Post-Election Thoughts
I’m still floating on a high from Obama’s election. I know he won’t be perfect and a few months from now I’ll probably be bitching about mistakes he’s made, but right now I am just going to enjoy the incredible thrill of his election for as long as possible. I honestly didn’t think America would progress this far within my lifetime. And, speaking as a New Yorker, it’s so good to count as a “real American” again.
I watched the whole Indecision ‘08 special at home last night, and… you guys… Stephen Colbert was crying. Have I mentioned how much I adore him?
I’m also really enjoying all these articles about how the GOP is falling apart. My entire life has been dominated by the rise of the Republican party; Reagan was elected two years before I was born. I’ve dreamed of watching them crumble, and now–HA! FINALLY.
I’m also so pleased that several animal rights initiatives passed. California’s Proposition 2 was a huge victory; it requires that farm animals be confined in pens that enable them to turn around and stretch their limbs. While it’s only a small reduction in the horrors of the factory farming industry, this is still a huge step in raising awareness and reducing animal suffering. Massachusetts also voted yes on Question 3, which ends the exploitative greyhound racing industry in that state.
And I’m pleased that several anti-choice initiatives were rejected. Colorado defeated Amendment 48, which would have defined a fertilized egg as a person; South Dakota rejected anti-abortion Measure 11, which was a set-up to a Roe v Wade challenge; and California rejected Proposition 4, which required parental notifications and waiting periods.
Unfortunately my squee at all this good news is severely tempered by the passage of hateful anti-gay measures in California (Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage), Arizona (Proposition 102 to ban gay marriage), Florida (Amendment 2 to ban gay marriage), and Arkansas (Measure 1 to ban gay couples from adopting and being foster parents).
California is the biggest disappointment, since so much effort went into defeating that stupid ban, and the vote was so close. On the plus side, the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights are already challenging it in court. And the one thing that really makes me feel better is that the vote was clearly divided by age–younger people voted against it while older people voted for it. Not to be too crude, but at least it’s only a matter of time before the bigots die out. :P
Current Mood: 
disappointed & 
impressed
8 Responses to “Post-Election Thoughts”
Jerry on November 6, 2008 1:01 pm | Link
The oddest (at least to me) thing about Prop 8 passing was that it largely passed due to the Obama-inspired high turnout of African Americans, who voted for it 70-30. On the plus side, as far as I know, it will just take another similar proposition passing to undo it, and opinions are moving steadily in that direction.
Also, I think that with the Democrats taking over the New York State Senate, there’s at least some possibility that New York will approve gay marriage legislatively, which no other state has yet done (Paterson supports it, and the GOP in the Senate was blocking a vote). That would be a good thing to see.
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rusty-halo on November 6, 2008 1:26 pm | Link
Thatt would be awesome about New York. I’m really glad that Paterson openly supports gay marriage.
Proposition 8 is awful, but I am glad that it does seem that it will eventually be defeated, either in the courts or over time as public opinion changes. It’s a sad irony that so many African Americans voted for it, and the fact that they’re getting so much blame must make this extra frustrating for people of color who are also queer. *sigh*
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trepkos on November 6, 2008 1:24 pm | Link
Wow! They stopped greyhound racing?
That;’s amazing - it’ll be a long time before we manage that here.
at least it’s only a matter of time before the bigots die out.
HAHA! Yes, that’s my strategy - try to live longer than all the people I hate!
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rusty-halo on November 6, 2008 1:32 pm | Link
Proposition 8 passed by a much narrower margin than California’s previous anti-gay ballot initiative, so I definitely have a lot of hope when it comes to outliving the bigots. ;)
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nutmeg3 on November 6, 2008 2:19 pm | Link
I know how you feel. I’m not (as some Republicans are implying) stupid enough to think Obama’s going to snap his fingers and all will be right with the world, but I feel as if we finally have someone with brains and the right goals in charge, and that makes all the difference in the world.
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rusty-halo on November 6, 2008 2:30 pm | Link
Yeah, I don’t know anyone who thinks Obama is going to instantly save the world. But it’s just such a wonderful change to have someone intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful in the White House. After eight years of Bush, at least we’ll be moving in a better direction instead of continually getting worse!
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a_white_rain on November 6, 2008 6:11 pm | Link
I will forever love my memory of watching Jon tell me Obama won and watching Stephan cry. AND OKAY HAHA THAT I GOT AN HOUR OF THEM BEING AT EACH OTHER DID NOT HURT.
I was so delighted that some animal rights stuff passed. I can’t believe this stuff isn’t already just a given.
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rusty-halo on November 10, 2008 3:17 pm | Link
I’m going to have to watch that Jon and Stephen special a few more times. It makes me so happy to see them together!
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