And Now It Begins

Congratulations, Mr. President.

Now - the hard part.

Here's to the next four years.

Blogging Blagojevich et al.

I've been meaning to write something about this Blagojevich scandal for the past few days, but I've had a hard time coming up with words to appropriately convey my disgust. The violation of public trust, the greed, the ego, the blatant disregard for even a nod to ethical conduct in what amounted to auctioning off a seat in the United States Senate to the highest bidder borders on the incredible.

But what is more incredible to me is not the extent of this alleged crime - although Blagojevich's unethical conduct is proven already by the content of the released tape recordings beyond any legal ruling - nor its particular unsavory character, but rather that behavior such as this - unethical, shameful, criminal behavior - is so prevalent, unsurprising, and almost expected of our elected representatives in the highest of public offices.

Spitzer, Stevens, Jefferson, Blagojevich - the list of recent disgraces goes on and on.

While the so-called "Blagola" scandal highlights the potential corruption associated with executive appointment to an otherwise elected legislative office, it helps raise the issue of these appointments in general. Even absent any intent of wrongdoing, for the responsibility of selecting a seat in the U.S. Senator to fall upon one individual seems to run counter to our democratic ideals. Several states have worked around the Constitutional amendment allowing for state governors to appoint senators to fill vacancies, but others - Illinois obviously included - do not have any such legislation on the books (although happily it appears that Illinois is pursuing this as well as other options to foil an appointment by Blago, who refuses to resign).

This election season presents additional thorny appointment questions:

• Delaware: An elderly Biden aide appointed in what cynics say is a clear placeholder for Beau Biden upon his return from Iraq
• New York: Hullabaloo galore over Caroline Kennedy's apparent front-runner status in the Empire State Senate Sweepstakes.
  
• Colorado: The departure of Salazar to join Obama's Cabinet leaves another Senate vacancy.
  
• Illinois: Blagola, but also the coming House vacancy of one Rahm Emanuel.
  

These are not decisions for one man to make. Let the people decide. I can appreciate the need for expediency, and temporary appointments may make sense within certain restrictions, but special elections should be required within 90 days or some similar variation. There is too much at stake to entrust this to executive fiat. It's up to the individual states to enact legislation to protect their citizens - and their seats in Congress - from such potential abuses of power. (Luckily the Commonwealth enacted such legislation in 2004.)

Its history-making aspects aside, there are a lot of crazy and interesting things going on from a Constitutional/legal/political standpoint with the fallout from this presidential election.

I mean, check out what's going on up in Minnesota!

God Bless America!

I attended the God Bless America party at Cruftlabs this past Saturday to celebrate Lydia's Election Day birthday and our new President-elect. Scottotools Buildsalot constructed a "voting booth," complete with a lever that, when pulled, takes a digital photograph and automatically uploads it. You can see the booth and read about the intricate technical details here and check out the entire gallery of pics here. Great stuff - as always - from the Scotticus-elect (four more years!) The party was a blast, and I was happy to have had the chance to meet Governor Palin in person. She's quite charming without the filter of the liberal gotcha media!


Sarah Palin & MRhé



Dr. Mal Pragtiss, MRhé, Jef with one F, Mandy



Scottospecs Niceframes, Jef avec une F, MRizzle, Rooroo

(Photos and fun courtesy of freedom and a distinct lack of sobriety.)

Obama Grabs Headlines Worldwide

Yesterday's news.

Via Rhode.

Partially Cloudy

In this glorious historic election, in which Obama appealed to the better nature of so many Americans - a nature of acceptance and inclusivity, rejecting the shackles of ideology - it is a bit disheartening to see this:



and this:



Change in America doesn't happen overnight. But it does happen - eventually for the better.

Victory

President-elect Barack Obama gave his victory speech last night before a crowd widely estimated to be around 125,000. He was humble, gracious, and although he acknowledged the importance of the victory in both its historic and current context, his tone was somber, almost grave. He spoke more to the challenges ahead of us than to his unprecedented win. He reached out earnestly to the significant portion of the population who did not support him, saying that he would need their help, and that he would be their President too. Unifying. Inclusive. We face difficult times, but we have in the past, and the United States has prevailed and emerged the better for our difficulties. Let us now rise to Obama's challenge as he must rise to meet ours.

An amazing night. I can't wait for the next few months to unfold.

