I was told about a couple in their 70s who may have been 1st time
voters, or simply addled, that started in the wrong line, got moved to
the correct line, then after signing their name in the book went to
leave. A friend's wife spotted them and guided them back to the voting
booth where they did whatever we can imagine. I was also told the
particular polling location was uncrowded and it was not a whole lot of
noise, people and distraction involved.
My wife who works at a polling location told me about a woman that years
back had brain damage and came in with her kid's help for her to vote,
then... I remember my wife telling me about this woman back then. This
time around the woman came in alone and managed to make her way through
to vote on her own.
Frm my wife's perspective the poll workers get to a place where they are
simply ecstatic that folks come in to vote, regardless of for whomever
or whatever. There have been off-years where they worked all day and
only one voter showed up.
Brian Robinson suggests Sarah Palin and Anne Coulter do a fold out in
Playboy. I'm wondering if he means the Russian edition?
I was reminded yesterday when in my youth I built a fireplace up near
Seneca Falls, NY for a family of a guy who had worked in the JFK
administration. I want to dig up their name, but cannot recall it. This
was back when I had a big fluffy beard, hair down to my b-crack, and did
masonry wearing all white cotton. There was nothing then I wanted more
than to build fine fireplaces. It was a Greek Revival style house, and I
built the fireplace to match to an original wooden mantle. If I drove
down the road I might be able to figure it out. Might not. Regardless,
when I got finished they were delighted. The husband decided to give me
a bit of advice, that was, "Sell out."
For me though I don't think I ever quite managed to sell out I have
certainly spent a whole lot of my life keeping my thoughts to myself,
trying to blend in to the surrounding... cut the hair, shave the beard,
look like a working construction guy, try to practice an ethical
capitalism, if not outright wear a tie, register Republican, hide. I
remember where I was standing when it was reported that JFK was shot.
Fear politics works on me, if not getting me real angry, at least
shutting me up. It never occurred to me that I could grow up to be
president as much as that I could stand out to get shot.
Though I have paid for and attended a fund raising dinner for Mario
Cuomo and Bill Clinton, though I have shook hands with and chatted with
David Dinkins who mistakenly thought I was a member of his morning
panel, though I have had lunch in the presence of Charlie Wrangel -- I
have for the longest time had this sense that governance is something
that those other somewhat weird folks that I do not particularly trust,
or understand, do with themselves and in turn do to us. The importance
to me of the Obama election is by no means that he is a white person
half black. My sense of trust in any one politician is not enhanced by
his win. What is important to me is the spirit of so many Americans who
have been called to step up and give of themselves toward
self-governance. For me in the challenge that it is us, Americans that
are called to settle the wars, the economic turmoil, to fix health care.
I know that where there is a will that there is a way and that with
inspiration and leadership we can do that. If we truly want less of
government then in a Democracy we need more of us people to engage, to
be involved, and to not hide. I watched last night and after we heard
about the new puppy I cringed to hear when there would be the bark of a
shot. It did not happen, and today is Wednesday. I feel a redemption of
the political process that I have not felt since Nixon. I want my
country back.
To all my friends and relatives who may feel otherwise, I still love ya!
(wink, wink)
][<en
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