The following article was in last week's Gaudie. It was written by Amy Robertson, a member of the Labour Club. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I did.
Financial crisis? I’m more worried about the SNP…
So, the FTSE is down, a huge number of our banks have been nationalised and the countries savings are in jeopardy. Yawn.com. Unless it affects my interest free overdraft I'm not really interested. I think there is something much more frightening and relevant to us, as students, on the political horizon - something that will take more than a 700 billion dollar bail out to cure. Last week Alex Salmond caused what can only be called a cringe worthy scene when he attempted to talk economics. Not only did he embarrass himself with his fumbling incoherent number chat, but he also embarrassed this country.
Many people I'm sure must be drawn to the SNP and the notion of independence, however I have a feeling that SNP for many Scottish citizens is a mere euphemism for the ‘We hate England’ party. Has anyone put down their Saltire for more than a second and stopped to think of the repercussions of Independence? Well for one, if we were once again faced with the onslaught of recession we would not be able to run to our big brothers in Westminster for help.
How many of us grew up with Blue Peter, or Neighbours? (Before the cruel people at the BBC moved it to Five)- or even the Six o clock news? Well hate to break it to you but as menial as it seems these programs are controlled by the British Broadcasting Corporation - not the Scottish Broadcasting Corporation. Could we really face an abundance of home-grown channels such as STV and copious amounts of shows such as Postcode Challenge with the MostAnnoyingWomanInTheWorld Carol Smilie? Nah, I didn’t think so.
For students how will the Loans and Tuition fees system change? Furthermore it would be more complicated for students to study in places such as Aberdeen from England and the rest of the UK. The pound would no doubt be abolished, to be replaced with a completely new currency, or indeed the Euro. How complicated would that be? A trip to the Carling weekend in Leeds would be up there in terms of logistics with going to America! Furthermore changing currency tends to trigger inflation meaning that things such as magazines are much more expensive. You might not notice the difference between two fat balding MP’s in Parliament but you would notice the price of your weekly NME or Heat rising. Plus erm, Scotland would have to have its own Olympic team... with the highest obesity rate in Europe we’ve not got the best prospects.
We as students are the members of the population who would be most affected by possible independence - as the future working population. For us it would mean a much more fragile infrastructure to live in, could Scotland really cope without England? I'm not so sure, plus would the Queen still be our Queen!?! So as the race commences for the title of Leader of The World - aka the American Presidential Election stop for a moment and imagine Alex Salmond (supposedly our First Minister..) making small talk with Barack Obama or John McCain. One can't help but think he’d look hugely insignificant.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Friday, 7 November 2008
This guy knows a thing or two about hope.
'Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place.'
- Nelson Mandela in a letter to Barack Obama
A mixed bag.
Firstly the Societies' Union is holding a fundraiser at the Tunnels to raise money for all of the Societies. It's £3 to attend and all of that lovely money comes right back to us, plus each ticket gets an entry in a prize draw to win £300 for the society.
Also, I've come to realise that we've been too harsh on Sarah Palin, and you know what, Chris Crocker agrees with me:
Preach it Chris!!!
Have a nice weekend.
Also, I've come to realise that we've been too harsh on Sarah Palin, and you know what, Chris Crocker agrees with me:
Preach it Chris!!!
Have a nice weekend.
Thursday 6th November
Yesterday as we now know was a great day for Labour.
We won 2 council by-elections against stiff opposition in Glasgow and Edinburgh, I know the new councillor for the Forth Ward in Edinburgh personally and I know that Cammy Day will represent the people of Forth brilliantly.
In Glasgow we won in an area that the SNP now call their own, Baillieston is in the heart of Glasgow East a constituency that we lost just a few months ago, in a By-election in the same council ward just over 2 months ago the SNP held their vote but today we won and fought back the SNP tide.
And as has been posted already the victory in Glenrothes is stunning.
To not only win, in lets remember is a seat that Alex Salmond was prediction that the SNP only had to turn up take, but to do it with an increase in Support over the 2005 election is stunning.
Now i could sit and blog about the reasons behind the victory but to be honest their are too many to mention, but i will just make comment one one.
Lindsay Roy
What a stunning candidate, a man who has a love for the constituency and who has a vision for the future of Glenrothes.
A great headteacher who has been an inspiration to so many.
His loss to fife education is our gain.
Linsday you've done us proud mate.
A huge thank you.......
Lindsay Roy
6737 majority.
