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Election Benediction (a non-secular election prayer)
(Editor's note: Carol has given us permission to reprint this benediction written by her friend Susan Markman.)
I admit, I don’t pray very often.
I prayed when my children were born
that they be healthy and whole.
I prayed when my daughter got sick,
when all of the doctors, and all of the treatments
couldn’t make her better.
And I prayed when finally, she was well again
in profound thanksgiving.
When my son sang his heart out in his first high school play
I prayed to be deserving of the joy that filled my heart,
hearing his confident voice, watching his agile body.
I prayed when he went off to college
and I prayed on September 11th
when he called from his New York apartment.
And when his father and sister went to New Orleans to help, I prayed then, too.
I’ve prayed when I’ve been most afraid,
bone tired or thoroughly spent.
I know you’re supposed to pray more than that-
more frequently, more selflessly.
I acknowledge my negligence in the realm of spiritual correctness.
And I’m sure there are others like me
who mostly look to God when out of luck or out of time.
(I bet God understands that about people.)
These days I have a new prayer practice
One born of hope, not of fear.
These days I pray for America
and I pray for Barack Obama.
I pray for his wife who sustains him,
for his children and all of our children,
who compel him to reach for the heights he is seeking.
I pray for him to be safe,
to have wise and compassionate counsel.
And I pray for him to win the election
because even though my religious adherence has been minimal
I know a miracle when I see one.
The man is not the miracle.
Through the confluence of hope and history,
the miracle is the capacity he creates to inspire so many millions of us
to engage again, or for the first time,
in our nation’s political process –
to work together for peace, for prosperity, and for the planet.
I never sang, “God Bless America” unless I had to in school.
It seemed arrogant to me, like asking for divine special treatment.
Bless America instead of India? Not Peru or Mozambique?
“This Land is Your Land,” was my patriotic favorite.
I’m older now. The bifocals I wear make it easier to see shades of gray
and stand, like everyone else, with my hand on my heart
when the band plays loud martial songs.
My prayer is nonsectarian.
“Baruch atah adonai,” it begins, because that’s how I first learned to pray.
And then, tentatively, I say it,
“Please God, bless America.
Help people get to the polls.
Help others to count their votes fairly.
No fraud this time, or intimidation
no Florida hanging chads.
Help us move closer to the dream, closer to the promise of our creed.”
I teach in a wonderful public school with kids of all colors and faiths.
I borrow their words when I need them,
in Arabic, Creole, Chinese.
“Tal ouy ban sac, Barak Obama,” I say in Khmer to end my prayer.
“Vaya con Dios,” the same thought but in Spanish.
God be with you, Barak Obama.
I’m hoping to cover all bases.
Whether the way is a cross or a crescent,
Whether Allah, Loving Kindness, or Christ
Bless audacity.
Bless hope.
Amen.
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I also want to say a prayer for Obama and his family upon the loss of Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who died today.
I only wish she could have lived one more day. But she knows...
a dairy by John Kerry
Leave It All On the Road
Yes. It's so very sad. But there is no doubt that she died confident that her grandson would certainly be the next American president. IMO
For Ally
It's November 4th in Korea already.
Here is Voting For Obama From Korea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vVsQoOT4X8&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/3/18275/0872/422/648426
& I just saw a little girl with a long blond wig (with brown hair sticking out) who was eating two ice cream cones at once and wearing an Obama pin that said "I voted." Cracked me up. 4 years old or so.
& I sat next to a North African guy in a store (originally, I mean) & he was watching a big Comcast tv with me (I mostly only see them in stores- otherwise it's all internet for me.) Obama was speaking from N C - live - on CNN. He was talking about his grandmother and we noticed that he had tears. The guy knew all about which states we need to win, like NC and VA and FL & he knew we needed to compensate for untrustworthy FL R's who may try to cheat.
Nice prayer but prayer and meditation are not necessarily nonsecular.
See this entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular
Don't know about you, but I've about had it with Lou Dobbs...
CNN said that Obama will be speaking about his Grandmother in a few minutes...
