It means nothing, it means nothing, it means nothing if I haven't got you.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
It's not election day without my lucky shirt. Every time I wear it - and this is a true fact - everything I vote for wins. So really, everyone should be thanking me right now. Me and my t-shirt.
Before I voted I consulted with Tess and Zoe, who were pretty unanimous on who I should be casting my vote for.
Our lawn signs! We live right next door to the elementary school, which is our polling station, so we always put up signs. For those of you not from Massachusetts, Question 1 on the ballot was to eliminate state income tax the way New Hampshire does, which would mean not only huge, huge budget cuts to public services, schools, and state-funded health care, and instead the state would have to tax purchases, which puts a much heavier burden on those with lower incomes who can't buy things out of state than those with higher incomes who can. Of course, it didn't pass, because I voted against it and wore my lucky shirt.
Volunteers outside the polling station. The opposition didn't even try to have people with signs, which was cute. Almost as cute as the fact that our side DID, because, uh, I live in the People's Republic of Metro West Boston. Like these people need convincing.
At my polling station! I couldn't take a picture of the actual room, so I had my mom take pictures of me by the door. But I love my polling station. I've been coming with my mom to vote there since I was born, so I don't even need ID or to tell them who I am, the little cute old people just check me off and wave me in. Which is good, because I don't drive and am too lazy to get my state ID.
There are a few things that suck about my polling station. One, there's this new lady there who is CONVINCED I am twelve, and so while I'm standing there filling in my bubbles I can HEAR her questioning if I've gone through puberty or not and I seriously want to throw my pen at her EVERY. TIME. Also, my polling station doesn't give out fun stickers that say "I VOTED" or anything like that. I'm sure their reasoning is purely financial, but I mean, come on, couldn't they at least stamp my hand? Stick my finger in some blue ink? If Iraq and Chuck E. Cheese can manage it, I think they should too, is all I'm saying.
I didn't want to risk taking a picture of me voting, but I have it on good authority that the resemblance to this picture was striking. (Also, anyone who was everyone voted against shrimps. Shrimps hate America.)
Even though it was past their bedtime, the gerbils stayed up for Stewart and Colbert. They were very excited, you see. The only thing that kept them from voting was their lack of thumbs.
Also, even though everyone was saying it about an hour before Stewart and Colbert came on air, it wasn't official in my house until they called it. That should tell you a lot about my family and our values.
My mom got a blueberry pie earlier that day to eat as the states all turned blue. Come on, everyone, how adorable is my mom? The answer is nearly as adorable as my brother, who called our house screaming gleefully. That's right, my brother, who, after voting when I was like "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO CAST YOUR VOTE IN THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION EVER" shrugged and went "Eh, whatever."
Oh, family.
After that it was a looooong wait until the candidates said their respective speeches, and the girls fell asleep because it was so way past their bedtime.
You know, at one point I really did like John McCain. Not policy-wise, but he was respectable. I had forgotten that until I watched his speech and thought about how he's pretty much been vying for the presidency for about ten years and how sad this must be for him and I felt really bad for him, even. I was like "Aww, McCain, I'd be willing to maybe hug you a little."
And then I saw Sarah Palin's face and changed my mind. HAH HAH HAH, SUCK IT.
And then we waited for Obama's speech. And waited. And waited. And waited some more. AND THEN:
"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 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."
"I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden."
YEAAAAAH, JOEY B, REPPIN' IT SCRANTON-STYLE. I unashamedly love that man, crazy and hair plugs and all. And I'm so glad he'll be getting his puppy for Christmas.
"I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
SPEAKING OF PUPPIES. Honestly, Obama ran the freaking cutest, most fuzzy adorable campaign ever. I would like to hug it and take it home with me and rub it's belly. How could he ever have lost with the message "A vote for Obama is a vote for people getting puppies"? Hell, the ASPCA and PETA both endorsed him. THE MAN LOVES FUZZY PUPPIES IS MY POINT, HERE.
