How protecting the vote in VA saved my own

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Wednesday November 05, 2008 · 10:33 AM PST

2008/11/05 · 10:33

Hi dailyKos community,

I'm 23, I'm a law student, and for the first time in my life, I feel like the direction of this country has been guided by my own hands, even if in only a small way. For the first time I feel like my own vote, cast all the way back in Washington State, meant something. I feel enfranchised.

I'm recovering from the last 48 hours of 500 miles driven, 14 hours of standing in the cold and the rain in Virginia, 1 hour of sleep, a dozen cups of coffee and, the experience of total triumph. I spent my entire election day at a precinct in southern Virginia helping the Obama campaign ensure voters' rights were protected. Got to put that law degree (that I nearly have!) to good use, right? My job was overseeing the poll workers, making sure the laws are followed, helping voters to make sure they have the right ID, are in the right place, making sure the disabled have ballots brought out to them, that the polls are opening on time, that the machines are functioning and that there's no voter intimidation going on, etc, etc.

sandalman

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Wednesday November 03, 2004 · 8:48 AM PST

2004/11/03 · 08:48

First, advice: everyone just take a couple weeks off (after this thing is finally decided) and get your minds off politics for a while, clear your head, lessen the hand-wringing.

And then onto the breach! America is going to need a watchful eye on this inevitable Bush 2nd term, to force them to step back into line when they get out of it. And 2008 is not very far away.

Because as Americans, it is our DUTY to always contribute to the national discussion, to help guide America as best we can, through the good times and the bad. Please don't give up. Last night, i posted a very short and depressed message on my blog, but i've awoken this morning much more optimistic; the sun still shines, which i've taken to be a good sign that the world hasn't ended. Read More

Note To Kosmopolitans:

sandalman

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Tuesday November 02, 2004 · 11:56 PM PST

2004/11/02 · 23:56

Drinking does not take the pain away.

And, since i need more words to create this diary, a repost of my post last night:

Keep 'em [stress levels] down with this music video called "Keep your Jesus off my Penis" It has a nice tune and some good lyrics.
I know im gonna probably get a little stressed out today, waiting for the results (and they should come at 5pm here on the left coast: i figure whoever wins 2/3 of Florida, Ohio and Pennslyvania should reasonably take the white house. Fingers crossed). But before you get an ulcer, take a little time out to listen and watch this entertaining little ditty.
Enjoy.

Also; take heart, because Ohio could be won yet, with absentee voting...

Also: Shameless And Drunken promotion of my Blog! Hits make me feel good about myself!

Keep your stress levels down with this Video

sandalman

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday November 02, 2004 · 2:17 AM PST

2004/11/02 · 02:17

Keep 'em down with this music video called "Keep your Jesus off my Penis" It has a nice tune and some good lyrics.

I know im gonna probably get a little stressed out today, waiting for the results (and they should come at 5pm here on the left coast: i figure whoever wins 2/3 of Florida, Ohio and Pennslyvania should reasonably take the white house. Fingers crossed). But before you get an ulcer, take a little time out to listen and watch this entertaining little ditty.

Enjoy.

Krugman & Debate Planning

sandalman

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Tuesday October 12, 2004 · 5:50 PM PDT

2004/10/12 · 17:50

Like i wrote on my blog, Krugman's article in today's NY Times has good info that needs to come to light, especially in tomorrow's post-debate spinnery. I'm not exactly sure how this community has done in affecting post-debate spinsterism, but if these facts are to be noted by the media, as a community we need to be aware of the facts and then quickly respond to them. Preferably, Kos would post a listing of the facts in Krugman's article,(as well as other numbers not mentioned by Krugman) on the main page right before the debate, so that people have the numbers and can watch the distortions as they happen, and then disseminate that information to the media, or however it may work.

People! Lets get the facts now so that we can be prepared for tomorrow's debate! The other debates were less fact-oriented than this one should be. A solid Kerry victory would place firmly in the minds of the public that Bush is not only bad for the economy, but that Kerry has the plan to fix it.

OOPS! but still go vote!

sandalman

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Friday October 08, 2004 · 7:14 PM PDT

2004/10/08 · 19:14

~~But the debate isn't even halfway over!! What is going on?~~

~~Go and correct them!~~
Okay, i was wrong. Im a little over-anxious here, but still go vote and we will pwn the post-debate spin!

