Has anyone voted yet?

[YellowRoseTex]

I decided to take advantage of the early voting this year. There is a voting place that is open just 5 minutes from my home so I stopped on the way home from work this morning. There was a nice little crowd, but no waiting in line. Dh will go in the morning. My vote is cast so now I wait until Nov 4th to see how it all turns out.

[Marian Paroo]

All us Americans overseas have already cast our absentee ballots I should think.

I don't remember early voting from when I lived in the USA.

College students could request an absentee ballot.

[jcme]

Not every state allows early voting. :(

I think it would be a great convienience. Over the last few years I've had election day off. Not this year so I'll need to get up extremely early and hope there won't be a line.

Take care

[100792]

Washington State is a vote by mail state.

The day my ballot came in I filled it out and dropped it off the next day at the ballot box drop off.

DH and I have both voted and anxiously awaiting November 4th to find out who wins the presidential election. We are also anxious to find out who our new governor will be.

[clogaholic]

I'm going to try to vote early. DH already has as he's working the election.

[LuvMaui]

I think early voting is great. I plan to vote on Monday.

[PeachesPear]

I will vote on election day. I think its important that everyone votes since its not something to be taken for granted. Has anyone seen the celeb voting campaigns? Gap's was pretty cool-- celebs like Bill Maher, Minka Kelly and Kristen Bell all did videos to encourage people to vote.

[Kathy]

I've voted. Texas has early voting spots across the states for 2 weeks leading up to the election.

Yes, the celebrity campaigns are quite fascinating but hugely biased like the rest of main stream media who has sold out to a candidate. It would be good for them to release them that had no political slant/stab in them. ;)

[Marian Paroo]

Well, I don't get all hot and bothered about media "sell outs" because although I've been here for many years, I remember newspapers and radio/TV stations in the USA endorsing this candidate or the other. I have to admit the only real USA news station I get is FOX, because I get CNN International which is a different kettle of fish all together.

I never expected any fairness from anything that has a paid sponsor, anyway.

Here different news stations have leaned toward different parties (as the papers). We have a couple of fundamentalist (not Moslem) stations here, and their direction is very clear.

We also have "personalities" endorsing candidates, in all directions, including the "finders of the answer" (the local equivalent of being born agian) endorsing the fundamentalist candidates.

So none of that shakes me up.

But many of the uglier aspects of the past couple of USA campaigns, absolutely copied from here :( really upsets me.

If anyone is gonna be here, or know anyone who is gonna be here the night of Nov.4th-5th, Mike's Place, largely English speaking pubs in Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem will be open all night with big screen election coverage.

[YellowRoseTex]

I am extremely upset about the media bias and sell out. :( We here in this household are wise to their ways, but I fear that other citizens are not and are listening to the propaganda and onesided bashing that is going on.

[Kathy]

One of the things the media does is surpress information about their favorite candidate if its not "favorable info". For example. did you know that one of the candidates is anti-semitic? Yes, you don't hear about it in the regular media but there are audio and videos of him discussing/speaking with these viewpoints.

[PeachesPear]

I've voted. Texas has early voting spots across the states for 2 weeks leading up to the election.

Yes, the celebrity campaigns are quite fascinating but hugely biased like the rest of main stream media who has sold out to a candidate. It would be good for them to release them that had no political slant/stab in them. ;)

I don't know about the other celeb campaign's but Gap's Vote for campaign doesn't endorse either candidate, it just encourages people to vote in general.

[Kathy]

I removed the link because it is biased and the link goes to a commercial site. ;)

Its a shame that celebrities think that we value their political views. We don't. In fact there are many shows I no longer watch because they have stepped into the political arena in such a way that is hateful. Who wants a hateful entertainer? Not me!

[clogaholic]

Its a shame that celebrities think that we value their political views. We don't. In fact there are many shows I no longer watch because they have stepped into the political arena in such a way that is hateful. Who wants a hateful entertainer? Not me!
I agree. I don't think that being a celebrity gives them a right to try to push their veiws or opinions on us. There's a good many I won't watch or listen to either!

