Election Eve . . .

Salmon and women...
The only two reasons for voting for McCain...at least by Denny Crane standards on one of my all-time favorite television shows, "Boston Legal." David E. Kelley has long been one of my heroes. And you would have had to watch the show to understand how that tongue-in-cheek rationalization made sense even to Denny Crane. My mouth was agape at the fact that Mr. Kelley was able to get from script to screen the five-minute political volley that Alan Shore and Denny Crain screamed at each other before having a paint gun shoot-out in their office.

And my mouth was further agape when I got an e-mail blog post comment after writing this entry to inform me that on my blog site was a Google ad in support of voting Yes on Prop. 8. to say I was horrified is an understatement. I looked to see and yes, sure enough, there it was. How could that happen? I have written blogs about my stance on Prop 8 with personal editorials to ensure a compassionate NO vote on Prop 8. Not to mention that only a few weeks ago, Google was noted for having contributed to the No on 8 Campaign. Damn. I am embarrassed and appalled. I will have to quickly learn how to remove the ad and send my scathing letters to Google about this error. My apologies to my friends and readers for this breach.

On Saturday night at the end of the first half-hour of "Saturday Night Live" before we could turn the television off and go to bed, there was a commercial about voting that immediately caught our attention. It began with only words and questions regarding the privilege and the power of voting the upcoming election. Don and I stopped and paid attention to the very hip phrasing and underlying intention and were moved. Then the commercial stated that if you take advantage of your privilege and power to vote, Starbucks would support that power with a free tall cup of brewed coffee. Allllllright!
Way to go Starbucks!

Speaking of "Saturday Night Live", we stayed up to watch John McCain make a cameo appearance. Frankly, I like him better as a comedian. I am not being sarcastic on this one. The likable and engaging John McCain from pre-candidating and election days was back and having a good time making fun of himself and the campaign. Even Cindy McCain looked far more comfortable in her Vanna White cameo along with her husband. These were the McCains that I paid attention to when they were on interview news shows or the Comedy Central news shows. Since becoming a presidential candidate-and particularly since selecting Palin-- Senator McCain has seemed more doddering and inept than my earlier impressions of him. Certainly the stress and strain of the campaign can take its toll. And that is all the more reason why it pains me so to think that he would even for a brief maverick-y moment be willing to put his country at risk by choosing Palin as second in command. Where were the GOP advisors that week?

Yesterday at church, it was odd to have the memorial candle lit for our Abby Stitt. Although we hadn't seen much of her over the past year (since our wedding) she is the kind of person and friend that you know is there and our phone calls kept us current. To have missed saying goodbye to her in person was difficult and seemed surreal to memorialize her in our new church. I know she would have loved the song our choir sang and that she would have been far more vocal politically than I felt at liberty to be.

Today, volunteer poll workers arrived at the church to begin setting up for Election Day tomorrow. Also, people were already showing up ready to vote--a day ahead of time. When I left at 6:30, most of the 'booths' were set up and people were busy getting signs in place and stations created. I was exhilarated by what was going on--it felt electric with energy. Was it just my projection because I feel more energized and excited by this election? Probably. But I really think everyone is charged by this historic election--no matter which candidate garners your vote. And here is where it does get personal--I was thrilled to note that there is a lovely color portrait of Ernest Holmes that oversees all the people who will walk into our church tomorrow to vote. In some ways, it reminds me of the portraits at Disneyland that as you walk by, the pictures appear to be following you with their eyes. The metaphysical precursor and progenitor of CHANGE is holding High Watch over the entry way into the precinct.

As I was writing this post, I learned the news that Senator Obama's grandmother, 86-year-old Madelyn Payne Dunham died Sunday night. I had heard recently that she was ill and I admit I held out the human hope that she would live to see her grandson elected President of the United States in this extraordinary and historic election. It is not mine to understand the timing of her death before the election. I shall only trust and know that perhaps Mrs. Dunham can now 'join' her daughter in being of support and Light for Obama from a higher purview that was not possible in what we know from their earthly forms. I will be augmenting my prayers tonight and tomorrow to support the Obama family at this time.

Here is what I wrote as my contribution for tomorrow:

"My Pledge"

This November, the voting citizens of America have an opportunity to come together in clarity and wholeness—no matter which candidate they endorse. My active prayer work includes affirming for both Democrats and Republicans and their elected officials an expression of national unity and wholeness . Each citizen on this planet is privileged to be alive at this time so that we may co-create a unified state of consciousness for our individual, national and global lives.

Profoundly moved by the reality of our coming together into the Oneness that we teach (and preach) in Religious Science, and in my embracing a healing for our country, I offer my Citizen of the Universe pledge.

“I pledge allegiance to mySelf and the united states of awareness.
And from the philosophy for which I stand;
One community, under God, with liberty and happiness for all. Amen.”

Post-Script:
At the end of the "Boston Legal" episode, staunch conservative Republican, Denny Crane shared off-the-record to Alan that he had voted for Obama. He was asked why the start change of heart (and vote). Crane said it was because he couldn't abide another presidency like the one of the past eight years. Alan was solemn as he contemplated the idea of waking up to a new president tomorrow. The men toasted to a new America. And I cried.

I toast to David E. Kelley . . .
Here's to a our New America.