Davidology

I really should start doing this sooner.

I've gone through my ballot and have chosen how I'm voting tomorrow (in the off chance someone might care). A prerequisite to how I vote is a candidate's position on LGBT equality. Any candidate who doesn't support basic, fundamental civil rights clearly is a complete and total moron as far as I'm concerned and unfit to govern (he/she might try running for office where such views are considered normal... say, in Iran).

Anywho here is how I'm voting tomorrow!

Governor - Jerry Brown. Whitman has stated point blank that she would use her position to defend Prop 8. If that isn't enough to dissuade you, she couldn't even be bothered to vote for over 20 years. Let her buy some other state.

Lt Governor - Gavin Newsom (guy is hot, and Lt Governor doesn't really do anything - might as well vote for the guy who isn't bad to look at... amirite??)

Sec of State - Debra Bowen. The Republican alternative has described himself as being "conservative on social issues." 'nuff said.

Controller - Democrat John Chiang. The Republican alternative has publicly stated his opposition to gay marriage.

Treasurer - Democrat Bill Lockyer. I've never had a reason to vote against him. The GOP candidate is known to be rather anti-hispanic.

Attorney General - A key election. Kamala Harris is the best choice here. Republican Cooley has criticized Schwarzenegger for not defending prop 8, and has pledged to defend prop 8 if he's elected.

Insurance Commissioner - Dave Jones

State Bd of Equalization, District 4 - Jerome Horton

US Senator - Barbara Boxer. No choice here. Fiorina is a proud anti-gay, prop 8-supporting bigot. The smug billionaire will set LGBT rights back 20 years if she's elected.

US Representative, 30th District - Henry Waxman. The GOP alternative Wilkerson is against gays in the military and is so radical he doesn't even support stem cell research.

State Assembly, 42nd District - Mike Feuer. I couldn't find much on this election, but anti-choice extremists HATE Feuer, so he must be good.

Supreme Court Justices:
Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye - YES (moderate Republican, has presided over gay marriages)
Ming Chin - NO (voted to ban gay marriage)
Carlos Moreno - YES (supporter of gay marriage)

Court of Appeals:
Robert Mallano - YES
Victoria G. Chaney - NO (couldn't find anything specific on her, but she's supported by bigoted organizations opposed to equality)
Jeffrey Johnson - YES (vehemently opposed by anti-gay groups)
Judith Ashmann - YES (opposed by anti-gay bigots)
Walter Croskey - YES (opposed by anti-gay groups)
Steven Suzukawa - NO (supported by anti-gay groups)
Orville "Jack" Armstrong - NO (supported by anti gay groups)
Paul H. Coffee - YES (couldn't find anything specific, but he is opposed by conservative groups, so I'm erring on the side of caution and supporting him)
Steven Perren - YES YES YES (strongly opposed by anti-gay bigots; he must be awesome)
Laurie Zelon - YES (opposed by anti-gay groups)
Frank Jackson - NO (supported by anti-gay groups)
Tricia Bigelow - NO (could go either way here, but was supported by anti-gay groups, so I'm voting no)
Elizabeth Annette Grimes - NO (supported by anti-gay groups)

Judge of Superior Court:
Office 28 - Randy Hammock - Republican supported by LGBT lawyers
Office 117 - Alan Schneider - supported by LA Times and various other groups I tend to trust
Office 136 - Amy Hogue

Superintendent of Public Instruction - Tom Torlakson (supports gay marriage)
County Assessor - John Noguez (gay candidate)

Prop 19 - YES
Prop 20 - NO
Prop 21 - NO
Prop 22 - NO
Prop 23 - NO (dangerous, disingenuous prop would set back our clean air legislation)
Prop 24 - NO
Prop 25 - YES
Prop 26 - NO
Prop 27 - YES

(using an old turnout.org userpic... seems appropriate, and falls on the right date again!)
 

I cheered. We all cheered as McCain conceded defeat.

It was a truly a surreal moment, however, at the Henry Fonda Theater when they introduced Obama as the next POTUS. I actually teared up as I watched and listened to our new President.

It was amazing. It was truly, truly amazing. In all of the elections in which I've participated, I've never been so ecstatic, so moved, and so inspired. He's a great orator. In the end though, the real victory is that his election is symbolic of and sends the message of a course change that is so woefully needed by this country.

After his speech though, my friend informed of Prop 8's status, which was just depressing. I remember how surprised I was when Prop 22 passed, but this is years later. Little has apparently changed. The fact is, I live in a state that right now cares more about the rights of chickens (prop 2) than it does of its own citizens.

I know the fight isn't over, but I'm drained. Why do I have to feel as if I need to fight for my rights every, single election?

I guess I should be happy our country took a new direction tonight. I'm really disappointed in my state right now though.

I always thought we were different. I spoke to a friend in the south who reminded me that we still have it much better off than they do. It still stings though. In some ways, to be honest, I think it stings more. I didn't realize so many in my own state felt the way they do.