For live stream:
http://origin.barackobama.com/live/
Need a little smile? Check out my mostly unnoticed diary...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/3/153933/844/708/651191
;)
Wow... Karen Hughes on LKL-- she almost seems, er, humbled. I'm sure she'll revert as soon as I post. Wow... did she say that some 'pukes feel responsible for the economy? Must get hearing checked. Will check transcript...
Sparrow - thanks for posting this beautiful piece. I think it represents what a lot of us are feeling at this point.
Slugbug - I think the reason 'non-secular" was included is because this was written by a public school teacher, who sent it to her boss, and since campaigning in public schools is prohibited by law here, not to mention separation of church and state, she wanted to make sure the intent was clear to the reader, who could then choose to read it or not.
slugbug
I'll tell you this, again and again.
Moon owns the ENTIRE island of Kodiak. He's given the fishermen there so many concessions, at a huge loss, in order to buy their loyalty and influence. And once you own Kodiak, you certainly are a force to be reckoned with in Alaskan politics.
Another thing: Korean is the most widely spoken foreign language in Alaska - not Spanish, not Russian. Anchorage may only have 1/3 the population of San Francisco, but Anchorage has more Koreans.
Honestly, other than Korean-American Christian reactionary nutjobs, very few foreigners are enamored of Palin anyway.
I look forward to Obama getting into the White House and kicking Lee Myung-bak's ass.
One more thing...
The official airline of the American neocons, Korean Air, still maintains service to Anchorage. No other Asian airline flies there, except to refuel.
Remember that in 1983, Korean Air 007, from Anchorage, strayed into Soviet airspace and got shot down. Either the pilots made a grave navigation error, or more likely, they were under orders from Reagan's CIA and its puppets in Seoul to do a spy mission over the Soviet airspace.
Can't just be a "refueling stop."
Lest we forget....
slugbug
Watched the YouTube video - thanks for sharing!
CHANGE WE CAN! OBAMA-BIDEN '08!
May Obama kick the South Korean reactionaries' asses.
Obama live from Manassas
now
http://origin.barackobama.com/live/
I just called my mother back in Los Angeles, to ensure that she votes come morning.
I didn't even talk about Obama. I only told her that this election is too important to ignore, and that I spent KRW 14,000, or USD $11, to fax my vote in (as allowed by California law). She has repeatedly told me that Palin is way too unqualified to be Vice President, so she will be voting for Obama, no doubt about it.
I did urge her to oppose ALL 12 ballot initiatives in California, however. After seeing Prop 4 (teen abortion ban) and Prop 8 (gay marriage ban), I got so steamed that I decided to also oppose all ten others, which may be well-intentioned but will take away the state's financial flexibility and increase my taxes.
Manassas-the end of the last rally
Barack face shows the most remarkable emotions... grief, sadness, quiet joy, tiredness all at the same time...
It's good that he doesn't have to speak again. He needs time alone with his family
Carol
I really liked the prayer.
from Nate Silver at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com
For the organizers, the volunteers, every damn brave last one of you:
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
-- William Shakespeare, Henry the DXXXVIII
Good Luck everyone, will be praying for an Obama Victory, will have the box on all night.
And Darn I hope I will be congratulating you all tomorrow some time, on your win,
Darn, I sure as hell hope you get a 60 seat majority in the Senate, that will be the best ever.
I just finished voting, thinking that I'd go early, maybe even cast the first vote in my district...only to arrive at the polling place and see at least 25 people in line before me!
Having worked a Presidential Election, I can tell you that it was nothing like this in 2004. And what a diverse group in line.
Amazing.
Good morning all, Richard and I are off to ote with our highly diverse, but hopeful neighbors.
We vote in honor of all the work we have all done, all the hearts and minds opened up, and we vote for our children. We vote for TRANSFORMATION.
Good luck with all of you voting.
I have voted absentee already, as mentioned in the main thread. Feels so good!
Here in South Korea, the conservative government and the Moonies do everything to keep the Republican agenda going. Fortunately, I have a weapon they will never have: my own vote. Glad to have used that weapon.
Looking forward to all the ass-kicking here in Seoul, that will start once Obama is in the White House.
Voted early--long 2 wks since then. Phonebanking later togay. TN is deep red, so we call NC, freeing NC folk to canvass. Feet on the ground over there :)
Best wishes to all today... my stomach is all doubled up in a knot!
