| D.C. Here I Come! |
[Jan. 15th, 2009|04:37 pm] |
I'm going to the inauguration next week--it still seems unreal, somehow.
When Clinton was in office, I was a Republican because, well, everyone was a Republican. I was pleased when Bush got elected the first time--how strange that seems now--but I hardly ever read the news and I didn't care for politics much. The Boyfriend still likes to tease me about it--he was much more liberal than I was when we met many moons ago. The build-up to the invasion of Iraq coincided with my shift leftward, especially with regard to reproductive rights. I remember that my father and my grandpa were both angry with me for opposing the invasion. My grandpa said the communists had infected my brain--that just made me laugh when I was safely at home. My dad yelled at me and said I was despicable--that made me cry--though a few years later he told me that I had been right. Now, they're both quite as disappointed in the Bush presidency as I am, though for very different reasons.
I think my father is resigned to an Obama presidency--he sent me an email of congratulations after Obama won, and seems interested in my trip--but my grandpa is bitterly opposed to Obama. He has bought in to all the sekrit-Muslim hysteria, and no amount of facts can change his mind. My sister and I tried. He said something incoherent and terrible about how you can't trust a mix of black and Muslim--he's so old, and in such ill health, that it seemed pointless to say any thing. My grandma told me that he was deeply upset after the election; I think she wanted to make sure that I wouldn't bring up anything political at Christmas. She needn't have worried--I try not to, around my family.
In contrast, though, my grandma told me that she thought his Cabinet picks were good--I think that the Republicans did such a good job of depicting Obama as a dangerous socialist that his center-left picks seem reasonable now! My dad visited his father this week, and he said something very similar. It shocked Dad so much that he called to tell me about it. John's parents have expressed much the same opinion.
So, here is some anecdotal evidence that some Republicans, even in the Deep South, are willing to give the new administration a chance...after the ugly tenor of the election, that's more than I had hoped for! |
|
|
| Comments: |
That's awesome. :)
And I'm pretty jealous you get to go, yep.
My roomie made hotel reservations over six months ago! We're so excited--we heard him speak in March of '07 in Selma, Alabama (at an annual Civil Rights memorial) and we were both very impressed.
Take and post lots of pictures you lucky girl!
I'll try to get some good ones! :D
When Clinton was in office, I was a Republican because, well, everyone was a Republican.
Bah humbug! I'm proud to say I voted for Clinton. And worked on Wellstone's campaign.
/and cried when Bush won. Twice.
//then again... Minnesota.
Bah humbug! I'm proud to say I voted for Clinton.
I was nine when Clinton was elected the first time! :-P
then again... Minnesota.
I think that makes a big difference. Mississippi is still very segregated...everyone I knew when I was growing up was a white evangelical, conservative Republican.
Ugh, I'm old.
Which pissed me off a lot last night, when I was trying to play Halo 3. I was given a MUCH harder time than usual when trying to play with the headset. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but to be constantly told to shut up because I'm a little boy when I'M OLDER THAN THEM and FEMALE...
It really matters where you live in MN, though. Anywhere near the Twin Cities and you're pretty safely liberal. But there are some districts... well, "Michelle Bachman." That should say it all.
Oh god, Bachman. I guess you can find wingnuts everywhere. :(
AND SHE GOT RE-ELECTED!
Even the republicans know she's batshit crazy- hell I'm convinced she'd push to take the vote away from women again. But that's not enough to make them vote Democrat or Independent- even directly after her "investigate the anti-patriots in congress" statement.
I would be jealous, but 2 to 4 million people sounds unpleasant and possibly scary. Especially with that much security and transportation shut down, I hope you're staying close! I know so many people going, I think the 4 million projection might be correct. I even know a Republican that's going!
Have a good trip! Stay safe! And do take lots of pictures!
I am a bit scared of the crush, to be honest. I'll try to get some good pics!
Ah politics. I usually don't bother talking too much about politics with my family. They're pretty ignorant. I could try to enlighten them and stuff, but I guess I can't be arsed with that battle.
I try to avoid it because I don't want to fight, but I'm honest if they ask about my opinion. | |
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
snowe's journal
