Laura Cushing and I have known each other for 15 years. She's a very funny writer who has been beset with a lot of crap in her life. The latest of which started this morning.
Excerpting from her blog entry at
http://charisma.livejournal.com/881080.htmlWhen I posted that information about how to report a problem at the polls yesterday, I never thought I would have to use it. I live in a quiet little town called Collings Lakes in South Jersey - we're probably not very important in the grand scheme of things, but every vote counts, right?
Our voting place is at a local church. Usually we go there, greet the people we know, cast our vote and we're on our way. Sometimes we stop at the koi pond and look at the fish first.
Today I was absolutely shocked to see a VOTE PRO LIFE poster when I walked in the vestibule of the polling place. It had a newborn baby, and the words 'vote pro life!' and it was provided by the Knights of Columbus. My shock turned to outrage when I saw that they had another near the voting machines.
Laura got on the phone to Election Protection and came back with an update later:
I went in, told them that I'd called it in and found out it was illegal and that they should take the posters down.
One lady said "Oh, we'll look into that--"
and I said "I can take them down right now if you like."
Another lady was more helpful and went to take them down herself, and said 'Oh, I didn't even notice they were up there' - like they were somehow hard to see.
But the important part is they are down - and I voted!
We all congratulated her, but our well wishes were short lived and misguided, as documented in the next blog entry:
http://charisma.livejournal.com/881293.htmlElection protection called back and wanted me to go check and see if the posters really were down - I went to explain that to the voting people and they were really snotty with me, and told me that 'father took the posters away' (I guess by that they meant the priest of the church).
Well, apparently being a good Christian means it's okay to lie, because on the way out I spotted them laying out on a table in the entryway.
I picked them up and took them with me - and the election lady and a couple of other folks came out into the parking lot shouting and demanding I put them back. I locked my car doors and drove away.
(snip)
But if I get arrested, call the media. This is all incredibly lame that all this cloak and dagger shit is going down here in America
(snip)
My mother said I should have just let it be in the first place - but if we don't stand up for this stuff who will? It's just a small thing, but that's what being an American used to mean anyhow - standing up for what we believe in.
I believe in the right of every citizen to vote without drama like this.
If you want to give some love and support, stop by Laura's blog at either of the above addresses and offer some advice. Also, forward links to any and all appropriate parties including "the media."
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