I've been crying all day. Every time I hear the words President Elect Obama, or President Obama, the tears just seem to flow. Not out of sadness or anger, but of great relief, joy, and hope. Hope. One word. One word meaning to desire with expectation of obtainment, to expect with confidence. Hope.
I didn't realize how much hope I had lost until it all came back to me in one blinding instant. In truth, part of me had given up on my country. I was angry and upset and made comments about leaving. Canada, I would say, or perhaps Australia. Any place but here. Others told me I should stay. Intelligent people are needed here. They are needed to fight. They are needed to tell the truth about what is going on. We can't just run away and let the others take over. Besides, the other countries may not want me. But I had almost given up. I felt there was nothing to fight for. The people of my country weren't willing to listen to reason. There were people voting against Obama just because of the color of his skin. They were taken in by stories of fear and hatred and didn't try to see things from other points of view. The opposition were liars and mudslingers who couldn't attack Obama's morals or character so they tried to bring him down anyway they could, even implying he's a terrorist. Why should I stay and help fight? Why should I stand up for those that don't care or try to understand?
Even on election day, I was stressed and tense. Yes, the polls showed Obama ahead. Then again, there's always the Bradley effect, or the polls could be wrong. McCain has been the underdog before, and won. Obama wasn't going to win. He couldn't win.
He did. Oh, he did. He won. When I saw the electoral votes on the screen and heard the cheers, yells, and clapping I was stunned. And I've never felt so full in my entire life. I don't know how to describe it other than full. It's a mix of many, many emotions that spill out at random moments. If I don't cry or sigh or breath deeply every once in a while, I think I may explode into a million pieces.
At the Obama party I went to, some of the people there has been a part of the Sacramento campaign from the very beginning (how many years ago was that). They had hope from the beginning. They believed they could change the country, and they did. I wish I had been strong enough to believe as they did and help more then financially. I wish I hadn't taken my current class, but spent the time calling and canvassing. Sure, talking to strangers scares the hell out of me, but you know what? I've learned in the past day you don't get any where without knocking on a few doors. Yes, you may make enemies, but you'll also make friends and it's those friends that helped Obama win.
My country gave me hope yesterday. It made me a realized that even in the worst of times, optimism and hard work can change the world. Having lived through this, I will no longer be my pessimistic self. Oh yes, I will complain, but I will never threaten to leave. I will stay. When things seem dire, I will do what I can to fight. I have learned my lesson about staying in the wings during a fight and will not do it again.
The one sadness I have is prop 8. But I know this is just an obstacle in the path. An unfortunate obstacle and one that affects my family directly (a marriage in my family will be annulled a second time). But I believe the gays and lesbians will get their rights. We have a history of changing and learning to accept. Just look at our President Elect (oh geesh, there goes another tear). Their rights will come and I hope to be out there fighting for them.
Hope. I have hope again.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
President Elect Obama Barack
I'm almost crying as I write - and you all know how I am about crying. Look what happens when you vote, look what can be accomplished. We have change.
Today I had class. I went to the lecture part of the class, computer in hand and paid almost no attention to the teacher. I was staring at the screen the entire time flipping from cnn, to npr, to sacbee. At break I told my teacher "Hey, look. I have an A in the class (95% thank you). You know I'll learn the material. You know I am capable of teaching myself. Do you mind if I leave and go to an Obama viewing party?" Her answer was to tell me of course. Party hard for her (this is the teacher that pulled up the VP debate on her computer so I could watch it during break). So I ran out of there, jumped into the car, and headed off to the Radisson. I had to park in the Costco parking lot because all other parking was full. I ran to the hotel and walked in the ballroom right as they announced California's votes and pushed Obama over 270. He won. He really won. I was in a room with 1000s of other supporters. I yelled, I screamed, I jumped up and down. I hugged random people and smiled at many many others. Being at this party really makes me want to be a part of the political world. A good person can really create change.
What a night. What an accomplishment. What a great and wonderful win. Not just for me, or for African Americans, but for the whole country. Tonight we chose to follow Hope and not fear. We elected the first black man. We elected a strong, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, person. A person who can speak and make a good impression. A person who represents everything great about America. Tonight we have change.
This was not a hotly contested, close, day. He did not win by a state, or by two, but by practically a landslide (and thankfully, he didn't call it a mandate). As I write, Obama has 349 and McCain has 159 with 47 states reporting. That's more then double the amount of electoral votes. He has more than 6,000,000 more of the popular vote. No recounts necessary, no question of the outcome. Tonight we voted for change.
In my opinion, this was the most important election in my life, so thank you. Thanks to everyone who voted, contributed, helped, and pushed. Thank you for helping to elect the future of America. Thank you for believing it was possible. Thanks for proving our society isn't beyond fighting for. Thanks for change.