You have made us all proud. A huge result for Labour tonight, the SNP are now on the back foot for the first time in since May 2007. Comrades one and all, let us take confidence from this result and begin the battle NOW for the Fourth Term. I will leave analysis to a later date, I feel the urge to celebrate.
Signed
An ecstatic Laudrup!
6737 majority.
You have made us all proud. A huge result for Labour tonight, the SNP are now on the back foot for the first time in since May 2007. Comrades one and all, let us take confidence from this result and begin the battle NOW for the Fourth Term. I will leave analysis to a later date, I feel the urge to celebrate.
Signed
An ecstatic Laudrup!
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Sarah Palin
If even half of what this guy says is true then Palin is even more ignorant than I thought possible.
From Fox News:
From Fox News:
The Great White Sort
During the course of this year's Presidential Election Campaign there was an often seen trope amongst Rethuglicans Republicans. That is the claim that black voters were only voting for Obama because he's black, and that this makes them racist.
Well let's take a look at that claim. In this election Obama received a whopping 95% share of the vote. Pretty racist huh. After all black people wouldn't support a white candidate to that high a degree; white candidates like Bill Clinton (83% of the black vote in '92, 84% in '96), Al Gore (90% in 2000) or John Kerry (88% in 2004). Isn't it lucky that we have those lovely tolerant Republicans to point out racism for us. And isn't it terrible that Obama won just because of the black (/Youth/Middle Aged/Catholic/Jewish/High School Graduate/University Educated/Female/City Dweller/Suburban Dweller) vote. [/sarcasm]
And so to the title of the post. The main demographic that Obama didn't win was white (f*cking crackers) people (especially men). This isn't neccessarily totally damning since this is a group that trends towards Republicans anyway, so it's better to look at it more closely. To see where white voters switched to Obama, and where they switched away.
The graphs show a greater than 15% increase in the Democrat's share of the white vote between 2004 and 2008 in 15 states. Most significantly in Colorado, Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina; four states which went from Republican in 2004 to Democrat this year. This I think further illustrates Obama's widespread support and refutes the notion that he only won because of black voters voting along racial lines.
On a side note it's interesting to note that the four states in which the Democrat's share of the white vote fell by more than 15% [Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama] are all in the Deep South.
Not that I'm trying to imply anything about these states. I'm sure they're perfectly nice Kind people there and it would be unKind of me to say other wise. K.
On yet another sidenote here's a wonderful picture of newspaper front covers.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Umm...........
...I suppose it's true that the early bird gets the worm, but I'm not quite sure if this is serious or not. It looks genuine.
I am appalled.
In May this year the California Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was allowed by the Californian constitution, thereby making California only the third US state to give full equality in marriage to its citizens. This was a fantastic breakthrough in the struggle to attain equality, and the fight against intolerance, ignorance and bigotry. In the months since then many thousands of couples sealed their loving and committed relationships by getting married, knowing that they would have the same rights as every other couple. And that discrimination based on sexuality would not be allowed.
That lasted until yesterday, when a majority of the Californian population voted to enshrine bigotry and discrimination into their constitution, a document that is supposed to enshrine rights, not remove them. In doing so they took a step backwards, away from equality and towards segregation.
It is ironic that this would occur during this election. An election in which an African-American candidate would take the state of Virginia on the way to a landslide election victory. It is ironic because Virginia was the originating state of the historic Loving v Virginia Supreme Court decision, the decision which declared unconstitutional the racist and intolerant anti-miscegenation laws that were in place in states across the US.
This should serve as a reminder to all progressive people, and all people everywhere who cherish tolerance and equality. A reminder that although we've come a long way, and gained a great deal, and through our common endeavour we have helped break down the barriers that divide us, we still have a long way to go. There are still those who would build walls into our society, between them and those they choose to dislike.
President Obama will fight for change, and I fervently hope that this is one area of change for which he will fight.
[Edit] I think that I should point out that Obama was opposed to proposition 8.
That lasted until yesterday, when a majority of the Californian population voted to enshrine bigotry and discrimination into their constitution, a document that is supposed to enshrine rights, not remove them. In doing so they took a step backwards, away from equality and towards segregation.
It is ironic that this would occur during this election. An election in which an African-American candidate would take the state of Virginia on the way to a landslide election victory. It is ironic because Virginia was the originating state of the historic Loving v Virginia Supreme Court decision, the decision which declared unconstitutional the racist and intolerant anti-miscegenation laws that were in place in states across the US.
This should serve as a reminder to all progressive people, and all people everywhere who cherish tolerance and equality. A reminder that although we've come a long way, and gained a great deal, and through our common endeavour we have helped break down the barriers that divide us, we still have a long way to go. There are still those who would build walls into our society, between them and those they choose to dislike.
President Obama will fight for change, and I fervently hope that this is one area of change for which he will fight.
[Edit] I think that I should point out that Obama was opposed to proposition 8.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Election 2008 - Live
[04:00] VICTORY IS SWEET. GOODNIGHT FROM THE LABOUR CLUB!!!!!
[04:00] OBAMA IS PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!1
[03:58] We're coming up on the Pacific states polling closing. We're minutes away from President Obama being confirmed as the 44th President of the United States of America.
[03:51] Donald is going to be sick because kyle proposed to his fiancee on a boat going past the Statue of Liberty.
[03:43] FOX NEWS PROJECTS VIRGINIA FOR OBAMA!!!
[03:42] Obama's lead in Virginia stretches to 57,000. A few flyover states go for McCain.
[03:30] It's looking good for Obama in Virginia. 49,000 with 90% reporting.
[03:19] Njoki says: "John Bolton is Ned Flanders with attitude.
[03:13] John Bolton's going off on one on the BBC. A BBC reporter in Colorado didn't accept a Republican's BS and supposedly that means he's an appalling journalist. Idiot.
[03:04] Iowa has gone Obama. That gives Obama 207 electoral college votes and with California he needs only 8 votes more. If he wins all of the states he's winning in he'll get close to 340 votes.
[02:58] Obama now has a small lead in Virginia. He now leads in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
[02:50] Mississippi has gone to McCain. A late surge for McCain perhaps. Hell no.
[02:47] Arizona is expected soon. This could give us an idea of how bad it's going to be for McCain.
[02:39] With 73% reporting Virginia is now 50:50 with McCain's lead down to 5,000.
[02:36] Update.
ABC: Obama 200 McCain 90
CBS: Obama 199 McCain 124
BBC: Obama 200 McCain 90
[02:34] Two US networks have projected New Mexico for Obama.
[02:31] McCain's lead in Virginia is down to 12,000 with 71% reporting.
[02:25] Ohio has gone Obama!!!! If he wins California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii which are all safe democrat he will be the 44th President.
[02:17] McCain's lead in Virginia is down to 21,000 with 67% reporting.
[02:09] Update: Obama 174 McCain 76
[02:04] Fox has projected Ohio for Obama.
[02:03] A McCain campaigner has been quoted as saying the McCain needs a miracle.
[02:00] New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Michigan all projected for Obama. Kansas, North Dakota and Wyoming projected for McCain.
Updated score: Obama 174 McCain 61.
[01:59] Prague says Good Bye for Now! Wake me up, when someone gets over 270 electoral college votes. Thank you for a wonderful evening and coopearation. See you!
[01:44] Some networks are projecting Georgia for McCain.
Jesse Jackson is on the BBC.
[01:33] Obama leads by 5% in Florida with 36% reporting.
[01:32] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 49; Obama (D) - 103. BBC reports.
[01:27] We have developed a theory here to explain the Obama vote discrepancy. It is possibly due to the splitting of New Hampshire's votes between the candidates. New Hampshire apportions its votes proportionately to the vote total for each candidate.
[01:21] No changes to report but Obama has a 250,000 lead in Florida with 30% reporting and a 17% lead in North Carolina.
[01:18] According to Czech media, Pakistani public opinion would prefer Barack Obama as US president. Additionally, Cuba's ex-leader Fidel Castro indirectly referred to Obama as being a better candidate.
Overall, we can say that Obama's moderate image appeals to many sides and could play beneficiary role in stabilising US foreign policy and the way USA is perceived around the world. Foreign politics and economy are indisputably the two most important long-term topics that need to be solved.
[01:10] Interesting clash in totals, ABC says 102 for Obama, BBC says 103. And CNN's website still keeps the old figure of 77.
[01:04] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 34; Obama (D) - 103.
BBC reports.
[01:01] Illinois goes to Obama and so does the District of Columbia!
[01:01] Pennsylvania goes for Obama. It seems like Obama will get it.
[00:55] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 16; Obama (D) - 3.
[00:52] Virginia appears to go to McCain, currently leading with 56% against Obama's 43%. ABC projects South Carolina for McCain.
[00:46] At this very early stage Obama leads in South Carolina!!!
He has opened up a 10 percentage point in Florida and a 3 point lead in North Carolina.
