Hope and 5,859
It's been a little too nuts around here to post anything for a while, but I'm back. Maybe I'll write about some of the assorted goings-on later, but let's get down to important business today.
For the first time in...well, my entire life, I have hope that there is someone in a position to make our country and - by extension - the world a better place, a place of which I can be proud and where I dare dream of a palatable future.
On November 4th, 2008 I cast my vote, feverishly worked until after 8 pm, and strategically avoided any updates on the outcome of the Presidential election. I could not deal if my candidate didn't win. I could not imagine how anyone could rationalize voting for the other ticket, but I'm often at odds with the majority, so I steeled myself for the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the untenable. A family friend whom I used to babysit voted Republican, in great part due to Sarah Palin's "values and morals"; a bit surprising considering this friend is a lesbian. I respect her choice to vote the way she chose, but I don't understand it. How is it that I can have greater respect for and commitment to her right to live life with the same rights as I have, than she does? Honey, you deserve more.
Anyhoo, in the event of a loss, moving out of the country was first on my list of things to do. New Zealand or Australia, in case you're interested; they speak English, the countries are gorgeous, and they're surrounded by water. I just couldn't handle the idea of Sarah Palin being THAT CLOSE to the red button, or of McCain being anywhere close to diplomatic negotiations. 'Scuse me while I puke just thinking about it.
Having successfully shielded myself from torturous, unproductive updates until the polls closed, I rewarded myself by joining my honey and a friend at the Pin Up Bowl to watch the results roll in. Everyone was there to experience the outcome in a community setting: hipsters, local politicians, Joe Edwards, the Teamsters for Obama (hey, where's my Teamsters shirt, guys?), and even a supremely nice French guy (really) were all waiting with bated breath.
I stepped out for some fresh air at one point and returned to the beginning words of a concession speech from McCain. I think I'll do the fresh air thing more often! While I didn't want McCain as my President, I was impressed with how he handled the crushing of his very real, very public dream. May we all have such grace.
Once it began to sink in that Barack Obama was our President-Elect I cheered, yelled, texted, Twittered, was videotaped, and had a celebratory drink (ok, maybe two). I finally understand what it must have been like to be around for Kennedy's "Camelot", except I believe this is a far better man. It's quite outside my nature to put too much faith in any one person, but I think right now I think I'm going to do just that, and take some time out from the news.
By the way, if you are one of those who thinks their vote doesn't count...Missouri went Republican by a measly 5,859 votes. How absolutely horrible it would have been if Missouri was the lynch pin upon which the entire outcome hinged. Good people died to protect our right to a government elected by the people. We cannot let that be for naught. Freakin' vote.
For the first time in...well, my entire life, I have hope that there is someone in a position to make our country and - by extension - the world a better place, a place of which I can be proud and where I dare dream of a palatable future.
On November 4th, 2008 I cast my vote, feverishly worked until after 8 pm, and strategically avoided any updates on the outcome of the Presidential election. I could not deal if my candidate didn't win. I could not imagine how anyone could rationalize voting for the other ticket, but I'm often at odds with the majority, so I steeled myself for the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the untenable. A family friend whom I used to babysit voted Republican, in great part due to Sarah Palin's "values and morals"; a bit surprising considering this friend is a lesbian. I respect her choice to vote the way she chose, but I don't understand it. How is it that I can have greater respect for and commitment to her right to live life with the same rights as I have, than she does? Honey, you deserve more.
Anyhoo, in the event of a loss, moving out of the country was first on my list of things to do. New Zealand or Australia, in case you're interested; they speak English, the countries are gorgeous, and they're surrounded by water. I just couldn't handle the idea of Sarah Palin being THAT CLOSE to the red button, or of McCain being anywhere close to diplomatic negotiations. 'Scuse me while I puke just thinking about it.
Having successfully shielded myself from torturous, unproductive updates until the polls closed, I rewarded myself by joining my honey and a friend at the Pin Up Bowl to watch the results roll in. Everyone was there to experience the outcome in a community setting: hipsters, local politicians, Joe Edwards, the Teamsters for Obama (hey, where's my Teamsters shirt, guys?), and even a supremely nice French guy (really) were all waiting with bated breath.
I stepped out for some fresh air at one point and returned to the beginning words of a concession speech from McCain. I think I'll do the fresh air thing more often! While I didn't want McCain as my President, I was impressed with how he handled the crushing of his very real, very public dream. May we all have such grace.
Once it began to sink in that Barack Obama was our President-Elect I cheered, yelled, texted, Twittered, was videotaped, and had a celebratory drink (ok, maybe two). I finally understand what it must have been like to be around for Kennedy's "Camelot", except I believe this is a far better man. It's quite outside my nature to put too much faith in any one person, but I think right now I think I'm going to do just that, and take some time out from the news.
By the way, if you are one of those who thinks their vote doesn't count...Missouri went Republican by a measly 5,859 votes. How absolutely horrible it would have been if Missouri was the lynch pin upon which the entire outcome hinged. Good people died to protect our right to a government elected by the people. We cannot let that be for naught. Freakin' vote.
The great beauty of our country remains difference in opinion and the right to express. I for some reason am attracted to folks who are radically left or radically right. I hedge more in between. I found myself in this election a little put off by both sides who have repeatedly tried to tell me how to think. That tells me a lot about the climate in this country and how strongly both sides feel. In the end, I am pretty sure that 3 months into Obama's his promise for "Change" is going to be a letdown to many of his proponents who are convinced this one man is going to fix everything. I would venture to say much will remain the same.
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"Lesbian" isn't something that I claim to be, nor is it a lifestyle that I ever hope to become accustomed to (with all the same rights as any other hetero couple might have). Lesbian, to me -- is a demon I face every day. Despite my battles, I am still an evangelical Christian through and through and I am very much of the conservative persuasion. My beliefs, my values, my faith, and my GOD are first in my life.. each and every day, and I try to the best of my ability to count the cost of each decision that I make based on that. Deciding to vote Republican was no different... not for me and not for countless millions of others that did the same.
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