Yes, Yes, Yes

Post election thoughts are still percolating in my mind and will show up on Thursday's Child in a day or two. I'll let you know when they are up. Norm is also working on a reflection that includes being present at JFK's historic appearance at the Michigan Union after midnight in October 1960, when the ideal of public service became real to him.

Which is to say, we were amazed when at the turn of the hour at 10 p.m. CST last night, the race was decided. We just turned to C-Span (no commentators) and watched both John McCain's and Barack Obama's speeches. It was hard to go to sleep after all that excitement.

At this moment, Missouri is still undecided, with provisional ballots not yet in the mix. John McCain is leading by about 6000 votes and if that holds up, our state could lose its "bellwether" status (having gone with the winner in all but one election since Who Knows When.) Frankly, it would be nice to lose that popularity after the onslaught of e-mails, calls, flyers, endless TV and radio ads and campaign visits we have had from both candidates. Now we know a little bit of what Iowa residents endure every four years!

In the state wide races, all the candidates I mentioned that I would support actually won. In a split that could only occur in Missouri, we elected a Democrat governor and a Republican lieutenant governor. The positions we took on many ballot measures did not prevail. The 1/2 cent transit tax failed, and that will have serious consequences in our area for bus and light rail use. The English only amendment passed, a sign of these anti-immigration times. And the gambling loss limit was also lifted, so come on over to our state and lose as much money as you want. It's supposed to benefit our schools. Time will tell. One bright spot: the evil bond issue for our troubled Fire District is losing, for the third time. Each vote has cost the taxpayers at least $20,000 for that measure to be on the ballot, or so I hear. Recall! We have signed the petition already.

Today we are taking the day off from exercise. Norm will walk Ava this afternoon since Barb is still recuperating. And I'll post the latest from the Maple Watch after this.