The Maverick Tribe

Hendrick Hertzberg on Proposition 8:

You might think that an organization that for most of the first of its not yet two centuries of existence was the world’s most notorious proponent of startlingly unconventional forms of wedded bliss would be a little reticent about issuing orders to the rest of humanity specifying exactly who should be legally entitled to marry whom. But no. The Mormon Church—as anyone can attest who has ever answered the doorbell to find a pair of polite, persistent, adolescent “elders” standing on the stoop, tracts in hand—does not count reticence among the cardinal virtues. Nor does its own history of matrimonial excess bring a blush to its cheek.

A few images from the anti-Prop 8 rally in San Francisco.  Similar rallies were held in every major American city.  The fight endures.

You hear a lot about Obama being an embodiment of "change", but something clicked in me this morning that brought it home in a small way.

I was reading an AP article about how Obama was in the midst of staffing his White House, and the piece went on to say that he was "working to build a diverse Cabinet".  An unexceptional goal, until you realize the article was talking about ideological diversity:  "That includes reaching out to Republicans and independents — part of the broad coalition that supported Obama during the race against Republican John McCain. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been mentioned as a possible holdover."

Could it be that Obama's Cabinet will not be careful calibrated to a politically correct mix of race and gender?  Could it be the first Cabinet in a generation driven first and foremost by meritocracy?  Could it be that President Obama will strike a mortal blow to identity politics?

Change we sure would like to believe in.

Well, I guessed Obama would garner 353 electoral votes; now that North Carolina looks like it will be added to his column, he will end up with 364. 

I got everything right except Indiana.

"We have been spoiled, first with Bill Clinton and then George Bush. And here's a president now who -- he's not stupid. He's not angry. He's not a phony. He's not fat. He's not cheating on his wife.  Who needs a jerk like that around for the next four years?"

- Bill Maher, trying to find a comedic angle on President-elect Obama

Obama wins with 353 electoral votes.

The Economist, Marxist left-wing rag that it is, chooses Obama.

Given the cratering federal budget deficits as far as the eye can see, a great place to start saving money is to call off the War on Drugs.