You should be voting.
And now we’ll take our own internal poll:
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What are you doing here?41 comments to What are you doing here? |
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Mailed mine in, grateful not to have to stand in the lines. Got invited, however, to stand with a friend, but opted out on grounds that I’m sooo easily engaged in political conversation these days.
That gave her cause for concern and she agreed that it might be best if she went alone, being uncomfortable with the level of intensity that life elevates to when yours truly gets on a jazz about certain political choices to be made this time around…and personal responsibility and the Constitution…and just about every other damn thing there is to be decided upon this time around.
Go America! Beat Socialism!
I’ll be voting at lunch. Hopefully the lines won’t be too bad.
Voted this morning. Got there at 6:40, the line was about 30 people then. At 7 when the polls opened there were more thant 150 in line. All in good humor and only veiled political talk.
I just got back. I took all three of my boys with me. They were really excited by the whole thing, LOL.
But, not as excited as they were yesterday when they got to see the new USS Freedom parked in downtown Milwaukee.
Polls opened at 6 (ET), i tooled up at 7:30 with #1 son it tow (his first ever attempt)…
no line, no wait, had time for the poll workers to earn their keep by having them explain the ballot layout to him (again) regarding “Propositions at the Top”, and “individual positions in columns versus party slates in rows”…
(explaining things in terms of “header block”, columns, and rows makes things soooo much easier when the listener is Excel fluent.)
Heather,
Good for you; you’re starting your boys off on the right track.
Proud of you.
Just got a call from my daughter. She and my wife voted on the way to work. Then they were on the way to Starbuck’s to get there free tall brewed coffee.
Daughter’s 19 and this is her first national election. I think it means a little more to her now, since she’s going into the Navy in January. Nothing like voting for your Commander in Chief to make you think.
By the way, is it really true that Starbuck’s is named after the character from Moby Dick?
I live in a (very) small town in SW Wisconsin – polls opened at 7. On my morning run I passed by the NG Armory (local polling place) about 0630 and there were several people already in line – even here in our little town. Made me proud to see that.
Voted myself this morning. Kids have been other times and we have discussed the election and voting often around the dinner table. We’ll all watch and discuss the results come in tonight. Very much looking forward to it. And to the cessation of the robocalls.
Brian
Off Topic – Lex, the advertisement showing up at the bottom of this page is for a site called “TheRichJerk.com”. I take it that’s open ad space uncontrolled by you and filled by others. The site in question doesn’t seem your style.
Went to our polling place at 5:55am EST; they opened at 6:00. There was already a line about 90 feet long. By the time we found a place to park and make our way to the door, polling had opened and the line was moving. Not briskly, but moving. 30 minutes from start to finish. CT is predicting 90% voter turnout.
I’m hopeful today. Nervous but hopeful. At the very least The Oracle and I cancelled out the votes his parents will place today. It’s infantile I know but it may be all we have to hang on to come morning.
Well,
I have voted, as have my two older children and their mother. That’s 3:1 for McCain.
Sadly, there is no Starbucks nearby. Not that I like their coffee. I prefer Green Mountain or Dunkin’, but free is free…
Kris and Lex … we already voted this morning as well. After all the gloom-and-doom stories in the Houston Chronicle about hours long waits, it took us about ten minutes total. I gather, Kris, that The Oracle lives in your house. I thought I had the only one.
I’m comforting myself with one thought. Over the past ten months while the City has been installing new storm sewers on my block and then repaving [gosh, what a mess that has been], I’ve talked to an awful lot more people than an 80-year old person who lives quietly usually does. I added the conversations up last evening and realized that every supervisory type and even some of the backhoe operators volunteered that they were voting for McCain rather than Mr. Hope-and-Change. Like Joe the Plumber, they know darn well that the Big O would raise their taxes and take their hard-earned money to spread around to the Lotos-Eaters who are too good to work hard every day.
Of course, Texans are pretty tough and practical, but in the big cities, we have the usual supply of elitists, just as the rest of the country does. Bu maybe, just maybe, things might break our way — the grown-up way.
Marianne
I voted on my way to the office this morning. According to the machine that read my paper ballot I was voter 384 in my precinct. Our section of SE Wisconsin has been a Republican stronghold, but I have been seeing a trend to the left, so whether we remain “red” in this election is an open question.
Lex, you appear to have a significant readership in Wisconsin. You really should come visit.
Saturday should be quite the day at Veterans Park. The USS Freedom commissioning at 1000 and the Veterans Day Parade at 1100. I’ll add “icing to the cake” by finishing my day at the VA hospital.
Sandi
Idaho Joe, RE Starbuck’s name…I did recall reading somewhere, sometime in the dim dark way-back that the chain was indeed named after a Moby Dick character…a Google search confirmed it… Starbuck was Ahabs First Mate and was apparently coo coo for coffee… works for me. Best
PS, Please remember to vote early and often … the lesser of two weevils needs your support.
