The Manic Mechanic

After Jeff and I performed our civic duty by voting and had a nice dinner at the local pub, we settled in at home watching the election unfold, hoping for the best. We weren't disappointed.

Maryland voters not only reelected Obama, but they put two very progressive feet forward with the state version of the DREAM Act which allows "illegal" immigrants and others to pay tuition and receive other educational benefits if they meet certain conditions regarding positive efforts towards education, employment and such towards attaining citizenship, and, most amazingly, voting FOR the referred law recognizing same-sex marriage. Finally, the old saw trotted out by anti-gay groups such as NOM, smarmy political groups with "family" in their names, and religious groups where they boast of "Victories" at the ballot box defining marriage as one man and one woman no longer will apply. It was close, but decisively on favor of equality. The legislature had passed marriage equality a while ago, but the usual petition drives poured from church groups and hate orgs to put a referendum to the voters. It backfired. As I write this, it appears that Maine will also enjoy marriage equality thanks to voters as well, and Minnesota and Washington, while not final yet, are tending positive. Regardless, this marks a solid turning point for gay rights, equality and social progress for the US. The current progress overturning DOMA as well as smaller local initiatives present and future will be able to gain a lot of momentum in the next four years.

Maryland finally ousted our version of Jesse Helms, a MD house member Roscoe Bartlett, a 10 term Republican that has been a constant thorn in the side of progress in this state, replaced by a Democrat. There is a lot of social and economic progress to be made in the years ahead, and it should be a lot easier now. I just wish I could say the same for politics on a national level. There is still a framework of gridlock in place, but now that the people have spoken, and it's clear that they are also demanding some serious progress.

I can also live free of the constant bombardment of political ads, signs, robocalls and stumping. What a shite-tonne of audio-visual pollution. It should be quet going into the holiday season ahead.

Despite the setbacks I have experienced recently, I can live a bit happier now, a bit more proud, and more open than ever.

Now, to start making wedding plans...

We voted. No line, no hassles, in and out in less than ten minutes. I'm sure the Diebold machines recorded our votes fair and square. Yeah, right. I had to cram the smart card into the machine twice before it was recognized.



Our polling place is located in the middle of Schooley Mill Park, just up the road from us about two miles away. To get to the park we drive past several large ego houses. All but one were sporting McCain/Palin yard signs. I sure hope these people are in for a lot of disappointment. So much for our part of the state being all open minded and progressive.

It seems that it rains here every time there is an election. This was no different. It was a light rain, but not even a category five hurricane was going to keep us from our civic duty. And that's exactly what it is. If one does not vote, then I should not have to hear one bit of complaining about policy, politicians or anything related. Be a part of the process if you want to benefit by it. Otherwise, quit your fucking bitching.

Now, we wait.

So I am outside, working in the garage, also sawing up branches from trees that either lost them in the high winds that have been around here, or that I trimmed from around the yard, getting ready to run them through the chipper. As usual, I had the sound system blaring in the garage, relaying the programming from the studio PC across the airwaves via my Ramsey FM transmitter. I decide to come in and make some lunch, have a break, and check out LJ. I am reminded in several posts that it's the final day for voting on Gay Internet Radio Live for the one lucky DJ who will get to spin during Gay Days Orlando this summer. Of course, our resident LJ hunk and DJ extraordinaire whereispaco/DJ Francisco Guerra is in the final four. Let's make sure he gets there. Cast your vote. Yeah, you need to register, but it's easy, and no spam has resulted from my signing up. So, do it. And check out his set coming up. I've been listening to his podcasts and sets. Awesome does not come close to what the man can do.

The feed from G.I.R.L. was at a higher volume than my progrock playlist I had been listening to. No biggie, turn down the monitors. Later on, I go back out to the garage. I dont even get near the back yard and start wondering why it sounds like the White Party blaring across the yard. I left the DJ contest feed playing in the studio, and was unwittingly sharing it with the neighborhood. That's okay. My JW neighbors need to expand their musical horizons.