Hold on tight!
Getting steamed here in Seoul, as my attempts to access US news continues to end up with more and more sights of ads asking me to support the California gay marriage ban.
This is despite the fact that I am in Seoul with a Korean IP address, and that I have left no identifying information that traces me to California (maybe except for cookies I am not aware of).
Maybe the homophobes do want the South Korean funds to carry them forward. As if millions from the Seoul government through the Moonies wasn't enough already.
It's 11PM Election Day in Seoul. I will be on the bullet train for a 100-mile day trip tomorrow again. Hoping to get some great news feeds on the train - not only for Obama, but also for the future of civil rights in California and the US.
I'm prepared. To celebrate, to kick ass, or both. South Korea WILL see my joy AND my wrath.
I need to go to bed but can't quite do it yet.
Here's a message from one of my (and slugbug's) favorite closet lesbians, Lindsay Lohan.
Vote for Obama.
And in California:
No on 4 (teen abortion ban).
No on 8 (gay marriage ban).
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/lindsay-lohan-makes-final-plea-vote/14974
Lesbian power, baby!
Good morning, everyone. Fingers and toes are all crossed. Eyes are not. (Lost that skill when I ended my teenage years.)
I made calls and canvassed for Obama. I'm very grateful to the callees in VA and CO who thanked me profusely for calling them and begged me to keep it up.
Also, I'm going to hope against hope for the 60 seat Senate majority.
And will hope that some local ballot initiatives pass. From what I'm gathering, there's been some misinterpretations out there.
O beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.
O beautiful, for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!
O beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
'Til all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine!
O beautiful, for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!
Knoxville, TN-- Went by to phonebank. Obama HQ was packed. All phone sheets were used up. We had been calling NC & VA. Obama HQ suggested phoning from home, getting phone numbers off BarackObama.com. People in the east can call people in western time zones
GOTV!!!!
I've been on the brink of tears all day....
Compare how OBama and McCain supporters are feeling
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/04/us/politics/20081104_ELECTION_WORDTRAIN.html
neat interactive - join in!
Good luck Tennessee~
You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
(Peter Gabriel)
tears...
It's not over till it's over...
You don't have to go anywhere to help... BarackObama.com makes it possible to phonebank from home or anyplace you like... If you're in the East, you can still call Western states.
Go to BarackObama.com
Click: Action Center
Select: I want to help on my own
Then select: Make calls from home with our online tool
You can take it from there...
GOTV!!!
TV on,sound off... looks like McCain dumped Joe the Plumber for Leiberman the smarmy...
Thanks for watching t, aimzz; we can't make ourselves do it.
Sitting home and feeling cozy, warm, and a little nuts! 3:30...
(((tapping fingers)))
opening the cookies....
maybe some hot chocolate???
Karen - the hot chocolate sounds perfect. It's a cool, crisp spring morning here in Tasmania and I've been up since 4am willing news to be in already! I leave here in an hour and a half and when I return 6 hours from now I expect you will be celebrating. Hot chocolate seems like a good choice this morning before I go out.
Madelyn Dunham could not have chosen a more perfect time to die - if there is such a thing as choosing the time. She has supported her grandson throughout his entire life. And then on her last day she gave him to you, to America. She'd have wanted him to have absolutely no distractions when it comes to learning all that he needs to learn and surrounding himself with all those he needs to consult. She'd have total confidence in Michelle, Malia and Sasha being able to nurture his soul and keep him focussed on all that's really important.
Thank you Madelyn.
I thought it might be amusing to check FOX 'news'. They are talking about voter intimidation... "Black Panthers" have been threatening race riots in Philly... no substantiation-- it's enought that they say so
aimzz,
Yes, someone at Kos did a piece on the Panthers thing:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/4/134335/769/277/652639
enjoy!
FOX 'news' - tonight, every hour will set a new record for how low 'low' is
http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results
CNN is about to start posting exit polls! Why am I excited? 2000 & 2004 exit polls just brought false hope. Who know whether early voting will make them better or worse...
Maybe best to hold hands over eyes & peek through fingers
The problem I read with exit polls is that they just sample polling places, not really scientifically/randomly.