Today I had class. I went to the lecture part of the class, computer in hand and paid almost no attention to the teacher. I was staring at the screen the entire time flipping from cnn, to npr, to sacbee. At break I told my teacher "Hey, look. I have an A in the class (95% thank you). You know I'll learn the material. You know I am capable of teaching myself. Do you mind if I leave and go to an Obama viewing party?" Her answer was to tell me of course. Party hard for her (this is the teacher that pulled up the VP debate on her computer so I could watch it during break). So I ran out of there, jumped into the car, and headed off to the Radisson. I had to park in the Costco parking lot because all other parking was full. I ran to the hotel and walked in the ballroom right as they announced California's votes and pushed Obama over 270. He won. He really won. I was in a room with 1000s of other supporters. I yelled, I screamed, I jumped up and down. I hugged random people and smiled at many many others. Being at this party really makes me want to be a part of the political world. A good person can really create change.
What a night. What an accomplishment. What a great and wonderful win. Not just for me, or for African Americans, but for the whole country. Tonight we chose to follow Hope and not fear. We elected the first black man. We elected a strong, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, person. A person who can speak and make a good impression. A person who represents everything great about America. Tonight we have change.
This was not a hotly contested, close, day. He did not win by a state, or by two, but by practically a landslide (and thankfully, he didn't call it a mandate). As I write, Obama has 349 and McCain has 159 with 47 states reporting. That's more then double the amount of electoral votes. He has more than 6,000,000 more of the popular vote. No recounts necessary, no question of the outcome. Tonight we voted for change.
In my opinion, this was the most important election in my life, so thank you. Thanks to everyone who voted, contributed, helped, and pushed. Thank you for helping to elect the future of America. Thank you for believing it was possible. Thanks for proving our society isn't beyond fighting for. Thanks for change.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Props 9,10,11,12
No, No, No, and No.
Wow, lots of no votes on this one.
Prop 9 is another constitutional amendment. It does not allow the government to set up early release policies for prisoner in order to alleviate overcrowding of jails. It decreases the number of parole hearings a prisoner gets and establishes timelines and procedures concerning parole hearings. Great, just great. Let's tie the hands of our government and criminal justice system so they have no leeway what so ever when working with a wide range of crimes, criminals, and types. Let's not try different methods of working with the people in jail, because obviously jail is a huge deterrent. And, let's put it on our Constitution.
Prop 10 - This is another clean energy bill. Its another bond bill. 5 billion in bonds to help consumers by high fuel economy cars and for reasearch. Again, I like clean energy. I'm an environmentalist. I wash tin foil, reuse it, and recycle it. I like clean energy, but when the Union of concerned scientists, Sierra Club, the chair of the California Air Resources Board and the Natural Resources Defense Council are against it, well I think I have to be too. This same reason applies to this as to the other one, it's poorly written. First of all, most of the money for people who want to by clean air vehicles go for those that buy trucks and other medium and heavy duty vehicles. Should we be trying to get people to buy smaller cars, why are we giving rebates for big cars? The Union of a concerned scientist have an interesting fact sheet (they have one for Prop 7 as well). I'm trusting my advisors" on this one.
Prop 11 - This is setting up a different way of redistricting California and is another amendment to our constitution. Right now the legislature does it every ten years. This prop. supposedly creates a bi-partisan panel, in a very convoluted way, to do the redistricting. I do think that we need a new way to do the job but I am not sure this is it. I original was going to vote for it, but now I am leaning towards no. On all the websites describing these prop, everyone is calling everyone else a liar. The people providing money for this are rich republicans. I don't know enough about this plan, so I am voting no. This is not going to change things. This is not going to make everyone get along better.
Prop 12- Another bond. We are going to give money to veteran's (900 million) to help veteran's buy homes and farms. I like veteran's. I like people owning homes. Are we really going to use bonds to help them buy a house? There so have to be other ways to make life better.
Okay. I'm off to bed. Have a great day tomorrow and you better VOTE. If you don't, I'll come and getcha. :-)
Wow, lots of no votes on this one.
Prop 9 is another constitutional amendment. It does not allow the government to set up early release policies for prisoner in order to alleviate overcrowding of jails. It decreases the number of parole hearings a prisoner gets and establishes timelines and procedures concerning parole hearings. Great, just great. Let's tie the hands of our government and criminal justice system so they have no leeway what so ever when working with a wide range of crimes, criminals, and types. Let's not try different methods of working with the people in jail, because obviously jail is a huge deterrent. And, let's put it on our Constitution.
Prop 10 - This is another clean energy bill. Its another bond bill. 5 billion in bonds to help consumers by high fuel economy cars and for reasearch. Again, I like clean energy. I'm an environmentalist. I wash tin foil, reuse it, and recycle it. I like clean energy, but when the Union of concerned scientists, Sierra Club, the chair of the California Air Resources Board and the Natural Resources Defense Council are against it, well I think I have to be too. This same reason applies to this as to the other one, it's poorly written. First of all, most of the money for people who want to by clean air vehicles go for those that buy trucks and other medium and heavy duty vehicles. Should we be trying to get people to buy smaller cars, why are we giving rebates for big cars? The Union of a concerned scientist have an interesting fact sheet (they have one for Prop 7 as well). I'm trusting my advisors" on this one.