[00:42] Opinion polls show that John McCain managed to persuade 70% of voters that Barack Obama will raise taxes. Needless to say, that 61% of voters feel that McCain will do the same.
[00:37] Early information show narrow difference between McCain and Obama in Indiana. But further news can't be assumed. Indiana has 11 electoral college votes. And its results are important for McCain's performence.
[00:34] Obama has narrow leads in Florida and North Carolina, but with only a few districts reporting.
[00:31] Senate elections in Virginia were won by Democrat Mark Warner (57% of vote), could this be an indicator that the 'swing state' of Virgina will go to Democrats and Obama?
[00.25] This just in from ABC news. McCain is 6% ahead in Virginia but it is still too close to call.
[00:10] First electoral college votes appear! So far: Barack Obama (D) - 3; John McCain (R) - 8.
[00:00] Good evening (repectively morning) to Aberdeen and thanks for the admin privileges! So here is what the Czech media reports. According to the opinion polls, 72 % of new voters have casted their vote for Obama, while 27% were in favour of McCain.
Analysis have previously shown support among youth voters for Obama. However since this group of voters has a traditionally lower turnout during the elections, their presence will be important for Barack's potential victory.
[23:56] Here's a shout out to out supporter in the Czech Republic. I have now granted you admin privileges so you should be able to add your thoughts to the mix.
[23:32] The party's started here with the attendance now in double figures. Still very little to report.
[23:17] Not much yet but we're still here and ready to keep you filled in. Polls have now closed in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. No results in yet.
[23:00] Welcome to Aberdeen University Labour Club's 2008 live Presidential Election coverage. Hopefully we'll be covering an Obama victory, but no matter what the result we're going to be here all night.
[04:00] OBAMA IS PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!1
[03:58] We're coming up on the Pacific states polling closing. We're minutes away from President Obama being confirmed as the 44th President of the United States of America.
[03:51] Donald is going to be sick because kyle proposed to his fiancee on a boat going past the Statue of Liberty.
[03:43] FOX NEWS PROJECTS VIRGINIA FOR OBAMA!!!
[03:42] Obama's lead in Virginia stretches to 57,000. A few flyover states go for McCain.
[03:30] It's looking good for Obama in Virginia. 49,000 with 90% reporting.
[03:19] Njoki says: "John Bolton is Ned Flanders with attitude.
[03:13] John Bolton's going off on one on the BBC. A BBC reporter in Colorado didn't accept a Republican's BS and supposedly that means he's an appalling journalist. Idiot.
[03:04] Iowa has gone Obama. That gives Obama 207 electoral college votes and with California he needs only 8 votes more. If he wins all of the states he's winning in he'll get close to 340 votes.
[02:58] Obama now has a small lead in Virginia. He now leads in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
[02:50] Mississippi has gone to McCain. A late surge for McCain perhaps. Hell no.
[02:47] Arizona is expected soon. This could give us an idea of how bad it's going to be for McCain.
[02:39] With 73% reporting Virginia is now 50:50 with McCain's lead down to 5,000.
[02:36] Update.
ABC: Obama 200 McCain 90
CBS: Obama 199 McCain 124
BBC: Obama 200 McCain 90
[02:34] Two US networks have projected New Mexico for Obama.
[02:31] McCain's lead in Virginia is down to 12,000 with 71% reporting.
[02:25] Ohio has gone Obama!!!! If he wins California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii which are all safe democrat he will be the 44th President.
[02:17] McCain's lead in Virginia is down to 21,000 with 67% reporting.
[02:09] Update: Obama 174 McCain 76
[02:04] Fox has projected Ohio for Obama.
[02:03] A McCain campaigner has been quoted as saying the McCain needs a miracle.
[02:00] New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Michigan all projected for Obama. Kansas, North Dakota and Wyoming projected for McCain.
Updated score: Obama 174 McCain 61.
[01:59] Prague says Good Bye for Now! Wake me up, when someone gets over 270 electoral college votes. Thank you for a wonderful evening and coopearation. See you!
[01:44] Some networks are projecting Georgia for McCain.
Jesse Jackson is on the BBC.
[01:33] Obama leads by 5% in Florida with 36% reporting.
[01:32] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 49; Obama (D) - 103. BBC reports.
[01:27] We have developed a theory here to explain the Obama vote discrepancy. It is possibly due to the splitting of New Hampshire's votes between the candidates. New Hampshire apportions its votes proportionately to the vote total for each candidate.
