THE TIMES THEY ARE STAYING THE SAME

Tomorrow is Election Day. I just had a freak out because I looked in my wallet for my voter registration card (because you know I have one) and it was nowhere to be found. I had two for my previous address but none for my current address. Knowing how much they don’t like to let people vote, I naturally was scared. I went immediately to the Board of Elections website and found out that they have me listed at my current address and that I am active and I decided I will be allowed to vote. I of course printed out the web page that had me listed as well as the ID of the polling place. I just don’t have much faith that I will find that little piece of paper tonight. I have a dinner to make, a lunch to make, TV to watch, a movie to finish, and relaxing to do. I also have to figure out if I am coming in late tomorrow or if I am leaving early. Maybe the polls open early enough that I can vote and get to work on time? Or I could go in late or leave early. That is one of my favorite parts about voting. I also wonder why voting isn’t done on the weekend? Are employers legally bound to let people have time off to vote? Are they required to pay them for time missed? If not, does this contribute to the low voter turnout in poorer areas? I wonder.

Speaking of elections, I read today that the Republican Party is vehemently denying claims that they arranged for the Saddam verdict to be read yesterday in an attempt to gain election clout. I would put nothing past these guys. I was more amused by how upset they seemed to be (at least in the quotes I read) about the fact that such questions were even raised. Need I remind said party that they were just questioning democrats about bringing the Foley scandal to the forefront to influence the election? Isn’t this a much more obvious ploy? Not that I am saying they had malicious election swaying intentions but to be outraged at the thought of these intentions is ludicrous.

I wish I were excited about voting tomorrow. I am not. The candidates all suck ass. However, I know it is an important thing to do so I will be voting. Not voting is more wrong than voting for candidates you don’t completely agree with. If more people had my attitude maybe we wouldn’t have the lowest voter turnout of any democracy. Isn’t that depressing. 70% of Iraqis voted in their elections. Granted, it was the first one so maybe they were extra excited, but still. Turnout in this country makes me want to cry. No one cares anymore. Maybe that is an excellent political strategy, make people so disillusioned with the entire democratic process in America and then they won’t go and vote (because they would rather sit on their couches and watch anything on TV) and then you can remain in power in perpetuity. It’s not a bad idea.

I am not going to hit shuffle today for this week’s incarnation of the guessing game. Instead I am going to think about some politically/socially motivated songs and see how well we do guessing those. They will be mostly be old songs because, as Monica said, there are no good new protest songs.

1. You will not be able to stay home, Brother. You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Gil Scott Heron. Identified by Mom

2. I got pulled over in West Texas so they could look inside my car. He said are you an American citizen? I said yes sir, so far. Every State Line, Ani DiFranco. Identified by Brooke.

3. Darkness at the break of noon shadows even the silver spoon the handmade blade, the child’s balloon eclipses both the sun and moon. It's All Right Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), Bob Dylan. Identified by Jaclyn

4. People moving out, people moving in, why because of the color of their skin. Run, run, run but you sure can’t hide. Ball of Confusion, The Temptations. Identified by Mom

5. I came upon a child of god, he was walking along the road and I asked him where are you going, and this he told me. Woodstock, Joni Mitchell. Identified by Mom

Mom tought me to be a revolutionary type, can you tell?