There is hope for us yet!

What a place to be this morning. I am over the moon that Barack is our President –elect. I never really thought the American people would come through. My faith in my country is restored. I can’t see him on TV without tears coming to my eyes every time. It’s a miraculous time.
I was so impressed by the volunteers who came out for Barack. At the SJ campaign headquarters you saw every type of person. I saw young Black people and young whites which was a wonderful site to see. The passion shown by young voters is incredible and hopefully not an anomaly. There were people both Black and white in their 30s, 40s, and much, much older as well, giving up their time to make calls and knock on doors to create this climate of hope and change. I am just amazed and thrilled and I must say, a bit scared. Overall though, it’s just magic!

I hear Whoopie Goldberg say something profoundly moving this morning.
To paraphrase, she said "that she had always felt herself to be an American and a proud American but last night, she felt like she was able to put her suitcase down. She didn't even realize she had been holding it up all this time."
What a beautiful thing to finally put it down. Wow.

That the same people who elected Barack Obama would vote for Proposition 8 constitutionally banning same sex marriages is abhorrent! Why must there always be a social/moral caste system. Why must we always have someone to look down upon and make them wrong? The only glimmer of hope is that I know that someday things will change. Why must we wait for those who hate to die off? I am just devastated and shocked and angry. My brother said the reason he was for the idea of Prop 8 (He lives in Missouri so is not affected by this issue in any way. Yet.) is that he doesn’t want gays to be able to raise children. He would rather have that kids have no parents than gay parents. That anyone would choose to have kids in the foster system than with loving parents of any persuasion is incomprehensible to me. I just don’t get it. To vote based on how you wish things were is not logical or realistic. For myself, I think anyone who wants to provide a loving home for children should face no obstacle based on sexual orientation. Because someone is born gay is no reason to be treated any differently than anyone else damnit!

Thank goodness Proposition 4 is so far being voted down. But only narrowly.
The proposed law that would require doctors to notify parents of minors seeking abortions. Again that’s like saying that is we vote this law into affect teenage girls in trouble would no longer have abusive parents and that all kids can now easily go and speak to their parents when they are in trouble thanks to a bunch of misinformed voters. I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way.
There are so many misconceptions around Planned Parenthood. When PP or anyone is called pro-abortion it makes me crazy. No one is pro-abortion. It’s always, always a tragedy when someone is in the position of choosing abortion but PP gives information on all of a woman’s choices (CHOICE!) not only abortion. There is counseling and support for the women who need it.
We are pro-choice; not pro-abortion.

There is nothing that can be done about Prop 8. Next time though, I will work to defeat it. In the meantime all we can do is educate people whenever and wherever we can.

Today I will focus on the fact that my new president is a calm and measured man of great intellect, an original thinker with immense passion and compassion. We should all vow to work in service to the new ideals and vision of hope that we have chosen.