http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOTu8Wztj1w
Very touching and very true. For years, we heard oh yeah son you can be this or that...but not president of the united states. No longer. What a paradigm shift for this country.
Full Version: Election Day Thread
This was posted by someone at the Slog, the blog of the Seattle weekly paper The Stranger (where Dan Savage is employed):
Edit to add: There is some good news on the gay front. Marilyn Musgrave, the Colorado congresswoman who's been sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage since 2003, got her ass kicked out of office last night. Unlike John McCain and so many others, she didn't call to congratulate the victor.
QUOTE
OK, so Prop 8 has lost. How to turn this around? How to make this a beginning rather than an end?
Two political strategies: first, it's not hard to get Propositions on the California ballot. So, get a repeal of Prop 8 on for 2010, when it won't be a Presidential election year and so turnout may dip, especially among voters who were primarily coming out to support Obama, or to vote for the old-timer. This would perhaps make the demographic issues of race (African Americans opposed to gay marriage, and senior citizens ditto) irrelevant.
Second, expect the Church of Latter Day Saints to once again pour millions of dollars into defeating the repeal. If it doesn't get repealed in 2010, get it on the ballot in 2012. 2014. 2016. However long it takes, the demographics will shift our way, and perhaps in the process we can bleed the Mormons dry. If they want to impose their religious values on the rest of us, in a secular society, let's make them pay.
Two political strategies: first, it's not hard to get Propositions on the California ballot. So, get a repeal of Prop 8 on for 2010, when it won't be a Presidential election year and so turnout may dip, especially among voters who were primarily coming out to support Obama, or to vote for the old-timer. This would perhaps make the demographic issues of race (African Americans opposed to gay marriage, and senior citizens ditto) irrelevant.
Second, expect the Church of Latter Day Saints to once again pour millions of dollars into defeating the repeal. If it doesn't get repealed in 2010, get it on the ballot in 2012. 2014. 2016. However long it takes, the demographics will shift our way, and perhaps in the process we can bleed the Mormons dry. If they want to impose their religious values on the rest of us, in a secular society, let's make them pay.
Edit to add: There is some good news on the gay front. Marilyn Musgrave, the Colorado congresswoman who's been sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage since 2003, got her ass kicked out of office last night. Unlike John McCain and so many others, she didn't call to congratulate the victor.
QUOTE
Domestic Partnership Law... please explain (I'm from Canada so I'm not up to speed with this)
So does this mean that same-sex couples have the same rights as Heterosexual couples with the exception of the "marriage" term?
So does this mean that same-sex couples have the same rights as Heterosexual couples with the exception of the "marriage" term?
Yes Enigma, to a point. As far as the state is concerned, as I understand it, DP=marriage except for the word. However, I know in New Jersey, when the initially enacted civil unions instead of marriage, companies like auto insurers were not compelled to treat them the same, because of the word "marriage"; I assume similar issues existed in California.
I watched this on CBC News this morning and I laughed my ass off!
Also, if you want to see something outrageously funny, go to drag queen Lady Bunny's blog and scroll down to the McCain-Obama illustration posted today (it is not the "You make my pussy wet" one, btw). Being that McCain was genuinely classy and gracious in his speech last night and I think everyone should look forward and work together, I was a bit hesitant and uncomfortable (still am) mentioning this, so I'll just give you the choice to go there instead of posting a direct link. WARNING: SOME MAY FIND THE ILLUSTRATION IN REALLY BAD TASTE.
And congratulations to everyone who voted, especially those who did so for Obama! My partner has been weeping for most of the day... And he's Canadian!
Also, if you want to see something outrageously funny, go to drag queen Lady Bunny's blog and scroll down to the McCain-Obama illustration posted today (it is not the "You make my pussy wet" one, btw). Being that McCain was genuinely classy and gracious in his speech last night and I think everyone should look forward and work together, I was a bit hesitant and uncomfortable (still am) mentioning this, so I'll just give you the choice to go there instead of posting a direct link. WARNING: SOME MAY FIND THE ILLUSTRATION IN REALLY BAD TASTE.
And congratulations to everyone who voted, especially those who did so for Obama! My partner has been weeping for most of the day... And he's Canadian!
So how ridiculous will Prop 8 look if Obama comes through on eliminating DADT and veterans come home to discrimination against their right to marry whom they choose?
I think it should definitely be put back up for another ballot in 2010.
