Call me crazy

So I'm an election judge on Tuesday, which means I am in the polling place from 5am until whenever we're done breaking down equipment. At least until 8pm. So that's a 15 hour day right there.

THEN, I figured, well I can't miss this. This is too big and too historic. So, yes, I signed up for the Grant Park Obama rally that night. Yes, I'm crazy. It's going to be an absolute zoo. Thankfully I registered in time to get a ticket - they're issuing free tickets first come first serve on their website so they have a way to limit the crowd size. So Donna and I and two friends of mine from school will be going.

Did I ever mention I hate crowds?

Yeah, I know. What the hell am I thinking, right?

I couldn't miss this though.

Technically, Hutchinson Field in Grant Park can hold 72,000 people. It's the same field where Radiohead played (in 2001 and 2008) and Rage Against the Machine played at Lollapalooza this past year. However, it IS a public park, and as long as it's during park hours, any amount of people can pack into the rest of Grant Park and try to listen and watch from afar - and they will. Daley already said the city is predicting a crowd of up to a million people in Grant Park. It will be worse than the Taste of Chicago fireworks. But I couldn't miss it. And if it gets to be too much, I can always leave.

I just hope everyone behaves themselves.


Stay tuned on Wednesday Nov 5th for the "fuckwittery at the polls" update where I detail all the stupid shit I witnessed as a judge and pictures/video from the Obama rally should I live to tell the tale...

Funny

My favorite line so far from the election judge handbook?

In the section dealing with voters requesting assistance (i.e. people with a disability that prevents them from voting on their own can have the assistance of the person of their choice):

"Intoxication is not a valid reason for receiving assistance in voting"


And... this just in. I *SO* lucked out. My judge assignment is my normal polling place - 2 blocks from my house. So getting there at 5am won't mean getting up at 3am!! YAY!

I voted, will you?

McCain supporters heckle early voters in North Carolina. Seriously people, what is this, 1965?



I don't understand what all the fuss is about over early voting. Don't they know that they too could vote early? Why is early voting "cheating"? I mean, until we make election days national holidays where nobody has to work, then there will always be people who will have difficulty getting to the polls on election days. Especially those who work several jobs or odd hours (i.e. the working class and working poor). Absentee balloting is complicated and requires specific reasons for their use. Early voting periods ensure that EVERYONE has an equal shot at casting a ballot for an election.

Illinois started early voting during the primaries. I took advantage of it then (on Martin Luther King Day) and I took advantage of it this time, last Monday. I didn't need a reason to do it, other than I wanted to. My mind was made up, and I won't be able to vote on election day because I'll be a judge and I don't know if I will be able to make it to my polling place in time, depending on my hours and location.

So if you have early voting in your area, go do it. Take advantage of it and show your local and state officials that there is support for early voting. Until we have a national election day holiday, it's the only way to ensure everyone gets a voice.

A shout out for my good friend ~V

I'm very proud of ~V. Today is the launch party for her very own literary journal that she founded with the help of a few other writers. Anyone who is a literary buff, certainly check it out and if you're a writer, consider submitting something for the next issue.

Congratulations ~V!!

Conclave: A Journal of Character

Yes, I'm still alive

I just have lots of stuff going on right now and the election season is getting so interesting that I can't sort out what I want to say... I'll be back soon. In the meantime, here's something to consider:

When the subject came up about the extremely negative (and sometimes violent) nature of the crowds at McCain/Palin rallies came up in the debate, McCain tried to say that it's because Obama wouldn't do "town hall" discussions. That does not excuse McCain for running a deceitful campaign and for inciting hatred and violence against his opponent.

What did he and Palin expect when they paint Obama as "palling around with terrorists" questioning his patriotism or his Americanness or his dedication to our country, or as a dangerous choice? Of course they're going to scare some people - and people do erratic things when they're scared.

McCain said he's heard similar things at Obama rallies - show me where. Show me audio or video of the same caliber. Obama won't even let his crowds BOO McCain at rallies.

This is what Olbermann had to say about it a few days ago.

Less than 100 days!!!

Check it out!

Just look at the countdown clock in the left margin!!

We're in the home stretch people!

Now to start the pool on how many more things he can fuck up before he leaves...

Doing my part

So a while back I filled out an application to be an election judge and I was selected!

So later this month there will be a training class (3 hours) and I'll find out which location I'll be assigned to.

I'm excited because I've always wanted to do more than just vote in an election. I feel like it's a way to give back to the system - volunteer some of my time to make sure that others can vote more efficiently.

And... a Funny from the Daily show:

Breaking down the Undecided Vote: