Dear Sloane,
Someday, when you're older, you'll be able to say that you were there, on this historic election day when America will either elect its first African-American president or its first (unqualified, odious) female Vice President. Your daddy and I did our civic duty with pride today. We did it because we love our country and because we love you. Those who don't vote, don't have a right to complain.
Your daddy and I chose to cast our vote for Senator Barack Obama for many reasons. For me, I voted for Barack because I agree with him on many, though by no means all, of the major issues. But more than that, I see in Barack a man who has the vision and the intellectual curiosity to lead this wonderful country through a difficult time. I see in him a man who can offer hope and unity in a land that has been without hope and with so much divisiveness for much too long.
The Right has waged a war, not just an actual, unwarranted war in Iraq, but also a Culture War that has sought to make dirty all the things that I hold dear: civil rights, the freedom from intrusion of religion into private decisions, intellectualism, global view, environmental considerations, and compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves. They have spent the last 10 years or so sowing the seeds of hatred and colloquialism.
It's time to turn away from hatred and fear, and to turn towards hope and love. And that's why your mama voted for Obama -- for a more hopeful future for you and for all of our children.
In honor of Blue voters everywhere, we present A Study in Blue(berries):