History in process
It's been a crazy 24 hours and I think I am still processing it all. Overall, happy and sad. Mostly happy.
We took Hunter out of school so he could come and vote with us. I think it was the right decision, getting him some idea of what the process is like so that he can understand its import and value. He did go to a No on 8 rally with James on Sunday. On both days, he seemed to have fun. It was also nice to spend the morning with him for a change. I voted in my old elementary school (as I'm still registered at my parent's address), which was interesting to see again, with my child in tow. It looks so small now, but so much the same.
Voting mission accomplished, I headed to the newsroom for my third presidential election as a journalist. It's been an interesting place to be on election night. It's changed a little each time, with the Internet playing more and more of a role in results, as is to be expected. In my opinion, it's still the place I'd most like to be on this particular night, the feeling of anticipation, the debates and talk among the co-workers, watching, wanting to be a part while still getting what needs to get done on the shrinking deadline. Answering the phones from the public (and excited co-workers off-site) while reading a story, IMing with the other newsroom, figuring out photos/headlines with the bosses, making sure photogs got images in and reporters got stories done on time, (Facebooking,) and watching CNN. It's crazy, but a good crazy. I was at work until after 1 a.m., but on that night, eating chewy pizza, cookies and cokes, it seemed right, somehow.
I found myself a bit emotional watching the candidates give their respective speeches. (I wasn't alone in that, either.) I just kept thinking about Martin Luther King's dream and how his children and grandchildren were watching it happen. About those who fought so long for the right even to vote and how it was their moment. The jubilation of a people, a country, who had put aside race for a moment and picked the president based on the content of his character. No, he's not as liberal as I'd like, but I picked Obama because I think he's a decent, intelligent, principled man who wants to do good for the country. Maybe I will be proven wrong, but I sure hope not. At least there is not a Republican about to take office. I can't imagine that.
I was, however, very disappointed in California's approval of the ban on gay marriages. I couldn't believe it and kept checking tallies all night. I didn't realize we were so backward. The legal challenges have already begun, so perhaps there is something to hope for. I know I don't want H. to grow up in a place that has rights for some, but not all. The religious right is really scaring me. It's like we haven't learned our lessons from history and continue to repeat bad, intolerant patterns based on ignorance and fear. So many people just didn't see past - didn't care to see past - the weak arguments supporters had for this. At least it was close in L.A. County. My co-worker said it made her want to apologize to her friends who are gay. I agree. *Hugs to you all - We're not all close-minded haters!*
All in all, whatever their views, it was incredible to see so many people care so much about politics and getting involved in the election process, many for the first time. It's democracy! In L.A. County, the turnout of registered voters was slightly above 82 percent, which was high, but not a record. Wow. We can honestly say the people have spoken.
And then today, I could not find a newspaper anywhere. Nor could anyone else, apparently. We sold out of our paper in three hours today and had people calling the newsroom all day and all night looking for today's paper. It was the same with many other papers today, at least that's what the wires said. After our public office closed, I kept taking copies down to the lobby. I gave away my last two papers at 10:30 p.m. as I was headed home. Sure, it would have been easier to tell people we were out - but hey, they are interested and reading our paper! My work - at least for one day - will be a part of their history. And that's kind of awesome.
We took Hunter out of school so he could come and vote with us. I think it was the right decision, getting him some idea of what the process is like so that he can understand its import and value. He did go to a No on 8 rally with James on Sunday. On both days, he seemed to have fun. It was also nice to spend the morning with him for a change. I voted in my old elementary school (as I'm still registered at my parent's address), which was interesting to see again, with my child in tow. It looks so small now, but so much the same.
Voting mission accomplished, I headed to the newsroom for my third presidential election as a journalist. It's been an interesting place to be on election night. It's changed a little each time, with the Internet playing more and more of a role in results, as is to be expected. In my opinion, it's still the place I'd most like to be on this particular night, the feeling of anticipation, the debates and talk among the co-workers, watching, wanting to be a part while still getting what needs to get done on the shrinking deadline. Answering the phones from the public (and excited co-workers off-site) while reading a story, IMing with the other newsroom, figuring out photos/headlines with the bosses, making sure photogs got images in and reporters got stories done on time, (Facebooking,) and watching CNN. It's crazy, but a good crazy. I was at work until after 1 a.m., but on that night, eating chewy pizza, cookies and cokes, it seemed right, somehow.
I found myself a bit emotional watching the candidates give their respective speeches. (I wasn't alone in that, either.) I just kept thinking about Martin Luther King's dream and how his children and grandchildren were watching it happen. About those who fought so long for the right even to vote and how it was their moment. The jubilation of a people, a country, who had put aside race for a moment and picked the president based on the content of his character. No, he's not as liberal as I'd like, but I picked Obama because I think he's a decent, intelligent, principled man who wants to do good for the country. Maybe I will be proven wrong, but I sure hope not. At least there is not a Republican about to take office. I can't imagine that.
I was, however, very disappointed in California's approval of the ban on gay marriages. I couldn't believe it and kept checking tallies all night. I didn't realize we were so backward. The legal challenges have already begun, so perhaps there is something to hope for. I know I don't want H. to grow up in a place that has rights for some, but not all. The religious right is really scaring me. It's like we haven't learned our lessons from history and continue to repeat bad, intolerant patterns based on ignorance and fear. So many people just didn't see past - didn't care to see past - the weak arguments supporters had for this. At least it was close in L.A. County. My co-worker said it made her want to apologize to her friends who are gay. I agree. *Hugs to you all - We're not all close-minded haters!*
All in all, whatever their views, it was incredible to see so many people care so much about politics and getting involved in the election process, many for the first time. It's democracy! In L.A. County, the turnout of registered voters was slightly above 82 percent, which was high, but not a record. Wow. We can honestly say the people have spoken.
And then today, I could not find a newspaper anywhere. Nor could anyone else, apparently. We sold out of our paper in three hours today and had people calling the newsroom all day and all night looking for today's paper. It was the same with many other papers today, at least that's what the wires said. After our public office closed, I kept taking copies down to the lobby. I gave away my last two papers at 10:30 p.m. as I was headed home. Sure, it would have been easier to tell people we were out - but hey, they are interested and reading our paper! My work - at least for one day - will be a part of their history. And that's kind of awesome.