I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT CLOSE. BUT.
I'm pretty pumped about the election. And I think anyone who's listened to my complaints the past eight years, knows how badly I want this for our country.
I received a piece some time ago(when this contest over who will be President was believed to be "close") from fabulous Franklin Abbott, via a pal of his.
I think it's important to post this, because it brilliantly illustrates how racism still manages to succeed in "coloring" society's perceptions, and judgements.
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From Letters to the Editors @ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

How racism works
What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review? What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class? What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to? What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization? What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard? What if Obama were a member of the Keating 5? What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?
This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

- Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth
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In the past, I certainly gave John McCain credit for speaking out against the "swiftboating" of John Kerry. McCain repeatedly said that John Kerry served honorably, and with distinction. However, McCain also later EMPLOYED these same people(the ones who attacked Kerry--and the same ones who attacked John McCain himself/his family, back in 2000)to attack Senator Obama.
I think politics has been a very sad business, for a very long time. I hope that the outcome of this Presidential election will mark the beginning of a change--a true change. A movement toward hope, and peace.
Peace, kids.