BS: I Voted

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: akenaton
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 04:11 PM

Try that to get a decent health service or a livin' wage and they'll send you off to be tortured (sorry, rendition).

Try thinking what you are voting for, who you are voting for and what stone they crawled out from under...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Amos
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 10:38 AM

Gi' em hell, lassie!


A

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Cats
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 10:16 AM

In April 1913 my grandmother, Emma Davey [Bourne], along with other women, left a 'bomb' in the gents toilet of Oxted Railway Station in Surrey, Uk. It was found before they could get it down onto the rails where they had hoped to disrupt the train that was bringing the Prime Minister down to his country weekend retreat. 2 weeks after she was caught trying to set fire to the station in order to disrupt the Prime Minister again. She was sentenced and went to Holloway prison where she was force fed. Why? So that women and working class men in the UK would have the right to vote or the right to put None of the Above on their ballot paper. So, when deciding if you can be bothered to vote or not, give a thought to Emma and the thousands of women all over the world who fought and died so you have the right to put a small cross in a box. Then tell me it's not worth it! Apparantley I take after her......

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Amos
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:40 PM

I would be inclined to vote for him anyway, actually. Oh, I already have. Never mind.


A

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:34 PM

Well, Pennsylvania's primary isn't until April 22, 2008, and I suspect the Presidental nominees for the Democrats and Republicans will be selected by at least March.

But I just found out another reason why I like Barack Obama as a person as well as a Presidential candidate-his Mars is in the same astrological sign as my Mars. And his Venus is in the same astrological sign as someone I've been close to for some time.

For those who are interested in astrology-read on:   

"Barack Obama has been a rising star in the Democratic party since his keynote speech to the Democratic convention in 2004. His unique combination of humility and confidence along with a brilliant rhetoric and populist philosophy in a charismatic package has made him virtually irresistible to many voters who seek a change from the cutthroat political landscape of the past fifteen years. His shiny image remains untarnished and he appears to have no skeletons in his closet. He is a dedicated family man who has been married for fifteen years, and a regular churchgoer.

His astrological chart shows his Sun is in Leo, the sign that inspires creative self-expression. In Leo the ego is celebrated - the individual is called on to develop their own personal identity and story. Leo is associated with the heart, and Leos are typically generous and warm-hearted. They crave admiration and respect, and inside every individual with a strong Leo component there is a sense of royalty.

Obama's Sun is challenged by the planet Neptune in his chart (square to his Sun) which shows that his ability to develop an individual identity has been difficult. Neptune is the planet of mystery and confusion, and when in difficult aspect to the Sun which forms the basis of the personal ego there is a tendency to lose one's sense of Self. This is reflected in Obama's early childhood: born to a white middle American mother and a father from Kenya, his parents divorced when he was two and he was moved to Indonesia with his mother and her second husband. Subsequently he moved back to the US and was raised by his grandparents. Obama talks candidly of experimenting with drugs (Neptune) to erase thoughts and doubts about his identity (Sun) out of his mind.

The fact that his Sun is in Leo has helped him to develop that sense of self despite the Neptunian obstacles as Leo is inherently a strong (fixed) sign whose very purpose is to build that strong foundation of personal identity. The Neptune/Sun combination is much more difficult for someone with the Sun in a sign like Gemini, which has a tendency to change identities easily and become lost in a variety of experience.

Mercury is in Leo in Obama's chart, showing that his thought process and communication style (Mercury) reflects the Leonine qualities of pride and ego. There is a strong sense of purpose with Mercury in Leo, and a sense of mission to accomplish great things. Obama's Mercury is opposite Jupiter, the planet of abundance and possibility. Jupiter is expansive and confident, and the opposition, which is a challenging aspect, shows that we may see the more negative aspects of the combination of Jupiter with Mercury in Leo which can reveal arrogance, overconfidence, and a bit too much pride in one's accomplishments and brilliance. There can also be some stubbornness (Mercury) in one's ideas (Leo) and religious fervor. Jupiter rules philosophy and shared ideas as well as theology, and the stressful aspects between Jupiter and Mercury often show someone who feels they are always right.

This is somewhat countered by Obama's Virgo Mars. Where Mars is the planet of aggression and shows the nature of the individual's drive, Virgo is humble and focused on serving others. Mars in Virgo feels a drive to help others and avoid the limelight. Obama likely feels an inner conflict between the Leo urge to demonstrate his greatness and this Virgo need to remain humble and sensitive to the needs of others. Mars in Virgo also shows a desire (Mars) for perfection (Virgo) in the details of life.

Mars in Obama's chart is in harmonious aspect (trine) to Saturn, the planet that gets down to business and creates success through hard work. Mars in Virgo is cautious but disciplined and practical, and in tandem with Saturn's pressure for responsibility and grounding through the material world, this is a powerful aspect for manifestation that virtually guarantees success.

