Sitting in the confetti

[catsittingstill]

Well, Ford didn't win. Neither did Brent Benedict (running for Zach Wamp's seat in the House of Representatives). That homophobic anti-gay marriage amendment passed. Bleah. I spent 12 hours at the Democrat headquarters and we didn't get one call from a person who needed a ride to the polls.

On the bright side, I spent most of that twelve hours talking with (or in some cases listening to) various people minding the store for the Democrat headquarters, bright, goodhearted, some steeped in local lore and culture, some transplants like me. It could have been a bleak and boring day, but actually it was pretty good. It did my heart good to talk to people who take the rights of women over our own bodies seriously, who think that gay people are people with the same rights as everyone else. Maybe we are the minority in this area. But we are not alone.

And on another bright side, we did take back the House by a considerable margin, and we might even take the Senate too. And in some tiny way I was arguably part of it. I'm kind of proud of that.

Comments

[randwolf.livejournal.com]

Ford had a damn good run, and got impressively far, considering the incredibly dirty campaign that Corker ran, and the entrenched racism of the state. But, damn, would have been nice to seem him win. Political change is a long, slow process--ultimately all that sustains people in it is the social connections, and it sounds like you've made some.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Yeah. That was something I wasn't expecting. (the social connections, I mean)

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

I think that may be the most important part, is the social connections; that is what sustains us through bad times and helps us build... rah-rah is one thing, community... that's what moves mountains.

Was good to finally meet you last night. More of that social connection thing... :) (which is part of what draws me to filk, too, is the social connection thing...)

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I was glad to meet you and Jenkitty too.

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, in a generic, non-partisan, flag-waving, patriotic way, for your extra bonus participation in the democratic process.

Thanks, in a specific, partisan, left-leaning, liberal way, for your extra bonus participation in the Democratic Party, and contributing to the change of power in the US House of Representatives.

Pet Peeve: I spent 12 hours at the Democrat headquarters

The adjective is "Democratic." "Democrat," as an adjective is a term used by opponents of the Democratic Party to try to separate it linguistically from its democratic principles. Stand tall and call it "Democratic headquarters."

It's good to hear about your participation!

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Ahem. Sorry. You're quite right. "Democratic." I will try to remember :-) As opposed to the un-Democratic party on the other side ;-)

I'm happy I participated.

[admnaismith.livejournal.com]

I'm proud of you, too. And yes, we got the Senate, too. I'm glad. Maybe Ford will go for the other Senate seat in two years. If not, I'm sure there's something good in his future. He's very impressive.

Seems to me the Republic Party has been separated from it's stated principles for many years now.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

I think everyone agrees Ford will be back. And his very classy concession speech confirmed he's thinking of it.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I was wondering what he'd do next. Haven't actually heard the speech.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Well, we got the Senate, provided the Virginia recount goes our way, right? I'm hoping, but I remember the Florida recount.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Burns has conceded in Montana. There are reports that Allen is not planning to request a recount, even if he's entitled to one.