I am too young to have been around when Martin Luther King spoke of his dream. That said, I am very excited at the possibility that Obama might win the US election. Like all politics I don’t always agree with everything this politician believes in – I am most concerned with his take on Gay marriage; he doesn’t fully support it – but it’s nice to see the US shifting towards a Canadian way of thinking. Sadly, Canadians don’t really seem to understand our Conservatives vs. US Democrats. In many cases, their politics are very similar. We are not, and I don’t think we ever have been, similar to the Republicans in our thinking, politics, or beliefs. Hey, maybe the Americans are finally becoming more like us. Is that such a bad thing?

I do so love my satellite dish and it’s time-shifting feature.  Less than 15 minutes before the polls close out east – although, I believe they’re already closed in Newfoundland – and I’ll soon be able to watch all the punditry and polling goodies I can handle.

At the moment, I’m listening to George Stroumboulopoulos give a run down of his opinions of the 37 day election campaign.  Yes.  I’m willingly watching CBC with no Dr. Who or Torchwood in sight. Peter Mansbridge and company will soon be handed the reigns.

CTV and Global don’t seem to be running coverage until 7pm.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this.  The Maritimes are often ignored by the “East”.

I’m off to get my popcorn and beer ready.  Oh, and to call my mom.

Happy election viewing everyone.

Upperdate: *GRRRR*  Elections coverage is blacked out.  At exactly 5:30pm my TV went grey and a nice little message re: Elections Canada forbidding elections coverage in areas where polls aren’t closed is now being displayed on screen.  Someone please explain to me how Elections Canada can declare vote swapping/sharing (strategic voting by proxy) legal but learning of the results early is not.  Bah!  It’s not like this information isn’t going to be available on the Internet through non-Canadian housed blogs.

I’m looking forward to voting tomorrow and will be dragging my friends and neighbours along with me.  I can’t help myself.  I just think it’s really important to ensure every qualifying member of the public votes.  Then I can go home and happily plonk myself in front of the TV to rant and rave at the talking heads completing the election night coverage.  Of course with Drew in Montreal it won’t be nearly as much fun as it has been in previous years.  I was missing in ’06 so this is our second Federal election minus the popcorn throwing beer swilling peanut gallery.

As for results, a good chunk of me would like to see the same results as were in place before Parliament was dissolved.  After reading all 4 party platforms and watching this weekends Dion/May shenanigans I’ve grave concerns about all of them.  I think it will be good for the country to have the Conservatives have a small minority government again. They did manage to get a surprising amount of work completed over the past 2.5 years. A minority ensures that they don’t go too far off the rails when completing their mandate.  Perhaps then, the sheep that make up some of the Canadian population will realize that the US Democratic Party has more in common (policy wise) with the Conservatives than they do with the Liberals.  And perhaps then some of the other parties will begin cleaning up their platforms and the junk hidden in their back closets to make themselves more palatable in future elections.

Dion is certainly not someone I want to see lead the country (Hello Liberals – Get a new leader… perhaps one a little less divorced from day-to-day realities of the general population) and the Greens too should consider a new leader.  They’ve a number of excellent candidates in their party but May has failed in the most basic of leadership duties; Supporting her people and party values to the bitter end.  Abdicating her responsibility to the Green party and its candidates to crawl into bed with the Liberals and advocate strategic voting opens up a long line of questions regarding her values, loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, etc. As for Layton, I have personal issues with Layton’s past actions that will ensure I’ll never vote for him.

On the bright side none of these leaders are running in my riding.  I can vote my conscience.  I can place my X beside the name of the best, in my not so humble opinion, man or woman for the job.

I remember waking up that morning thinking it was just another day at work. I remember thinking it was a beautiful morning in Winnipeg and laughing along to Tom and Joe on the radio as I drove into work. I remember the shock of hearing the first plane had crashed into a tower while on Kenaston, a few feet from Scurfield. I remember driving into the parking lot and sitting in my car, waiting for more news.