Obama's strong ties to his family are shown by his Venus which is in Cancer, the sign of nurturing and family roots. Venus in Obama's chart forms a Water Grand Trine with Chiron (in Pisces) and Neptune (in Scorpio), showing the healing power (Chiron) of his relationships (Venus) and his inner connection to his spirituality (Neptune). Obama is religious as we saw above, but his religion includes an inner sense of spiritual connection rather than just theological dogma.

2007 looks like a good year for Obama, with several positive planetary cycles involving Jupiter (opportunities) and Saturn (perseverance and commitment). He is going through a long term cycle of Pluto in square to his progressed Sun which could lead to battles over power issues (perhaps with the Democratic establishment?). Still, his unique combination of charisma, confidence and humility could make him the candidate to beat in 2008."

http://astrodynamics.blogspot.com/2007/01/barack-obama-face-of-future.html

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:14 PM

Electoral College? No! Electoral Kindergarten, maybe.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:07 PM

Yes, vested interests would fight it tooth and nail all right. They have been formed around the way things are, and they intend to keep it that way.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:38 PM

Yes, I'd do away with the electoral college too. That would help with making final voting make sense....but we gotta work out a better way to choose who to vote for, and I'm not sure of exactly how.
In order to have viable 3rd & 4th parties, we'd need to change a LOT...to something like Canada's or England's...or Israel's....and that would be fought tooth & nail by vested interests. There'd have to be totally new ways to share power.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:12 PM

If the people don't come out, we have to enter their votes the way they would have had they showed up...especially in an area where the the graveyard vote can be critical. Look at Kenya.

My sister is a poll worker. As a result, she put her absentee ballot in for Edwards. Fortunately, in New Jersey, you can change your ballot up to the day before the election if your candidate drops out.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:55 PM

"Vote early, vote often."

Also attributed to Mayor Daley...

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:35 PM

"Just because a citizen is dead is no reason to deny them the vote!"
                   --King Richard Daley I

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:30 PM

There are 35 or so Federal political parties in Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:21 PM

Oh, so now I'm an "Alien", am I? Well, Amos, I could respond by making nasty comments about your clothing, hairstyle, and personal deportment which are all just drea...

But no. I'm way too classy to stoop to such petty tactics. That's because I'm Canadian, something you will never be, you poor wretched thing. I get to choose between four (count 'em!), yes four glorious political parties, all of which are totally viable and which have a real effect on the agenda up here. Not like you, you miserable benighted sod with your 2 silly parties that are almost equally bad anyway. Ha! So there.

Furthermore, I have never kissed girls "from a hat". I have no idea what you're talking about in that regard, but I assume it's some disgusting Californian custom.

Kendall - My view of it is similar to yours. I feel that people who don't vote are people who are just too damn lazy to get off their asses and rubber stamp the corporatocracy. Such irresponsible people deserve exactly what they get...4 more years of either the Democrats or the Republicans! ;-) Funnily enough, though, that's what those who vote also get. It's just not fair!

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:17 PM

"Have I mentioned that I want the entire primary system overhauled?"

Me too - but lets start by getting rid of the electoral college. It's the root of the problem.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: kendall
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:01 PM

I have never missed a vote since I voted for Eisenhower in 1956. Those who say, oh hell, my vote don't count, they do as they please anyway, are too damn lazy to get off their asses and support democracy.

Just remember, "Those who vote decided nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." Josef Stalin

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 03:30 PM

I get to vote on Feb. 12th...and it may well be that at that time, it all won't already be decided! What a new & amazing thing...to actually have a chance to help CHOOSE the candidate, rather than just wait till Iowa & N. Hampshire have told me who I get.


Have I mentioned that I want the entire primary system overhauled?

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Amos
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 03:12 PM

"it is still the greatest thing in the life of a memeber of this country to go in and drop a ballot in the hands of the local vote-takers." Umm...well...no. Not quite. Close, but no cigar. The greatest thing in life is the first time you kiss someone you're deeply in love with. ;-) Beats the hell out of voting, lemme tell you...


Spoken like the true Alien you are, LH. For one thing it should be clear I was speaking of the particular role of a mebmber of the nation, not a hat from which one goes about kissing girls.

A

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 03:06 PM

Oh, there are some of those all right.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Amos
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:54 PM

LH:

Not almost every country, I think. I haven't got a head count of nations to hand but I think you will find there are plenty of countries where voting is not an option for changing the government.

A

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:48 PM

"And as for the $14/hr, I tend to think you'd do it for $.00/hr.

You're probably giving me too much credit there, Bruce.

