In Iraq, there used to be a small, corrupt group of people who had national power in a chokehold for a long time. They had all the money and influence and connections and made life a lot harder than it had to be for the people who didn’t. Then, a few years ago, the balance of power suddenly and decisively changed hands, and the group that had been powerless were now holding the reins. At that moment, they had the opportunity to rise above the way they had been treated when the other group was in power and show the world the meaning of fairness. Instead, many of those now in power decided to seize the opportunity for revenge, abusing their newfound power with the people they’d unseated, taking an eye for an eye and using the very methods that had been used against them. “Let’s see how you like it, f***ers!” became the national anthem. The result has been an unmitigated disaster.
I don’t know why I’m thinking about that today. Congratulations to the Democrats now controlling the House and Senate; I look forward to the blossom of bipartisanship.
Since everything is still in the hope-and-promise stage, I can say that I am amazed at the extent to which I woke up to exactly the world I wanted this morning. They even voted out Kevin Federline. Why oh why didn’t I remember to wish for ice cream and a million dollars?
There’s one thing I’m especially loving today that I shouldn’t. In my day, I overhear a lot of other people’s small talk, a lot of people I would not voluntarily listen to. These people are very vocal, very opinionated, and very… out of practice when it comes to losing elections. Normally, headphones go on before the monitor goes on; today, the office small talk is my soundtrack, and the music is coming from inside my soul, my petty, petty soul. Let’s see how you like it, f– oh. right right right.
November 8th, 2006 at 11:44 am
I remember thinking last night that, no matter what happens, there was going to be one sour Jim M. in St. Louis.
Instant runoff voting. Voters just approved of it for Minneapolis city elections. Now, if we can just get it on the state-level (and national). It might provide a way to oust our lousy republican governor (Pawlenty) whose opposition is always split between the Democrats, the Independence Party, and the Greens. I’m still waiting for Pawlenty to come out and say that his 46.7% of the popular vote is a clear mandate to push his partisan agenda. But perhaps that that play in the ole Bush book won’t be as popular as it once was.
November 8th, 2006 at 11:48 am
“Sour”? I am wounded. Unvindicated pessimism is cause for rejoicing, but… I’m just so cautious now. I’ve been hurt so many times before. I’m vulnerable. Soft like a woman. Perhaps I’ve said too much.
November 8th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
This is something else I’ve been thinking about today, part of what made me post in the first place. The coldest my blood has run in the last two years was the day after the election in ‘04 when Bush said at his press conference, “I have political capital now, and I intend to spend it.” I thought, “‘Political capital’?? Geez, guy, you won by like 1%.” He squeaked out by a hair’s breadth, and he was acting like he had crowd-surfed into office. That is apparently the Rove Way; just get above 50%, then you can govern like you ran unopposed.
Last night, I was reminded of all this when McCaskill beat Talent here. “The Missouri voters have spoken,” she said in her speech, “and they want change!”
“Whoa, there,” I said to my TV. “Last time the precincts reported in, you were losing by twenty.” I guess it’s not inspirational to say, “The voters have spoken, and they could go either way! But a couple of them stayed home, so here we go!”
November 8th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Well, I was also thinking of another Jim M. with whom you are acquainted.
I think the thing that amazes me about the consolation/victory speeches are their generous, and kind, natures. They say such good things about their opponents, how it was a great race, etc. Less than 24 hours before their ads were basically accusing eachother of being drug-addicted terrorist supporters who personally arranged for the transport of Senate pages to Mark Foley’s house in between various other America-hating activities.
Locally, the MSP Fox station re-ran an episode of the Simpsons in which Sideshow Bob ran for mayor…