Cuparius.com

Election Update for November the 3rd, 2:30 a.m.:
NO! NOT AGAIN!! NO!!! NO!!!! NOOO!!!!!

It is shortly after 2:00 a.m. on November the 2nd and I have just returned from my first political rally ever. I ought to be sleeping at this very moment, but instead I am writing. Why? Because I just saw John Kerry in person at his first rally of the last day of the presidential race at the Toledo Express Airport, and John Glenn was there, too! John Glenn (former U.S. Senator, Mercury astronaut, and Marine fighter pilot of World War II and the Korean War) is a beloved local hero here in Ohio, and it was a terrific surprise indeed to see him introduce Senator Kerry. It was well worth the three hour wait. Yes, three hours. I arrived at the airport at 9:00 p.m. after work, spent a long time in a queue that eventually stretched over a mile (thank heavens I was close to the front), and then spent over an hour in a hangar waiting for Kerry's plane to arrive from Cleveland. I was probably about 20 feet away from Kerry when he spoke just after midnight. Not bad, eh? Kelly and Katy were there, too, although I got separated from them just before we entered the hangar and didn't rejoin until after Kerry's speech. I would never have even known about the rally in time to obtain the tickets if Kelly had not called me before I left home to go to work. Toledo is conveniently located exactly halfway between my home and my workplace, so it was no trouble to drop in at the Democratic Headquarters and pick up the free tickets.

I generally abhor and avoid crowds, but we are at an historic crossroad at this time, and John Kerry understands and appreciates the significance of Northwest Ohio, the most evenly divided region of the most evenly divided state in the Union. Ohio is traditionally the quintessential bellwether state in presidential elections, partly because its demographics resemble the demographics of the nation as a whole more closely than any other state, and partly because it's very good at picking winners and putting them over the top (often at the last minute). It is common to hear broadcasters on Election Night repeat, "Ohio is still too close to call at this time." This election is important, a fact that cannot be stressed enough, and Ohio is important to the election. It is so important that even I could put aside my dislike of crowds for one night and enjoy the experience of being amongst other supporters of the best candidate in this presidential race. If you disagree with my opinion, I respect your right to do so, but I hope you will consider casting your vote forJohn Kerry.

And now I must go to sleep, for I must rise early and vote before I go to work. Take care, remember to vote, and don't let anyone deny you that right.

John Kerry for President!