I would have served for free the first one or two times, to enable the local (mayoral) election to be held fairly shortly after the storm. But I am already very sorely tempted to quit, and may well have done so by now except that the payment sweetens the deal just enough to keep me in the fold (especially since they doubled the amount, with the specific purpose of keeping suckers like me on the job and attracting new ones).

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:24 PM

Voting happens in almost every country, not just in the USA. It's not what defines what it is to be an American.

Voting for Democrats and Republicans defines what it is to be an American! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Stringsinger
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:16 PM

I am more sceptical. Diebold and E.S.and S. is too error prone or hackable. Absentee ballots and paper is often thrown out. Boxes of this have been uncovered. Abuse is now technologically more rampant.

Voting is still a civic duty that defines what it is to be an American, though. We got to do it even though it ain't perfect. We need to think of all the people who have fought and died to bring us an election. Those that don't participate are just avoiding good citizenship.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:16 PM

That depends, Adrien . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:15 PM

It isn't "screwing" if you're in love, Ron. ;-) It's screwing if you're merely in lust.

As Woody Allen said, "Sex without love is an empty experience."

He then added, "But...as empty experiences go...it's one of the best."


Pardon me for these digressions from the main subject of the thread! I could not resist.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Beer
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:11 PM

Getting screwed ain't bad either.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:08 PM

Good for you, PG. (One of the reasons I do volunteer work is that my community/province/country deserve it. Like helping yer mom do the dishes. It should just BE that way.) And as for the $14/hr, I tend to think you'd do it for $.00/hr.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:05 PM

A vote or a a kiss - both ultimately lead to getting screwed.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:04 PM

It's kind of alarming that most responses here have come from Canadians. After all, the election in which Amos voted, and the series of primary and general elections that most of us are discussing these days, is in the USA.

I will not only be voting, I'll be spending a 14-hour day at the polls as a commissioner. I would never have volunteered for such an excruciatingly boring task were it not for a situation of desperate need in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Most of the existing roster of local poll commissioners consisted of elderly senior citizens ~ not just over 65, most considerably older ~ and that portion of the population tended to remain displaced once they had left town. We returnees are generally a younger and more energetic bunch, and somebody has to man the polls.

This is not, strictly speaking, a "volunteer" position. You get a check in the mail about 6-8 weeks after each election. The pay was a measley $100 when I started a couple of years ago, but (mostly as a way to boost recruiting) it's now $200. Divided by 14, that's a whopping $14+/hr. for giving up a whole Saturday.

All Louisiana elections are held on Saturdays, even the Presidential primaries coming up a week from tomorrow. The final presidential election coming in November will be one of the very few times Louisiana voters will cast ballots on nationwide Election Day, which is always a Tuesday.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:01 PM

"Try it sometime. You'll like it."

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:53 PM

The greatest thing in life is the first time you kiss someone you're deeply in love with. ;-) Beats the hell out of voting, lemme tell you...


That reminds me of an old joke. The punchline is "It's better than ham - isn't it?"

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:52 PM

"The greatest thing in life is the first time you kiss someone you're deeply in love with"

It's the millionth time that's greatest.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:48 PM

It exists in Canada, but it's not printed on the ballot. When I have no one for whom to vote I simply write, YHGTBK.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:48 PM

"it is still the greatest thing in the life of a memeber of this country to go in and drop a ballot in the hands of the local vote-takers."

Umm...well...no. Not quite. Close, but no cigar.

The greatest thing in life is the first time you kiss someone you're deeply in love with. ;-) Beats the hell out of voting, lemme tell you...

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Emma B
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:42 PM

I'm a whole-hearted supporter of universal suffrage and, not to vote, would be an insult to the people who struggled for this right.

Now, will someone please include a box that says 'non of the above' please.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:42 PM

AMEN!!

(If you'll pardon the expression. . . .)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:39 PM

I'm with you there. The wasted vote is the one that isn't cast.

Subject: RE: BS: I Voted
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:38 PM

I agree with you, Amos.

Subject: BS: I Voted
From: Amos
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:33 PM

Thanks to some error on the part of the Registrar of Voters in these parts I had to go in to their office to sort out and cast my ballot.

There are nay-sayers and nabobs aplenty out there who will tell you that apathetic hopelessness is the attitude de rigueur, that realpolitik dictates abstention from a corrupted process.

But I am here to say, naive, optimistic, or just plain ornery, it is still the greatest thing in the life of a memeber of this country to go in and drop a ballot in the hands of the local vote-takers. The support is terrific -- hundreds of friendly volunteers doing their best to support a proces sthey believe in.

So I recommend you ignore the nabobs of negativity, and take the trouble to walk, drive, run, or be carried to your polling place and join me. It is the best thing you can possibly do. It feels good, too.

Especially if you join me in voting for Barack Obama, but even if you choose otherwise.


A