[01:21] No changes to report but Obama has a 250,000 lead in Florida with 30% reporting and a 17% lead in North Carolina.
[01:18] According to Czech media, Pakistani public opinion would prefer Barack Obama as US president. Additionally, Cuba's ex-leader Fidel Castro indirectly referred to Obama as being a better candidate.
Overall, we can say that Obama's moderate image appeals to many sides and could play beneficiary role in stabilising US foreign policy and the way USA is perceived around the world. Foreign politics and economy are indisputably the two most important long-term topics that need to be solved.
[01:10] Interesting clash in totals, ABC says 102 for Obama, BBC says 103. And CNN's website still keeps the old figure of 77.
[01:04] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 34; Obama (D) - 103.
BBC reports.
[01:01] Illinois goes to Obama and so does the District of Columbia!
[01:01] Pennsylvania goes for Obama. It seems like Obama will get it.
[00:55] Updated electoral college votes: McCain (R) - 16; Obama (D) - 3.
[00:52] Virginia appears to go to McCain, currently leading with 56% against Obama's 43%. ABC projects South Carolina for McCain.
[00:46] At this very early stage Obama leads in South Carolina!!!
He has opened up a 10 percentage point in Florida and a 3 point lead in North Carolina.
[00:42] Opinion polls show that John McCain managed to persuade 70% of voters that Barack Obama will raise taxes. Needless to say, that 61% of voters feel that McCain will do the same.
[00:37] Early information show narrow difference between McCain and Obama in Indiana. But further news can't be assumed. Indiana has 11 electoral college votes. And its results are important for McCain's performence.
[00:34] Obama has narrow leads in Florida and North Carolina, but with only a few districts reporting.
[00:31] Senate elections in Virginia were won by Democrat Mark Warner (57% of vote), could this be an indicator that the 'swing state' of Virgina will go to Democrats and Obama?
[00.25] This just in from ABC news. McCain is 6% ahead in Virginia but it is still too close to call.
[00:10] First electoral college votes appear! So far: Barack Obama (D) - 3; John McCain (R) - 8.
[00:00] Good evening (repectively morning) to Aberdeen and thanks for the admin privileges! So here is what the Czech media reports. According to the opinion polls, 72 % of new voters have casted their vote for Obama, while 27% were in favour of McCain.
Analysis have previously shown support among youth voters for Obama. However since this group of voters has a traditionally lower turnout during the elections, their presence will be important for Barack's potential victory.
[23:56] Here's a shout out to out supporter in the Czech Republic. I have now granted you admin privileges so you should be able to add your thoughts to the mix.
[23:32] The party's started here with the attendance now in double figures. Still very little to report.
[23:17] Not much yet but we're still here and ready to keep you filled in. Polls have now closed in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. No results in yet.
[23:00] Welcome to Aberdeen University Labour Club's 2008 live Presidential Election coverage. Hopefully we'll be covering an Obama victory, but no matter what the result we're going to be here all night.
This says it all
I was sent this today by a good friend and i think it says it all.
I Didn't Vote For Obama Today
November 4, 2008, 9:37AM
I have a confession to make.
I did not vote for Barack Obama today.
I've openly supported Obama since March. But I didn't vote for him today.
I wanted to vote for Ronald Woods. He was my algebra teacher at Clark Junior High in East St. Louis, IL. He died 15 years ago when his truck skidded head-first into a utility pole. He spent many a day teaching us many things besides the Pythagorean Theorem. He taught us about Medgar Evers, Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis and many other civil rights figures who get lost in the shadow cast by Martin Luther King, Jr.
But I didn't vote for Mr. Woods.
I wanted to vote for Willie Mae Cross. She owned and operated Crossroads Preparatory Academy for almost 30 years, educating and empowering thousands of kids before her death in 2003. I was her first student. She gave me my first job, teaching chess and math concepts to kids in grades K-4 in her summer program. She was always there for advice, cheer and consolation. Ms. Cross, in her own way, taught me more about walking in faith than anyone else I ever knew.
But I didn't vote for Ms. Cross.
I wanted to vote for Arthur Mells Jackson, Sr. and Jr. Jackson Senior was a Latin professor. He has a gifted school named for him in my hometown. Jackson Junior was the pre-eminent physician in my hometown for over 30 years. He has a heliport named for him at a hospital in my hometown. They were my great-grandfather and great-uncle, respectively.
But I didn't vote for Prof. Jackson or Dr. Jackson.