Prop 11 - This is setting up a different way of redistricting California and is another amendment to our constitution. Right now the legislature does it every ten years. This prop. supposedly creates a bi-partisan panel, in a very convoluted way, to do the redistricting. I do think that we need a new way to do the job but I am not sure this is it. I original was going to vote for it, but now I am leaning towards no. On all the websites describing these prop, everyone is calling everyone else a liar. The people providing money for this are rich republicans. I don't know enough about this plan, so I am voting no. This is not going to change things. This is not going to make everyone get along better.
Prop 12- Another bond. We are going to give money to veteran's (900 million) to help veteran's buy homes and farms. I like veteran's. I like people owning homes. Are we really going to use bonds to help them buy a house? There so have to be other ways to make life better.
Okay. I'm off to bed. Have a great day tomorrow and you better VOTE. If you don't, I'll come and getcha. :-)
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Props 6,7,8
I apologize for not getting these propositions out like I planned. Life has been, oh busy the past few weeks. A 5 unit lab class from 5:45-10:20 twice a week, marathon training, costume sewing, working, etc. I've barely had time to sleep much less write. I'm looking forward to January when I will have more time (and sleep).
Here are some short bits about 6,7,8. Not as thoughtful as the first, but accurate non the less.
#6 - No- This proposition requires a minimum of 950 million to be spent for police, sheriffs, etc. An increase of 365 million from the current budget. In these times of a troubled economy and budget woes, are we really going to say we must spend a specific amount of money on a certain issue, giving no say to the legislature to make decisions based on need. Where is the money coming from? Hmm, cuts in education and health care? Don’t we realize we need to spend money on prevention measures, not these stop-gap, let’s throw everyone we don’t like into prison? Do people realize our prisons our overflowing? Obviously jail is not a deterrent. If it was, maybe there wouldn’t be such a huge percentage of our population in prison.
There are many other components to this bill including a gang measure and an increase in penalties for certain crimes. Most of this seems to be poorly written (as stated by father, again) and may not do any good. But my main problem is, again, the fiscal impact.
#7 - No. This is the nice sounding, lovely clean energy bill. I like clean energy bills. But I don’t know enough about this one to discover if it’s any good. I tried reading the text of the proposed law itself and fell asleep.
I read the legislative analysts analysis and there are a lot of exceptions and unknowns mentioned, which I am uncomfortable with.The union of concerned scientists say vote no, so I think I am probably say no. I might read a little more about this one to get some better arguments, but for now, my decision is no.
#8 - No. Do I really have to say anything about this proposition? Really? Swingbug wrote a very nice blog on this, so read it. But who really cares if gays get married? How’s that going to effect you or I? You might have to have a discussion with you child about it someday? Well, I assume you are going to have to talk about such things with your kids anyways. If not, they will find out from another source. I promise, kids are pretty resourceful people.
Here are some short bits about 6,7,8. Not as thoughtful as the first, but accurate non the less.
#6 - No- This proposition requires a minimum of 950 million to be spent for police, sheriffs, etc. An increase of 365 million from the current budget. In these times of a troubled economy and budget woes, are we really going to say we must spend a specific amount of money on a certain issue, giving no say to the legislature to make decisions based on need. Where is the money coming from? Hmm, cuts in education and health care? Don’t we realize we need to spend money on prevention measures, not these stop-gap, let’s throw everyone we don’t like into prison? Do people realize our prisons our overflowing? Obviously jail is not a deterrent. If it was, maybe there wouldn’t be such a huge percentage of our population in prison.
There are many other components to this bill including a gang measure and an increase in penalties for certain crimes. Most of this seems to be poorly written (as stated by father, again) and may not do any good. But my main problem is, again, the fiscal impact.
#7 - No. This is the nice sounding, lovely clean energy bill. I like clean energy bills. But I don’t know enough about this one to discover if it’s any good. I tried reading the text of the proposed law itself and fell asleep.
I read the legislative analysts analysis and there are a lot of exceptions and unknowns mentioned, which I am uncomfortable with.The union of concerned scientists say vote no, so I think I am probably say no. I might read a little more about this one to get some better arguments, but for now, my decision is no.
#8 - No. Do I really have to say anything about this proposition? Really? Swingbug wrote a very nice blog on this, so read it. But who really cares if gays get married? How’s that going to effect you or I? You might have to have a discussion with you child about it someday? Well, I assume you are going to have to talk about such things with your kids anyways. If not, they will find out from another source. I promise, kids are pretty resourceful people.
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