Voted this morning – zero wait. Of course my precinct is primarily empty land. There is another precinct that votes in the same building and it looked like they had a big line.
It was hard to vote for a blessed ‘Brownshoe’,
but this ‘Blackshoe’ managed it.
Remember your basic navigation:
Can Dead Men Vote Twice – At Elections.
Has anyone mentioned that is you posted a beautiful image of our National Ensign?
I voted at 0720 at the local elementary school before the runningof the 0800 Parental Grand Prix. The one “negative” element was the use of child shills to jump out in front of vehicles with “Vote NO on Question 8″ signs. These kids are being used to allow & promote gay marriages. They must be products or proponents of turkey baster conceptions, or lese they wouldn’t be here.
The wait was minimal and my vote has been cast on genuine paper.
Mailed it in. SJB, did you notice the TV “No on PROP 8″ campaign never mentions Gay Marriage, only that the PROP is unfair, and discriminates, and hitches its wagen to some of our “lesser” days. Feinstien’s radio plugs were pathetic.
True Virgins Make Dull Company- At Weddings.
On my way out the door shortly. Should be quick and easy.
And I’ll stop by Starbucks and grab a cuppa. Just because I can…
I completed by 0722. Got there at 0655. Not bad. 10 times the normal amount o’folks encountered in past elections in my “Free State” tenure/ordeal. Surveyed the crowd. Quick visual reminded me of the faces after the Simpson verdict TV crowd scan.
Marianne- methinks the “fear” vote will keep us competitive .
xBrad- it’s timid virgins make dull companions….TRUE.
b2
B2,
Lost cause here in the Land of the displaced NE Coast Bohemian Prolitariat but dropped mine in the mail of the week last. I agree with you that the “FEAR FACTOR” will be what decides this election- in other places.
I decided to google “Can Dead Men Vote Twice – At Elections” and the one about Timid/True Virgins rather than ask what it referred to in here.
For the latter, google supplied me with this variant: True Virginians Make Dull Companions (at weddings)
-not sure how Virginians feel about that.
What? You guys get free Starbucks coffee just because you voted?! Hrrmph … guess you do live in the best country in the world, after all.
Who knew?
…I gather, Kris, that The Oracle lives in your house. I thought I had the only one….
Marianne – why yes I too have an Oracle living in my house. For 25 years now. He’s quite sweet if a bit annoyingly – knowledgable.
It is always ‘Wednesday’ before your ‘Tuesday’ Prez Election here in Oz – so we know the outcome already. Cool. What?
We always “Vote Early” & “Vote Often” in our ‘Compulsory Voting System’ here – not that everyone manages to vote though. At least we get to vote on Saturday (mostly your Friday) and we have postal voting. GO POSTAL! 
Voted. Took 7 minutes, parking lot to parking lot. Even took time to thank the super annuated voter volunteers. Guess 11:00 AM is a good time to vote.
Drove through the busiest intersection in the state on my way. 10 people waving McCain/Palin signs and one poor woman with an Obama/Biden sign. She didn’t look happy. Did I mention I love Idaho? It doesn’t get much redder than here, even though the Boise area is a little more liberal than the rest of the state.
By the way, how come Republicans are Red and Democrats are Blue? If you’re a true “red,” aren’t you a liberal, thus more probably a Democrat?
Just sayin’…..
Kris,
The Oracle sounds like my kind of guy. When daughter called up to say she voted, she also said, “Mom and I are wondering how someone could win the election and lose the popular vote. Mom said you’d know.”
And yes, I did know. And when I don’t know I can make up good answers with the best of them.
I voted yesterday, not sure the folks who usually man my polling booth were up to the task, and time today is limited. Stood in line for an hour and a half at my county registrar’s office, which is in the downtown of a fairly large city. Stood with hundreds of others, every age, every color, gender, creed, and sexual orientation.
Didn’t see any big city elitists; no one seemed scared; there was no fighting; no politicking. They were just a bunch of Americans, quietly and patiently waiting to have their say. Instead of being frustrated and grumpy, the registrar office’s workers were amazed and thrilled, even though it was clear they would be staying long past 5pm.
I thought it was a beautiful sight and I was glad my daughter was with me to see it.
And Michelle–not only is there free coffee, there are free donuts and ice cream cones too
km, What are you doing? Don’t tell the Canadians about the free donuts and ice cream! We’ll be having to build a fence on the Northern border now!
Voted for the first time a couple weeks ago via absentee ballot. Pretty cool to have a say in who your boss is going to be. Unfortunately I don’t have the chance to go out and get my free coffee/ice cream, but whatever. I got to vote, that’s what matters.
I voted by fax (gotta love the state of Alaska) 2 weeks ago. MacGyver voted by mail last week.
Both times we sat our kids down and explained both of these options to them and why these options are important for military families. This afternoon, I’m taking them over to our local polling place and letting them take a look around.
Wonder if SBUX will accept the fax receipt of my vote? Except I don’t drink coffee…
Here’s your chuckle for the day.