[trishaloha]

Hi all,

I am happy to report that I voted yesterday, yet also a bit ashamed to tell you that it was for the first time in my life...I've never felt so motivated to vote as I did in this campaign, however, and despite living in a "house divided" (my fiance and I support opposing parties and he has been trying to suppress me from voting!) I got out and did it and have never felt better about doing so :)

The local races were also of great interest to me--several of them--and I met with many of the candidates personally. It was quite an experience, and I will continue to vote for the rest of my years now...and I will not let anyone (ie--fiance) interfere with what my heart, mind and conscience are telling me.

Sincerely, Trish

[jcme]

Trish,

Good for you. I'm glad you went out to vote. :cheerlead I'm also happy that your fiance didn't influence you and you voted the way you wanted to.

It's a shame he wasn't supportive of your desire to vote no matter what your choices are and find it sad that he acutally tried to supress you from going. :thumbsdow

Take care

[trishaloha]

Hi there ((((JC))))

Thanks so much for your reply and support :) It really was/is a sad and frustrating situation here at home regarding politics and my right to vote! He argues with me incessantly about my choice, and all I hear from him, for months now, is politics, politics, politics...and how HE is in the right--I want to scream!

Yesterday was my last chance to vote, as I am having a minor procedure on Tuesday and will be out of commission--I was dependent on him to drive me to the election center, and had to beg & plead just to get there in the nick of time! I almost missed out entirely due to his strong opposition to my choices :( He has already let me know that if his candidate loses, that he will do some serious venting, and I am NOT up for that--frankly, I am unsure how to handle the whole matter. He can be a real hot-head, whether it be a football game or anything, if his team loses, he gets extremely angry.

Thanks again for your kind words, and please take care.

Sincerely, Trish

[Marian Paroo]

First of all, I wish you well on that minor procedure.

Now, back some 40 years (eeyach!) ago for a couple with completely different views. Thinks weren't as vicious then as they are today, and they just joked about cancelling each others vote out, but going to the polls anyway, because that was their right and obligation (ethically, if not legally) as Amricans.

Your boyfriends anger issues, since it's not just politics did raise my eyebrows, though.

That kind of anger can be a warning sign of worse to come.

Please think everything over when you are recovered.

All the best,
Marian




Hi there ((((JC))))

Thanks so much for your reply and support :) It really was/is a sad and frustrating situation here at home regarding politics and my right to vote! He argues with me incessantly about my choice, and all I hear from him, for months now, is politics, politics, politics...and how HE is in the right--I want to scream!

Yesterday was my last chance to vote, as I am having a minor procedure on Tuesday and will be out of commission--I was dependent on him to drive me to the election center, and had to beg & plead just to get there in the nick of time! I almost missed out entirely due to his strong opposition to my choices :( He has already let me know that if his candidate loses, that he will do some serious venting, and I am NOT up for that--frankly, I am unsure how to handle the whole matter. He can be a real hot-head, whether it be a football game or anything, if his team loses, he gets extremely angry.

Thanks again for your kind words, and please take care.

Sincerely, Trish

[jcme]

Trish,

I wish you the best for your procedure. Do your best to take care of yourself afterward.

I would ask your finacee to vent elsewhere if his candidate loses (or gloat elsewhere if he wins) so that you can concentrate on healing.

Take care

[trishaloha]

Hi there ((((Marian & JC))))

Thanks so kindly for the well-wishes and also the comforting words of advice...I do have a lot to think over, as his behavior and anger issues that have surfaced during this campaign is not in my best interest. If it continues and I cannot tolerate it, you will find me posting in the Relationship Forum...thanks again for the support, and please take care--I wish you both the very best always. :hug:s

Sincerely, Trish

[Marian Paroo]

Hi there ((((Marian & JC))))

Thanks so kindly for the well-wishes and also the comforting words of advice...I do have a lot to think over, as his behavior and anger issues that have surfaced during this campaign is not in my best interest. If it continues and I cannot tolerate it, you will find me posting in the Relationship Forum...thanks again for the support, and please take care--I wish you both the very best always. :hug:s

Sincerely, Trish

Trish --

Again, good luck on the op and all the best.

You must take care of yourself -- I have been involved with abused women, and most of them have had little redlight warning signs during the relationship.

Go by your mind and gut on this, and cast the heart aside.


