So, I went and voted. Walked right into my polling station and up to the table. The lady asked “Are you registered here - have you voted in this location before?” I said, “Yes”

She points me over to another table where a very nice man took my name. He then looked me up on his list of registered voters, asked me the correct spelling of my last name - - then checked my name off and handed me the ballot.

“You don’t want any identification at all?,” I asked?

“Well, if you want to show me ID - you can” he replied.

So I took out my drivers license and showed him my ID. I voted, turned the ballot in and when grocery shopping. I voted - and they didn’t ask me for any identification.

In this day and age of voter fraud - - and even the mere chance of voter fraud - don’t you think the LEAST they can do at polling stations is at LEAST ask for a valid form of identification?

Election day is here and I’m still just as torn as I have been this entire election season. All my adult life, I’ve identified as a Republican. I called myself a moderate Republican - - but still held onto the “Republican” part of it with some pride. Up until, roughly, early 2005 where Congress rushed in where only courts should tread on the Terry Schaivo case. Being a huge states rights supporter - this move offended me. Since then, I’ve developed quite a distaste for the party that I called my own.

The Republican party is a difficult place for an atheist like me to be - especially if you consider the far right wing of the party and their religious agendas. I’m not an ‘activist’ atheist at all - - I believe in religious freedom, I don’t care if the Pledge of Allegiance has the word ‘god’ in it and it doesn’t matter to me if there is a Christian cross at the top of some hill in California that stands as a memorial to fallen veterans. I do not believe that this country, The United States of America should be governed by christian law or that the bible is a book to be taken seriously as the word of a higher power. It is, in my opinion, a book of fables and stories that teach good lessons and holds good moral value - - but not a book inspired by some all-seeing, all-knowing diety.

I don’t believe that god wanted George Bush in the White House. As a matter of fact, it unnerves me to hear that a man in the position of President takes direction and inspiration from an unknown presence that he believes is there - though you cannot see, hear, feel, touch or taste it. The Republican party, by and large, has become the party of religion - and I can’t reconcile that with my own beliefs any longer. I can’t call myself a Republican and feel good about it in any way at all.

Why do I make a horrible Republican?

• I am an atheist - which means I do not believe in god, allah or any other higher power.
• I am pro-choice and believe in a womans right to choose
• I believe homosexual individuals should have the right to marry
• I do not believe in the death penalty
• I believe that, as a global society, we are careless with our environment
• I believe the government does not belong in my bedroom, kitchen, living room or any other room in my house - nor should they keep track of the books I check out at my local library
• I do not believe that prayer should be part of a regular school day in public schools
• I sometimes read 9/11 conspiracy theories and think.. ‘it could happen’…
• I believe Iraq is one of the Bush Administrations biggest failures
• I don’t believe laws should be based on a particular denomination’s interpretation of a religious text.

Why would I make a horrible Democrat?

• I believe the money that I make is my own
• I believe strongly in personal responsibility - keep the government out of my life as much as humanly possible
• I have no problem with the word ‘god’ being in the Pledge of Allegiance
• I believe in the right to bear arms
• I believe in a strong military and believe that, sometimes, war IS the answer
• I think this country is filled with ridiculous and needless lawsuits and this country has become too litigation-happy. Of COURSE the coffee at McDonald’s is Hot, idiot!
• When you sell me that cup of coffee from McDonalds - do it in English
• I think Ronald Reagan was a phenomenal human being, and an excellent president
• I don’t think being a minority makes you a victim.
• I think affirmative action is outdated
• I don’t think anyone ever died because of something Ozzy Osbourne wrote
• I believe in, and support, racial profiling
• I believe the UN is a joke
• The ACLU is also a joke
• I believe this Administration has had a hand in some real successes in Iraq that are overshadowed by the failures and that the successes are not trumpeted loudly enough to be heard through the crap that comes out of Bush haters every day

That’s really just a small run down. Do you see where I am conflicted?

It’s an identity crisis I’m suffering from. Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, wrote the renowned book entitled, “On Death and Dying.” In it, she outlined the five stages of death and bereavement that human beings undergo while facing imminent demise or the certain loss of a loved one. Dr. Kübler-Ross labeled these five stages of grief, sequentially known as, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Today, on election day, I’ve reached the final stage of the death of my affiliation with the Republican party - acceptance. I go to the polls today to vote for my Democrat candidates in this state. I belive this country needs more balance. I believe the Republican party has been in control and in the majority for too long. This system of ours works because there exists a balance of diverse views, opinions and ideologies - - but the balance does not exist if one side of the scale weighs heavier than the other.

I will also go to the polls to day and vote for two things that will appear on my Wisconsin ballot:

1. Should the death penalty be enacted in the State of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of multiple first−degree intentional homicides, if the homicides are vicious and the convictions are supported by DNA evidence? (text from dane101.com)
2. Shall section 13 of article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state? (text from dane101.com)

I’m solid on both of those issues - it’s No for both.

For the first time in my adult life - I will pull the “D” lever. Not necessarily because I subscribe to every agenda on the liberal platform - but because I believe that the Republican party needs a wake up call. I can no longer vote for a politician who is against a womans right to choose, for example. Or the very same politician who is against stem cell research. Or the same politician who feels prayer should be a part of the public school day. These are issues that face us, our children, every day - and voting today is voting for our, and their futures.

Tolerance, religious freedom, separation of church and state, privacy, civil rights, freedom of speech and press, iraq - all of these things are important to me - - I don’t believe they are important enough to the party I used to call my own.

