Pictures from Prop 8 Protest

Thousands of people over-filled Chicago's Federal Plaza.  Nicole and I each had a one-hour shift to collect signatures for EQIL.org petition drive to show Gov. Blago support for equal access to State-Sanctioned Marriage.  It was the easiest petition drive we have ever had.  We collected 80 signatures in 30mins.  Nicole actually had to chase down the clipboard as it was getting passed through the crowd faster than she could walk through.      


Here are our pics:

 

  

More pictures on facebook.  

Why Protest Prop. 8...

Image by Kahscho via FlickrChicago is one of dozens of communities participating in a protest this afternoon to express our disappointment in the passing of California's Proposition 8. Why should people in Chicago protest a proposition passed in another state? Precedent.

Proposition 8 for the first time strips away a right already granted to a person. If this proposition is left to stand it will be the beginning of more rights being stripped away. In the most "free" nation in the world we will begin to take rights away from individuals for reasons of bigotry and fear. Not allowing one set of citizens access a state institution because it violates someone else's religious views is a violation of the United States Constitution and is a reversal of our nations founding principals.

Nicole and I are volunteering at the protest for the first hours to get a petition signed to send to California. Ensure Illinois does not follow California's lead and write your legislator today. The protest is:

Saturday, November 15, 2008

12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Federal Plaza

Dearborn & Adams

Chicago

Party in the Streets

Pictures from the streets of Chicago!

 

  

 

YES...WE...DID!

Tonight in Grant Park, surrounded by the amazing skyline of Chicago, Barack Obama accepted victory.  This  was especially moving for me because my father was in Chicago 40 years ago for the Democratic Convention and walked with Kennedy and King in Washington D.C.  He is no longer with us, but I had the opportunity to complete the circle, right here in Chicago, witnessing the first African-America get elected President of the United States.

This was a great night, the City of Chicago police did a wonderful job of allowing the crowed to celebrate while maintaining a safe place.  Everyone working the event was professional and we had a nice time. 

Below are some pictures we took.

 

 

Golden Ticket

Image by bcbeatty via FlickrNicole and I received tickets to join Barack Obama and 70,000 of his closest friends tonight in Grant Park.  I'm glad we will be in the field with the tents and not in the "overflow".  My only hope is that win-lose-or draw Chicago holds it together and shows the world we can party responsibly.  Looking forward to being present for this historic moment.

Election Predictions

Image via WikipediaMy election predictions!

President:

For president, I am expecting an Obama victory tomorrow night.  I don't even think it will be close.  Even the racists have to consider thier pocketbooks this year and I am convinced that the racists who are determined not to vote for Obama have told pollsters another silly reason they do not like him. 
I have to believe the America is better than that.  Voting for someone because they fear the other candidate is a bad reason to vote.

Unlike in 2004, I feel people are for Obama becasue of what he repesents and not because he is just the alternative to what we have.  That was Kerry's weakness.  People voted for him because they did not like Bush, not because they were moved by his ideas and vision.  Obama has made his case and has inspiered voters. 

I predict that Obama will win with 291 or more votes, winning in the Rockies and taking Virginia.  He still will lose Indiana (though close).  I think the republicans will also keep Ohio despite the best efforts of my mother who lives in Coshocton, Ohio. 

Senate:

Sen. Dick Durbin will win decisively over Dr. Sauerberg, earning 65% of the vote.  Dr. Sauerberg, Nicole's childhood physician just does not have the ground game or a decent argument for unseating the second most powerful senator.  Especially given that we might be losing our Jr. Senator to the White House, why would Illinois want to lower our pull in Washington? 

I think the Democrats will gain seven seats, giving them a total of 58.  If both independents, Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman vote with the Democrats, they get their 60 super majority.  Dems can count on Sanders but not Lieberman.  I hope we pick up an eighth seat, like Al Franken and then kick Lieberman out of the Democratic Caccus.  


House:

Historic gains in the house for Democrats.