An Ode to China

In addition to all things political I have a deep and abiding love for all things tabletop ever since my days as a lowly minion at a national bridal magazine. Say what gentle reader? You don't know what tabletop is? Tabletop refers to all the stuff you use on your table, plates, glasses and utensils, although typically I would say the name evokes more of the china, crystal, silver realm of things than the Chinet, Solo, Dixie side of things.

So it saddened me today to read that the co-mingling of two giants in the world of tabletop, Royal Worcester and Spode, had declared bankruptcy. Go home and hug your Spode Christmas pattern, I know I will.

Anticipation

It was a feeling like I remember as a child going to bed on Christmas Eve—wondering what lay in store for me in the morning. Eagerly hoping that it would be all I had dreamed of and more. And this time it was.

When I went to bed last night, Obama had won Ohio—a huge coup—and the results were turning in his favor from Virginia. Florida was still too soon to call, but it looked like my own state, North Carolina, was leaning in his direction. While there is still some debate about North Carolina, both Virginia and Florida went for Obama.

So history has been made. And now the work begins . . .

Shameful

With all eyes on the election today, it seems especially pertinent to remind voters of just what is at stake. The NY Times posted an editorial yesterday that aimed to do just that. 

The article looked at what the Bush Administration would try to slip in under the radar during their last 77 days in office (expanding on an earlier post). Among the atrocities Dubya and Cheney and the boys (sorry Condi) are aiming for are your civil liberties, the environment and abortion. Here are some highlights:

• New FBI guidelines—Agents will be allowed to use informants to infiltrate lawful groups, engage in prolonged physical surveillance and lie about their identity while questioning a subject’s neighbors, relatives, co-workers and friends.
• New EPA rule—They are expected to issue a final rule that would make it easier for coal-fired power plants to locate near national parks in defiance of longstanding Congressional mandates to protect air quality in areas of special natural or recreational value.
• Health & Human Services–The department's secretary, Michael Leavitt, is expected, after the election, to extend the so-called right to refuse to a wide range of health care workers and activities including abortion referrals, unbiased counseling and provision of birth control pills or emergency contraception, even for rape victims.
  
  

As Dixville Notch Goes . . .

Per Yahoo News:

Democrat Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a count of 15 to 6 in Dixville Notch, where a loud whoop accompanied the announcement in Tuesday's first minutes. The town of Hart's Location reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul. Independent Ralph Nader was on both towns' ballots but got no votes.

ADDITION:

Per CNN—It was the first time since 1968 that the village leaned Democratic in an election.

Condolences

Barack Obama's campaign office just released news that his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died of cancer. I am so saddened that this woman who was instrumental in raising Obama did not live to see him become president. Her role in supporting her at-the-time unconventional daughter and raising her grandson speak to an extraordinary depth of love, tolerance, acceptance and humanity that we should all aspire to. Peace and comfort to her family and may her journey to whatever awaits us after life on this earth be a speedy one.

A Just Reward

So you should vote tomorrow because it is your civic duty and because it is a right and privilege that not everyone enjoys. But if that isn't enough to sway you, how about free cup of joe and/or scoop of frozen milky goodness?

Starbucks is offering you a free cup of brewed coffee. And later in the day you can head over to your local Ben & Jerry's to get a free scoop. Now those are some delicious incentives if I do say so myself.

Outrageous? Or Courageous?

Talk about getting your mojo back. Despite his rumored marital woes with the other Jennifer, Ben Affleck gave a standout performance goofing on MSNBC's Keith Olbermann this past Saturday on SNL. If that show would stick to politically based skits it might get its own mojo back as well.

Check it out: