There was quite a line at the borough building today, which I wasn't thrilled about, and had a bit of an anxiety attack while waiting... but I rode it out and was able to cast my vote.
One of my co-workers took the day off to work the election, and one of our patrons got there just as I was leaving. She said she was thrilled to see the "library folk" out doing their part for democracy. *hehehe*
Tonight was our board meeting at the library, which was business as usual. But after the meeting adjourned and patrons had left, the board members (all ladies, ranging in age from 45-78) were discussing the election, and Bush and Kerry.
I was EXTREMELY impressed when one of our members (who actually graduated with my mother) said she can't understand why Dick Cheney would even want to be on the same ticket with Bush, and questioned how he can "sit back and keep his mouth shut when the president descriminates against gays."
She said, "I love my kids with all my heart, and if one of them were gay, I'd be their loudest cheerleader. I certainly wouldn't support someone who wants to keep them from getting married."
I didn't say anything, as I was working and wasn't part of the conversation, but I was really moved by what she said. She definitely gained a million cool points in my eyes.
The other ladies all agreed with her, and added their thoughts... ranging from "two adults who love each other should be allowed to marry" to "they need to keep religion out of politics."
I also got a kick out of the way they blasted Bush for his drug & alcohol abuse and his "shady past," and they said he had no business telling anyone else how to run their life.
For the record, each of these women is "church-going," and three of them actually hold office in their church organizations... so the whole conversation was very impressive.
Anyway, I just wanted to share that.
Now I have to figure out how I'm going to afford sending massive fruit-baskets to each of our board members this Christmas!
(Wanted to add that one of the ladies said she wishes Bill Clinton was still in the White House. "I'd vote for him every election if I could. I don't care if he is a womanizer."
)