When I first read the poll options above, I thought there were only three. With the third one being ” I’m not a US citizen, good luck. I’m content to be led, sheeplike, by whomever the rest of you choose.” Thought to myself, well, that’s rather harsh. Even if it might be true!
I voted that I voted. Don’t know if it got counted; this poll appears busted on my ancient system.
I was at the polls at 0706 and there were fifty or so folks in front of me. Went for Saracuda and That Old Angry Guy, of course.
Guns and judges, baby, guns and judges! Anybody else that hasn’t voted, hie thee thither and stand athwart the foul progress of the O-Hole!
(wow, that seems a bit strange, but hey so am I)
IdahoJoe: another one. My dad was an Oracle; my husband has taken up the mantle. Like I said, sweet but annoying.
Voting today was a very empowering feeling. Specifically because – and I know this will be shocking – it’s my first time. Voting.
Yes. As political as I am, it’s my first time.
You see, I grew up in a religion that forbids it (long story). By the time I left organized religion, it was 1998. So I registered to vote in 2000 – then had to be on a business trip on Election Day that year, without enough advanced notice to send in an absentee ballot. On vacation in 2004 and same thing, came up suddenly and no time to file the absentee ballot.
So – for the first time in my life I voted today. I got a frisson of exciting energy as I filled in my little oval. Typing these words I still fill that jolt and buzz of energy.
Filing in those little ovals was reminiscent of taking the SATs – with more pressure.
McCain/Palin – save our Republic.
xbradtc/b2: concur on substituting “timid” for “true” (for which, if any, is ever really “true), but the more practical ending (vice “at weddings”) is “ADD WHISKY”
Mailed my vote in a couple of weeks ago. I HOPE I’m up all night watching the returns from a close election with McCain the ultimate victor.
RetResMike,
That’s how I usually remember it, but this is a family oriented blog.
Michelle’s second comment above ‘is a bit harsh’.
Just wait until ‘Oz rools’ [Aussie Rules] (a would-be national game of football played only around Melbourne, Vic). Oh and of course played in Perth, WA – Land of the SandGropers.
Here in Hoosierville, no lines, no drama, no reporters, no NBPP members at the door, just a bunch of friendly, smiling, helpful folk.
A beautiful day, the family’s healthy, the winds are fair and though the nation’s course may veer, my plot is set.
Tomorrow comes.
I voted this evening; almost no wait, and the poll workers allowed as to how there was a pretty good turnout for this one.
But before that, being nearly at the end of my vacation, I got to take my son flying. First time in a small aircraft for him, and the first of our three kids that I’ve had the pleasure of breaking the surly bonds, etc. (He’s only 25; I’m a bit slow off the mark.)
Flew over to Harris Ranch, near Lemoore NAS, and it was good. He turned out to be something of a white-knuckle flyer, but allowed as how he’d like to try it again some time; and there were some “neat stuff to see from the air”. The bumpy air wasn’t in the plan, but you take what you get.
All told, the day was pretty darn fine.
Tomorrow I can start the dark muttering.
I almost missed this election. Would have been the first time in almost 25 years. Was in the data center in Nebraska last week, word comes down to get my tail into Florida the following Monday. I book a flight out of Sioux Falls on Sunday afternoon.
Do my pre-flight when I get home Friday night, my ID has expired. Suddenly realized I needed new ID to fly and I need to cast an absentee ballot to vote. I’m sure they’d take an expired drivers license as ID for a vote, but doubted TSA would do so for something as important as a flight. They have standards.
The DMV in Sioux Falls was open at 8am, I was number 2 in the line. $8 for another five years of the governor’s permission to operate, out the door as soon as the obligatory crappy photo was embossed. Not so bad, I don’t look exactly like the Son Of Sam this time.
Call the travel agency, no answer. Stop by the airport to explain my fate, discover there is no reservation because travel agency sends me the request for confirmation at 5pm EST on Friday and goes home for the weekend, never processing that e-mail saying book it.
Cool. Adjust schedule, pay the same ticket price at the gate, e-mail travel agency saying cancel, all is roses in my world. I can spend Sunday with family.
Which, the Little Tricycle Motor took her first two sequential unassisted and unsupported steps that day. Let go of the couch, lurched a couple of times, managed to grab onto me before her internal gyro’s tumbled and stood there smiling like only angels can. Was it only a year ago I was typing these out from her hospital room and she had to occassionally be reminded to breathe? How fleeting these moments are…
At the courthouse at 8am Monday, out the door by 8:15 and off to the airport. Boring flight, which is sort of a good thing.
This morning a co-worker was grousing that if he stopped to vote on the way home he might be late for dinner.
whimper
Well, as the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but it’s almost impossible to drown the dumb SOB.
– Max
Max, sweet news.
Yep, it’s hard to believe that it was a year ago you sprung that little Tricycle Motor on us. Almost in passing, like.