Here's to Hope. For tonight, though, I'm going to take my Ambien and go to sleep before the Prop 8 bigots announce their temporary victory. Our fight continues tomorrow...

 

Done and done.

In the end, it really was a toss up. I still go back and forth in my head. I could happily go for Hillary, but I think Obama sends the right message: being tired of the same old politics. A good orator, a good leader is certainly something this country could use.

In the general election, I will happily cast my vote for either candidate. It's been a long time since we've had a choice where we didn't have to hold our noses as we selected the candidate. The gravy? it was an historic vote regardless of whom you chose, and you'll get to do it again in November—regardless of the winner.

I'm really glad I could be part of it.

 

While it's all fun and games to do some well-deserved gloating today as we take our country back, stop the wanton corruption, and begin to reverse some of the horrid damage that has been done to our country in the past 6 years, we need to keep in mind the real victim here: Dick Cheney's Halliburton. Something tells me their sweetheart contracts are about to get a lot more scrutiny.

Please keep Halliburton in your prayers.

 

As I sit here hours from the beginning of my Halloween weekend, before I leave work and head into fun, I realize there's an election coming up on me fast and furious. I hate being up until 3 am the night before reading the proposition issues and lists of candidates the night before, so I want to stay ahead of the game this time. I might as well write about it as I make my decisions.

I'm a little more excited to go to the polls this time. I finally made my party change official and turned in the form. That only took, what, a couple of years?!? So I no longer will have to face the humiliation of being handed that dreaded pink ballot. It always felt like a glowing scarlet letter A as I walked, hiding my face, towards the voting booth.

First is governor. I don't think Angelides has a shot. Hell, I don't even really like him, and I've been pretty anti-Arnold since he vetoed the gay marriage bill. The thing is, truthfully, I don't think Arnold's done that bad of a job (outside of being a complete and utter coward on the gay marriage bill). Despite this, I don't think I'm going to vote for Ahnold.

Now, I know some of you are probably thinking, "Don't be a one-issue voter." I don't think that's it. I think it's really more of a concern that, when pressured, this guy has shown he will cave to the religious right nutjobs controlling the today's Republican Party. I don't even think Arnold is against gay marriage, and absent pressure from rabid hate-mongers, he probably would have signed it. I might change my mind by election time, but I think I'm fairly sure I'll throw away a vote towards Angelides. To Angelides credit, he is a member of Equality California. I don't think he has a shot, but I might as well cast my protest.

Lt. Governor really doesn't warrant much thought. I'll throw my vote along party lines to Garamendi. I'd like to continue reminding the Republican Party how marginalized they are in California, just as they do gays nationwide.

Secretary of State. Both McPherson and Bowen actually seem like good candidates. I hate voting along party lines, but then the Democrats aren't the ones who turned the country into red vs. Blue. I'll vote for the Democrat, Bowen.

Controller. I'm going to go with the Times endorsement on this one, and keep it along party lines. Again, no need to hand the GOP any unnecessary victories. Chiang.

Treasurer. Bill Lockyer. The guy who had the balls to shoot a canon across the bow of the automobile industry when they sued to stop our initiatives to clean our air. I think he's done a great job as Attorney General, so I'm voting for him without reservation.

Attorney General. Definitely Jerry Brown. First, he's crazy (I like that). Secondly, and most importantly, Repugnantcan Poochigian is an ultra conservative nutjob. He's against gay marriage, and Equality California gave him a score of 0.

Insurance Commissioner. I'm going to vote for the Republican Poizner here. I've never cared for Bustamante. I think he's a crook, and I think he'll sell insurance customers out in a second.

U.S. Senate. No brainer here. Veteran Dianne Feinstein. She's represented our state well. Not that he has a chance, but Republican Mountjoy is an ultra right-wing nut case. Just check out his site if you have any question of that. The man's a raving lunatic and reminds me a lot of that rabid homophobe Peter Knight.

U.S. Representative. Again, this shouldn't even be a question for anyone. We have to take the House back from Bush. I'm voting for the Democrat, Waxman.

State Assembly, District 42. This is an interesting one. The Republican, Steve Sion is openly gay, which isn't really a risk running a district that includes West Hollywood. Nonetheless, in the current political climate, I don't trust giving Republicans any more legislative votes anywhere. I'm not sure I trust the wisdom of any gay person who is still a Republican today. The party basically has a platform saying we're second class citizens. Fuck em. I'm voting for Democrat Mike Feurer.

As far as Judges and Board of Director of the Water District.... Well, I just don't know. If anyone has a judicial scorecard of sorts, I'd welcome it. Otherwise, I'm just going to look at SmartVoter.org and do the best I can.

That's enough for now. I'll save the Propositions for finalizing my decision on the propositions for another time. Post your agreements/disagreements. You have a week to change my mind! :)