yes we did

What an exciting day it was yesterday! I got into the polls at around 3:30 or so, did not wait in line AT ALL (but of course would have), went to Michaels, and then the gym until about 6 pm. I spent most of the beginning of the night blocking my SECRET Project and trying to set the dye on the Pithy Hat while keeping my eyes on CNN. I was disappointed (yet unsurprised) that Kentucky immediately went red, but I had hope the entire day. When I voted in KY just last election, it went red then too. It always goes red....although I can't be too hard on KY, of course, as it is my home. Anyway, we all know what followed after. A huge moment in histry that I was so thrilled to be a part of, and a huge HUGE moment for all of us, particularly the minority population. I heard someone say that the emphasis on Obama being black by news correspondents was a bit heavy-handed, and honestly I couldn't disagree more. What an amazing moment. And as cheesy as it sounds, it's almost as if a renewed sense of unity between all colors and creeds is in the air today. I am amazed. And so excited for the future. "It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

I know he's a politician. I know politicians are full of sound bytes. However, this inclusiveness is something I have never seen in my adult life in our chief executives. Everyone I voted for had a victory last night: Moran, Warner, Obama/Biden. The downside of yesterday's election was the majority vote to ban gay mariiage in California. What a disappointment....you'd think CA wouldv'e voted differently.

Last night I heard a story of someone who is close to me (not close by my choice, but close because of marriage) ask what our country was coming to, and referred to Obama as a Muslim and an additional horribly racist word that I do not have in my vocabulary. On the less extreme side of that, many blogs and internet resources are still very strongly anti-Obama and connecting him with everything they possibly can, from his middle name being Hussein (why does this matter so much?) to his election damaging the very fiber of our country.

Here's what I wonder...what's the big fucking deal? Sure, I know that it sucks when your side loses, us Dems had to deal with that for about 6 years until we finally crept back into the House and Senate. But bi-partisanship aside, I don't understand why there's still so much hatred toward Obama. He's a great speaker, a professional and empathic politician, he wants to pull us out of Iraq (finally), and he's someone who understands (as we all do) that out country is in a poor state. Even if you don't agree with his policies, he won the election, and I don't believe that fact is going to reign in anarchy and chaos on our nation. I mean c'mon. We've had Bush in office for 8 years. Could it get any worse?

I am sure that it comes down to race...there are so many people who will not support someone who is Black...a mentality I have never understood. However, on the bright side, we DID elect Obama, so we must be getting somewhere. Hallelulah. And boo ya.

In addition to my rant, I am having SERIOUS issues with the Pithy Hat I knit for my sister (see the green cable-y one in the posts below). The dye is....not doing what it should. I of course bought it already dyed, and it's coming off on my hands and bleeds when I wet it. I tried taking the advice of a person on a Ravelry forum by putting it in vinegar water and zapping it in the microwave, but it still bleeds badly. I do NOT want to scrap the hat...the yarn is beautiful and so is the hat. If any of you have any advice, it would be most welcome. Arggg.