Long Lines, Everywhere
Already, Flickr folks are posting photos, and even this video, of long lines at the polls, all across Brooklyn. In Park Slope, the line stretched out even before the booths opened at 6AM. Bring coffee. Prepare to wait. Where did you vote? How long did it take? Any problems? Video by wnyc.
It just seemed like the air was different this morning when I went out to vote. I feel hopeful, and trying really hard not to feel elated because I don’t want to jinx anything!
I brought a picture along with me today too. It’s a baby photo from about 1910 of Lucille Johnson, who was the first black woman to move into my neighborhood when I was a child. She and her husband Roger lived in the apartment below ours and she was like a second mother to me. Long after I grew up and graduated college we stayed in touch. She moved to Bed Stuy in the 70’s and I visited her there. She treated me like a daughter and before she died of cancer she gave me some mementos, one of which is that photo. When I voted today I thought about what this would have meant to her, and I hope that from what ever good place she’s in, she’ll be looking down. And smiling.
Yes, MM. As always, you have captured my views and sentiments thoughts — perfectly! I really, really appreciated the imagery of you “showing the ballot” to your mom. I am certain she is smiling down on all of us who are voting for change today. And you are right. . . Barack Obama is not the Messiah. But he is one heck of a change agent!
Yes we can!
Montrose, I’m so proud to consider you my friend. Thank you for that post.
Regarding the wait times, I’m wondering if people are wishing they completed absentee ballots rather than wait for electino day. I might consider doing that when Obama runs for re-election in 2012 😉
benson, I understand your point, but maybe just a little “assuaging” is in order after 8 years of provoking and bullying various countries and assumed “terrorists” to the point where we’re ironically creating real enemies in an effort to combat assumed enemies.
Aw, shucks, thanks. (scrapes dirt with shoes, looking embarassed)
I will be glued to Channel 13 all night, clutching the neck of an Australian shiraz with a folksy name.
The anxiety, the anxiety!
Yes, we can!
When the votes are in and Obama is elected tonight, can someone come on here and copy Montrose’s post, so it’s the last one in this thread.
And NO ONE post anything else!!!!
Montrose
I was completely touched and brought to tears -I had to close my office door
seriously agreed with previous posters, your post should be broadcasted! I feel so many people, not just of color but so many people feel that way. Yes, Obama is not perfect – but he represents us all in so many ways.
This is a very special election indeed.
Thank you for reminding us there is still hope in so many of us.
did he win yet?
Montrose;
Your post is very moving,and there is little I can add to it(even though I’ve not voting for Obama). I do have to make one contradicotry counter-point, however, and that concerns your point regarding this country’s relations with the world.
I would caution all supporters of Obama about his popularity with those overseas. When all is said and done, the fact remains that the US is the world’s sole superpower, and the keeper of the world’s order. There is simply no one else around that has the capability or the confidence of the world. Who else? The Russians? The Chinese? Would you feel comfortable knowing that they are running things?
In that capacity, Obama will have to exert and project American power, when necessary. Every president since WWII has had to do so, like it or not, and in the exercise of that power, all presidents discover how quickly the crowds of well-wishers overseas disappear. Remember the flack Reagan took from the Europeans for installing medium-range missles there, yet history has shown that he was right.
My fear for Obama is that he will turn into another Jimmy Carter: seeking to assuage our “friends” in the use of American power. I remember well the weakness of the US during those days.
Ultimately, when all is said and done, the US must exercise its own discretion in the use of its power. All great powers understand this point. I am not moved by any argument that some presidential candidate will improve our standings in some “pop poll”.
Let’s see what happens. Should Obama win, I wish him well, as I do all of our presidents who are elected.
I second that BRG!!!