Concession

I thought McCain gave an excellent concession speech - gracious, emotional, and classy. Not a trace of anger or bitterness. He spoke of working together under the future President Obama. His message was inclusive and seemingly genuine, as he looked taken aback at times at the undignified reactions of his audience. A message that was unfortunately wholly absent from his campaign.

The finest speech of his campaign. If he had carried himself with such grace and dignity throughout, tonight's result might have been very different.

The 44th

History.

A Conversation: On Voting

"It was my first election."
"Your first? Really?"
"Growing up...nobody ever showed me how to vote or told me I should vote. And it never really seemed important before. It was always between fric and frac....But I think America has a huge decision to make this time."

Indeed. What better time for one's first vote?

It's a Beautiful Day

And I'm not talking about the gorgeous mid-60's, sunny weather today in our Great and Noble Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I just got back from waiting in line for a little over an hour to cast my vote for Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. I am thrilled to be living at this point in American history, to participate in what is already a historic election. No matter the result, history will remember this election in the midst of dark times for the United States.

People were excited, happy, and there was that palpable excitement in the air, that sort of ineffable feeling of interconnectedness with one's fellow man that is unfortunately all too rare. To say that my political participation up until this year was apathetic would be to sugar-coat it. I didn't vote in 2004; in 2000 I gave Nader my support mainly because I believed that strong alternative parties would do this country good (which I still believe). For a number of reasons I had my political awakening in this election, and I am happy to have found a candidate who excites and inspires me, in whom I have the utmost confidence to lead the greatest country on earth back to its proper standing, at home and abroad.

Positivity. Chicken soup for the enfranchised soul.

Across the Pond

US election fever hits the UK:

"We've done virtually no advertising, but we're already oversubscribed," said Mr. Downey of an election-theme event planned at his club. In return for their £125 ($200) tickets, guests can choose to be identified as Republicans, Democrats or independents (all nationalities are welcome). Republican partygoers will be given a toy rifle and a Bible upon arrival, while Democrats will receive mock food stamps and a tax bill.

I assume the independents get limitless real ale and a smug sense of satisfaction at abstaining from partisan politics?

30 Reasons

Check out 30reasons.org, which has a new reason to vote for Obama and a related design by a different artist each day from October 5th up until November 4th. Some great stuff in there. The above image with the following passage is a succinct reason why we should elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States:

To keep America balanced we need to at least try new ideas and new directions. Whether you agree totally with Obama or not, it's obvious that if we continue down a single philosophical path without some new approaches and new ideas, this country will suffer even more than it has now.

Thanks to Mean Rachel for the link.

On Literature & the Presidency

An interesting essay in the Times Sunday Book Review about the favorite books of the current candidates and previous presidents. I found this passage particularly interesting, having read this not too long ago:

Most interesting, though, was McCain’s reaction when I suggested that his father, a career naval officer who rose to be commander in chief of the Pacific forces during the Vietnam War, was rather like Victor (Pug) Henry, the hero of Herman Wouk’s “Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance.” Exactly, McCain said: his father was exactly like Pug Henry. Later, I reread the last pages of “The Winds of War.” In them, Henry watches his son set sail from Pearl Harbor aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise: “He could almost picture God the Father looking down with sad wonder at this mischief. In a world so rich and lovely, could his children find nothing better to do than to dig iron from the ground and work it into vast grotesque engines for blowing each other up? Yet this madness was the way of the world.”

Interesting and amusing as well that both politicians admire Robert Penn Warren's brilliant All The King's Men.

Does Your Vote Matter?

A nice article in Slate on why, despite the long odds, it does.

The upshot? Vote.

The Economist Endorses Obama

Boom. Take a look at their Global Electoral College map, too. Good stuff.

Once again, tip o' the cap to Steele's Facebook status. Nice ticker, that.

"God has been good to me."

Indeed He has, Amanda. A pretty amazing story. Lincoln would've been proud.

Props to Mean Rachel for the link.

Why Obama?

Benoc's got a nice piece up answering this very question.

Opie's Call to Action

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Hat tip to the newly-kickin'-it-in-the-Hub Rhode for the vid.

Obama-Palin '08?

Yeesh. Someone get these people some campaign literature!

Via The Good Doctor.

Powell Endorses Obama

Gen. Colin Powell not only endorses Obama, but speaks on what America should strive to be. Brilliant.