The election summed up in one photo

Obama won. So – now what? We watch him like hawks.

I will admit – I was in the tank for Obama. All said, I probably contributed about $125 to his campaign, maybe $175 by the time you’re done with a T-shirt, buying clip boards and food for events.

I canvassed. I called. I knocked on doors. I spoke to friends, neighbors, church members. I did everything I could to get then Senator Obama elected.

I believed in his words, I believed in his record. I read his books and the books by Clinton and McCain, and now that Senator Obama has become President-Elect Obama, I can’t be more pleased.

But if you think I’m just going to turn the country over to him, you obviously don’t know me very well.

8 years ago, when we elected George W. Bush, he ran as a “uniter, not a divider.” President Bush went on about how his record showed he could reach across the aisle, how he could work with both Democrats and Republicans. He was going to join the country together, bring decency and respect to the White House again.

Turns out what he really wanted to do is take a crap on the Constitution and wipe his ass with the Bill of Rights. The Bush administration was plagued with scandal, incompetence, criminal activity, partisanship, and just asshatery.

I voted for Obama. But on this blog, in my reading, in my personal live, I am going to be watching him like a hawk. He lost points with me when he voted on the FISA bill that included retroactive immunity for telecommunication companies that broke the law.

We must, and I promise you I will, keep on eye on the Obama administration. Put a light on what they may do right or wrong. Look for every member of our government and business and see who’s doing right, and who’s doing wrong – and what to do about it.

8 years ago, people thought government didn’t matter. Sadly, we’ve now learned that who are leaders are does matter – because when you elect someone who’s corrupt and dishonest, the entire country suffer. Hopefully this time we elected a good, honorable man. But I’m going to keep my eye on him – and every member of his cabinet – just to make sure he does.

The nation finally shitty enough to vote the issues

Hey, I’m not the one saying it, but The Onion pointing out that it only took a pointless war, 2,000 dead in New Orleans, an economy in ruins, and violation of the rule of law to finally decide to vote based on the issues that actually matter to people.

Go America!

Could the Democrats get a filibuster Senate majority? Maybe.

If you check out FiveThirtyEight.com’s latest senate projections, there is now a high chance that the Democrats will get a 56 member majority – but there’s also a 33% chance that the Democrats could hit the magic 60 filibuster proof majority.

My only problem with that is it’s hard to claim any kind of bipartisanship when one team can run over the other – but then again, will of the people, right?

Virginia officials ban campaign clothing?

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia voters won’t be allowed to wear clothing featuring John McCain or Barack Obama when they head to the polls on Nov. 4.

The State Board of Elections on Tuesday voted to ban clothing and hats as well as buttons and other paraphernalia that directly advocate the election or defeat of a specific candidate or issue.

The American Civil Liberties Union argued that the ban violates the First Amendment’s right to free speech. The board, however, said it has to weigh that against the right to vote free of undue influence or the tension that candidate advocacy might create.  (MORE)

WAIT… QUESTION

They have targeted the VOTERS walking in wearing a campaign shirt?  What if I suddenly get the irresistible urge to write in “Nike” now?  I do have ONE request of my great state of Virginia.  What about  the people standing around handing out fliers, pens, pads, refrigerator magnets, while trying to sway your vote as you walk in?  I don’t even know what they are called. (I only know what I call them).   What ARE they called? They aren’t poll workers, or security.  Loiterers?  Seriously.  If I don’t know who I’m voting for when I get there, and need to depend on some overweight, “too much time on their hands” zealot standing outside of the polling place shoving papers at me, to TELL me who to vote for, I don’t deserve to vote.

I am forced to put my hand up firmly with my “back off, I carry pepper spray” look as I walk briskly in.  When I come out I STILL have to do the same thing.   I consider it harassment.  I call it annoying.  Pressure?  No.  The only pressure  I feel is to get the hell in and out as quickly as possible without being charged with assault.