I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Nov 2, 2010 at 6:35am
My country is about to do the most amazing thing my country does--transfer power peacefully, in free, fair elections. Both as a journalist and as a US citizen, I wish I were there today. I'd like to wander around and talk to people. I wish I could see this for myself. But I can't.
Share your best photos from the day with me, would you? Local-color stories? Snippets of overheard conversation?
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Oct '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
How about this qupte from an ad I saw this morning for a New York candidate for I am not quite sure what, clearly an incumbent Democrat but you had to look for clues:
"Because people who work for a living can't raise their own pay, and neither should Congress."
I loved the implication that Congress people did not work for a living. I am a Canadian spy in New York, and will try to send photos.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Having my son, in town from DC where he lives, ask whether I voted yet and to walk him through the various amendment proposals on the ballot feels pretty cool.
As for the elections, well I have my Voter Fraud app on the phone and after lunch I'll drive by some polling places to check on things in my town.
And then I will pray very hard that they don't screw it up if they win as big as promised.
Evening party at the local congressman's victory fete. A conservative farmer winning his sixth term.
Life is good.
Sep '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
I feel for you Claire, I'm an outsider looking in who watches with great interest. No one I know around here is following the vote with any interest.
My sister moved to Vermont many years ago. She and her shack-up honey are both strong liberals. I'd love to be a fly on the wall of their living room tonight.
But at least I'm in the right time-zone to get the results as they come in. I've informed my kids that the TV is mine tonight. Can't wait!
Sep '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
All Ricochet Closet Canadians (RCC's hereafter) should be entered in a draw for a US green card. I don't know what should be awarded for second place.
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
In this economy? Two Green cards?
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
No pictures, but I took my boys with me to vote. Before we went in, I asked them to be on their best behavior, because we might have to wait a few minutes for our turn. My youngest (he's 3) replied, "Do we have to take off our clothes?" I guess he was expecting it to be like going to the doctor, but who knows, you might get a spike in voter turnout if you did!
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
I voted at my subdivision's clubhouse. When I arrived, the parking lot was nearly full. "Wow, great turnout" I thought. Then I noticed the tennis courts were in full use. Celebrating?
I saw more than one married couple holding hands as they walked toward the polls. One doesn't normally think of voting as something people do as a family, but it can be a way of standing for values together.
Not for the first time, I'm a bit frustrated that I live just outside the Houston city limits. Overall, such a big city is inevitably a political mess and I'm happy to be out of it. But I would have liked a chance to vote down the city's proposition of a "Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund." The city claims they need an extra "fee" to cover basic flood preparations because the current taxes don't cover it (and they don't want to address financial waste or privileges). And since the "fee" (it's not a tax, they swear) has no exemptions, it will apply equally to churches and other non-profits.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
My wife made a good observation as we were driving to the polls this morning. It's a bluebird day here in Minnesota and the radio announcer mentioned that the weather is not expected to affect the turnout as it might if there were rain in the forecast. She said it's amazing how spoiled Americans are when they would possibly forgo the opportunity to vote because of a little inclement weather when people in Iraq and other countries are risking car bombs and gunfire to vote - literally putting their lives on the line in some cases.
She's right, we're getting to be a pretty soft bunch here in America...
Aug '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
On a slighty more ominous note for you Minnesotans; I live in a very conservative suburb which should be the heart of Emmer country and I am the only one on my street or in my extended neighborhood with an Emmer for governor sign.
Such signs usually dot the lawns of my neighbors during election season. I hope it's just a strange quirk because having Mark Dayton as governor would be a disaster for this state...
Oct '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
I'm an American living up here in Vancouver, BC. I mailed my Washington ballot in about 3 weeks ago, fully happy that my vote for Senate might, this year, actually mean something, instead of being a red vote in a sea of blue.
Unfortunately, this means I don't have any polling stories.
But I'm happy my vote might make a difference. That's never kept me from voting (I'm a strong believer in voting to make your voice heard, no matter how loudly it might get drowned out), but my enthusiasm for doing it has never been high. I've always done it when I've gotten around to it, making sure that it still got in on time.
This year, it was done with great eagerness.
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
At the polling place this morning:
Citizen: "Hey, do I need an ID to vote?"
Election judge: "Nope!"
Sigh.
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Naked voting? Oh, please, God, no... My son and I bookend the house at ages 6 to 50 with a bunch of shy teenagers in between. Nudity in my house is only done for comic relief.
Oct '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
ConcernedCanadien: I feel for you Claire, I'm an outsider looking in who watches with great interest. No one I know around here is following the vote with any interest.
My sister moved to Vermont many years ago. She and her shack-up honey are both strong liberals. I'd love to be a fly on the wall of their living room tonight.
But at least I'm in the right time-zone to get the results as they come in. I've informed my kids that the TV is mine tonight. Can't wait! · Nov 2 at 9:21am
If you are ever in BC, let me know and I'll meet you in Rossland with a few of my redneck buddies and we'll hoist a few Kokanees!
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Frozen Chosen: On a slighty more ominous note for you Minnesotans; I live in a very conservative suburb which should be the heart of Emmer country and I am the only one on my street or in my extended neighborhood with an Emmer for governor sign.
Such signs usually dot the lawns of my neighbors during election season. I hope it's just a strange quirk because having Mark Dayton as governor would be a disaster for this state... · Nov 2 at 10:13am
Same here in northeast Florida. My house is the only one in my extended neighborhood with signs for governor or senator. I particularly find this strange with the Rubio/Crist/Meek race.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
James Lileks: At the polling place this morning:
Citizen: "Hey, do I need an ID to vote?"
Election judge: "Nope!"
Sigh. · Nov 2 at 11:30am
Still working on a moratorium allowing Minnesota to send anyone to Washington until Franken goes home.
And Mark Ritchie retires.
Sighing won't do. Complaining might.
May '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
It's a classically beautiful fall day here in southeastern PA. I walked to the polling place at the local historical society at around 11:30 this morning. What struck me (as it always does when I vote) is how simple and highly civilized the whole thing is. There were signs outside. A few volunteers for the various campaigns were standing at the entrance, handing out literature and speaking pleasantly to one another now and then. A tall, distinguished-looking white-haired gentleman politely offered me a sample ballot and asked me if I would remember [local liberal hack congresswoman] when I voted. I answered, "Not with any joy." He laughed good-naturedly and thanked me for voting anyway.
There was no line at all.
Afterwards, I walked a few blocks to the local Republican headquarters to volunteer at the phone banks for an hour. (I've never done anything like that before.)
I am full of gratitude for this great nation. May our generation prove ourselves worthy of the blessings we have inherited and pass them on intact to our children.
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Not much to report from my voting experience, except that my sticker says "I Voted!" in three different languages...
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
I'm just homesick.
Sep '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
So am I, and I don't even live there.
Sep '10
Re: I'm Sad to Be Missing it: Would You Post Your Photos?
Good Berean
ConcernedCanadien: I feel for you Claire, I'm an outsider looking in who watches with great interest. No one I know around here is following the vote with any interest.
My sister moved to Vermont many years ago. She and her shack-up honey are both strong liberals. I'd love to be a fly on the wall of their living room tonight.
But at least I'm in the right time-zone to get the results as they come in. I've informed my kids that the TV is mine tonight. Can't wait! · Nov 2 at 9:21am
If you are ever in BC, let me know and I'll meet you in Rossland with a few of my redneck buddies and we'll hoist a few Kokanees! · Nov 2 at 11:40am
I thought everyone in BC was a David Suzuki loving tree hugger. Rednecks in BC? Who knew?