(Also, if you want to remember that America still is and always be kinda batshit crazy, please read this, and then laugh helplessly along with me. Oh, America.)
My vote for scene-stealer of the night (besides the future Obama puppy, who I will follow with GREAT DELIGHT) is totally Joe Biden's mom. She was SO PRECIOUS. Everyone else seemed fatigued or reserved-happy, and she just looked SO GOSHDARN PLEASED AND SURPRISED AND EXCITED. I love her. I love her so much. I want her to be my grandma. I want to give her a big, huge, fucking hug.
I also want to be a Biden because then I would be hot BEYOND THE TELLING. It's a conspiracy, I swear. I saw a picture of Joe Biden when he was younger today and the man was a FOX. And Hunter Biden! I had NO IDEA he was so hot until I saw him come out on stage and I actually screamed. I mean, I know Joe Biden won the vice presidential race, but you know who won so much more based on a pure eye candy level? AMERICA.
I WAS A LITTLE EXCITED. BUT ONLY A LITTLE.
(Also, please note I DID NOT TAKE THE SHIRT OFF.)
ME WITH MY FLIPPING AWESOME MORNING PAPER. I know this is a terrible picture of me, and I don't care. I AM FILLED WITH JOY.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there...For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
(Images from obama_daily and Cuteoverload.com as well as my own.)
Edit: So obviously, Not everything went well this election. I mean, I'm cool with everything, really, except the gay marriage bans (and gay adoption ban, what the fuck Arkansas? Incest is legal in your state but HEAVEN FORBID gay people adopt a child? Fuck you.) The only reasons I'm not totally livid is because a) I don't live in those states and can't do anything about it, b) I am trying to be understanding, here (and if you are having issues, I suggest you read this) and c) at least in California, it's legality is already being challenged. Plus, Ah-nuld was really against it and said if it came across his desk he'd veto it. So yeah, for once, I'm glad that the government is ignoring the people. When it comes to granting civil rights, I'd like them to please ignore the crazy people more often. Thanks.
It's not election day without my lucky shirt. Every time I wear it - and this is a true fact - everything I vote for wins. So really, everyone should be thanking me right now. Me and my t-shirt.
Before I voted I consulted with Tess and Zoe, who were pretty unanimous on who I should be casting my vote for.
Our lawn signs! We live right next door to the elementary school, which is our polling station, so we always put up signs. For those of you not from Massachusetts, Question 1 on the ballot was to eliminate state income tax the way New Hampshire does, which would mean not only huge, huge budget cuts to public services, schools, and state-funded health care, and instead the state would have to tax purchases, which puts a much heavier burden on those with lower incomes who can't buy things out of state than those with higher incomes who can. Of course, it didn't pass, because I voted against it and wore my lucky shirt.
Volunteers outside the polling station. The opposition didn't even try to have people with signs, which was cute. Almost as cute as the fact that our side DID, because, uh, I live in the People's Republic of Metro West Boston. Like these people need convincing.
At my polling station! I couldn't take a picture of the actual room, so I had my mom take pictures of me by the door. But I love my polling station. I've been coming with my mom to vote there since I was born, so I don't even need ID or to tell them who I am, the little cute old people just check me off and wave me in. Which is good, because I don't drive and am too lazy to get my state ID.
There are a few things that suck about my polling station. One, there's this new lady there who is CONVINCED I am twelve, and so while I'm standing there filling in my bubbles I can HEAR her questioning if I've gone through puberty or not and I seriously want to throw my pen at her EVERY. TIME. Also, my polling station doesn't give out fun stickers that say "I VOTED" or anything like that. I'm sure their reasoning is purely financial, but I mean, come on, couldn't they at least stamp my hand? Stick my finger in some blue ink? If Iraq and Chuck E. Cheese can manage it, I think they should too, is all I'm saying.
I didn't want to risk taking a picture of me voting, but I have it on good authority that the resemblance to this picture was striking. (Also, anyone who was everyone voted against shrimps. Shrimps hate America.)