Hugs and hopes,
Marian

[jcme]

The closer it gets to election day, the more I wished I looked into getting an absentee ballot (my state doesn't have early voting)

I've heard there is supposed to be record turnouts and there have been long lines where there early voting has been allowed. There was one woman on the radio who said she waited 6 hours (not sure where she was located). On the radio this morning they suggested for anyone who could to vote between 10:00-2:00 to ease the morning and afternoon/evening crowds for those who had no choice but to go at those times.

I remember as a kid going with my parents and waiting around for what seemed forever for them to vote (they always had to go in the evening because of my father's work schedule).

I guess I got spoiled the last few elections as I've had the day off and only ever had to wait a few minutes. I plan on going in the morning and hope the lines aren't too long. If they are, I won't be able to wait because I'll need to get to work and will need to go back in the evening.

Take care

[Marian Paroo]

JCME, and everybody,

The law in the USA is the same as it is in Israel, although there have been violations (in both countries).

If you are line at the moment the polls close, they cannot send you home, They MUST let you vote.

If the polls close at 10 pm (I think that's the hour) they can have an elections official say "Sorry No More," but they absolutely CANNOT turn people away.

When my mom worked at Maidenform in Bayonne (before I was born) they let workers come in two hours later or leave two hours earlier with pay on Election Day.

Dad had a store (that was a couple of years later), so he just put up a "Gone to Vote" sign and nicked out to the polling place -- it was across the street.

[jcme]

They polls close at 8:00 here and they will not turn you away if you are in line at at that time.

When I was growing up, I remember election day (at least the presidential ones) being holidays or companies allowing people to come in late or leave early as well.

I will definitely vote, I just don't have the patience to stand in line ;) Plus my back has been bothering me if I stand in one place too long. :(

Take care

[uLearnAsUgo]

New Jersey allowed all residents to vote by absentee ballot this year. I chose not to do that because I trust the machines more than the mail. I will still be voting early, the polls open at 6am. I am a very educated voter. I have studied the issues. I've received many emails that contain lies about the candidate of my choice. Some of the lies are that he is a terrorist, is anti-Semitic, he doesn't love his country, ect. I can respect opposing views if they are based on facts. It amazes that some "educated " people cannot see through the lies. I hope everyone respects our voting process and can accept our new President without making threats on his life.

[Marian Paroo]

Some of the lies are that he is a terrorist, is anti-Semitic, he doesn't love his country, ect.



Well, since we are getting into specifics, I am happy and surprised at how the tide as turned here amongst Israeli citizens . Looks like people saw through the negative campaigning. I think a lot of things that were said against Obama reminded them of things said against Rabin in the weeks before he was assasssinated. Today in fact is the 13th anniversary of the assassination.

Most Israelis, except for the very religious and people living beyond the Green Line, including some high army officers, are pro-Obama.

The owner's of MIKE"S PLACE, a bar that was attacked by terrorists some years ago, is turning the place over (well, they do expect us to eat and drink) to Democrats Abroad tonight (actually Wednesday morning, see time difference) to watch the returns starting at 3:30 am Nov. 5th.

[bonnieclaire]

I voted at 7:30 this morning. There was already a crowd there as they had opened their doors at 6:00 this morning.

I watched the debates, but went back and forth in my mind until I went into the booth to cast my vote. It was a hard decision to make this time. I decided to select the lesser of the two evils, as they say.

Let's pray that our country is in good hands when they announce::winner:

[healingplease]

I voted during early voting week. I'm glad I did because of the long lines in my home state(county).
We have to remember that this election is in gods hands/not mans. :hi5: :usflag:

[clogaholic]

I voted this morning. There was a line but it was moving pretty good.

Lets' all hope for the best. The lies were not one-sided remember. I heard some pretty bad mudslinging and outright lies coming from the Democrats too.

[Kathy]

Absolutely. In fact, depending on where you stand, the lies are thicker than I've ever seen them. ;)

And having videos with a candidate saying things is not rumor. It is not hearsay, but fact. So its important to base your choice in a candidate on their voting record, their previous experience, their associations past and present and what they say consistently from their mouths.

Otherwise, voting based on what you hope will happen or what you believe may be true....can be a problem when they fail to live up to unrealistic expectations.

No matter who wins, it will be an adventure awaiting us.

[rumbledoll]

i voted this afternoon and i've never seen so many people before..really amazing. i waited about 40 min.

[jcme]

I voted this morning. My plan was if the line was too long, I would leave and go back this evening so I wouldn't be too late for work.

