Iraq War Ends!

Yeah, that was my reaction too, when I saw this headline all over the New York Times on the subway platform this morning. The one day I don't listen to NPR before work and this is what I get?!

A closer look at a stranger's copy (sorry cute Indian guy, hope I didn't traumatize you) showed that the issue was "All the news we hope to print," post-dated July 4, 2009. Brill.

See the whole story here.

James Bond: Quantum of Presidency

You gotta check out this photo album. It makes our Prez-Elect look like an X-Man or something. Which, quite frankly, wouldn't surprise me at all.

It's blowing my mind to have an administration-elect that realizes technology exists

See what the news channels didn't get on Election Night - Obama & friends backstage waiting for the results.

Complete photostream here.

Somewhat Topical

Someecards.com is the best source for ecards, especially for cynical overwitty hipsterish people like myself.

Send your friends such gems as "Let's tell people we voted because of the worldwide financial meltdown rather than the free cup of Starbucks coffee" and "Just wanted to express my condolences to McCain supporters like you and Al-Qaeda."

Change.gov

Time to brush up your resume.

One of these kids is doin' his own thing...

This does not resonate at all. I swear.

Note that this of course takes place in Williamsburg (where I live), then cuts to "Portland" (where I'm from), which is really still Williamsburg (where I still live).

Is Alaska kidding me right now?

Seriously Alaska? Senator Ted Stevens was indicted on seven counts of corruption, and you still voted for him? I questioned your judgment before with your governor, but this is absolutely ridiculous.

As you may know, Stevens and three other senate races - Georgia, Oregon, and Minnesota - are still undecided. Go go Dems...

History, Made.

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, and I'm feeling good...

I woke up this morning to teenagers shouting "Obama!" on my block. Street noise never sounded so sweet.

My Facebook status today is "still in shock" -- I went to sleep last night at 2am hoping to wake up in the same dream-like America.

I have not seen anything like last night in my life. The closest thing was September 12, 2001, when the streets and squares were full of people coming together because they couldn't be alone at a time like that. Now turn that feeling upside down -- remove fear and inject hope -- and imagine a party rivaling New Year's Eve all throughout my city.

Here's the story of my night.

I met up with Nicolle and Flora to go to Kevin Powell and MTV's Election Night party at Element in the Lower East Side. We got there around 7:30, right after the first polls closed. As people arrived, the mood was definitely "cautiously optimistic" -- each time a state was called by CNN, people relaxed a bit, started to dance more (props to beats by a great DJ), ordered another round.

McCain was ahead at first, and I told the girls, "Look at that now, because that's the last time you're going to see it." Sure enough, when the big leap happened after the big Eastern poll closing, people went crazy. And as Obama's lead grew, Democrats were gaining the Senate and Congress too. People cheered when their home states flashed on the screen, when battleground states were won... I cheered more when Elizabeth Dole lost and Al Franken crawled ahead. Sara and Leo arrived and the night gained momentum.

And then the West Coast polls closed. Now keep in mind the crowd I was in was overwhelmingly young, urban, black professionals. I have never heard cheering so deafening. My ears are still ringing today. We screamed and screamed, tears started streaming down my face, I called my mom and just held the phone up in the crowd. She may have been a McCain supporter, but as a white woman who married a black man in the 70's, and raised a biracial child as a single mom, I hope something about the significance of last night resonates.

No one was quiet until McCain's concession speech. Much booing. Over; more cheering. And then, Obama arrived at Grant Park. Let me tell you, the only thing this crowd loved more than Barack was Michelle -- or shall I say, the First Lady Elect. Laura wha? Jackie who?

What a speech. Barack is a bigger person than I am, sitting here in New York contemplating getting a custom-made "Blue State Secession" tee. Reaching out to everyone regardless of party or vote, working already to unite the United States.

And please note: the McCain audience was homogeneous. As usual. The Obama audience was all ages, colors, backgrounds. That alone is enough argument for me. Welcome to 21st century America.

After more cheering and dancing, Sara, Leo, and I headed out to walk home/to the subway. We also wanted to see the mood on the streets. We had no idea what was in store. As we walked up 1st Avenue into the East Village, people were still cheering in bars and pouring out onto the sidewalk. When we got to St. Mark's Place, the entire intersection was full of people cheering and chanting, holding up signs and taking pictures.

We got word from Elizabeth that Union Square was on fire, so we had to go. On the way, impromptu parades started and people slapped high-fives and congratulated strangers. Union Square was beyond packed, people spilling onto the streets, young people leading chants of "Yes We Can" and "Obama" and even "USA" -- one you never hear in NYC.