I guess we need real returns.
OH HELL, we can't take it any more. We are going out to dinner, wine included!
Meet you all back here later!
I'm heading out too. It's 8:45AM the next morning in Seoul, and I am taking a 100-mile day trip on a bullet train.
I expect to have some live news feeds on board the train. Looking forward to seeing some good news on board.
Needless to say, President Lee Myung-bak and Reverend Moon won't like the results. But their loss is my gain, and also the gain of most of South Korea.
Barack is leading in Indiana (ok, it's only 3% reporting...)
I'm liking the chart on Real Clear Politics. It hss the states grouped according to poll closing times. Dunno about their projection map, but I like the presentation of the actual counts
How many maps & charts do you have open in addition to TV or radio? I'm embarrassed... KOS map, RCP chart & 538 map.
Well, it keeps the hands busy... The cats aren't coming around. They know something's... er... strange
;p
Barack up by 100,000+ in Florida so far. I had given up Florida as lost.
MSNBC PROJECTS Pa TO OBAMA!!!!!!!
gaaaack
Tacky-- every time CNN projects a state, they play a little electronic gong sound... like it's a game show...
Obama up 150,000 in North Carolina so far.
FOX'news' somewhat more bearable now that reality begins to set in... still saying that Dems majority in Congress is too new for people to place blame there, but better than Philly voters intimidated by threat of race riots...
FOX calls PA for Obama
they are not enjoying themselves...
33% counted in Florida-- looking good so far
CNN joins FOX on calling PA for Obama
Today's a holiday in spirit. People were excited everywhere I went. The man at the parking lot was wearing an Obama tee shirt, talking about what a beautiful day it is. At the bank, I almost said "Happy Election Day" to the teller, decided not to, later regretted it...
~~~~~~~~~
CNN is marvelling about voters' knowledge of which states are pivotal, which ones to watch. It's like announcers surprised when fan's know their baseball...
Surely the pundits realize how much the people care-- we all know the future hangs on the results.
ARIZONA - TOO CLOSE TO CALL!!!!
o_O
FOX discussing that maybe we're becoming a center-left country...
Major shift from claiming we are a center-right country deluded by left-extremist with a secret agenda
Christy (if you're around)
Were you able to cast a provisional ballot?
What are your thoughts about Landrieu?
Is her opponent a Rovian?
FOX calls OH for Obama! Right when Rove was reviewing the map ;p
You're kidding. That's the win!!!!!
OHIO!!!!!!!!!!
Haven't seen OH called elsewhere... FOX folk are throwing in the towel
MSNBC just called it.
amazing.
Provisional yes, but Louisiana just went mcmumbles. My stupid state has a death wish.
On the other hand I have no doubts Landrieu will win.. She is not only an iconic incumbent she is beloved.
She should win easily.
GOOOO OHIO!
NEW MEXICO!!!!
COME ON FLORIDA!
CNN not calling OH yet
RCP calling it for Obama
WHOA, hold on...
CNN too
OH --> Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
er, um, remember... it's a projection...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No puke ever won without Ohio
FOX wondering if the ultra-liberal Obama maybe isn't so extreme...
Oh... if the ultra-liberal Obama isn't so extreme, then maybe we aren't shifting from a center-right country to a center-left country... (FOX)
WOW--peeps still in line to vote in Dade county & other counties
FL, VA, NC still too close to call...
PA & OH loom big
FOX saying that none of the close races are in states that would affect election results... if they aren't holding out for contested results, maybe we can relax on that front
Iowa - Obama
FOX, CNN
McPalins see no way without PA, OH, NM & NH
I don't like huge celebrations, but tonight it would be incredible to be in Time Square or Grant Park
*sighs longingly*
Just got home from work...catching up. here and on the tv.
TEars in my eyes because they announced Ohio! What a difference a real election makes!
Hey gang! We're doing this!!!
"Sea change..."
Um...yes. could that be the real mandate not the false one Bushco pretended to have?!!!
Please...pray for 60 senate seats.
Would that be 60 with or without 'Joe the Schmoe' Lieberman
Fifteen minutes to Cali!
Could someone explain the 'card check' issue-- something about union voting?
Hey Aussis.... Where you at?