I remember walking into the office thinking it was a tragic accident and feeling heartbroken for the family members of those on the plane. I remember thinking that the damage to the office and resulting injuries would likely be minimal.

I remember logging into my computer and starting my work day. I remember the commotion on the production floor when the second plane hit. I had barely sat down at my desk. I did not stay.

I remember standing in the lunch room, glued to CNN, watching in disbelief as both towers collapsed. I don’t remember leaving there for hours.

I remember the panic in the voices of US based co-workers. I remember learning we had offices in one of the towers.

I remember customers calling – reaching out – just to hear another human voice on the line. I remember that we talked to each and every one of them, no matter how long it took.

I remember the news that planes were being diverted and receiving a quick phone call from my hubby telling me he had no idea when he would be allowed to return home. I remember hearing that members of 402 Sqn at 17 Wing were guarding three planes on the base side of the airport. I remember he didn’t come home for three days and how sympathetic he was for the people forced to remain on the aircraft while he and his fellow soldiers patrolled the tarmac.

Many forget that not every passenger on those diverted planes were allowed to disembark and find temporary housing in hotels, schools and people’s homes. I remember.

I remember sitting in my living room reaching out via telephone for help making sense of what had happened. I remember feeling the world was slipping sideways. I remember talking to my dad – he who grew up during the blitz and had survived many an air raid and bombing in London during WWII – hoping for answers and gaining none.

It has been seven years. Just as I have never forgotten Tiananmen, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Challenger disaster, I will never forget 9-11.

May the tragic loss of life as a result of terrorist actions in New York on September 11, 2005 never be forgotten. Each life was special. Each loss devastating to friends, family and co-workers.

Je me souviens. I remember.

Stephen Harper finally made it official and called a general election.  Anyone who didn’t see that one coming must be living under a rock.  With most of the previous mandate completed – for better or worse – and all parties spending far too much time posturing and not nearly enough time attempting to govern the country, it was time for an election.  Sure, some will complain that by calling this election, it plays havoc with the nice new piece of legislation surrounding mandated election dates.  Me, I’m not so sure the previous government should have held on that long.  These past few sessions have seen a lot accomplished.  This is especially interesting considering power has been balanced through the magic of a minority government.  More impressive is that minority’s longevity.  It’s lasted for over 2 years at this point.  I doubt it would have stood much longer.

I see the election as a good thing.  I’m still waffling over who I’d like to see in power and to what degree.  For the moment, I think I’d be satisfied with another minority Conservative government.  It was oddly effective and I, for one, would like to see government continue to move forward.  Mistakes have been made but nothing yet on the scale of the previous Liberal scandals (imho).

With the election call made I’ve begun to be bombarded with invitations to join virtual groups relating to the election or political parties.  Since I’m more of a “vote for a policy or local politician” type of girl, these “rah rah” Federal party invitations are getting on my nerves.  Even more annoying are the number of invites to groups I’ve had that are encouraging me to vote.

I can imagine the potential power of nagging suggestion inherent in social networking software, such as Facebook, I just don’t know whether or not I subscribe to the concept that those who join groups advocating voting in the upcoming Federal election will actually take the time to get off their duff’s and vote when the day comes.

Call me crazy; I like to vote.  I enjoy exercising my rights in a democratic society.  I especially enjoy the evening’s entertainment – where we gather around the TV and rant and rave about the election results.  I get to complain about the results because I voted.  I’ve voted in snow storms and in the middle of downpours.  I’ve voted when it’s bright and sunny outside.  When I’d rather be camping.  I’ve voted when it’s -40C and I’d rather have been snuggled safe at home under a blanket.  I even managed to vote in absentia for the last Federal election.  No mean feat considering I was 1/2 way around the world and knew more about the upcoming election than the official at the Canadian Consulate did.

Don’t take it too hard when I don’t join your virtual group or forward all the “sky is falling” emails.  Don’t worry though.  You can always count on me to vote.