It’s Over!
Ξ November 5th, 2008 | → | ∇ 90041, 90042, 90065, Highland Park, Politics |
Conservative or Liberal, last night was one of those “do you remember where you were when” moments. I was in USC Medical Center for 9/11, on the 5 South at Basilone Rd. when I learned that my father had passed, and waiting outside Jitlada Thai when I heard that Obama was officially the 44th President of the United States. I don’t want to harp on this too much, Lord knows the internet might freeze up with all the bytes used to write about this election, but one can’t help but be filled with a certain excitement in the future and pride in our country. Too bad Oxy proved too difficult for the president elect, or our neighborhood could have some serious national influence.
Since this is a local blog, let’s focus for just a moment on the local wins and losses from last night. (Beyond a man who lived in NELA for two years being elected president). Almost no one in our area cared about the District 2 race for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Nonetheless, I can’t help but take some pleasure in seeing Bernard Parks ground into political dust by Mark Ridley-Thomas. Remember this blog’s disgust with the Board of Sups and their anti-taco and anti-street art campaigns? While I doubt Mr. Ridley Thomas will radically change the entrenched interests on the board, he is certainly a preferable option to the Gloria Molina-endorsed Parks. Word to the wise Mr. Ridley-Thomas: Keep your hands off my tacos and we’ll get along just fine.
Also, how exciting is it to imagine what the county can do with $40 billion to be put into public transportation? Okay, let’s assume $20 billion gets siphoned off by GloMo to “gentrify” East LA, (Maybe with another supercool sign!) I’ll be thrilled with just a Metro extension into Westwood and a few dedicated bus lanes. Los Angeles needs mass transit like the Westside needs edible Mexican food. With the concurrent passage of Prop 1A, it’s amazing to think that I’ve spent longer on the road getting to Newport Beach than it will take for me to arrive at my sister’s doorstep in San Francisco without driving or flying.
Now, a few reasons I’m thrilled this election is finally over:
- No more terribly produced Yes/No on Prop 8 advertisements. One would imagine $60 million could buy you something that didn’t look like it belonged on public access.
- No more chanting at political rallies. “Drill Baby Drill”, “U.S.A.”, and ”Yes We Can” always feel more to me like a room of lobotomized fratboys pounding Natty Light than the world’s oldest democracy selecting its leader.
- We can shelve the term “Maverick”. John McCain is a lot of things, but he has been in the Navy or the Senate for over 50 years. If that isn’t part of the system, I don’t know what is.
- All those Shepard Fairey posters with the “Hope” and “Change” cliché can be relegated to the keepsakes in the attic. I don’t recall Goya taking input from campaign directors to make more politically effective Tshirts and bumper stickers.
- Joe the Plumber’s 15 minutes are over 15 minutes too late.
- The Dems can stop complaining and start doing
- The “fiscally responsible” and “small government” Republicans get exactly what they deserve for betraying their campaign promises.
One Response to ' It’s Over! '
on November 8th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for your loss,….I too was at a hospital but out in Fresno because my sister was in an accident.
She’s okay.