Apparently not too many people knew about it, but there was a primary in California yesterday. Not as exciting as the presidential primary, but there was balloting for statewide offices, local judges, and a couple of measures about eminent domain that were hotly contested (at least on the radio).I like to vote and I had time in my schedule, so I was one of the 16.48% who turned out in Los Angeles County. It was a low-stress kind of voting situation, and I got to vote for my favorite congressman and have my say about the issues. I hope the rest of you agree with what we decided for you yesterday, because you're going to have to live with it.
19 comments:
Eminence is not the usual domain of the average sufferer of civilization's woes. That's why I vote: to add my molecule of influence in the long march toward a better life. If you squint right, you can descry progress in human affairs. The best view is from inside a ballot box. Down with tyrants! Vive la république!
Petrea, good for you for getting out to vote. I'd vote for Prop 99; I was almost eminent domained out of my home by the city of K'ville, who wanted to give a chunk of our downtown to a private developer so he could build a mall (and reap the profits). Said Developer: don't worry, little KG, you won't be homeless, I'll let you rent your former home from me. Said KG: (oops, unprintable in polite society, sorry). Well, the city backed down and we got to keep our homes, and downtown is quite a success without Mr Developer or his stinkin' mall. But maybe I should move to Cali...
Votiing is so cool-bravo Petrea for voting as well as writing about it!
I had a weird experience on Tuesday. I went to the polling place and voted. Then, not knowing what came over me, I asked if it was "okay to take pictures" the room, etc. Why did I feel like I had to ask? Why did the poll volunteers initially respond with "I don't think so" (unless I was a member of the press - why would they have more rights?) but directed me to the woman in charge? Why was this even a question for any of us? Then, the woman in charge said she didn't know, and made a long phone call to the County. Finally, the word was, yes it's okay to take pictures of anything except the ballot itself. By that time I was so uncomfortable, I just took a couple, then left. But this has inspired me to go ahead and post one.
"Louis" had planned to vote yesterday, but a trip to the dentist and the resulting six hours (!!!!) in the chair for a root canal and the fallout from that kept him away from the ballot box. It's only the second time since he reached voting age that "Louis" has failed to vote in an election while in the U.S.
Re your comment at Hyde DP about the baker - it's the BKWLP - Burger King Weight Loss Program - they ruin your appetite with those off-putting ads....
oops! "Louis' meant Cheltenham DP, not Hyde DP.
Now, talk to us about taking this photo.
Were you in Secret Squirrel mode?
I'm ashamed to say we went back and forth about voting, and then we decided to stay home. We live a block from where we vote. For shame.
On the other hand, I didn't feel educated at all on any of the issues or people on the ballot... glad some people care enough to get out and research the issues!
Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area! Yea! I just read what your congressman did in the link you provided. My mother graduated from Santa Monica HS; she'd love this news if she were still here.
I've never missed a vote, and for all the "Proud to Be an American" crowd, phooey on most of you because I have a strong suspicion that you are the majority who doesn't vote.
I hope results go your way, Petrea.
I squint left, Bernie, but there ya go.
Glad you didn't let Mr. Developer sweet-talk you, knoxville girl. That's what we did yesterday, I'm hoping.
I don't know if voting's cool but it's fun, Lily Hy! And I feel all proud of my bad self!
USelaine: I met up with a security guard who didn't know the law, so I studied up. Start here:
http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
If you can see it, you can photograph it, if you're not invading privacy. That's the law. The people at my polling place were really nice about it.
Louis has a good excuse. - And as for the BKWLP, as if the food weren't enough!
I understand, Ben. It's important to know what you're voting for/against. Seems someone was trying hard to confuse us on Prop 98 vs. 99 this time. And it's nearly impossible to know which judges to vote for.
Oh Lydia, yes, I got pretty much what I wanted. It's okay with me. I'll do the voting around here from now on.
The thing that was weird about it was that I knew that I had the law behind me, but felt compelled to ask anyway. That I even had to suspect that the polling place workers might have concerns if I just started taking pictures - that's what has changed. How has the societal gestalt drifted into that place, here? Before the current regime, I don't think anyone felt that way, or behaved like your "security" guard.
I was one of the people that only voted in the 'big' elections. That changed about 8 years ago, now I vote in everything.
USElaine, that "security" guard even spoke of 911 concerns, as though the law had changed since then (which it hasn't). He said "You can't just walk up and photograph the White House (which you can).
But yes, people have gotten awfully jittery since then. Kim from Seattle DP spoke on Ben's blog (http://theskyisbig.blogspot.com/) about people who "look Middle Eastern" having extra trouble simply taking tourist photos in the US. So it's nice of us to be polite and all, but it does feel different than it used to. I hope that will change soon.
Very smart, Jim. We mustn't drop the ball.
Wow! 16.48%? That's an amazingly low turnout. Good for you for keeping our democracy going!
Ah! Just found this commentary linked on Boing Boing about harassment of photographers:
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/06/the_war_on_phot.html
(Sorry, too lazy to code it)
grrrr...
... /2008/06/the_war_on_phot.html
Elaine, he links to The Photographer's Right (link is "US"). I've copied that and keep it with my camera stuff. Haven't had to use it yet, but I wished I'd had it a while back.
In my opinion, voting is this country means near to nothing. It's ultimately the electoral college's votes that pick the politician. At least, that's what I've heard.
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