This morning there were only a couple people in front of me. One of the election officials said the line was a pretty long earlier so I glad I overslept. :rolleyes:

It turned out the only wait was for the initial paperwork as there were always several open voting booths. When I thought about it, I actually had to wait longer in past elections since I've usually had to wait for a booth to open up.

Take care

Take care

[LuvMaui]

I voted this morning.

[kimijean]

Oregon is a vote by mail state ( :^( I always enjoyed go ing to the polling place) ... i sent my ballot last week.

[Marian Paroo]

Given the EST+7 time difference, I am bone tired.

This is the first time in I don't know how many years -- decades? -- I pulled an all nighter out of choice!

Just came back from a bar in Tel Aviv, where I and a lot of other people watched the returns all night.

See ya later alligators.

[jcme]

Given the EST+7 time difference, I am bone tired.

This is the first time in I don't know how many years -- decades? -- I pulled an all nighter out of choice!

Just came back from a bar in Tel Aviv, where I and a lot of other people watched the returns all night.

See ya later alligators.

Sounds like an interesting evening. Hopefully you can catch up on your sleep today.

I couldn't pull an all nighter if I tried, I'd be alseep in my drink. :rolleyes:

Last night, I didn't watch any of the election updates. I went to bed early because I'm fighting off a cold and was completely exhausted. Usually I turn on the news station while getting settled into bed, but I just crashed and didn't hear the outcome until this morning.

Take care

[Marian Paroo]

Sounds like an interesting evening. Hopefully you can catch up on your sleep today.

I couldn't pull an all nighter if I tried, I'd be alseep in my drink. :rolleyes:



I got about three hours in the morning when I came in and got off of the computer!

Right now I am more concerned with making up the lost workouts -- I didn't workout or walk for three days -- I was that jacked up.

Oh, if you see coverage from Israel (a lot of US news services were covering the event) with a woman dressed in blue with blue sparkles on her face and blue streaks in her hair, that's probably me!

[YellowRoseTex]

I only watched about 5 minutes worth. It amazes me how with only 4% of precincts reporting for a particular state, they can declare a winner for that state???? I turned it off and went to sleep.

[uLearnAsUgo]

Absolutely. In fact, depending on where you stand, the lies are thicker than I've ever seen them. ;)

And having videos with a candidate saying things is not rumor. It is not hearsay, but fact. So its important to base your choice in a candidate on their voting record, their previous experience, their associations past and present and what they say consistently from their mouths.

Otherwise, voting based on what you hope will happen or what you believe may be true....can be a problem when they fail to live up to unrealistic expectations.

No matter who wins, it will be an adventure awaiting us.

I agree that past voting records and experience must be considered when making a choice. The video that showed John McCain saying that he voted with Bush 90% of the time probably made a lot of people lean towards Obama.

I also considered the education of the four candidates:

Obama: -Occidental College - Two years. -Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations. -Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden: -University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science. -Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain: -United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin: -Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester -North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study -University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism -Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester -University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

The only job that would really give someone experience to be President would be the position of Vice President. None of the above have held that position. Barack Obama and Joe Biden were the most educated of the two choices. I'm sure they will have educated advisers to assist them.

As far as the lies that were said during the campaign, I don't recall seeing any out right lies said by Obama that attacked McCain's character. If Barack said anything anti-semitic I'd like to know where to find the video. Here is a link that will show what Barack Obama said on that subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LofuQXA8-4&
You can find it on Youtube under Barack Obama - African-American & Jewish communities.

Sarah Silverman is Jewish and gave her support to Obama.
You can watch her campaign on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHHX9R4Qtk

I don't care much for Sarah Silverman as a comedian but her Great Schlep was a success.

John McCain gave a gracious concession speech last night that showed the person that many had known him to be. I think his campaign advisers did him a disservice when they had him run such a negative campaign.

To call Obama a terrorist was absurd. He could not have reached his level of success and been asked by his party to run for the highest political office if he showed any tendency toward terrorism. Colin Powell and the Kennedy family are respected by many people in our country and wouldn't have offered their support for Obama if they hadn't felt that he was the right person to lead our country.

Hopefully we can unite as a country and support our President Elect.