The energy was unbelievable. The only time I've been in such a hive of positive energy was Invesco, or a huge church service. Never in New York -- not for the Yankees or the Giants or anything. I couldn't pull myself away until 2am -- and even on the subway platform people were still yelling, and at each stop people got off and cheered more. Back in Williamsburg, I stopped in my bodega and marveled to Sajoo, who's from Bangladesh and has lived here longer than I have but isn't a citizen, that we won. He was so happy.

You guys: this is the American I want to live in. This is the country I can be proud of. This has restored my patriotism, my belief in possibility, my hope for change that is right and progressive and needed.

Yes, we can. And yes, we did.

This is our moment

Off to Kevin Powell's party at Element. Here we go...

Five things white people shouldn't do if Obama wins.

From theroot.com

---------------------

Black people aren't the only ones worried about embarrassing themselves if Obama wins. Here are a few pointers for white people.

1. Don't personally congratulate all your black friends.

Black people are not a sports team, and Obama did not win the Super Bowl.

2. Don't declare that you "never thought you'd see the day."

You never thought you'd see the day?

3. Don't start crossing the street in order to walk next to a black person.

President Obama is glad you support racial reconciliation, but he takes a hard line against jaywalking.

4. Don't name drop "Dr. King."

If you absolutely must make some comment about how this is a victory for civil rights, pick a marginally less obvious figurehead.

5. Don't use the phrase "white people" in any way that suggests it doesn't include you.

Contrary to popular belief, having voted for Obama does not make you even "semi-down." Sorry if there was any confusion there.

Another one!

I know it's almost irrelevant at this point, but it's just that there are so many!

But seriously, today is the beginning. We need to see this stuff so we keep fighting for equality for ALL Americans.

How on earth did I miss this?

In case anyone out there needs one last reason to vote against this guy.

Apparently it is illegal to take photos in voting booths

Ah well, not the first illegal thing I've done this week.

Hey, here's the stuff on leaving work to vote:

§ 3-110. Time allowed employees to vote.

1. If a registered voter does not have sufficient time outside of his working hours, within which to vote at any election, he may, without loss of pay for up to two hours, take off so much working time as will, when added to
his voting time outside his working hours, enable him to vote.

2. If an employee has four consecutive hours either between the opening of the polls and the beginning of his working shift, or between the end of his working shift and the closing of the polls, he shall be deemed to have
sufficient time outside his working hours within which to vote. If he has less than four consecutive hours he may take off so much working time as will when added to his voting time outside his working hours enable him to vote, but not more than two hours of which shall be without loss of pay, provided that he shall be allowed time off for voting only at the beginning or end of his working shift, as the employer may designate, unless otherwise mutually agreed.

3. If the employee requires working time off to vote he shall notify his employer not more than ten nor less than two working days before the day of the election that he requires time off to vote in accordance with the provisions of this section.

4. Not less than ten working days before every election, every employer shall post conspicuously in the place of work where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work, a notice setting forth the
provisions of this section. Such notice shall be kept posted until the close of the polls on election day.

Full laws here.

Who will become the new Delaware senator?

Gotta love fivethirtyeight.com. This chart caught my eye today:


While I'm glad Biden is projected to win, I'm kinda like, what's the point? When he becomes VP, who really becomes Delaware's senator?

And my #1 election question that no one has yet answered: When candidates are campaigning, who is doing their jobs?

Kenya just keeps getting cooler

If (when) Obama wins today, Kenya is making tomorrow a national holiday. Fast runners and fiercely pro-Obama? That's my kind of country.

Thinly veiled endorsements are awesome

"Please do not vote for the candidate you most want to have a beer with (unless it’s to get stone cold drunk so you don’t have to think about this mess we’re in). Vote for the person you’d most like at your side when you ask your bank manager for an extension on your mortgage.

"Vote for the candidate you think has the smarts, temperament and inspirational capacity to unify the country and steer our ship through what could be the rockiest shoals our generation has ever known. Your kids will thank you."

Read the full article.

Why is voting stuck in the 19th century?

I'm watching Barack and Michelle live on CNN casting their votes in Chicago. It is taking them like 10 minutes -- what on earth do they make you do in Illinois, draw a picture of the candidate?

Fern just called me to find out who else to vote for on the ballot, I'm very honored. But once she got in the archaic NYC booth (my actual voting booth pictured left), she pulled the lever across after clicking her presidential choice because she thought you pull the lever after each one, a totally logical mistake, especially for someone who has spent more time in casinos than voting booths.