It would be sweet to see John McCain be offered the position of Homeland Security in an Obama administration and have to spend the rest of his career defending against the domestic terrorist threats that he tolerated during his campaign. But I don't suppose the Republicans would want a Democratic Arizona senator replacing him with a Democrat and adding to the new majority they have there. Go maverick!
I heard on the CNN that McCain aid Randy Scheunemann (he of Georgia-on-My-Mind fame) was rumored to be the subject of one of the more bitter intra-campaign battles between the McCain-Palin camps, which was the primary reason he was unceremoniously dumped. Palin may not survive the hardball of national pols.
It is hard to imagine what this crew would have been like under the pressure of trying to run a country in two wars, with a train-wreck of an economy and a world waiting for leadership on climate change and peace had they actually won this race. The first 100 days of an Obama administration should be very interesting. Though I don't think we will have nearly as much entertainment we may actually see something change now.
I think it should definitely be put back up for another ballot in 2010.
It would be sweet to see John McCain be offered the position of Homeland Security in an Obama administration and have to spend the rest of his career defending against the domestic terrorist threats that he tolerated during his campaign. But I don't suppose the Republicans would want a Democratic Arizona senator replacing him with a Democrat and adding to the new majority they have there. Go maverick!
I heard on the CNN that McCain aid Randy Scheunemann (he of Georgia-on-My-Mind fame) was rumored to be the subject of one of the more bitter intra-campaign battles between the McCain-Palin camps, which was the primary reason he was unceremoniously dumped. Palin may not survive the hardball of national pols.
It is hard to imagine what this crew would have been like under the pressure of trying to run a country in two wars, with a train-wreck of an economy and a world waiting for leadership on climate change and peace had they actually won this race. The first 100 days of an Obama administration should be very interesting. Though I don't think we will have nearly as much entertainment we may actually see something change now.
QUOTE(sportinlife @ Nov 6 2008, 02:45 AM) 
So how ridiculous will Prop 8 look if Obama comes through on eliminating DADT and veterans come home to discrimination against their right to marry whom they choose?
I think it should definitely be put back up for another ballot in 2010.
It would be sweet to see John McCain be offered the position of Homeland Security in an Obama administration and have to spend the rest of his career defending against the domestic terrorist threats that he tolerated during his campaign. But I don't suppose the Republicans would want a Democratic Arizona senator replacing him with a Democrat and adding to the new majority they have there. Go maverick!
I had this question and in an article I read, state laws in Illinois and Delaware permit the Governors to select whomever they wish the be the replacement, party irrelevant. In the State of Arizona, the Governor has to select a replacement from the same party- so Janet would have had to select a Republican despite being a Democrat.
My curiosity- whom will be selected for the Senate positions now in Illinois and Delaware. Some articles indicated that Beau Biden, as AG of Delaware, likely would have been an obvious choice- but he is deployed now in Iraq.
A short list for Illinois included the suspicion the Governor would nominate himself or potentially Jesse Jackson Jr or a female- potentially Tammy Duckworth or Charnowsky(sp?).
I have a feeling several last term governors will be in the Obama administration- Jennifer Granholm is likely for working with Biden on the VP debate and her important position in the Great Lakes and auto industry, alternative technologies. Maybe even as a successful AG here in Michigan- potentially AG?
My other thoughts- I see Hillary Clinton potentially being selected or nominated for a position on the Supreme Court. She didn't want the VP nomination... which I believe she may have been offered at one time. I think she wants a position with a longer term impact and "power" and Obama nominating her to that position would be appropriate.
I am hoping for several Republicans in this administration, not just the "token off party nominee to lower post" position.
Re: the disappointing gay marriage prop in CA: Perhaps IT IS TIME that minority gays come out. The more we (black, brown, yellow, etc) put "normal" faces out there--with our families and community--then maybe more people will support our cause(s). Just a thought. 
The Illinois Congresswoman you're thinking of is Jan Schakowsky. She is a very liberal Congresswoman from the far north side (Rogers Park and Evanston, etc.). Since Blagojevich is despised by many state Democrats, and especially House Speaker Mike Madigan, and really is surviving through black support, he is likely to name Jesse Jackson Jr., though he could choose Schakowsky, who's pushing for the job. With Obama stepping down, if Jackson isn't named, and Biden's replacement isn't black, there won't be a black person in the US Senate. Illinois is only one of two states (the other is Massachusetts) to elect a black person to the US Senate since Reconstruction and has done so twice (not sure why only Illinois, which is progressive but hardly a Vermont or Rhode Island, has this distinction, but hey, thanks Prairie State!).