I wanted to vote for A.B. Palmer. She was a leading civil rights figure in Shreveport, Louisiana, where my mother grew up and where I still have dozens of family members. She was a strong-willed woman who earned the grudging respect of the town's leaders because she never, ever backed down from anyone and always gave better than she got. She lived to the ripe old age of 99, and has a community center named for her in Shreveport.
But I didn't vote for Mrs. Palmer.
I wanted to vote for these people, who did not live to see a day where a Black man would appear on their ballots on a crisp November morning.
In the end, though, I realized that I could not vote for them any more than I could vote for Obama himself.
So who did I vote for?
No one.
I didn't vote. Not for President, anyway.
Oh, I went to the voting booth. I signed, was given my stub, and was walked over to a voting machine. I cast votes for statewide races and a state referendum on water and sewer improvements.
I stood there, and I thought about all of these people, who influenced my life so greatly. But I didn't vote for who would be the 44th President of the United States.
When my ballot was complete, except for the top line, I finally decided who I was going to vote for - and then decided to let him vote for me. I reached down, picked him up, and told him to find Obama's name on the screen and touch it.
And so it came to pass that Alexander Reed, age 5, read the voting screen, found the right candidate, touched his name, and actually cast a vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Oh, the vote will be recorded as mine. But I didn't cast it.
Then again, the person who actually pressed the Obama box and the red "vote" button was the person I was really voting for all along.
It made the months of donating, phonebanking, canvassing, door hanger distributing, sign posting, blogging, arguing and persuading so much sweeter.
So, no, I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I voted for a boy who now has every reason to believe he, too, can grow up to be anything he wants...even President
I Didn't Vote For Obama Today
November 4, 2008, 9:37AM
I have a confession to make.
I did not vote for Barack Obama today.
I've openly supported Obama since March. But I didn't vote for him today.
I wanted to vote for Ronald Woods. He was my algebra teacher at Clark Junior High in East St. Louis, IL. He died 15 years ago when his truck skidded head-first into a utility pole. He spent many a day teaching us many things besides the Pythagorean Theorem. He taught us about Medgar Evers, Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis and many other civil rights figures who get lost in the shadow cast by Martin Luther King, Jr.
But I didn't vote for Mr. Woods.
I wanted to vote for Willie Mae Cross. She owned and operated Crossroads Preparatory Academy for almost 30 years, educating and empowering thousands of kids before her death in 2003. I was her first student. She gave me my first job, teaching chess and math concepts to kids in grades K-4 in her summer program. She was always there for advice, cheer and consolation. Ms. Cross, in her own way, taught me more about walking in faith than anyone else I ever knew.
But I didn't vote for Ms. Cross.
I wanted to vote for Arthur Mells Jackson, Sr. and Jr. Jackson Senior was a Latin professor. He has a gifted school named for him in my hometown. Jackson Junior was the pre-eminent physician in my hometown for over 30 years. He has a heliport named for him at a hospital in my hometown. They were my great-grandfather and great-uncle, respectively.
But I didn't vote for Prof. Jackson or Dr. Jackson.
I wanted to vote for A.B. Palmer. She was a leading civil rights figure in Shreveport, Louisiana, where my mother grew up and where I still have dozens of family members. She was a strong-willed woman who earned the grudging respect of the town's leaders because she never, ever backed down from anyone and always gave better than she got. She lived to the ripe old age of 99, and has a community center named for her in Shreveport.
But I didn't vote for Mrs. Palmer.
I wanted to vote for these people, who did not live to see a day where a Black man would appear on their ballots on a crisp November morning.
In the end, though, I realized that I could not vote for them any more than I could vote for Obama himself.
So who did I vote for?
No one.
I didn't vote. Not for President, anyway.
Oh, I went to the voting booth. I signed, was given my stub, and was walked over to a voting machine. I cast votes for statewide races and a state referendum on water and sewer improvements.
I stood there, and I thought about all of these people, who influenced my life so greatly. But I didn't vote for who would be the 44th President of the United States.
When my ballot was complete, except for the top line, I finally decided who I was going to vote for - and then decided to let him vote for me. I reached down, picked him up, and told him to find Obama's name on the screen and touch it.
And so it came to pass that Alexander Reed, age 5, read the voting screen, found the right candidate, touched his name, and actually cast a vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Oh, the vote will be recorded as mine. But I didn't cast it.
Then again, the person who actually pressed the Obama box and the red "vote" button was the person I was really voting for all along.