Shouldn't voting be important enough that it's easy, fast, simple? Props to my home state of Oregon, the only all-mail-in ballot state. Kinda ironic though, that the state that founded recycling uses so much paper...

Done and done.

I voted in Williamsburg Brooklyn at 7am, only waited 5 minutes.

But here's my concern: I'm watching shots of long lines on the news, hundreds of people turning out in pivotal states. But we all knew today's turnout would be unprecedented... so WHY didn't officials do something? More polling stations? More machines, more ballots?

Also -- I'm lucky to work for a company where our CEO is encouraging us to take all the time we need to vote today, but many people aren't that fortunate. Sure, the law says one can take time off to vote, but company culture may not reflect that. My roommate had a mandatory meeting at 8am today. Or worse - what if your income depends on the number of hours worked or earning tips? I used to be a waitress. Coming in late was not an option. And who wants to earn less money because they stood in line for hours? That shouldn't be a decision anyone should have to make.

A blog as good as this one

...and probably better. Thanks to Jenn Lindsay for the tip.

Margaret and Helen are two eightysomething best friends with a blog. They are smart and funny, aka, much like what this blog may become in fifty years' time.

Read such gem posts as:

If You Are Undecided You're Not Paying Attention

"So I love my Whoopi Goldberg. And that Joy Behar makes me laugh. Barbara Walters has lost some of her edge, but she will always have my respect for her accomplishments. And then there is Moron Hasselbeck. Enough said. But, now there is that other one. Cherry? Cheryl? Philmore? I don’t remember her name. She’s pretty forgettable. Yesterday she announced that she was still undecided. OK. That’s it. She’s a jackass. I mean this woman is on a show called The View. What exactly is it that she can’t see? She has met, in person, all the big players in this little card game. Talk about being spoon fed. And as a fellow plus-size gal I know that she has had more than her share from that spoon. I am sure qood people like Cecilia wouldn’t squander such an opportunity. It’s five days away. I’ve got no more patience. What’s her name has to go."

and

Lessons I Have Learned Along the Way

"So to come full-circle, I called Sarah Palin a bitch because I see a woman who took a very colorful world and decided to paint it in black and white. I have visited Alaska. It has more to offer than just oil and snow."

and

Elizabeth Hasselbeck is a moron and then I have something important to say

"I would call her a bitch but that word is too good for her. She is such a moron. Pretty much everybody with more than a pre-school education realizes that the war in Iraq was a mistake. I mean if you ask Hasselbeck’s daughter what she thinks of the war in Iraq she probably would say something along the lines of a mistake by the Bush administration of monumental proportions which my generation will be paying for years from now."

Karl Rove is stupid

Once Obama wrested the nomination from Clinton by surpassing her in organization, cash and black votes, he was still often seen as too wimpy to take on the Republicans. This prognosis was codified by Karl Rove, whose punditry for The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek has been second only to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as a reliable source of laughs this year. Rove called Obama “lazy,” and over the summer he predicted that his fund-raising had peaked in February and that he’d have a “serious problem” winning over Hispanics. Well, Obama was lazy like a fox, and is leading John McCain among Hispanics by 2 to 1. Obama has also pulled ahead among white women despite the widespread predictions that he’d never bring furious Hillary supporters into the fold.

Read the whole op-ed.

I am a fake American

Some good stuff in Paul Krugman's editorial today, getting me more and more angry at this ridiculous idea of not being a "real American."

And Mr. McCain has laid the groundwork for feverish claims that the election was stolen, declaring that the community activist group Acorn — which, as Factcheck.org points out, has never “been found guilty of, or even charged with” causing fraudulent votes to be cast — “is now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy.” Needless to say, the potential voters Acorn tries to register are disproportionately “other folks,” as Mr. Chambliss might put it.

Anyway, the Republican base, egged on by the McCain-Palin campaign, thinks that elections should reflect the views of “real Americans” — and most of the people reading this column probably don’t qualify.

Thus, in the face of polls suggesting that Mr. Obama will win Virginia, a top McCain aide declared that the “real Virginia” — the southern part of the state, excluding the Washington, D.C., suburbs — favors Mr. McCain. A majority of Americans now live in big metropolitan areas, but while visiting a small town in North Carolina, Ms. Palin described it as “what I call the real America,” one of the “pro-America” parts of the nation. The real America, it seems, is small-town, mainly southern and, above all, white.

Last 2 days without new posts: not as painful as the last 8 years.

Sorry, faithful readers, but this birthday/marathon girl was without computer this final campaign weekend. Apologies to both of you.

But I did run the marathon in a "YES WE CAN" shirt. Best way to get tons of cheers on the NYC five-borough course!