’m out in nature.” Have you found anything unusual on your walks lately?🌿
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#granestubben #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #fairies #fairyhouse #fairyhome #gnomelife #gnomehome #everydaymagic
I sometimes get the question whether kids can and I sometimes get the question whether kids can and should go outside when they’re sick.🤒 Well, fresh air is good for the mucous membranes in our airways and getting Vitamin D from the sun is a boon for the immune system, so why not?👌🏻 

These two have been home all week with mild cold symptoms and fatigue, so we haven’t been logging as many hours outside as we normally do. But when the sun came out in full force yesterday, they grabbed some blankets and sat in the lawn chairs and cuddled with their rabbits for a while.🌞

So yes, kids can absolutely be outside when they have a cold or the flu, as long as they can still rest and not get too hot or cold. Obviously, there are times when kids are too sick to leave their bed but I think common sense and a little bit of parental instinct goes a long way here. Getting fresh air is not a magic cure, but we all usually feel better from being outside, even if it’s just for a little bit.😁
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #optoutside #1000hoursoutside #outdoorfamilies #outfamcommunity
I know today is Halloween, but in Sweden it’s al I know today is Halloween, but in Sweden it’s also All Saints’ Day, a day when we honor the dead by visiting their graves and lighting candles.💛

I’ve been bringing the girls to the cemetery on All Saints’ Day every year since we moved to Sweden, to share this simple ritual and tell them the stories about my grandparents. And every year I find myself wishing that my grandparents would’ve had just a little more time on this earth, a few more years to get to know the girls and to see what has become of them and of us.🌿

Now, all I have are the stories. About my grandparents taking me hiking in the wilderness, building snow tunnels with me in the winter and showing me their best wildflower spots. I keep telling myself that if my girls hear those stories over and over, they’ll get to know my grandparents in a small way. And the stories will live on, even if my grandparents don’t.❤️
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #allsaintsday #memories
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