Election Nov. 2008

It is now 12:20 AM and the United States has a new President elect. Barack Obama. I am thrilled that McCain lost, and also happy that there are only 3 months of Bush left.

That the Dems won most of the House seats as well, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. The Republicans blew it, and this election tells you that.

So far Prop 4 - the Abortion Limits measure is loosing 53% No vs 47% Yes. It has been 36 years since Roe v. Wade, and there is a lesson to learn here. Yes, a court decision brought about the legalization of abortion, just as court decisions have brought about many other changes, but after 36 years abortions are still legal.

Through the Regan and Bush 1 years, and through the Bush 2 years, the Republicans have had ample opportunities to mount serious challenges to abortion rights, but have only been able to whittle away at them. Abortion rights are here to stay. It's been three decades, let's find something else to do with all that wasted time.

Prop 8 is, at this time, passing 52% Yes vs 48% No. This is the measure that is stripping married Californians of their right to be married. But only some Californians. Just those who are gay and lesbian. That's right. Californians are voting to deny gays and lesbians the right to stay married. And this is something that is going to come back to haunt us. After all, if we were to change the target of this outlandish attack from gay and lesbian couples and make it mixed race couples, or anyone who didn't have plans to procreate, there would be quite a blow back over it. This is bigotry plan and simple. It is ugly. And I am sorry to say I know people who will likely have voted to deny equal rights to fellow Californians just because their biology is different.

Hateful and sad.

I am willing to bet that Obama is a man of his word, and will work to reach across party lines. I wonder if the right wing of the Republican party will have the balls to do the same thing.