I'd like to give a shout-out... against Bush!

sandalman

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Wednesday August 25, 2004 · 7:31 PM PDT

2004/08/25 · 19:31

A good idea, if i may say so: Al Franken suggests we all yell when Bush accepts the nomination. It's sort of like the worldwide antiwar protests, but with less walking! Perfect for lazy people! And its a great way of expressing frustration at Bush, it would likely get the protests even higher visibility if it had a nice centralized action like this. Someone organize this in NY!

The official site is here.

But, like i just posted on my blog, I always scream at Bush when he's on my tv anyway. So i'd feel very included if this was some sort of symbol of national frustration.

Voter Disenfranchisement

sandalman

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Monday August 23, 2004 · 4:25 PM PDT

2004/08/23 · 16:25

Why the hell is this still going on? (also my blog )

I thought we learned something after the 2000 election, something about, oh say the right of every american to vote? I thought we learned we ALL have right to participate in not an autocracy or dictatorship, but a democracy?. I thought we were better than this sort of racist, anti-american bullsh!t. I don't even care that its democratic votes being stifled, i care that its American votes, cast by American voters that are being harassed by the police to prevent them from voting. Its a disgusting abuse of the system, and these people should be thrown in jail.

And if we did learn, how come we can't do anything about it? Why isn't Bush decrying this? Why isn't Kerry decrying this, and loudly?! He should be.

It's a slap in the face of every american who shares the ideals of the constitution. And im sick of it.

Man Fired for Heckling Bush

sandalman

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Sunday August 22, 2004 · 8:15 AM PDT

2004/08/22 · 08:15

Its probably not as bad as it sounds, but i still don't like where this country is going. From my blog, where the link to the CNN.com is posted:

When he showed up for work at Octavo Designs of Frederick, Maryland, the following morning, he said he was told he'd embarrassed and offended a client who provided tickets to the event -- and that he was fired.

Yeah, it's not as bad as it sounds, 'cause he offended a client, but it still gives me the willies.

Anyway, I'm impressed that the guy was heckling with enough um, ...hecklitude to cause his own firing. Good heckling, the quality stuff, should get you fired if someone important is watching. It's an art form, really. The point being to get somebody in the stands (preferably a fan of the opponent) mad at you for talkin' smack. It's even better when you go to an opponent's stadium (as it was in this case) and heckle there, because everyone is gonna get mad. I've heckled in Oakland Coliseum before (i'm a mariners fan) and its pretty fun. (disclaimer: don't heckle oakland fans at a Raiders game; very bad idea).

The key to a good heckle, though, is what you are saying. You can't say plain jane stuff; much more effective is the complex and witty stuff, so as to earn the grudging respect of others and to keep them on their toes.

So, given the chance, what would some of you Kossacks heckle about? As i posted on my blog, I am drawing a blank here. To be fair, i've only gotten about 3 hours of sleep, so the best I can do right now is just embarrassingly bad.

The USA needs to stop meddling...

sandalman

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Thursday August 19, 2004 · 8:26 PM PDT

2004/08/19 · 20:26

Like i just posted on my blog, on Chavez' election down in Venezuela, where we've been meddling (just a lil') again: Read More

Three Kings Redux

sandalman

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Wednesday August 18, 2004 · 6:38 PM PDT

2004/08/18 · 18:38

The fantastic movie Three Kings is gonna be re-released into theaters "before the election". From the article here. If you havent seen it yet, go see it then. Its a very complex look at the first Iraq war, and along with some good cinematography and acting (from Ice T!) its high on my list of must-see movies. As i mentioned in my blog, they are releasing it because they believe its timely. That and they are adding a documentary about the current Iraq War to the front of it.

Go see it! (when it comes out)

Kerry and the War Vote

sandalman

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Wednesday August 11, 2004 · 9:06 PM PDT

2004/08/11 · 21:06

I just read this article over on the NYT online. And while its another example from our not-actually-but-sclm. It weighs down pretty hard on Kerry, but it is pointing out one of the largest issues that Kerry is going to face in this election; his war vote.

Now i would have posted this on my blog but since i don't get nearly any traffic at all, and i'm interested in responses, im posting this here... Read More

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