Dear Mr. President,

Don’t screw this up.

Sincerely,
Brandon

Yay, Obama won. I had a good time voting and a better time watching the results. Funny thing is, once Ohio was called I realized it was over and cheerfully fell alseep.

Now it’s a brand new day in America and that feels great.

Yes, Sarah Palin scares the hell outta me too. Can we pass a law that specifically forbids her from holding any position of power.

I want Obama to win. It’s as simple as that. I’m under no illusions that he’s perfect, or that his presidency would be error free. But I’m willing to bet on the new guy precisely because he’s the new guy.

John McCain is old. Hillary seems old. They both are products of their times and really what have those times gotten modern American? The baby boomers and those before them have had their chance on the stage and done a bad job. Sweep’em away and let the new guy go on. Whatever happens, he can’t fuck it up anymore than the complete mess America is in at the moment.

Go Obama. Please remember to keep it in your pants.

There’s been a lot said and written already about Obama’s speech on racism. But my favorite view so far has been Cobb’s:

Obama certainly was willing to take on that mantle as the leader of the free world, and why wouldn’t he? The president is many things to many people. But when push comes to shove, there is only so much of that symbolism any reasonable man can shoulder, and Obama has demonstrated a bit of wisdom in shrugging off that responsibility today. He disowns no one, and takes no responsibility for their dysfunctions. That’s on you.

There’s really nothing left to say.

Indeed. It’s up to people to make the world a better place. Leaders can inspire, but the final change rests with you.

Here’s the United States Bill of Rights, copied from http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm. I’ll still amazed at the brevity of it.

It’s worth pointing out that “Free Speech Zones” were created recently so that government can dictate when and where you can have your free speech.




THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution

The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Especially first thing in the morning. These are the quiet times, when a person is still getting themselves together and slowly easing themselves into reality. We don’t need to see pictures of the hanging of Saddam Hussein first thing in the goddamn morning.

A simple, “Hey, there’s some messed up pictures at this link, clink if you want to see them”, would be very nice or at the least, very polite, if you don’t want to see pictures of death first thing in the morning.

Created by BoingBoing reader Brian Topping.

Below the fold are screenshots of elections graphs by various news sites or blogs. It’s surprising how fancy doesn’t mean easy to read and the absolute best counter is surprising low tech.

Yay, yay it’s election day here in the states, though I’m sick as a dog. Evidently there is only so much hot sauce my body can stand, so it was a half day of work and then feet up on the couch.

I don’t have much to say about the elections other than I hope Democrats win SOMETHING, just so the craziness gets slowed down. And to all these people saying there’s do difference between either party, I betcha if Al Gore had been President we would not have been in Iraq. Anyone suggesting it would have been mocked outta (insert your own personal super holy space here).

Oh, and Sara Robinson has a nice (and long!) piece on liberalism and the vision thing. A bit flowery and dramatic at times, but does a good job of laying out where the politics of this country have been and maybe where they can go.