I almost forgot! One year ago today was one of the most incredible days in American history!

And now for something completely different.  Politics.

On November 5, Carissa and I tried to get people’s opinions on what had happened the night before; we were hoping to generate an Obama-lovefest on video. The problem was that no one wanted to talk about it. We got a lot of “yeah, I’m way too tired, I need a break from thinking about it.” Even people who confessed they were “really excited” about him winning were just too weary, and I feel like that is the general feeling of a lot of people, even now.

However, folks, it’s time to pay attention. Four years from now the Republicans are going to come up and go “tappity-tappity-tappity-tappity-TAP! CHALLENGE!”* and it’s important that Obama supporters (regardless of what side of the aisle they sit on) are preparecd to say, “Give this guy four more years.” Or not. He might be a huge fuck up, and not deserve it. My point is that if you don’t follow along with what’s going on, you’ll never know for sure.

I’ve found this website called What is Obama Doing? So far been the easiest way to keep up with this presidency for me. Full disclosure, they seem to be biased towards a pro-Obama stance, which I don’t appreciate from a news source, but it’s really only a blog that posts other news sources, so I deal. Just a heads up. If you come across anything similar, especially one with a more critical view of the current administration, I’d appreciate knowing about it.

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* I am referring to one of the greatest scenes in the history of the Cosby’s on television. It features the late great Howard “Sandman” Sims tapping his heart out. He used to challenge tap dancers all over the US to dance offs, even in his 70′s and 80′s, and the legend goes that he never lost. I’m pretty sure you can blame my father for my love of this clip (the black one, that is. I have two. I have to clarify.)

I said to Rob the other day that now, whenever our children whine that they “can’t do it”, I will be able to say to them, “Did the first black President of the United States say ‘I can’t'?” And they’ll go “No”, and roll their eyes as I go, “Child, what did he say?” and they’ll sigh and mumble “Yes we can.” and I’ll go, “I don’t think I heard you.” and they’ll go, “Uh oh. Mom’s getting black on us.”

But whatever. I’m not raisin’ no fools.

It is an amazing, amazing day to live in a black neighborhood in New York City. At eleven on the dot last night I head my 16 year old neighbor burst out of her front door and yell, “Barack Obama!” That’s how I found out.

I ran outside, and there was literally dancing in the streets. A few doors down, a neighbor I had never met burst out of her house, arms raised in victory. I threw up my own arms, and we “woo hoo!”ed together. Another neighbor across the street spotted us. She ran out of her house and threw her arms around both of us and we cried together and shook our heads at the wonder of it all. I forgot to ask their names!

On the main street half a block down traffic slowed to a crawl. Everyone was leaning out of their cars and honking and waving and slapping high fives to the revelers who were in their way. A few older ladies came out of their apartments in housecoats and curlers. They’re “the church ladies” that I see walking to services every Sunday, and they began a chorus of “We Shall Overcome“. I joined them, but none of us could finish; we were crying too hard.

I am so happy.

In 2000 I idealistically voted for Nader. I wasn’t really “into” listening to the political commentary, and the little bit of research I did lead me to vote with my heart, not to influence the election. I still stand by that vote.

By 2004, I was horrified and disgusted by the aftermath of September 11th and 2003′s start of the Iraqi war, which I protested against, lost sleep over, and, five and a half years later (or, worse, 4188 American deaths later), disagree with and despise more than ever. For the first time in my life I contributed money to a campaign: Howard Dean. I was heart-broken when he lost the primary. In the final election, Kerry didn’t really seem like a great choice, but the alternative seemed so much worse. I voted against Bush, which, by default, meant for Kerry. I was upset when Bush won.

Now it’s 2008 and we have, for the first time in my life, a candidate that I admire as a politician and as a person. If Barack Obama is elected, I will finally be able to say that I love my president. Do I have problems with him? Yeah, but no one seems to be willing to let me run things (which means they would get done the right way!), so Obama is a good enough alternative.

Also, I can’t endorse someone who is ok with this war that I despise going on for “a hundred years”, doesn’t use a computer in 2008, doesn’t know what a condom does, and who doesn’t believe that women deserve equal pay. The McCain family is worth $136 million, he’s not exactly sure how many houses he owns, but he “doesn’t consider himself a rich man”. In the worlds of William Shatner, I just can’t behind that. There are other, more in-depth tax and economic reasons that I’m voting for Obama, too, but these are the issues, too often dismissed as trivial, that I have with McCain.

I usually don’t think voting on social issues is wise because I think that We The People have more influence on those issues (for now) than any President will. Still, the extreme conservativeness of Palin scares me. I don’t believe extremes in either direction belong in the White House, even as VP. So Obama it is. It’s time to take back the White House from people who will fuck it up even more.

I’m really deeply disappointed by the McCain-Palin campaign these past few days.  I disagree with enough of their policies to not vote for them, but I did have an enormous amount of respect for the way in which both Palin and McCain conducted themselves during the campaign.  The Obama-Biden ticket has been very respectful, too, and it’s been pleasant to watch the debates.  McCain refused to let his supporters carry on with the nonsense that Barack Obama is a Muslim terrorist, and Obama refused to let his supporters have a field day with Palin’s pregnant daughter.

All in all, a good race to watch with no mudslinging.  Until now, when McCain is loosing in the polls.  It’s so disappointing to see him grasping at silly straws as he slinks further and further in the polls, and I’m surprised that it’s being tolerated.  I can’t imagine the more intelligent members of the independent and undecided voter base (which is surprisingly large, even three weeks before the election) are going to be anything but turned off by this.  The below video is longish, but it illustrates the point beautifully.

Tonight Wednesday* is the third and final debate between the two Canidates, and I hope you’ll tune in, especially if you’re undecided.  Try to ignore the fact that John McCain looks half dead and Barack Obama adopts a smarmy tone when he’s disagreeing, and really listen.  If you need help processing, CNN will have the transcript on their website the next morning, and you can read it slowly.  Then visit FactCheck.org to see where each canidate stretched the truth a bit, and get the real non-partisan deal.  This is an important election (well, aren’t they all?) and you should be informed before you head to the polls.

*I wrote this in advance and posted it early, accidentally. The debate is Wednesday, October 15.