Oh my, I am watching history being made tonight, and most importantly to me, I am breathing a sigh of relief. I honestly think this man, our new president, Barack Obama, (I love saying that) has the best chance of uniting so many groups of people in this country. Moreso than any president in my memory, I think he can do this. My hopes are high, and I believe they are well placed. What a night! What a fantastic, wonderful, glorious, historical night!!!!
Letting Madeline steal our hearts again, and hopefully Obama will steal the election!!!! I am waiting nervously tonight. A tough day for me turned into a really good night. An Obama victory would make this the best day ever!!!
Even as I have made my political views perfectly clear, I want us all to remember what a privilege we have in being able to elect our leaders and cast our votes. Whatever your political beliefs, it is important to get out, wait in line (no matter how long) and make your voice count. So, if your state didn't have early voting and tomorrow is the big day, or if you didn't make it to early voting, make the time, take the time, do what it takes to VOTE. I found this piece* from Daily Kos truly informative and powerful, showing people from all over the world waiting in line to vote and highlighting their struggles.
And if tomorrow you are standing in line, trying to decide if you can stand there any longer, or if it is worth it, please remember this: people from all over the world, and people in this country have had to fight for the fundamental right to vote, and standing in line is perhaps the easiest part of everything they've had to do to bring about change.*
If you aren't reading Margaret and Helen, the political blog I mentioned in an earlier post, you should be. I am completely addicted, and love Helen's writing.
As I think most everyone has been, I was appalled by Elizabeth Dole's most recent political ad. I have to say--and this is a huge statement--this ad is the worst, most horrible attack ad I have ever seen produced in any race on the county, state or national level. I post it here, along with Campbell Brown's pointed (and excellent) commentary. This is a new low in politics--and that is a low place, my friends. If you are using Bill O'Reilly in your ads in a supposed effort to HELP you, I think that alone is a sad place to be. We need separation of church and state in the first place, but since that seems unlikely, hitting below the belt here in the very religious south is just dirty. Frankly, I don't want to hear ANYTHING about religion (or lack of) in ANY ads. I know that makes me a minority, but, oh well.
It looks like this is going to backfire on Dole, and I hope so. I will let Helen do the (rest of the) talking for me. This is her post about it:
Now folks of all the things that have scared me this year in politics, one of the worst was learning that Sarah Palin declared the war in Iraq to be a task from God. Just do a little research on the history of religious wars and see how you feel about that. They tend to be long, bloody, and in every case, the biggest loser is God. So I have spent more than a few hours writing about my less than warm feelings about Ms. Palin. But as of today the worst person in politcs is not Sarah Palin. It is Elizabeth Dole who ran an ad suggesting that her opponent is godless. Nevermind that her opponent, Kay Haggan, is a Sunday school teacher and an elder in her church. Nevermind that calling someone “Godless” leads to jets flying into skyscrapers. Nevermind any of that. Just follow this argument to its logical conclusion. Quick somebody, throw Haggan into a lake and see if she floats!
There is a reason that separation of church and state exists in the founding documents of our great nation. Our founding fathers were all too familiar with living in a world of religious prosecution just as much as they understood the ramifications of a government without religion. The solution is a government that allows both freedom for religion and freedom from religion. Smart bunch of guys those founding fathers.
A bit of history (I wasn’t there despite how old I seem to you): On September 17, 1787 the Constitutional Convention came to a close in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although seventy individuals were chosen to attend the meetings, ultimately only thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution. George Mason of Virginia, Edmund Randolph of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts refused to sign the final document primarily because they were fearful of an all-powerful government and wanted a bill of rights added to protect the rights of the people. We owe a great deal to these men.
But today, Elizabeth Dole has spit on all of their graves.
It’s not pretty, but it’s almost over. Go vote. Thanks for stopping by. I mean it. Really.
I have really been struggling this week, but I have to admit that picture of Madeline put a smile on my face. Matt (from Matt, Liz and Madeline--his blog) posted her Halloween pictures yesterday. Who couldn't smile at that??? I saved that photo on my desktop. I don't think I have seen anything that cute in a long time. Even with everything going on, I did make it to vote this week. We have early voting in NC, and this also made me smile:
It's kind of a lousy picture, I only had my phone with me, but I was so heartened to see the large turnout for voting. This is such an important election, and I am glad to see people getting out and making their vote count. I had to wait two hours, but I think the lines will be much longer on election day. I would have waited longer, happily. NC is going to be a battleground state, and I think you all know where I stand on these issues. I am so hopeful about this election and that Obama could make a positive impact. After the last eight years, hopefully, HOPEFULLY voters have learned something.
And on another note, I have some huge worries for work and just my life on Monday. I don't normally ask directly, but please send good vibes my way. Thanks for all of the support.