How old is the just-retired former governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner? She might serve out Biden's term if Beau cannot be named (because of his deployment).
What about Alaska? If Ted Stevens is elected (why???) and then expelled, as Harry Reid has promised, who'd be likely to win the special election to succeed him, since Alaska state law doesn't allow Palin doesn't name his replacement? Would Begich win by default? Wouldn't that be bizarre for Begich to lose by a narrow margin to Stevens, then Stevens gets expelled (the first convicted felon elected to the Senate, whee!), then Begich wins a special election to succeed the expelled guy he barely lost to? Come on Alaska, this is like a Monty Python skit!
How old is the just-retired former governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner? She might serve out Biden's term if Beau cannot be named (because of his deployment).
What about Alaska? If Ted Stevens is elected (why???) and then expelled, as Harry Reid has promised, who'd be likely to win the special election to succeed him, since Alaska state law doesn't allow Palin doesn't name his replacement? Would Begich win by default? Wouldn't that be bizarre for Begich to lose by a narrow margin to Stevens, then Stevens gets expelled (the first convicted felon elected to the Senate, whee!), then Begich wins a special election to succeed the expelled guy he barely lost to? Come on Alaska, this is like a Monty Python skit!
It was my understanding that the Governor of AK would appoint a Senate replacement. It's possible she could step down and let her Lt. Governor appoint HER.
QUOTE(HornFan @ Nov 6 2008, 05:45 AM)
It was my understanding that the Governor of AK would appoint a Senate replacement. It's possible she could step down and let her Lt. Governor appoint HER.
You are right it's happened before but a long time ago. She could get appointed but not very likely.
I think Sarah will be licking her wounds for a while.
What a huge relief for all of us to see her go away for a while. At least until Obama gets some folks on the Supreme Court.
QUOTE(SCTrojan @ Nov 5 2008, 08:24 PM)
Re: the disappointing gay marriage prop in CA: Perhaps IT IS TIME that minority gays come out. The more we (black, brown, yellow, etc) put "normal" faces out there--with our families and community--then maybe more people will support our cause(s). Just a thought.
Sadly (and ironically) the huge black voter turnout for Obama on Tuesday was not a good thing for the Prop 8 contest. It's being estimated that 70% of African-American voters voted to ban same-sex marriage. There's lots of little old black Church ladies, apparently. Praise Jeebus!
QUOTE(RGMike @ Nov 6 2008, 08:45 AM)
...It's being estimated that 70% of African-American voters voted to ban same-sex marriage. There's lots of little old black Church ladies, apparently. Praise Jeebus!
Then we minority gay folk must start adopting old black Church lady fag hags.
With Obama winning New York easily (by 26 points), I could not in good conscience vote for him given his vote for the FISA bill, plan to expand the Pentagon budget and the Afghanistan war, and pick of the anti-change mascot Joe Biden. The supposedly imminent selection of Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff is not good news for progressives either:
http://www.counterpunch.org/frank11062008.html
QUOTE
Emanuel is a shameless neoliberal with close ties to the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), even co-authoring a strategy book with DLC president Bruce Reed. Without Emanuel, Bill Clinton would not have been able to thrust NAFTA down the throats of environmentalists and labor in the mid-1990s. Over the course of his career, Emanuel's made it a point to cozy up to big business, making him one of the most effective corporate fundraisers in the Democratic Party. He's also a staunch advocate of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
Emanuel's shinning moment came in 2006 as he helped funnel money and poured ground support into the offices of dozens of conservative Democrats, expanding his party's control of the House of Representatives. Emanuel, who supports the War on Terror, and expanding our presence in Afghanistan, worked hard to ensure that a Democratic House majority would not alter the course of US military objectives in the Middle East.
In short, Rahm Emanuel is not only a poor choice for Obama’s Chief of Staff; he’s one of the least progressive picks he could have made. While he may have decent views on abortion, tax policy, and social security, Emanuel’s broader vision is more of the same: war and corporate dominance.
Emanuel's shinning moment came in 2006 as he helped funnel money and poured ground support into the offices of dozens of conservative Democrats, expanding his party's control of the House of Representatives. Emanuel, who supports the War on Terror, and expanding our presence in Afghanistan, worked hard to ensure that a Democratic House majority would not alter the course of US military objectives in the Middle East.