It made the months of donating, phonebanking, canvassing, door hanger distributing, sign posting, blogging, arguing and persuading so much sweeter.
So, no, I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I voted for a boy who now has every reason to believe he, too, can grow up to be anything he wants...even President
Democracy Rules
I have just watched the voters waiting in lines to cast their ballots today. Waiting it some ques that are more than a mile long in places and it takes me back to the day in 1994 when the same thing happened in South Africa.
Now i am not saying that either Obama or McCain is Nelson Mandela or indeed that the USA is coming out of a post apartheid period, I just think its wonderful that people care that much to wait for hours to vote.
Democracy Rules
Now i am not saying that either Obama or McCain is Nelson Mandela or indeed that the USA is coming out of a post apartheid period, I just think its wonderful that people care that much to wait for hours to vote.
Democracy Rules
The Last Battle of the American Civil War
Do you know who the last US President to call Illinois his political home was.
The Answer may change tonight with the election of Barack Obama, but at this point the last one was Abraham Lincoln.
The American people may vote for a leader who is African American, a leader who has limited experience of national politics and a leader with a young family from a poor background who has pulled himself up with hard work and represented the poor as a lawyer.
Lincoln was not African American but he was the rest, he had limited federal experience, was married with a young family who only one of his sons lived passed his childhood, was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and worked as a lawyer representing the poor.
The very fact that today America gets to vote for an African American is thanks to Lincoln and the many thousands of Americans who fought and died in the Civil War, it is thanks to the men and women who saw slavery as an abomination and it is thanks to the many people who risked their lives to help fugitive slaves stay safe.
Lincoln and Obama have one last thing in common, both in their own way are figures in the American Civil War, Lincoln President at its start and if all goes well Obama the President at its end.
Because today could be seen as the Last Battle of the American Civil War.
The Answer may change tonight with the election of Barack Obama, but at this point the last one was Abraham Lincoln.
The American people may vote for a leader who is African American, a leader who has limited experience of national politics and a leader with a young family from a poor background who has pulled himself up with hard work and represented the poor as a lawyer.
Lincoln was not African American but he was the rest, he had limited federal experience, was married with a young family who only one of his sons lived passed his childhood, was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and worked as a lawyer representing the poor.
The very fact that today America gets to vote for an African American is thanks to Lincoln and the many thousands of Americans who fought and died in the Civil War, it is thanks to the men and women who saw slavery as an abomination and it is thanks to the many people who risked their lives to help fugitive slaves stay safe.
Lincoln and Obama have one last thing in common, both in their own way are figures in the American Civil War, Lincoln President at its start and if all goes well Obama the President at its end.
Because today could be seen as the Last Battle of the American Civil War.
Remember Remember the 4th of November
Just a reminder to all the people who read this blog that tonight we are going to be doing a live blog from the election night party.
We are going to be watching a live feed from a couple of the US networks (the wonders of the Internet) and adding our own comments on what is happening. So come and joining us and add your own comments if you want.
We go live at 11pm.
We are going to be watching a live feed from a couple of the US networks (the wonders of the Internet) and adding our own comments on what is happening. So come and joining us and add your own comments if you want.
We go live at 11pm.
Sleazy goings on as Trumpgate takes a new turn.
It has happened. Pound signs flashed before our ruler's eyes. Emperor Alex has shown his true colours by forcing through the Trump application for building a private village for those who use pound sterling as loo roll £1bn golf resort in the north east.
Far be it from me to slag "The Donald", after all I am in high hopes that after spending 82 seconds in his mother's home on my native island this summer he will revamp our old castle for us. Also Aberdeen's economy will need a change of direction at some point despite Shell and BP posting obscene profits in the last quarter. My problem is the SNP's obsession with going over the head of local democracy and imposing their own decisions and their inability to put the impact on people's lives over greed.
They claim to support devolution; rather strange then that they routinely block devolved decisions. The largest wind farm project in Europe, proposed to be built on the Isle of Lewis (there you go that is two mentions, it is rather an important place after all), was thrown out by the SNP "Government" despite the local councillors voting in favour of the proposal. Here they cited environmental impact as the reason for turning down the project; funny they are not so green when assessing the impact of Trump's golf course.
Aberdeenshire council's infrastructure committee voted against the proposal. "Oor Eck" and his cronies then called the plan in, this apparently had nothing to do with dodgy phone calls from Trump's aides. After a fashion the plans have now been approved. "Bawheid" now looks like he is creating jobs in a time of great economic hardship and also boosting Scotland's tourist industry. The truth is that political gain is being put before the impact this plan will have on people.
