Politics

Politically, I’m very liberal — about as far left as one can go without sliding into Libertarianism.

Obama’s Victory Speech

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Obama’s victory speech, transcript courtesy of TPM:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

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Vote!

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Vote Obama '08 This is it — voting day!

Hopefully, you’re one of the many people who’ve taken advantage of the option to vote early in one form or another. If not, then please take the time out of your day today to go by your local polling place and cast your vote.

Don’t let the news scare you away, either. If the race follows the polls — and keep in mind, that’s still a big “if” — then the big networks could be calling the election long before many people on the West coast have a chance to vote. Don’t let that stop you! Anyone who remembers the last two presidential races (especially 2000) knows how eager the networks are to declare a winner, long before most votes are cast, and with plenty of time for things to change. Besides, there’s a lot more than just the presidential race at stake here, there are tons of Senate, House, and local seats and measures that you can have input on.

Know your voting rights! Hopefully this won’t be an issue for you, but better to be prepared. Don’t let goons from the other side (whichever side that may be) keep you from voting. If you do have problems, know what to do:

If you see something weird or discomfiting or arguably illegal going on at your polling place tomorrow. don’t post about it here. Or, at least, don’t post first.

You’ve got two choices tomorrow as to where to phone in your information, and I’m going to advocate doing both. First off, there’s Obama Voter Protection:

Call 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226) and let them know what problems you’re seeing. If you can’t get through, use this online form and/or call your local campaign HQ.

Alternately, or in addition, I strongly encourage you to call Election Protection, a nonpartisan organization:

We all love being able to break news here about what we’re seeing, but what matters most tomorrow is giving that information to people who can do something about it . And then … wait, what are you doing at a computer in the first place on Election Day? Get out there. Do More Than Vote.

Lawyers like me will be at polling places all over the country tomorrow to protect every citizen’s right to vote in an atmosphere free of intimidation, coercion and deception. But we can’t do anything if we don’t know what the problem is. So don’t post it here — call it in.

It’s time for a change, people. Make this one count.

Where’s Your Ballot?

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C’mon, all you locals. Washington makes this whole voting thing really easy to do. So how come so many of you haven’t sent in your ballot yet?

With a week to go until Election Day, less than a fourth of the state’s voters have returned their ballots.

Ballots were sent out Oct. 17, and must be postmarked by Tuesday.

Thirty-seven of the state’s 39 counties are voting entirely by mail. King and Pierce Counties still have poll sites, though a majority of voters in those counties already vote by mail.

Grab your ballot, fill in the little bubbles, and send it in. This isn’t a time to set it aside to “take care of it later,” only to find it buried in a stack of bills on Nov. 5th.

Some helpful suggestions when filling it out (however, I’d be fine…almost…with an opposing vote, as long as it meant that you voted):

  • President: Barack Obama (A no-brainer.)
  • WA Governor: Christine Gregoire (Another no-brainer. Dino Rossi is scary, and shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near government.)
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy Dorn (On the advice of Prairie — an educator — and everyone she knows involved in education, Terry Bergeron needs to go.)
  • I-1000: Tough call. (I wanted to vote yes on this one, and I personally would want to have this option available should I ever need it. However, I’m not convinced that the wording is written well, and worry about insurance companies pushing physician-assisted suicide over treatment. I ended up voting no, but I wouldn’t hold voting either way against anyone.)
  • I-985: No (Tim Eyman’s a dork, and I’ve never been convinced any of his ideas had merit.)
  • I-1029: No (Sounds good on the face, but introduces unnecessary red tape, and would throw the existing system of long-term care into disarray.)
  • Proposition 1: Yes (Transportation is good.)

McCain Concedes

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When I saw this bit of news earlier today…

John McCain’s election night watch party might be missing John McCain. Instead of appearing before a throng of supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on the evening of Nov. 4, the Republican presidential nominee plans to deliver postelection remarks to a small group of reporters and guests on the hotel’s lawn.

Aides said Thursday that the arrangement was due to space limitations and that McCain might drop by the election watch party at some other point.

…I had the same thought that Daily Kos does here: he’s throwing in the towel. Since my vote went to Obama, I can’t say that I’m disappointed…but how must his campaign staffers, who still have twelve days to go before the election, feel about this?

McCain knows he’s going down, we get that. But there are supporters of his that are still busting their ass, and he’s basically telling them that he doesn’t give a flying fuck. It’s a breathtaking insult to his staff, to his volunteers, to his party, and even to America. It doesn’t matter if the bulk of his audience will be watching him on the television, he owes his people (and even the nation), one last rally.

So this is how the cowardly McCain wishes to go out — not with a bang, but with a whimper.

That One

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New Obama logo

Commentary from the Huffington Post:

During a discussion about energy, McCain punctuates a contrast with Obama by referring to him as “that one,” while once again not looking in his opponent’s direction (merely jabbing a finger across his chest). That’s not going to win McCain any Miss Congeniality points. Nor will it reassure any voters who believe McCain is improperly trying to capitalize on Obama’s “otherness.”

This goes beyond refusing to look at Obama in the first debate. With this slightly dehumanizing phrase, McCain may have just played into the emerging narrative of Obama-hate that has been sprouting at McCain-Palin rallies.

Darren Davis, a professor at Notre Dame who specializes in the role of race in politics, sent a comment to the Huffington Post about McCain’s “that one” remark. “It speaks volumes about how McCain feels personally about Obama. Whomever said the town hall format helps McCain is dead wrong,” Davis wrote.

(logo via wnalyd)

Sarah Six-Pack, Part Two

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A bit of an update to Sarah Six-Pack, thanks to an article reposted by my dad that’s been carried on a few news sites.

Sarah and Todd Palin, who are just like everyone else, and going through hard economic times just like everyone else…

  • Have a combined income of nearly a quarter-million dollars, five times the median household income for Wasilla.
  • Own a single-engine plane, two boats, two personal watercraft and a half-million dollar custom built home on lakefront property.
  • Have an established 401(k) retirement account.
  • Own four other lakeside private recreation sites, covering 35 acres and recently appraised at $102,700.
  • Pay $7,662/year in taxes on their five properties.
  • Report no debts other than their home mortgage.

See? Just like everyone else.