Even though it was past their bedtime, the gerbils stayed up for Stewart and Colbert. They were very excited, you see. The only thing that kept them from voting was their lack of thumbs.
Also, even though everyone was saying it about an hour before Stewart and Colbert came on air, it wasn't official in my house until they called it. That should tell you a lot about my family and our values.
My mom got a blueberry pie earlier that day to eat as the states all turned blue. Come on, everyone, how adorable is my mom? The answer is nearly as adorable as my brother, who called our house screaming gleefully. That's right, my brother, who, after voting when I was like "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO CAST YOUR VOTE IN THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION EVER" shrugged and went "Eh, whatever."
Oh, family.
After that it was a looooong wait until the candidates said their respective speeches, and the girls fell asleep because it was so way past their bedtime.
You know, at one point I really did like John McCain. Not policy-wise, but he was respectable. I had forgotten that until I watched his speech and thought about how he's pretty much been vying for the presidency for about ten years and how sad this must be for him and I felt really bad for him, even. I was like "Aww, McCain, I'd be willing to maybe hug you a little."
And then I saw Sarah Palin's face and changed my mind. HAH HAH HAH, SUCK IT.
And then we waited for Obama's speech. And waited. And waited. And waited some more. AND THEN:
"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 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."
"I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden."
YEAAAAAH, JOEY B, REPPIN' IT SCRANTON-STYLE. I unashamedly love that man, crazy and hair plugs and all. And I'm so glad he'll be getting his puppy for Christmas.
"I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
SPEAKING OF PUPPIES. Honestly, Obama ran the freaking cutest, most fuzzy adorable campaign ever. I would like to hug it and take it home with me and rub it's belly. How could he ever have lost with the message "A vote for Obama is a vote for people getting puppies"? Hell, the ASPCA and PETA both endorsed him. THE MAN LOVES FUZZY PUPPIES IS MY POINT, HERE.
(Also, if you want to remember that America still is and always be kinda batshit crazy, please read this, and then laugh helplessly along with me. Oh, America.)
My vote for scene-stealer of the night (besides the future Obama puppy, who I will follow with GREAT DELIGHT) is totally Joe Biden's mom. She was SO PRECIOUS. Everyone else seemed fatigued or reserved-happy, and she just looked SO GOSHDARN PLEASED AND SURPRISED AND EXCITED. I love her. I love her so much. I want her to be my grandma. I want to give her a big, huge, fucking hug.
I also want to be a Biden because then I would be hot BEYOND THE TELLING. It's a conspiracy, I swear. I saw a picture of Joe Biden when he was younger today and the man was a FOX. And Hunter Biden! I had NO IDEA he was so hot until I saw him come out on stage and I actually screamed. I mean, I know Joe Biden won the vice presidential race, but you know who won so much more based on a pure eye candy level? AMERICA.
I WAS A LITTLE EXCITED. BUT ONLY A LITTLE.
(Also, please note I DID NOT TAKE THE SHIRT OFF.)
ME WITH MY FLIPPING AWESOME MORNING PAPER. I know this is a terrible picture of me, and I don't care. I AM FILLED WITH JOY.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there...For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
(Images from obama_daily and Cuteoverload.com as well as my own.)
Edit: So obviously, Not everything went well this election. I mean, I'm cool with everything, really, except the gay marriage bans (and gay adoption ban, what the fuck Arkansas? Incest is legal in your state but HEAVEN FORBID gay people adopt a child? Fuck you.) The only reasons I'm not totally livid is because a) I don't live in those states and can't do anything about it, b) I am trying to be understanding, here (and if you are having issues, I suggest you read this) and c) at least in California, it's legality is already being challenged. Plus, Ah-nuld was really against it and said if it came across his desk he'd veto it. So yeah, for once, I'm glad that the government is ignoring the people. When it comes to granting civil rights, I'd like them to please ignore the crazy people more often. Thanks.