The event was paid for by Student Government. The students control how the funds are collected and spent.

Any non-profit group can use a room at BTC free of charge.

You guys should get a group and use a room to meet.

I find most citizens agree conceptually on most things--we don't want our taxes wasted, we want good schools etc. I wish we could vote on issues instead of people. I've never agreed with any of the politicians on everything, and it seems like they all have important skills.

I went to the event. Even though they really tried to be non-partisan, it wasn't; but several conservatives got up and made good points.

Good luck to all of you

A tax and Panama, you are way off base. I know that if McCain won the election and there was a political celebration for him and Palin, you would be squawking about it. Quit being a hypocrite and admit that this political celebration should be held at a private facility.

Well said ATaxPayer2. This country is at a crossroads. We, the people, can either set aside our minor differences for the greater good or allow our differences to override any meaningful hope of solving the difficult challenges we face today.

If McCain/Palin had won the election, I believe that would also warrant an opportunity to reflect upon that potential historical moment, the election of the first woman as vice president. We are living in an important chapter in American history right now where the possibilities for social change seem more probable than any other time in our history to date. There has long been and will continue to be a discrepancy between the ‘American Dream’ of “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (and women) are created equal”, and the American reality of lingering social injustice.

In this moment in history, we can ponder the crossroads that lay before us. Can we evolve as nation and begin to walk the path that fulfills that great dream set forth over 200 years ago, or will this opportunity simply pass as nothing more than another election? Ironically, if this moment were to pass as just another election, we would know that we were much further along in our social evolution.

The election is simply the stage where this moment in history was played out. However, just because the election itself was political does not mean that what it represents on a higher level is also political. The larger question is what does the election and the nominations from both major political parties say about our social hierarchies, expectations, and dreams, basically, who are we?

The answer is perhaps one of the most important issues facing us as a nation. We cannot begin to solve our problems until we determine who “We” are. Does our definition of ‘We’ only include those who share our political or religious views? Does it include only those who look like us or act like us? For too long, “We” has meant not quite everyone. Has anything changed? I don’t know, but discussing these and other questions can only help us understand ourselves better. That is why I believe that Blackhawk Technical College should host this forum for thoughtful contemplation.

Considering the gravity of this moment, I feel that it is indeed the mission of an institution of higher education to provide a forum for its students to explore and reflect upon the significance of this election and its place in history. Promoting critical thinking and reflection should be a high priority for any educational institution. I feel that it would indeed be inappropriate for Blackhawk Technical College to hold a political rally, but this is not such an event. It is a community event that will be a catalyst for intelligent and thoughtful discourse.

Hey, Just say No, I am not a Republican. So stop with the "sore loser" comments. I am saying NO! to this political rally and have every right to say so.

How can they call this event "America Unites" when over 58 Million people did not vote for Obama?

This is a dumb idea. It also shows a liberal bias at Blackhawk. I would say the same thing if McCain won. The election is over. Everyone acts like Obama is the second coming of Jesus Chris. Well, I have news for you. He is not. Hopefully, he can get the country back on track. But this will take several years.

Some Blackhawk staff are quoted in this article saying the event is not "political". Huh? Excuse me, but it is. It is like saying that we are going to have an event to celebrate the latest Packer-Bears game. Don't worry, we are not going to promote the Packers, Bears or any other team. No one will be able to talk about which team is better and there will be no showing your support for either team. DUH! Of course people are going to talk about their favorite team, rally around their team, etc.

I suggest they move this event to a private facility. Not a good use of taxpayer money, whether it was to celebrate an Obama victory or a McCain victory.

Negative comments from one taxpayer is not representation of all taxpayers. Just because there aren't a lot of pro comments doesn't mean we don't exist.

This is cool (tongue in cheek). While taxpayers are finding it difficult to raise families and keep their homes, Blackhawk has decided to spend our tax money on an event complete with food, etc. to celebrate an election. I hope that the taxpayer remembers this when Blackhawk asks for additional funding next year for it's operating budget....I will. Every penny counts in this economic downturn for families as well as institutions of higher learning. Every penny should be used wisely and by the remarks so far in this blog, the taxpayer is paying attention.

Supposedly this is being held on "Historical Significance" If McCain/Palin would have won there would have been some historical significance there with her being the first woman VP. This is not supposed to be about Obama politics of hope and change it is supposed to be about him being the first african american president. this comments section is proof that the party will go that way. It should not be held at a publically funded college because this is really a political rally for the democrats and therefore should be illegal! Have it somewhere else!

STUPIDISASSTUPIDDOES...of COURSE this event would not have been held if McCain/Palin had won the election. This event is celebrating the advances of the American Dream that this election provided. There would have been no change in the status quo if McCain/Palin had been elected, because we have a startlingly consistent history of electing unqualified "early Alzheimer elderly and mentally-challenged knucklehead" tandems for hundreds of years. This election evidences a new day in American politics. That is all. Raise the roof!!!!!

No Hard Feelings...to the democrats

The election day is over,
The talking is done.
My party lost, your party won.
So let us be friends,
Let arguments pass.
I'll hug my elephant,
You kiss your ass.

I just think it should be held somewhere else not at a school where my taxes go! Have it at a banquet hall somewhere just not at a school!

WHY THE NEGATIVE? I AM SO SICK OF IT.
This is a time for celebration if only some could open thier minds and just let it happen. There is nothing wrong with this event at the Blackhawk Tech or the election of a black President. So all of you that feed on the negative will not take my good feeling away or my celebration!

This is a load of crap! I do not agree with using a school that my taxes pay for doing something like this! Would they have thrown the same party if McCain/Palin been voted in. I think not!