I’m not really a poll watcher. That comes from years prior of actually paying attention to the polls - only to be dissapointed when the actual RESULTS didn’t even closely match the polls. 2 days are left before election day - and the poll/news reports are conflicting:

PEW: Republicans Cut Democratic Lead in Campaign’s Final Days…

USATODAYGALLUP: Dems’ lead shrinking, but still strong…

NYT: GOP Glum as It Struggles to Hold Congress…

WASH POST: Democrats, on the Offensive, Could Gain Both Houses…

Congressional Countdown - WaPo

Rahm Emmanuel on Republican upswing in the polls: ‘This is making me nervous’…

What to make of it all? Basically - nothing. Get out and vote on Tuesday and let ‘er rip and let the.. er.. chads fall where they may. You and I will either be clinking our glasses in celebration - - or drowning our sorrows in our beer.

Prediction? Second term Republican administration with a failed war policy? The Dems pick up the majority - all the way around. Me? I’m scared either way.

Blogger Predictions

Nearly Final Senate Polling Averages - MyDD.com: ..if everything goes according to the polls, and if Lieberman really does caucus with Democrats, then Democrats will win the Senate 51-49 (or 49-49-2, however you want to call it)…

Out On A Limb - Flopping Aces: ..I know I haven’t blogged much on what my thoughts are in this election but if you look back over my posts in the past year you will see that I have predicted the Republicans keep both houses…

It’s Prediction Time Baby - HotAir: ..Bill Kristol’s predicting catastrophe. I think Duncan Carrie and Victorino Matus are closer to the mark. 50/50 Senate, 226-209 in the House…

I Go On The Record - Annika’s Journal: ..On Tuesday I went on the record, saying that the Democrats will pick up five Senate seats to split the upper house 50/50. I just spent the last hour re-analyzing the latest polls, and I stand by that prediction…

Here’s the rundown:

Saddam Hussein
Charged: The 1982 killings of nearly 150 Shiite Muslims in Dujail
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death by hanging

Barzan al-Tikriti
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death

Awad Hamed al-Bandar
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death

Taha Yassin Ramadan
Conviction: Premeditated Murder
Sentence: Life in jail

Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail

Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail

Alli Dayih Ali
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail

Mohammed Azawi Ali
Conviction: Aquitted for lack of evidence
Sentence: None

Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants will be given the right to appeal, but that is expected to take only a few weeks and to end in failure for the defendants. The death sentences automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel, which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days.

Here’s the video of the actual sentencing:

Celebrations ensued in Baghdad and in the Shia district of Sadr City, and in the holy city of Najaf. However, thousands in Tikrit - Saddam’s hometown, protested to voice support for Saddam.

This is an excellent rundown of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq
Prepared by the U.S. Department of State
Released September 13, 1999 (updated 2/23/00)

The purpose of this report is to present the facts concerning Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

There are a wealth of charges and counter-charges concerning actions undertaken by Saddam and by the international community towards Iraq.

Based on publicly available information, the facts contained in this report demonstrate that under the regime of Saddam Hussein, Iraq continues to repress its people, threaten the region, and obstruct international efforts to provide humanitarian relief.

We are helping the Iraqi people in their efforts to bring about a regime that is committed to living in peace with its neighbors and respecting the rights of its citizens.

We want to see Iraq return as a respected and prosperous member of the international community, and as the evidence shows, this is unlikely to happen as long as Saddam Hussein is in power.

As long as Saddam Hussein is in power, we are determined to contain the Iraqi regime and prevent it from threatening the region or its own people. We will also continue our efforts to increase humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq, over the obstructions of the regime.

“It’s a good day for the Iraqi people,” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow

Though, I still do not believe that the US invaded Iraq for humanitarian reasons. If that were the truth - if the US was comitted to invading countries with regimes that threatened its own regions and people.. regimes that mismanaged resources to benefit the ruling authority, at the sacrifice of its own people - - then the US military would be heavily involved in many regions of Africa. Yet, the US is not, and has not, lifted a finger to assist in the genocide occuring in Africa today, except to throw good money after bad.

That being said - I am pleased with Saddams verdict and sentencing. It is my greatest hope, for the Iraqi people, that they someday find peace, democracy and rest in their country. I fear it is a long time coming for them. I believe the country is on the brink of civil war.

I don’t subscribe to the “Bush lied, people died” line of thinking. I do, however, believe that this administration went into office in 2000 with the intention of bringing down Saddam’s regieme. I believe Iraq was on their radar from day one. 9/11 gave this administration the momentum it needed to stage such an invasion - and allows the US to fight terrorists on their own land, rather than here, in the US - - much to the detriment of innocent Iraqi civilians.

I also do not subscribe to the ‘cut and run’ line of thinking, either. The US holds great responsibility in seeing this thing through - and not leaving Iraq until that country is stable enough to stand on its own. I do not believe that pulling our troops out, as some on the left have suggested, is the answer for this war torn country. We have a responsibility to see it through - - we comitted to the action in Iraq, and we need to take care of business… painful as that may be.

Related in the News:
Convicted of crimes against humanity… - BBC
Trembling Saddam Shouted: ‘Life for the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!’… - AP

Related in blogs:
Was There Ever A Question of Guilt? - Electric Venom
Saddam Death Verdict Sign of Iraq’s Progress - California Conservative
Rope. Bridge. Saddam. Some Assembly Required. AntiIdotarian Rottweiler
Saddam sentenced to death by hanging - HotAir
Death By Hanging For Saddam - EdDriscoll
Saddam Sentenced To Death - SisterToldJah
Saddam Sentenced to Die - The Moderate Voice
Saddam Hussein verdicts - SADDAM SENTENCED TO DEATH - MVRWC
Saddam To Be Hanged - Flopping Aces
Was There Ever Any Doubt? - StageLeft