In short, Rahm Emanuel is not only a poor choice for Obama’s Chief of Staff; he’s one of the least progressive picks he could have made. While he may have decent views on abortion, tax policy, and social security, Emanuel’s broader vision is more of the same: war and corporate dominance.
http://www.counterpunch.org/frank11062008.html
On a more serious note, my former Episcopal priest sent me this. Thought some people here would find it moving.
QUOTE
Dear friends:
May Americans take their place again as citizens of the world, and begin writing a new chapter in our nation's story.
May we all repent of the sins of our nation and embrace the Grace being offered in this new opportunity.
May we be willing to teach, eager to learn; willing to reconsider past assumptions, eager to seek out new ideas; willing to lead, eager to share that leadership; willing to listen, eager to love.
Out of our remarkable Democracy we have been able to create a gifted circumstance. May we dig deep to remember the joys of living responsibly and breathe deeply to take in the new life we have before us.
John Capellaro
Center for Sacred Story
www.centerforsacredstory.com
May Americans take their place again as citizens of the world, and begin writing a new chapter in our nation's story.
May we all repent of the sins of our nation and embrace the Grace being offered in this new opportunity.
May we be willing to teach, eager to learn; willing to reconsider past assumptions, eager to seek out new ideas; willing to lead, eager to share that leadership; willing to listen, eager to love.
Out of our remarkable Democracy we have been able to create a gifted circumstance. May we dig deep to remember the joys of living responsibly and breathe deeply to take in the new life we have before us.
John Capellaro
Center for Sacred Story
www.centerforsacredstory.com
Out west here the Dems. have picked up another, the 6th seat win now in Oregon for the Senate, AND North Carolina went for Obama. Sweet!
Have you guys figured out yet who carried Missouri and the remaining 3 Senate seats?
The longer the count goes on the more it looks like Zimbabwe. Honestly you would think the richest and most powerful nation in the world could run a simple election after 242 years.
The longer the count goes on the more it looks like Zimbabwe. Honestly you would think the richest and most powerful nation in the world could run a simple election after 242 years.
QUOTE(swiminbuff @ Nov 13 2008, 10:46 PM)
Have you guys figured out yet who carried Missouri and the remaining 3 Senate seats?
The longer the count goes on the more it looks like Zimbabwe. Honestly you would think the richest and most powerful nation in the world could run a simple election after 242 years.
You mean China? LOL
QUOTE(swiminbuff @ Nov 13 2008, 05:46 PM)
Have you guys figured out yet who carried Missouri and the remaining 3 Senate seats?
The longer the count goes on the more it looks like Zimbabwe. Honestly you would think the richest and most powerful nation in the world could run a simple election after 242 years.
In all fairness, Georgia ia not the mess the other two are - state law there requires a run-off if neither candidate gets 50%. Chambliss got only 49.8%, so there'll be a run-off on December 2nd.
Minnesota state law requires a manual recount (think Florida 2000) because the margin was so small - I believe 200 or so votes last time I heard. Apparently that process won't even start until next week, although a bipartisan commission has been appointed to oversee the process.
Alaska is the one that puzzles me - what I've read is that there were almost 100,000 absentee votes and early votes still to count. WTF? Vote early, get counted late? That makes no sense to me. Apparently there's still some 35,000 still to be counted as of today. I don't get how or why they seems so lackadaisical about it up there.
QUOTE(swiminbuff @ Nov 13 2008, 05:46 PM)
Have you guys figured out yet who carried Missouri and the remaining 3 Senate seats?
The longer the count goes on the more it looks like Zimbabwe. Honestly you would think the richest and most powerful nation in the world could run a simple election after 242 years.
From what I found on the Washington Post website, McCain won Missouri by 5,859 votes. From this article about the Senate races:
QUOTE
In Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich pulled 814 votes ahead of Sen. Ted Stevens ® late Wednesday night after officials tallied 59,000 votes that included absentee, early and questionable ballots whose validity was verified. An additional 40,000 votes are set to be counted in the days ahead.
Final results are expected Wednesday, with a certified winner on Dec. 1. That is one day before the runoff election in Georgia, where Sen. Saxby Chambliss ® led initial voting but did not clear the required 50 percent mark. As a result, he must once again face former state representative Jim Martin (D). Both the DSCC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have aired TV ads attacking the opposing candidate.
