november 3

Some are calling this the most important election of our lives, to date. Is it? I don't know, I think all elections are important. But this one is certainly significant. Our nation is facing problems of historic proportions - economic crisis, our role in climate change, millions of uninsured children, a mouldering war in Iraq, a dismal international reputation.... Voting tonight sure seemed like one of the most important things I've done in a long time.

I caught a snippet of some inane radio talk show today, on which someone said that he wasn't going to bother voting because Obama had already won Oregon. But as I sat at my kitchen table with my ballot spread out in front of me, it occurred to me how easy it is to vote, either way. In the privacy of our own homes, or our own voting booths, you just never know what people will do. And, for the first time yet (although the paper has been reporting for days on the phenomenon of political anxiety), I felt the buzz of nervous energy. I hope that by this time tomorrow it's replaced by a sweet sense of relief.

Here's Lucy and me, voting for Barack Obama, for Kitty Piercy (Eugene Mayor), for Jeff Merkely (OR Senator), and Kate Brown (Oregon Secretary of State).

We're voting against English-only education too.

I was browsing facebook tonight and stumbled across these lovely and reassuring words. They are by Pearl Jam, Live at the Gorge, July 22, 2006. (Thanks Jill.)

This is our chance

This is our lives

This is our planet we're standing on.

Use your choice

Use your voice

You can save our tomorrows now.

This is our plea
This is our need

This is our time of standing free.

It's okay!

It's okay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljsLZ5rGUKg