[YellowRoseTex]

I agree that past voting records and experience must be considered when making a choice. The video that showed John McCain saying that he voted with Bush 90% of the time probably made a lot of people lean towards Obama.

I think it was the mortgage crisis. The two candidates were practically tied in the polls until than. Once the mortgage crisis hit, there are many that decided it was the Republicans fault and time for a change.

I think people tend to forget that the president only has so much power, yet they blame everything on him. Congress has the power, they have to pass the bills before it even gets to the prez. Hmmm.... there currently is a democratic majority.

And than there is the media, IMHO the media won this election for Obama.

[LuvMaui]

Today my DH was so disappointed he took down our flag.

I'm just hoping and praying for the best.

[Marian Paroo]

And than there is the media, IMHO the media won this election for Obama.


A lot of Americans living here were very steadfast in their commitment to McCain.

Until Ms. Palin was chosen for VP.

She had a lot of people switching their choice, just before they mailed in their absentee ballots.

Her ragtag collection of BA credits bothered them.

The Orthodox Jews , though admiring her decision to give birth to and raise a Downs Syndrome child were distressed by the whole Bristol thing. Their daughters, given such a rare situation (so they say) would be married, as an orthodox librarian here said 1'1/2 minutes after the rabbit died. They would be very concerned least something might happen to the father (not talking running, talking any kind of accident) of the child before a wedding could be held.

McCain people (talking in general now) here found her cuteness annoying, too. They did not find winks and "you betchas" very Presidential.

Just reporting.

Most of them (McCain supporters), by the way, although we do get CNN International here and a bit of CNBC, watch only Fox (and local TV) anyway.

[Kathy]

The latest Rasmussen polls do not agree with your friends regarding Palin. ;)

91% of the Republicans polled have a favorable opinion of Palin. Another group (very large too but I can't remember the exact number to report it here) thought she was an asset to the ticket.

I agree with Kim. The media was so far into the tank for O that for him to lose would have been amazing. And of course, there are those in the USA who believe if he was a white man, he never would have been on the ticket because of his lack of experience, his shady associations and his radical liberal views which do not line up with middle America.

[QuiltAngel]

ON this video, we have a couple of media people expressing their concerns regarding Obama now that he is the President-Elect. Why weren't they expressing this before the election?

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2008/11/05/2/a-conversation-with-jon-meacham-evan-thomas

Regarding Palin, she did more to energize the ticket since the first of September than anyone. There were people who went McCain/Palin because of Palin. People were finally excited about the ticket and felt they could vote for McCain.

Also, the popular vote was close so if anyone thinks Obama received a mandate, they are wrong. The next couple of years are going to be very interesting. There is also another Governor I am watching and who I think would be great as a potential candidate.

[healingplease]

I believe that as a nation we should give a chance for Obama to bring this country to where needs to be and not put him down because of his skin color.Also pray for him and our country

[Kathy]

No one has put him down because of his skin color. His ideology yes. Never his skin color.

[clogaholic]

No one has put him down because of his skin color. His ideology yes. Never his skin color.

Absolutely correct!

[YellowRoseTex]

Healingplease,
I have absolutely no problem with his skin color, I don't think anyone here has even mentioned that. It really bothers me that because I don't like a candidate, now our president elect, people assume it is because of his skin color.

[Marian Paroo]

I was snapped while in a bar with a buncha Americans here waiting for election results.

Can I post it here? Is that okay with the GGG regulations?

[Kathy]

A photo? Sure. :) You can also put it in your GGG gallery (if adding it here doesn't work)

[Marian Paroo]

Okay, trying to upload the picture from Election Night:


??????

:confused: So take me through it step by step -- how do I do it!!!

[YellowRoseTex]

Marian,
Go to the Gallery http://www.girlsgetgoing.com/gallery/ than click upload photo. Browse your computer for where you have stashed it, you can put in a comment or two than click upload/submit.

[Marian Paroo]

Marian,
Go to the Gallery http://www.girlsgetgoing.com/gallery/ than click upload photo. Browse your computer for where you have stashed it, you can put in a comment or two than click upload/submit.


Thanks, I figured out, but, like my rear end (hope that isn't an offense expression to anybody), it was too heavy!

Well, if anyone has access to the Monday, November 10th issue of the Jerusalem Post via a library, thats me first page in the second section with the American flag and Obama poster...