The most legally complex battle is in Minnesota, where a recount process is about to start amid echoes of the controversial Florida 2000 presidential recount. Democrat Al Franken remains 206 votes behind Sen. Norm Coleman ®. More than 24,000 ballots that electronically recorded votes in the presidential race but did not record any vote in the Coleman-Franken contest will now be examined, and legal challenges have been lodged. Hundreds of lawyers on both sides are volunteering to help resolve the dispute.
Final results are expected Wednesday, with a certified winner on Dec. 1. That is one day before the runoff election in Georgia, where Sen. Saxby Chambliss ® led initial voting but did not clear the required 50 percent mark. As a result, he must once again face former state representative Jim Martin (D). Both the DSCC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have aired TV ads attacking the opposing candidate.
The most legally complex battle is in Minnesota, where a recount process is about to start amid echoes of the controversial Florida 2000 presidential recount. Democrat Al Franken remains 206 votes behind Sen. Norm Coleman ®. More than 24,000 ballots that electronically recorded votes in the presidential race but did not record any vote in the Coleman-Franken contest will now be examined, and legal challenges have been lodged. Hundreds of lawyers on both sides are volunteering to help resolve the dispute.
If Obama's wins in Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Florida, Colorado and Nevada weren't enough... now comes that electoral vote in the state of Nebraska. Just amazing that Obama can win in Nebraska, which wasn't even close to the radar.
In 2012, I'm sure the Dems will be shooting for Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, Georgia, and Mississippi among others to turn blue.
In 2012, I'm sure the Dems will be shooting for Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, Georgia, and Mississippi among others to turn blue.
FSU agreed. I think the Nebraska win came primarily because he won the Omaha metro area, which I think is pretty good sized. 
QUOTE
Norm Coleman ®
Is he a registered trademark?
Oh goodie, one of my favorite songs, "Landslide", by both Stevie Nicks and the Dixie Chicks (hey, that kinda rhymes!) has really come true. I could not be more happy. I had a funny incident occur in the grocery store this morning...it appears there are MANY sore losers out there. I mentioned to the cashier, whom I have known for years, that critics are coming out against Obama, and he hasn't even taken office yet. We (the cashier, the bagger girl and me) all kind of chuckled. I was completing my purchase with the cashier, and the bagger girl was ahead of me with my groceries ready to go, when a customer from another lane cornered the bagger girl and started yelling at her about how Obama is a crook and only associates with crooks. I wasn't paying attention to him as he was yelling at her, I only caught the tail end of it. This dope looked like a loon dressed in gym shorts on a cold, mid-November morning, plus he was about 100lbs bigger than me, so I didn't jump on him for yelling at my bagger girl. As soon as we got out of ear-shot of the other customer, I asked her what the heck that was all about, and I apologized for not coming to her defense sooner. She said it was better that I said nothing, because they have had problems where customers instigate a political conversation, almost baiting people into talking about the election, then, when the employee doesn't agree with the customer, the customers have been calling the store and complaining that the employee has been rude to them, making false accusations. I thought this to be absolutely pathetic. I have heard of sore losers, but this one takes the cake. The gall of these idiotic losers!
The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner. There are lots of those around, too.
Well after 8 years of the Shrub Administration, a stolen election in 2000, and Rethuglican bullcrap, I think many people are entitled to it.
QUOTE(HornFan @ Nov 15 2008, 12:31 AM)
Is he a registered trademark?
It's the board that does that. Whenever there's an R between the parentheses, it autoformats that way. It might do the same with a C:
©
Yep.
I can't believe there are still nut jobs out there seeking to overturn Obama's election on the grounds that he is not a natural born US citizen because his father had British/Kenyan citizenship.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/...citizenship.cnn
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/...citizenship.cnn
Swiminbuff, some idiots just won't get it until it is over. Even then, they won't accept it. It's sad our courts are clogged with idiotic lawsuits such as this. Remember, there is STILL a segment of the population that thinks Bush is doing a good job!
QUOTE(millerbeach @ Dec 6 2008, 01:25 AM)
Remember, there is STILL a segment of the population that thinks Bush is doing a good job!
True, but they are even fewer than the number that believe Elvis is still alive
Let's focus on the positive- hopefully in time most Americans will realize that it's a good thing to have a President who is smarter than they are.
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