What are they saying across the pond?
SB:
Cf: November 3, 2008 4:08 PM, could be, but I never heard that from the horse's mouth. Anyway, as I said , I voted straight Democrat ticket here in Texas (we can do that here witha punch of a button) and so did my wife, for the first time voting as a US citizen (how I know that is classified). Anyway, that was kind of an inertia vote for me as a Yellow Dog and I have no idea where my party is going from here. I guess I just kind of rolled the dice.... (Not that it matters how I vote in Texas). And Matthew, I'm on Volume Two of Andy the "Jackass" Jackson and he still seems OK to me.
Chuck in Houston
Chuck - you ROCK. A change is gonna come, baby!
CAN WE...
DANCE ON THE ROOFTOPS???
WOOT! NBC calls Barack Husseing Obama the next President of the Untied States!
Can you spell PANDEMONIUM?
**somewhere Toots is smiling down on us**
WOOT! NBC calls Barack Husseing Obama the next President of the Untied States!
`````
CNN TOO!!!!
Singed sealed delivered I'm yours!
EVEN FOX
***Martin's smiling down right now***
ooooh
David Gergen's reading Martin Luther King's Mountain-top speech
THE WHOLE WORLD'S WATCHING!!!!!!
Wow.
They're showing celebrations in Kenya
TV anchor-folk are in tears
WE DID IT!
OH MY GOD WE DID IT!
Proud to be an American!!!
Christy - we did it!!!
i don't even know where to begin feeling this.
FLORIDA for OBAMA!
OMG - Karen I know what you mean. I want to hear him. I need to hear him.
LOL
pundit--
people around the world how we could do this four years after George Bush...
We have the ability to learn... LOL
FLORIDA???!!!!
priceless
concessions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chuck, glad you voted straight Democratic - as for Jackson, why argue on a night like this? Better to listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlg5t11efcE
BLOGGER'S BALL, folks, DC, January 20.
Make your plans NOW~!!
Now BARACK!!!
CNN
People will always remember where they were...
THE WHOLE WORLD'S WATCHING!!!!!!
THE WHOLE WORLD'S WATCHING!!!!!!
It is indeed.
Hugs all around here.
Did I miss Barack?
Ok. so I'm deeply involved in watching the Senate returns.
And as far as my house rep...well, it's less than 2000 votes difference. I'm SURE they gerry-rigged this area!
No sparrow - he hasn't been on yet.
Obama to speak at midnight.
Kleenex's all around...!
David Gergen is saying that the breadth* of Obama's win completely dispels the myth of a liberal cabal
* not just blue states plus one-- way beyond
WOOOOOOO--HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will be a new day......
I Love that.
FOX projects Senate at 56-58 but not 60
CSPAN- great crowd shots
Carol
Dancin' in the Street
:D
Thanks
Higher & Higher
:D
They're here!!!!
The next first family of the United States
and the WORLD!!!!!
I can't stand it
They are soooooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The nation's next First Lady
God bless the United States of America!!!!!!!
Is this music from the soundtrack of Mel Gibson's "The Patriot"?
God bless the United States of America!!!!!!!
They are so beautiful
Yep, that's the big theme.
Come on up for the rising - come on up, put your hand in mine!
again
must see it again!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on up to the rising sun
CSPAN
incredible crowd scenes
a half-million people
This is the first time in 50 years there hasn't been a Bush or Dole in office!!!!
We are going to the White House to look at the Obama's new residence. Pics to follow.
I love all of you and am so happy to share this moment with you. (Of course I wish we hadn't had to wait 4 years for it but...)
Anyways, I adore the Obama's and Bidens. If I ever decide to get adopted, I'm joining their family. ;-)
To me, this is the most powerful picture of the campaign -- will write about it sometime
I wish I could see this woman tonight
I have always loved the idea of this country, but tonight, I am truly proud of this country.
Yes, Sarah, this is what it means to be "exceptional".
Matthew:
I hope the party founded by General Jackson (and Van Buren) will not let me down. No excuses and no surrender...
Chuck in Houston
New thread.
(*PLEASE pray or cross your fingers or just do a 'beat Walberg rain dance' to get rid of Walberg!)
On to the new thread...