Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day - Good Morning!!

In case you weren’t aware – it's Election Day

I’m keeping a list of Election Day blogs to visit over on the sidebar – right on top
If you want to be included just let me know

Visit Matt-Man. Why? Because he’s Matt-Man.

And go over to Diane M’s place and let her know if you want to be part of tomorrow’s virtual celebration.

The Best Time to Vote

Do not delay voting.
The best time is immediately after breakfast. Look over your ballots carefully, and then go and deposit them. Polls open at 6.
Remember this year that you vote for a President.

Published: November 7, 1876
Copyright © The New York Times

I assume no one needs to be reminded that we’re voting for a President this year.

I’m voting right after my breakfast of coffee and cigarettes.

According to saveur.com:

JOHN MCCAIN, Republican presidential nominee, Arizona senator: Coffee, cereal, and fruit.

BARACK OBAMA, Democratic presidential nominee, Illinois senator: Four to six eggs, potatoes, and wheat toast. Every now and then, fruit, bacon, and oatmeal.

Source of "Vote Early and Often"

The cynical phrases "Vote early -- and often" and "Vote early -- and vote often" are variously attributed to three different Chicagoans: Al Capone, the famous gangster;
Richard J. Daley, mayor from 1955 to 1976; and William Hale Thompson, mayor from 1915-1923 and 1931-1935. All three were notorious for their corruption and their manipulation of the democratic process. It is most likely that Thompson invented the phrase, and Capone and Daley later repeated it.

A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election. ~Bill Vaughan

I’m trusting this is less of a problem this year!

In a sad turn of events – Senator Obama’s Grandmother – the woman who raised him - died yesterday.

This is part of a statement released by the Senator and his sister:

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

Peaceful journey Mrs. Dunham.

I saw this video on my local news last night. I really like these kids.



And finally here’s a speech by my favorite ‘American By Choice’
It’s about 8 minutes long but he is wonderful to listen to.



I’ll be back later today after I vote.

33 comments:

CrystalChick said...

Good morning Dianne!!!
I couldn't go back to sleep after hubby left for work. So here I sit... waiting... waiting.... and going to get dressed soon and walk over to the local library. I'm so excited, nervous, curious, happy, and a bunch of other stuff today.
Thank you for filling your space here with wonderful things. Stories, pictures, rants, and good information. I'm happy to spend a little of my day with you.
Hugs, Mary :)

bobbie said...

Good morning! It's 6:15AM, and I voted! I was within the first 10 in line. Knew there would be long lines later, and I can't stand that long. There was a crowd by the time I left after voting. What a turn out it's going to be!

CrystalChick said...

Back home from voting.
Less than 10 were ahead of me but it looked like it was going to be a busy day. Only thing that happened was one of the workers turned the collar down on my jacket because I have a small red, white, and blue Obama button on it. She said that can't be shown in a voting place. I did not know that.

Maithri said...

How exciting!

Its about 10pm over here in Australia, when I wake up tomorrow and head to work the polls will be closing...

I'll be sayin my prayers,

for the world,

My love to you dear friend,

M

Schmoop said...

Hi Di!! How can anyone not love a woman who has coffee and smokes for breakfast? You Rock. We got in line at 6:10 AM and were back home by 6:50. Going early was a good choice. Cheers!!

Dianne said...

crystalchick - they've been announcing on the news here about not wearing anything from either campaign. I guess that makes sense.
Congrats on voting early. I have to wait for my son to get home from work, my car is in the shop. I'm so excited I can't stand it!!

bobbie - good morning!! I'm a little worried about standing on my lovely silvery boot but I will!! I've got 2 canes ready LOL Plus Jeff is going with me, he can hold my place while I sit on the stage of the school's auditorium. Perhaps I'll put on a show

maithri - just seeing your picture makes me feel calmer. Peace my friend and I believe we will be celebrating together later

matty - Breakfast of Champions my love!

Ivanhoe said...

I did it. Just got back to work. It was piece of cake :o)
I wrote a short post about it, so if that qualifies me as an election blog, I'll be honored to go in your side bar :o)

Dianne said...

ivanhoe - of course it qualifies!! congratulations on your first vote. I was thinking about you this morning.
I'm off to read and link :)

Travis Cody said...

It's 6:12am in the Evergreen state and I am waiting for my Lady to finish getting ready. Then we shall head down the street and get in line to vote. Our polls open at 7am.

After we vote, we shall reward ourselves by stopping at Starbucks for a possible free cup of coffee and a bagel. Then it's off to work and keep an eye on the returns.

I'll check in later! Cheers my dear!

tt said...

Oh my, Dianne....that clip of Craig Ferguson was priceless! I'm afraid I didn't even know who he was...I'm not up late..ever...well, unless I'm throwing a few back..:) and I'm not watching TV while I'm in that mode...lol....
How fabulous that was!!!! Thanks for enlightening me once again. You always share something on your blog that gives me more than I expect.
I voted!! Our precinct split the alphabet A-L and M-Z....my line had no one in it so I went straight to the front!! Yay for me!!! Done!! Now I'm off to the parentals to get them out and get their vote counted. I'm not in agreement with them, but at least they are interested and realize it's their duty and obligation to get out. Can't ask for much more than that can we..
Squeezers to you my friend.
xoxo

Jeni said...

Got my "Go Vote" post up in my blog so hope that counts for now. I'm hoping to do another post after I vote too.
Here's a recommendation for you -go read this blogger's post for today. Betcha she wouldn't object if you put it in your following either. http://gretchenstravels.blogspot.com/
She has a terrific post up about women and the vote.

Jay said...

I've been watching for voting reports around the country. Just saw on Twitter that there are extremely long lines in Youngstown, Ohio.

Reports on the morning news in Springfield, MO (we get our TV out of both Springfield and Little Rock) are that there were very long lines first thing this morning, but no so much right now.

And I understand that the lines in Bagwine, Ohio this morning were long and extremely sexy. And I just saw a video over at Matt-Man's blog to confirm it. ;-)

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Dianne! I made my way to the polls about 9:00 AM. I was number 69 in my ward and district. For that hour of the day here, this is a good turn out so far. The room was packed. My fingers are crossed. Lisa

Raven said...

What a nice way to start election day. That last is indeed a great speech. I feel all patriotic now.
Hope the polls are packed but flowing smoothly.

Anonymous said...

Terrific post Dianne! I hope voting goes smoothly for you. It's so neat to read about how the world is watching this particular election especially closely. It is everyone's earth, and whatever happens in one place, happens everywhere. Let's hope for peace and prosperity at home and on every continent.

CrystalChick said...

I'm giving away a pair of red, white, blue small crystal earrings in honor of Election Day. If you want to link me, that's fine. Or if this comment is enough, I'll just say that everyone is welcomed to come by.
Mary :)

Cinnamon Girl said...

I voted last week and last night I collected my ex's and his girlfriends and dropped them off at the ballot box as well. Remember folks you get a free Starbucks tall coffee if ya tell them you voted.

Ivanhoe said...

Thanks for the linkie, Di :o) I'll be back.

Travis Cody said...

Well, we did not get free coffee but we did vote! Here is our story:

We were first in line at our polling place. It's raining out here this morning too. (Oh - in case you don't know, we live east of Seattle) But that doesn't seem to have dampened anyone's enthusiasm. By the time the polls officially opened, the line was out the door. Fortunately there is a covered area outside, so no one was getting too wet.

The polling place was a little disorganized, but quite helpful. They hadn't put out any pens. Luckily they had a handfull and distributed those. We have paper ballots, and I always feel more comfortable about those because it rewards my strict adherence to the philosophy of coloring inside the lines. I always knew that skill would be a handy one to have. HA!

I finished marking my ballot in about 10 minutes. We only had three measures, but many county amendment propositions to our charter and all those pesky judicial nominees who weren't running against anyone! And of course the big stuff - President and Congressional reps and Governor yada yada yada! But Pam and I both finished about the same time. My ballot was #7 to go into the box and Pam's was #9.

We proudly pulled our "I Voted" stickers and our civic duty was done!

We were out of there at 7:15am. As we left the polling place, we shook peoples' hands and reminded them not to be discouraged by the line.

I hope everyone else's experience is equally as pleasant!

Happy Election Day!

Daryl said...

Happy to be linked .. I have TWO election day posts up today ...

pink dogwood said...

Dianne - coffee is fine, but smokes? I think we are going to have a little chat later :)

Went at 7:30 this morning and stood in line for one and a half hours. I can hardly wait to celebrate tonight.

Dianne said...

travis - cheers to you and your lady! thanks for checking in!!

tt - squeezers to you to my love :)
Craig is wonderful, TiVO him. He is fresh and smart and a thinking partiot, we need more like him.

jeni - I'll add your link and be over asap, and I'll check out Gretchen. thanks lady!!

jay - sunrise over Bagwine was indeed fabulous ;)

Lisa - I'm crossing everything I can cross LOL

raven - thanks!! I wanted the day to start off calm and happy. And Craig has a knack for that!!
my polling place was very quick. they said first thing in the AM was crowded and as we leaving, around noon - it was getting crowded again. for once my timing was right ;)

deborah - Amen!!

crystalchick - what a cool thing to do - I'll link it right now!!
love ya!

starr - I had my folgers in my thermos LOL
didn't want to be accused of being an Obama latte elitist ;)

ivanhoe - you're welcome!!

travis - I could kiss you for coming back and telling your story - I know how busy you are - thank you so much!!

daryl - linking now Captain ;)

pink - from what I'm hearing form others here you had the longest wait. if you go by what they're saying on the news you had a short wait.
thanks for coming by and yes - the smoking has to stop, I know.

Jay said...

Just went out and looked around and things are moving really smoothly here. More than half of our registered voters in this county voted early, so that has made things soo easy here. Early voting should be a national law!

Dianne said...

jay - I wish all the states would do things the same - early voting, vote by mail - whatever. Jeff B mentioned how great it was to vote up in Oregon.
Sometimes I think we make things more crazy by not acting like we're one freaking country.

Cinnamon Girl said...

Jeff is right, vote by mail is awesome. Especially since you don't have to have a stamp. There are drop boxes open 24 hours a day for the last 2 weeks.

Oh and I am so not a latte elitist. I drink coffee flavored coffee. It might be from starbucks, but it's beans and water and that is it. AND I own a gun. So I *can not* be an elitist!

Dianne said...

starr - coffee flavored coffee!! LOL
and a gun! that's hot ;)

Cinnamon Girl said...

Damn straight! Caribou Barbie has nothing on me ;)

Dianne said...

starr - imagine that!! A strong woman, who owns a gun, drinks regular people coffee - AND has a brain.
Now you know 'Bible Spice' just can't relate to that.

pink dogwood said...

My mom went at noon and was done in 10 minutes :)

Anonymous said...

Dianne...thanks for the link invitation. I just posted an open letter to Senator Obama. I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for, but it's what is foremost on my mind today. Thanks.

Dianne said...

pink - Wow!! record time I think. A friend in Westchester went around 10 and she said it was empty but she is in a small town.

spartacus - I want anything you'd like to share - I'll put up the link right now :)
thank you!!

Cherie said...

My civic duties are completed, and I even have an election day post to boot. What can I say? You inspired me, as usual. :)

Dianne said...

cherie - you always say stuff like that to me and I LOVE it. thanks!!