yeaaa!

[Presto]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

[Andrea]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

I'm really sorry to hear that. So many people that can't stop trying to impose their beliefs on to others. Hopefully we can move forward in the future

[Tuckervill]

I'm sorry, Presto. It's a sad day for foster children in Arkansas, as well, as the bigots passed an amendment preventing single people (read=gay) from serving as foster or adoptive parents. The ballot should have had two choices:

NO
YES, I SIGN UP TO BE A FOSTER PARENT

Karen

[OakLeaf]

((((((((Presto, & all others in that position)))))))

I don't mean to discount by one iota the significance of what happened. It's a devastating loss to myself as an outsider to that struggle both geographically and personally; I can only imagine what it must mean to you.

But: Your soul still says you're married. Nothing the state or hateful voters can do can change that. Your family, I hope, will still say you're married. Your minister, your church, your photographs still say you're married. The State has a great deal of power indeed, but it can't dictate to your soul or your deity.

-Oak, married in our souls, in the eyes of both our families, and before our "higher power," but (by choice in solidarity with those who cannot choose) not in the eyes of our State.

[alpinerabbit]

I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.

vickie

As a watcher from across the pond, I think there is little reason to be afraid, just as there is little reason to believe this equals the second coming and everything will be just peachy.

It would not have been much different the other way round.
There's no complete control of congress for the dems, there are obligations and loose ends.

I am very sorry about the individual decision that cut into people's lives.

[Brandi]

I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong.
vickie

I am truely sorry things did not work out in your favor. For some of us we were in that boat for 8 years. But I always give a chance to whoever is in office and soemtimes it works and other's it doesn't. MCcain ran a really hard race and a race that will never be forgotten. They are both very good men. But we need change. I hope your fears don't happen. Sincerly.

[jobob]

Someone had posted:

"I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong."

People, this is precisely why I have objected so strenuously to political and religious discussions on this forum

Believe it or not, there are people on this forum who do not happen to share the political and/or religious beliefs of (what appears to be) the vocal majority of posters on this forum.

I think everyone's beliefs and convictions should be respected here.

And when people who don't believe as the apparent vocal majority encounter threads like this, they must be very intimidated and might even feel that they do not "belong" on TE.

Which is sad and unnecessary.

This, people, is why I stand firmly on my opinion that politics and religion do not belong here.

[Brandi]

Someone had posted:

"I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong."

People, this is precisely why I have objected so strenuously to political and religious discussions on this forum

Believe it or not, there are people on this forum who do not happen to share the political and/or religious beliefs of (what appears to be) the vocal majority of posters on this forum.

I think everyone's beliefs and convictions should be respected here.

And when people who don't believe as the apparent vocal majority encounter threads like this, they must be very intimidated and might even feel that they do not "belong" on TE.

Which is sad and unnecessary.

This, people, is why I stand firmly on my opinion that politics and religion do not belong here.

I would normally agree except for the fact that this is an exceptional election for both sides And being calm rational adults i don't see any harm in celebrating. But I am sorry if this hurts anyone feelings. There are a lot of hurt people out there right now and I feel for them. Sorry again if this upsets anyone. We can stop now if that would make people feel better.

[jobob]

Oh, and thank you to those who have posted here and on various other threads the little snarks about whether or not it's "allowed" to discuss politics on this forum - you know who you are.

Listen gang, I'm just trying to respect the views of everyone here. And to keep the intimidation factor down as much as possible.

And I do want to applaud you all for keeping it very civil and respectful throughout this long and sometimes nasty campaign (snarkly little asides and avatars and sig lines notwithstanding). Some forums have not been so understanding.

So cheers, everyone !

[Blueberry]

I debated whether to post this, and I hope others will read it in the helpful spirit in which it was intended.

There are lots and lots of threads and responses to threads on TE that I find offensive. I put them on ignore. There are some users I routinely find either offensive or to make too many personal attacks. I put them on ignore too. I'm in the minority on a lot of issues on TE - I either ignore them, or read them without letting them get under my skin. And no, I don't always feel like I "belong" here.

If folks don't want religion and politics on TE, that's fine. I think it's a fair choice. But I don't think it's appropriate to be selective about it and I think that would ban a lot of threads that others don't seem to have found offensive (just as an example - the recent tattoo thread -- it's an awesome tat, I wasn't offended by the thread, but the content of the post is predominately religious).

Respectfully,

CA

ETA - I'm not sure if I'm one of the people considered "snarky" or not, but yep - I got a little frustrated when I was attacked for complaining about TV ads (in a non-partisan way), and then others posted at length about political phone calls, etc. without being criticized. After that, I tried to keep my comments circumspect enough to not offend anyone. If by doing that, I offended, I'm sorry. However, the issue goes back to not selectively enforcing whatever the "rules" are.

[Brandi]

I just wanted to celebrate for a little bit this historical moment in our history. I am done I am not posting on this thread anymore. I want all to feel welcome I really do.

[salsabike]

Someone had posted:

"I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong."

People, this is precisely why I have objected so strenuously to political and religious discussions on this forum

Believe it or not, there are people on this forum who do not happen to share the political and/or religious beliefs of (what appears to be) the vocal majority of posters on this forum.

I think everyone's beliefs and convictions should be respected here.

And when people who don't believe as the apparent vocal majority encounter threads like this, they must be very intimidated and might even feel that they do not "belong" on TE.

Which is sad and unnecessary.

This, people, is why I stand firmly on my opinion that politics and religion do not belong here.

YES. I think this is exactly right. There are other places for political discussions. I would really like EVERYONE on TE to feel welcome here.

[snapdragen]

Which is why I asked that everything remain in this thread. I'll leave it to Susan and Jeff to decide if it stays or goes; but last night was too big to not let everyone express their feelings.

I spent most of the night on another forum, we ended up with over 400 posts in one thread -- all civil, all respecting each others beliefs and choices. Lots of good natured ribbing, and joy from both sides. (I haven't looked at it today, who knows if it's still a pleasant read)

Someone had posted:

"I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong."

People, this is precisely why I have objected so strenuously to political and religious discussions on this forum

Believe it or not, there are people on this forum who do not happen to share the political and/or religious beliefs of (what appears to be) the vocal majority of posters on this forum.

I think everyone's beliefs and convictions should be respected here.

And when people who don't believe as the apparent vocal majority encounter threads like this, they must be very intimidated and might even feel that they do not "belong" on TE.

Which is sad and unnecessary.

This, people, is why I stand firmly on my opinion that politics and religion do not belong here.

[mary9761]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

I'm so sorry {{{{{Presto}}}}}.. The country has come so far but has so much further to go...