A Witness to History

Sonja and I are now faced with a decision. Do we want to be witnesses to history?

Yesterday I got an email from Senator Jon Tester's (D-MT) office. See, the day after the election I had emailed Montana's junior Senator requesting to be placed on a waiting list for inaugural tickets. Well, apparently my timing was perfect.

Because I now have two tickets for President Barack Obama's Inauguration Ceremony.

This may be one of the most historic inaugurations ever. Sure, every Presidential inauguration is historic, but only insofar as the potential each President has to make an impact. But for the first time since George Washington (or perhaps Andrew Jackson, as the first President sworn in at the U.S. Capitol building (pictured above)), the inauguration itself is an unprecedented event that will forever be noted in the history books.

I'm already travelling to the DC area at the end of January for work, and we have a D.C. friend who has offered us their futon if we choose to go. So, really, all we'd have to do is get a plane ticket for Sonja (something I think we will need to do very, very soon if we decide to go). It's definitely not out of the question.

But at the same time, I've already had offers to purchase these tickets from me. I'm still torn about that, since I'm of the mind that an event like this should be accessible to all Americans, not just those with tons of cash. Then again, ol' Dubya has repeatedly asked all of us to be "good capitalists" and spend, spend, spend. Ha...

Seriously, though, if you have any ideas for me please share them. I expect we'll make our decision within the next day or so, but would welcome any advice.

Thank You, America!

Yes We Did!

Change is here...

Obama Polls Best Among Rogues and Shamans

Looks like McCain has an uphill battle if he doesn't want to lose the coveted Night Elf demographic, too.

Hope is Coming

With the election only 12 days away, I thought it was time to remind ourselves about the possibilities that face us if, and when, we all stand up together and make the right choice on November 4th. That choice is for a future of opportunity, not fear. A future of unity, not division. A future every American can be proud of.

A future filled with hope is within our grasp, and on Election Day we can change the world.

Yes. We. Can.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

--Barack Obama, January 8, 2008

The Endorsement to End All Endorsements

Colin Powell has officially redeemed himself (to a point) in my view. This is arguably Obama's biggest and most influential endorsement, and should put to rest any further discussion about his readiness for the job of President.

If you don't feel like watching the entire seven minute interview, fast forward to 4:25 and listen to Powell's statements about some of the "accusations" McCain's supporters have been making about Obama. It's quite inspiring.

And then there was this:

"We've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good President. But which is the President that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire; because of the inclusive nature of his campaign; because he is reaching out all across America; because of who he is, and because of his rhetorical ability, and I think we have to take that into account, as well as his substance, he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful President...of being an exceptional President. I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama,"

I couldn't have said it better myself, General Powell.

100,000!

Today Sonja and I spent a couple hours volunteering for the Obama campaign in Kalispell. I didn't even have to twist Sonja's arm to get her to help me knock on 50 doors to distribute information packets and encourage people to vote early (have you voted, yet??? Why not?!?). It felt really good to contribute to this historic campaign, and made me even more excited about the seemingly very likely possibility of an Obama Presidency. Sonja even got to speak to a Vietnam Vet who will be voting for a Democrat for the first time in his entire life. He said that Obama's lack of military experience is completely irrelevant and that Obama "has the right ideas."

Rock on! Talk about breaking down barriers!

Obama held a campaign rally underneath the Arch in St. Louis today. I hear a couple people decided to show up and see him:

And here I thought Missouri was supposed to be a "red" state. I think it says something quite profound when over 100,000 people show up ANYWHERE, let alone a Republican stronghold, to see a Presidential candidate. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. This makes me so incredibly hopeful for the future of this country...a feeling I have never had.

Has McCain ever drawing a crowd even 1/10th of this size??? How inspiring is it to see so many people take the time and energy to go listen to a Presidential candidate? It's like New Years Eve at Times Square! Or the Superbowl! I never thought I would see so much excitement, so much energy, so much enthusiasm and passion for politics in America. Has Obama turned American voter apathy on its head?

It sure as hell looks that way to me!

And if you weren't amazed enough, check out this story from an Obama volunteer in Pennsylvania, reported on my new favorite website:

So a canvasser goes to a woman's door in Washington, Pennsylvania. Knocks. Woman answers. Knocker asks who she's planning to vote for. She isn't sure, has to ask her husband who she's voting for. Husband is off in another room watching some game. Canvasser hears him yell back, "We're votin' for the n***er!"

Woman turns back to canvasser, and says brightly and matter of factly: "We're voting for the n***er."

In this economy, racism is officially a luxury. How is John McCain going to win if he can't win those voters?

Shocking and sad, but hilarious!

When Life Imitates Art

I'll let you decide who is imitating who.

Personally, I don't think I could ever have come up with a better comparison. Either the producers of Batman were incredibly prophetic...or the McCain campaign stole all their "best" lines from this episode.

This Makes Me Happy!

So does this...

And this...

And especially this.

Have I mentioned that blue is my favorite color? And 270 is my new favorite number?

McCain's Also a Liar!

Either that or:

1) He's already as senile as Ronald Reagan was when he left office; or,

2) He's as big a moron as the current Idiot-in-Chief.

Just watch...

And Justice for All

Over two million people have watched this inspiring speech. There's a reason for that. As my brothers Steve and Chris have both stated much more eloquently than I could, it's because this is the time when we can begin to seek a more perfect union. And this is the person who can begin to help us as a nation become everything that is in our power to be.

Remember those often hollow words many of us recited by heart every single morning in elementary school? Remember those words driven into our memories with rarely an explanation or discussion of their meanings or implications? Words like "indivisible", "liberty" and "justice". Words that, to a ten year old, are nothing more than words. Well, for years now, those words have seemed antithesis to what my own observations were of what this nation had become. I saw a divided nation, made up of red states and blue states, with little to no common ground between them. I fumed while I watched as our liberties, those very freedoms that inspired a handful of brave souls 221 years ago to forge a new nation, were chipped away due to the politics of fear and hatred. And I despaired that justice for all was nothing but a fantasy, something I would never, could never see achieved in my lifetime.

Well, as Dylan sang so eloquently during the height of the last great American revolution, the times they are a changin'. What I see in this man, what I see in this candidate for the President of the United States, is the will, desire and ability to inspire an entire nation to realize its full potential. I see the potential for the greatest political and cultural revolution of modern American history. I see the possibility that we are not doomed to become the most despised and mistrusted nation on the planet. For the first time in my life, I can begin to accept that perhaps, with this man's help, we might just be able to achieve liberty and justice for all. And I am beginning to have hope that someday I may actually be able to honestly and truthfully proclaim that I am proud to be an American.

Who knows, I might even feel good enough to remove the Canadian flag from my backpack.

Super Tuesday

I followed my heart and voted for Obama.

Why? Take five short minutes and watch this video to find out:


Thanks to Sue and Chris for pointing out this video to me. Obama's is message of change and hope is one that I hope resonates with every American out there. This nation desperately needs it.