Yes we can

I'm still sad it isn't Hillary, but I can be happy that it is Barrack Obama. His victory is an incredible testament to the American people's desire for change. It was an amazing 21-month campaign, and no doubt, it will be an amazing four years ahead.

I really do live in the South

Ok, this shouldn't reflect on the entire region because, after all, the Raleigh area really is a diverse, fairly progressive community. There are still southern politics at play, but fortunately there is a diverse enough group of vocal people that those opinions are often counter balanced.

However, an article in the Sunday News&Observer, Raleigh's uber conservative piece-of-shit paper, published an article about the Johnston County sheriff. Johnston county is located to the southeast of Raleigh, touching Wake County, where Raleigh is located. As evidenced in this article, you don't have to move out far from Raleigh to live in the sticks, or at least with, or next to, people who have the capacity of a stick for a brain.

Enter Johnston County sheriff Steve Bizzell.

I can't adequately describe how horrific the language and accusations are in the article. "Everywhere you look it's little Mexico around here," and "Mexicans are trashy," and "Mexicans breed like rabbits," are just a few of the inflammatory comments Bizzell made. It is downright appalling. I am not upset about the paper for writing an article that outs this public figure as the racist bigot he is, but I'm pissed that the reporter didn't bother to interview, or include comments from, people who have differing opinions.

(Read the article here.)

Fortunately, the fall out has been swift. There are numerous calls for the sheriff to step down. The ACLU and NAACP are investigating, and in fact, the ACLU has filed a public records request for numerous documents from the department over the past four years to see if the sheriff's attitude has influenced the way he polices his community. Good for them. We haven't heard the last of this for sure.

(Read the fallout here, here and here.)

"Were you in this campaign for me?"

Hillary Clinton asked that very important question tonight during her speech at the DNC Convention in Denver. She continued, "Or are you in it for the Marine so that he can come home, or the single mom trying to get off welfare?" It was a simple, yet poignant question that made me sit back and say, "I am in this campaign because I am a Democrat." Although Clinton was, and is, my first choice for President, she made it very clear tonight this election was not about her, but rather our future as a party, and our future as a country.

With that, I unequivocally throw my support behind Barack Obama. I still wish it were Hillary accepting the nomination, but alas, it isn't. We can't afford four more years of George Bush policy, and, therefore, we can't afford John McCain. As Hillary said, "Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president." I agree.

Hillary's speech tonight was perhaps one of her finest. Talking heads made statements like, "She hit that one out of the park!" It was an amazing, unifying speech that helped me accept she is not the nominee, but that I should, and will, vote for Barack without hesitation. It was inspiring. Ironically, that is exactly what has drawn me to her all along -- her ability to speak eloquently and with vision about where our country should be headed. It was a bitter sweet night for her supporters, but she once-and-for-all put me at ease with the way things shaked out.

Barack Obama is my candidate.

(Watch her speech here.)

Florida and Michigan MUST count

This may be our last chance to make sure Florida and Michigan get a say in the Presidential primary. Anything less than a re-vote deprives the voters of those states their right to contribute to the process.

Please visit this link to ensure every voice is heard, including Florida's and Michigan's.

The following is the message I sent with my signature:

"If the DNC does not correct these wrongs, a serious legal challenge needs to be mounted. Florida and Michigan voters have been stripped of their right to have a say in our nation's presidential selection by arbitrary bylaws of the DNC. This is power the DNC does not possess. Furthermore, if Florida and Michigan votes don't count, there will forever be a feeling the election was corrupt, just like in 2000 when Al Gore won the presidential election, but not the White House.

"Democrats are already divided and this ongoing debacle does nothing to bring us together, let alone give us confidence in our own party. Regardless of how this issue is worked out, I have serious doubts about Howard Dean's ability to lead our party. I once backed him for President of the United States, but now I can't even support him as president of our party. At the very least Mr. Dean needs to step aside, as it is his failed leadership that led to this situation in the first place.

"As Democrats we cannot stand idly by and let this wrong continue. It is against our very nature as Democrats and brings serious doubts at out party's ability to effectively lead this country.

"Florida and Michigan MUST count. Period. Nothing less than a re-vote is fair, acceptable, or Constitutional."

Keep up the fight

Today Amber, Sara and I had an amazing opportunity to get up close to the person we want to lead our country. Hillary Clinton picked up the endorsement of North Carolina's governor today and did so at a last minute, quickly organized event. We received an email about 9:30 last night for the event that started at 7am today. I don't know how many people were there, maybe 150-200, but we were among the first to be in line and get a seat -- most people in attendance were standing.

At the end of her speech, she came off the stage to meet and greet the audience. Sara got her copy of a TIME magazine with Hillary on the cover signed (first picture) and Amber brought her copy of Hillary's autobiography to get it signed. Hillary came within a couple feet of me, I held out the book and she signed it (second picture).

I wasn't expecting to be star struck, but afterward we were all on cloud nine and I have to admit I was kind of shaking. I guess it was the adrenaline. It was awesome to not only see her, but also get so close to someone who is usually so untouchable. After all, she is the former First Lady, a US Senator AND she happens to be the first woman to run for President! How amazing is that? I loved every second of it.

I am gravely concerned about the outcome of this election. I don't like Barack, and I certainly don't like John. I guess I might consider writing Hillary in if she doesn't get the nomination, as I truly feel McCain and Obama are the wrong choice. It's an uphill battle for Hillary, and I can't believe I am saying that. Six months ago I would have thought she had it in the bag. Who is Barack, anyway, and why aren't more people asking? He has a George Bush-esque hold on people and I can't for the life of me figure it out. I think he's incredibly naive and his goals and promises are ones no politician, not even the President of the United States, can't achieve or keep.

MoveOn can MoveOver

I am so mad I could spit. I have long been a member and supporter of MoveOn.org and their effort to get a Democrat into the White House. They decided to endorse a candidate before the party itself chooses who will be the presidential nominee. They chose Obama based on a member pole where less than 9% of members voted; Obama got the nod from less than 6% of MoveOn members. I am so mad I have terminated my support for MoveOn and sent the following email to them to share my displeasure. Pissed, pissed, pissed. I'm done!

"I am deeply disappointed MoveOn chose to back a candidate at this stage. You have alienated me and hundreds of thousands of other MoveOn members by endorsing a candidate. In your email to members you said an endoresement brings people power saying there are 3.2 million MoveOn members. Less than 9% of MoveOn members participated in the pole to select a candidate for an endorsement, and Obama received less than 6% of the total membership's vote.

"How can you possibly say this is representative of what MoveOn's members really want? You know by being MoveOn members we support change and a Democrat for office. Let us decide who that candidate will be without influence. Once that candidate has been chosen, then it's time to back them 100% for the home stretch. Should Clinton receive the nomination, which I hope she does, the relationship between MoveOn and Clinton will be strained. And that is NOT what we need to win the White House. Shame on you for playing politics within our own party.

"For this reason, I am removing myself as a member of MoveOn and will no longer support the group. Your poorly conducted pole and endorsement will only serve to pull our unity apart and make the road to the White House that much more difficult for a Democrat. Congratulations."

Dear Mr. President