For all those who said, "I live in a red state so my vote for Obama won't count," I have four words for you:

Indiana.

North Carolina.

Virginia.

Indiana hadn't voted for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson, people.

And then there are the red states that McCain narrowly won...

North Dakota (by 8%  Bush won it by almost 30% in 2004)

South Dakota (by about 10%. Bush won it by 21% in 2004)

Texas (by 11%. Bush won it by 23% in 2004)

West Virginia (by 7%. Bush won it by 7% in 2004)

Montana (by 3%. Bush won it by 20% in 2004) Edited: Thanks to anonymous commentor who corrected me. I guess I did the math and saw a 17% difference between 04 and 08 and...yeah. No more blogging without coffee.

Now take a look at these states, especially with very low populations -- Obama lost North Dakota by less than 30,000 votes -- and tell me that people turning out to the polls and giving a damn about the value of their votes doesn't make a difference.

We can turn these states blue next time, people.

The whiny "My vote doesn't count" excuse doesn't wash anymore.

Just ask the Democrats in Viriginia, North Carolina, and Indiana.

Boyd Reed, blogging on why he "didn't vote for Barack Obama today"

My sent me a quote that's been making the rounds of the intarwebs...doubtless you've seen it before...

Rosa sat so Martin could march.
Martin marched so Obama could run.
Obama is running so our children can fly.

This is a great story dispelling top myths about voting. Especially given the amount of new voters who are new to the intricacies of the American voting booth, and especially given the new efforts to supress the electorate, we need to be informed of our rights.

You can also get information on how and where to vote in your state at the League of Women Voters and at your state's webpage. Know your rights and your responsibilities before you go to do your sacred duty tomorrow. And to those who have voted early or absentee, and those Oregonians who've already sent their ballots in, thank you.

Do not miss this article examining the last in (predominantly Republican) dirty tricks to supress voters. Among their latest?

-- Telling Virginia voters that "fear of large turnout" had led state officials to split the election over two days. Republicans are to vote Tuesday, Democrats Wednesday.

-- Misleading fliers saying Obama is linked to the Holocaust

-- Sending PIs to the homes of minority voters to question their citizenship status and demand paperwork proving the person can vote

-- Erroneously telling people in a predominantly African American neighborhood that they would be arrested at the polls if they had any outstanding parking tickets or other violations.

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE LAST ACTS OF A DESPERATE CAMPAIGN.

Go to vote as early in the day as your schedule allows. If you are turned away from the polls or experience any difficulties, report them at No More Stolen Elections, or you can report them at NPR's website. You can also call the campaign of your candidate, or your Secretary of State. Please report any and all problems,  irregularities, or difficulties.

We must preserve this process. We' ve had the last two elections stolen out from under us, America. And I think we can all agree it's been to our detriment.

I've lived to see not one but two elections stolen from the American people in my 33 years on this planet, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about it happening again. The McPalin campaign is desperate, and have proven that they have zero ethical qualms about doing what it takes to win.

If you are determined never to see another American election stolen, visit No More Stolen Elections

Also, know your rights at the polls, and if you either experience difficulties or witness questionable behavior, please contact your Secretary of State or your candidate's campaign. I know the Obama people in particular are on the lookout for supression and fraud. I'm tempted to say the McPalin campaign would want tips on how to accomplish same.

Early voting is ending in many states today. If you have the opportunity to vote early and have not done so, consider going today.

If you need information on your local elections, the League of Women Voters is an excellent source for nonpartisan information on the candidates, races, and propositions in your area. You can get to your local branch through the site or by Googling "League of Women Voters" plus your state/city/county.

An excellent commentary from Donna Brazille on the importance of voting.

Campbell Brown on the role of the youth vote in this election.

Today's the last day of early voting in Texas! I went and cast my ballot in Irving Wednesday. It was relatively painless, but the lines are getting longer and are expected to be pretty long November 4. Now, regardless of the line, I expect all of y'all to vote -- but if you want a shorter wait, consider going today.

I know the Lone Star State is most likely going for McCain, but remember -- we have an important Senate race, House races, and state legislative races to vote in, too. Plus the Sheriff's races in a number of cities, and bond proposals and more. So get out there.

If you need to find out where to vote, go to VoteTexas

Dallas County residents can get the skinny on the candidates and the local propositions in the nonpartisan Voters Guide from the League of Women Voters

Those in other cities can find Voters Guides from the League here and finding their city branch, or Googling "League of Women Voters Texas" plus their city/county name.

Debbie Ford and her shadow work are often a little new-agey for me, but I got this and it really moved me.

It also made me think about the women I know who are McPalin supporters, something that plainly mystfies me. And I realized how many of them I know that have little to no self-esteem, who are with men who try to make them feel lucky to have somone who loves them, who are emotionally distant, and more. And it makes sense that women who have let the partners in their lives break them down -- not caring for them when they are hurt, putting them down for their weight/looks/other imagined failings -- would also be attracted to an abusive "partner" in their candidates. Because anyone who tells you have no control over your body and are less of a person, is an abuser. If you're content to live with one, why wouldn't you be content to have them in control of the country?

( Cut to save your Flist )

The McCain supporter who claimed she was mugged and had a "B" carved into her face by a deranged Obama supporter has admitted she made the story up.

Way to go, Sleazebag. Of course, if her candidates hadn't been running a sleazy, racially charged campaign, she may not have thought she could get away with it.

And of course she's from Texas. They always are.

Seriously.

Very inspiring.

( <object width= )

....when your campaign advice has to come from someone whose claim to fame is eating a rat on "Survivor"?

I detest Elizabeth Hasselbeck...she makes Anne Coulter look like a genius. I don't have a problem, per se, with women holding conservative values (though it does confuse me). I do have a problem with anyone who claims to hold a set of values but who does not possess the intellect, critical thinking skills, and intelligence to speak about them articulately. And she's a whiny bitch to boot.

So I guess she and Palin are perfect rally mates.

Interesting article from CNN.com on the difference between McCain and Palin's stances on a federal amendment banning gay marriage.

Upshot: Palin supports a federal ban. McCain doesn't support a federal ban, but he thinks this should be a question left up to the state. He has stated before he is "proud" of his role in advocating for a state ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in his state of Arizona, so don't be fooled into thinking his stance against a federal amendment is somehow saying he supports gay marriage. He is against the federal amendement because it's federal, not because it's wrong or discriminatory.

This has been floating around for a while, but it still makes me tear up.

( Yes, We Can )

Egads! Something political and lighthearted here! No, it's true.

( Spew Warning in Effect )

So a week ago, I was waiting for my morning train out of Irving, Texas into Dallas. I commute the rails every morning, but this morning I was running late and was catching a train I don't normally catch. I'm drinking my coffee and minding my own, when I hear someone say, "So I noticed your buttons."

(I wear three buttons on my backpack -- an Obama Pride button, a Farmers for Obama button, and one that says War is Not Pro-Life, which I bought from a local Democratic group.)

I turn to see what Texans call a "church lady" -- mid to late 50s, carefully coiffed short curly hair, flower print business attire, and sensible shoes. Likely an administrator in the local hospital or something, based on the demographic of the folks who catch the train from that station.

In my head I go, "Oh, hell," because "I noticed your buttons" is not typically followed by something good.

"I really like the one that says 'War Is Not Pro-Life,'" she says. "I wish these people would see that, no matter what,there will always be abortions. We need to keep it safe and legal."                                                                  

I pick my jaw up off the platform and say, "I know! I wish people would see that you can be against abortion and for life. I'm excited about helping women take charge of their health and learn how to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Most women of my generation who work for reproductive rights, that's what we want."

"I know," she says. "I'm still friends with my girlfriends from college -- they're my age so they're still girls -- and one of them is supporting McCain. I always knew she was the dumb one of us. She thinks of herself as upper middle class but she's barely getting by."

So we talk about economic policy, and then she says,

"I walked in on one, you know. A back-alley abortion. In a bathtub. I'll never forget the blood, blood all over the walls. And the thought of another woman -- another child -- having to go through that....that's why I'm prochoice. I hope I never have to see that again."

I was stunned.

We talked a few more moments, then the train came in, and I lost her in the crowd of people trying to get to our seats.

I don't know why she felt the need to tell me her story, but I'm honored that she did. Who knows for how long she'd been carrying that memory, before she shared it with me on a random train platform in Texas? She inspired me to keep fighting for a better world, through November 4 and far beyond..

First, check out the video (below the cut) from Women Against McCain Palin It's truly heartwrenching.

( Video behind the cut )

Then, courtesy of John McCain's own words, to the late Tim Russert, on 1/30/00:

John McCain on NBC’s, Meet the Press, 1/30/00:

Mr. Russert: “A Constitutional Amendment to ban all abortions?”
McCain: “Yes Sir.”
Mr. Russert: “But, Senator, women across the country would say, prior to Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands of women a year went to back alleys to have abortions.”
McCain: “I understand that.”
Mr. Russert: “Many died.”
McCain: “I understand that.”

And finally, from last night's debate, McCain dismissing concerns about "the mother's health" as just another leftwing whine:

OBAMA: We can find some common ground, because nobody's pro-abortion. I think it's always a tragic situation. We should try to reduce these circumstances.

SCHIEFFER: Let's give Sen. McCain a short response...

McCAIN: Just again...

SCHIEFFER: ... and then...

McCAIN: Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He's "health for the mother." You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything. That's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, "health."

This is a really interesting, cogent read. I am curious to see what happens in tonight's debate -- to see if McCain really does punch it up a notch, and to see if Obama can continue looking presidential.

Great video from The Daily Show looking at McPalin's recent turn to racist incitement of their crowds. Really, people, no matter how much you might agree with these people on policy, do you really want this type of racist climate in your country? Really? I mean, you don't have to jump the fence and vote Obama, but seriously consider what you're endorsing if you choose to cast your valuable ballot for this type of rhetoric.
( On to the funny...because sometimes you gotta laugh to keep from screaming )

A great short clip of John Cleese giving his opinion on Sarah Palin. He's right. Monty Python could've written her...

( This is an ex-governor...it is no longer...it has ceased to be...*whack on counter* )