Snow and mountains

Day before yesterday it started snowing. Slow at first, then fast and thick - big, fluffy flakes and lots of 'em so it was difficult to see. I woke up yesterday to piles and piles of snow on everything. And it was still snowing. So i went to work (i got a temporary job at a christmas tree lot a couple of blocks away) and spent the morning shoveling and pushing snow. It was fun, because shoveling is so ridiculous (it all melted today anyway). Shoveling is satisfying, partially because its necessary only at specific moments. And it wasn't that cold, because i was moving all the time. But now the cold has set in, and today it was like the snow gave way to the cold. It started colding?

The cold is SO cold, its breathtaking. Literally. Its maddening, like a mosquito incessantly buzzing in your ear. I think to myself, how can this be, and my bones start shaking. I can't BE in this. I can't be...calm, because i'm hyperventilating trying not to freeze. Draw a breath in, and cold sears the inside of your nose and creeps into your lungs. I cough. Breathing out produces puffs of smoke, visible vapor. But somehow, we manage through it.

But with the cold came clear skies, and sky opened up to show off the gorgeous mountains. When i first got back to Colorado, i was awe-struck with the mountains. I looked up, and even though i've seen a similar view so many times before, i was amazed by their beauty. Now, with snow on, the mountains take on this ethereal quality, and broadcast a special, majestic presence that commands respect. The sun is going down, and the sky is lit bright fading blue while the mountains loom in front of the light, dressed in snow.

There is no need to second-guess myself, since i was never sure of what i was doing in the first place. All there is to do is continue on, guess anew at each fork in the road. Just show up when the band starts playing, when the mountains switch on their backlight in snowy glory. Its a sure thing.

The revolution will be televised, at 1 pm Eastern

So this is what it looks like?

We've just heard that Donald Rumsfeld has resigned/been asked to leave/is out of office. Dubya announced the news at a press conference this afternoon - but he must have known or decided last night because he scheduled the press conference last night (after it was assured that the Dems would take the House), which is unlike him since he usually calls them with only a few hours notice. This is a good day for Americans, for progressives. We have made a difference! We all ask ourselves, as we learn about atrocities in Iraq, inconsistencies and bullying in American foreign policy - we all ask "what can we do? this is terrible!". Well, folks - THIS is what you can do! We brought Rumsfeld down, because in my opinion, the leadership in the House would have demanded nothing less. Bush wanted to spare the carnage and further embarrassment to the Republican party, so cut the contract.

So this doesnt mean that its over, but rather that our work has just begun to take hold and now our concerns and efforts might actually be taken seriously by someone in power. Its a good day. Lets take a moment to recognize Dan Savage: Dan, we will never know how much difference you made in terms of votes, but thank you for helping to ensure that Santorum won't be on the Senate floor for the next six years! And also, whoever was working on the McNerney campaign: i probably haven't met you yet, but WOW - great job, and THANKS!

Good job people. There is tangible hope.

More on same sex unions

Looking into it further, the bans on same sex unions across the country is really outrageous. This is the wrong message. So we have good news about more Democrats and liberal leaders elected to office, but bad news about state definitions of marriage. We also have good news about environmental issues and minimum wage (at least seven states passed measures to raise minimum wage), so the hope is that this new leadership can afford committed couples a method to recognize their union. We need to honor healthy families, and afford same sex couples the same benefits (health, taxes, etc) heterosexual couples enjoy. This IS possible and it must change, will change soon.

Election Day

I had about a week to catch up with friends and family, when i realized it was election time and i started working as a canvasser to get out the vote. Three days of non-stop, walking, talking, hanging literature, revisiting districts, coordinating. This culminates in Tuesday, 7 November: Election Day.

Its early in the morning, long after polls are closed. But the races are not decided. We (Democrats - who did you think?!) are now in control of the House of Representatives. This is a huge step for us, since the House controls which bills are brought to the floor for consideration, among other things. Nancy Pelosi is then the first female Speaker of the House. We contributed to this in Colorado, with the installation of Ed Perlmutter (guess who i voted for!!) as the secure incumbent vacated his spot to run (unsuccessfully) for governor. So we've won a national House seat, we've won Governor, and we've got a Dem majority in the House and Senate in Colorado. Things are going well - in fact, its a revolution. This is the election we should have had - we were all expecting - in 2004, but the installation of a Dem governor is exceptional for our state. We are landing on the map as a place with a progressive base, for my county, (go, Jeffco!) for my state, and for the nation. Thank goodness, and even with all the victories - let it be known that even though Colorado defeated a measure to legalize same sex unions, this issue has only just begun and we will win basic human rights for all couples.

More from the pit, soon.