Submitted to a Candid World
Archive for November 4, 2008
Fox News and Drudge Report
Are only reporting the popular vote totals, and not the electoral projections. Just sayin’.
Democracy in America: Excelsior
The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.
–John F. Kennedy
It’s been a long road. But it doesn’t end here.
Diplomacy Matters — Respect the Stick
“Diplomacy is more than just talking to people. It requires speaking credibly from a position of strength. … To be tough, you need strong alliances and a strong military. And to be credible, you need a record of meaning what you say.” — Bill Richardson, WAPO, February 2007
The Pax Americana, as envisioned and manipulated by neocon elites has been a miserable failure. Our military is stretched to the breaking point; laissez-faire has dropped the ball; many of our allies are sick and tired of our antics, and all the while, the demands of globalization have made it all the more important that countries, with the leadership of the U.S., work together to ensure prosperity and development. For the last eight years, though, the U.S. has not met its diplomatic responsibilities, preferring, instead, to play chicken, wear blinders, and stick its head in the sand when faced with a whole host of issues. Well, no more. An Obama presidency promises a return to diplomacy, a respect of other nations, and an opportunity to truly speak softly and carry the big stick. For too long, spoiled children have had their grimy hands on the stick, and now, Daddy is coming home.
Field Report: Ames on the Street
Ames just sent this in from the front lines: Apparently, Republican poll watchers like to imitate FBI agents: dark suits, grey sedan …
Of course, poll-watcher attire is widely varied. Some opt for the paramilitary look, but worry not, the McCain-Palin team are on it, spinning away (from a recent press release):
The McCain-Palin Campaign believes there should be a zero-tolerance policy for voter fraud and voter intimidation. Through a combination of news accounts and first-hand reports, the following cases of voter irregularities have been documented:
PENNSYLVANIA
In Philadelphia, PA, Black Panthers Are Intimidating Voters By Standing Outside Of A Polling Station While Holding A Night Stick. Fox News’ Rick Leventhal: “I do not even know where to begin, but we have reached a polling place in the city of Philadelphia. One of the two black panthers who was allegedly blocking the door is standing right over here, [and] accused us of intimidating voters because we were here with a camera and microphone. He did not answer questions, other people here have confirmed that another person in black panther attire was holding a night stick and apparently the concern was that they were intimidating people who were trying to go inside to vote. A republican poll observer actually called the police, the police were here and we miss[ed] them, they came and left.”
Leave it to the Republicans to play the victim in voter intimidation (Mr. Pot, I believe you know Mr. Kettle…), and schluff the race card.
A Little Levity: Journey to McCain’s Brain
It’s kinda like the old Disneyland ride Mission to Mars (I’m dating myself.), except it’s fun …
McCain’s Brain at the first debate
McCain’s Brain at the second debate (my personal favorite)
McCain’s Brain at the third debate
You’ll be humming the theme song long after the last polls have closed …
How It Be at the Polls
Dateline: Poughkeepsie … 8th ward …
Polls opened at 6:00 a.m. By 6:45 a.m., 46 people had already voted at our polling place … that’s about a voter a minute. By 10:00 a.m., 195 people had voted … most excellent.
Please share your voting experience … where? how many? lines? atmosphere?
Ames is in Philly fighting the good fight as an election observer, so it’s just you and me, kids. I’d love to hear from you! Tell your story here or here.
VOTE.
When people vote, Democrats win. And, more importantly, when citizens vote, America wins. I’ll be in Philadelphia today. Take care of our country, and vote your heart. And, consider this an open thread if you’re not too nervous to do anything.
That which we are, we are. One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate buy strong in will- to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