It is here I will quote my comrade from Deepest Darkest Ayrshire who by virtue of being born in Golf country tells me explicitly "Golf courses in themselves do not make money". In essence Trump is only interested in the hotels and housing developments which will come on the back of the course. These developments which fly in the face of Aberdeenshire housing policy will create a millionaires row, housing for those with astronomical amounts of money who are no longer content with only having six holiday homes. The impact this will have on Aberdeenshire communities in the vicinity of the development can only be described as detrimental. I can only imagine the resentment a gaggle of yahoos turning up their noses at locals would cause, the new residents would find it almost impossible to integrate and their presence, in such large numbers, would undoubtedly lead to problems.
Our "saviour " never looks at the bigger picture however and we should not be surprised that despite all manner of objections(most of which I have omitted for brevity) his narrow view of the world has led to this application being bundled through by whichever means necessary.
PS
An interesting Poll question;
Who has the largest head?
Trump
or
Salmond?
Far be it from me to slag "The Donald", after all I am in high hopes that after spending 82 seconds in his mother's home on my native island this summer he will revamp our old castle for us. Also Aberdeen's economy will need a change of direction at some point despite Shell and BP posting obscene profits in the last quarter. My problem is the SNP's obsession with going over the head of local democracy and imposing their own decisions and their inability to put the impact on people's lives over greed.
They claim to support devolution; rather strange then that they routinely block devolved decisions. The largest wind farm project in Europe, proposed to be built on the Isle of Lewis (there you go that is two mentions, it is rather an important place after all), was thrown out by the SNP "Government" despite the local councillors voting in favour of the proposal. Here they cited environmental impact as the reason for turning down the project; funny they are not so green when assessing the impact of Trump's golf course.
Aberdeenshire council's infrastructure committee voted against the proposal. "Oor Eck" and his cronies then called the plan in, this apparently had nothing to do with dodgy phone calls from Trump's aides. After a fashion the plans have now been approved. "Bawheid" now looks like he is creating jobs in a time of great economic hardship and also boosting Scotland's tourist industry. The truth is that political gain is being put before the impact this plan will have on people.
It is here I will quote my comrade from Deepest Darkest Ayrshire who by virtue of being born in Golf country tells me explicitly "Golf courses in themselves do not make money". In essence Trump is only interested in the hotels and housing developments which will come on the back of the course. These developments which fly in the face of Aberdeenshire housing policy will create a millionaires row, housing for those with astronomical amounts of money who are no longer content with only having six holiday homes. The impact this will have on Aberdeenshire communities in the vicinity of the development can only be described as detrimental. I can only imagine the resentment a gaggle of yahoos turning up their noses at locals would cause, the new residents would find it almost impossible to integrate and their presence, in such large numbers, would undoubtedly lead to problems.
Our "saviour " never looks at the bigger picture however and we should not be surprised that despite all manner of objections(most of which I have omitted for brevity) his narrow view of the world has led to this application being bundled through by whichever means necessary.
PS
An interesting Poll question;
Who has the largest head?
Trump
or
Salmond?
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Breaking new ground in blogging.
As always the Aberdeen University Labour Club blog is breaking new ground in blogging technology. I am writing this blog and posting it from a train halfway between Carlisle and Edinburgh. [A route about 100 miles out of my way, thank you very much rail works at North Berwick.]
And now I shall justify this self serving proclamation by posting some juicy intellectual quotes about voting:
Vote early and vote often. - Al Capone, 1899 - 1947
Suffrage, n. Expression of opinion by means of a ballot. The right of suffrage (which is held to be both a privilege and a duty) means, as commonly interpreted, the right to vote for the man of another man's choice, and is highly prized.
- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1881 - 1906
Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
- Bernard Levin
Truth is not determined by majority vote.
- Doug Gwyn
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
- John Quincy Adams, 1767 - 1848
My problem is that, with the two-party system, you only get to vote against one candidate in each race.
- G. Armour Van Horn
Live Blogging on Election Night
Those of you in the know (you clever people) will already be aware of our upcoming Preisdential election event. [For those who don't here's a link.] During this event we are going to appempt something new and interesting, live blogging. During the course of the night we will keep the blog updated on both the events of the election and also what is happening at the party and how people feel.
Anyone who's interested in the Labour Club but can't make it to the event is of course more than welcome to join in and post their comments to tell us how they feel about what is looking like it could be a historic night in US politics.
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