Election 2008

by Josh Wood Nov 9, 10:16 PM

Every so often you get crushed by events that conspire to keep you from attending to details. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post anything, so an election recap is probably a good place to start to catch up – and to end the stream of stories about politics.

Proposition 8 and Others of the Same Ilk
I will never understand this need that people have to go out of their way to restrict the freedoms of others, even when those freedoms have absolutely no bearing on their own lives. It’s like the equivalent of your neighbor looking through the window of your home and asking you to stop eating pretzels – because they don’t like pretzels. If you don’t like pretzels, then don’t eat pretzels. It all seems very un-American to me.

An Inside/Out View of Fung Defeating Fogarty
Fung soundly defeated Fogarty in Cranston’s mayoral race, and I was surprised by the magnitude of the victory. My exposure to both candidates seemed equal and minimal. I got the same number of flyers, noticed a balanced distribution of lawn signs, and got an even number of hand shakes. I saw both candidates as relative “outsiders” who could run the city without the influence of ghosts from the past. There was something about Fung’s business-first fortitude (and possibly even his heartbreaking 70 vote loss from last year?) that helped propel him to victory.

Rachel McNally
I was saddened to see that friend Rachel McNally had fallen short in her Ward 6 bid. I can only hope that the residents of Ward 6 truly appreciate the amount of energy Rachel has put into fighting for the preservation Cranston’s open space. And I can only hope, for the sake of Cranston’s open space, that she continues that fight.

Open Space
It was heartening to see both open space bond referenda pass. It’s clear that Rhode Islanders appreciate the urgent need to protect the dwindling acreage of farmland and forest. Credit has to be given to the resident groups and candidates who campaigned feverishly on behalf of the referenda. Floating Deer Head would’ve expressed his joy, but it’s muzzleloader deer season here in Rhode Island, so he’s laying low.

And Obama
Election day was infused with so much emotion. Many said they were moved by the sight of their neighbors, young and old, families and individuals of all races, walking to the polls. As corny as it might sound, it is a stirring sight.

The second emotional peak for me came when the president elect took the stage in front of the crowd of thousands in Chicago. I was moved by the fact that I was witnessing an incredible milestone in US history. I was moved by the realization that a vast majority of voters, including voters from traditionally republican states, had turned out in record numbers to vote for Obama. I was moved by the relief that eight years of presidential buffoonery were coming to an end. The election renewed by faith in the country. And I can finally forget my unanswered question: how the hell could America have voted that Texan into office – not just for one term, but for two?

We can finally put the travesty known as the Bush Years behind us, although we’ll likely be suffering from his dubious legacy for years to come. It will be refreshing to hear sound bites from a president with both knowledge and charisma. Maybe education will once again be seen as a positive thing in politics – and this apparent embrace of the grossly ignorant will be just a passing fad. I know, I know. How “elitist” of me. But seriously.

Tuesday was simply an incredible day. I was too emotional, too proud and too thankful to be a part of it, to get any sleep that night. After waking up to a nightmare after the previous two elections, I went sleepless – elated that it wasn’t all just a dream.

OK
Now back to your regularly scheduled flamingos and cement lions.

Oh yeah, image courtesy of Obamabats. Thanks DelBonis.

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