And Washington and Colorado legalized marijuana. And Massachusetts legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes.

AND gay marriage appears to be passing in three states!

It was a good night for Americans. I was pleasantly surprised and uncharacteristically proud.

I stayed up way, WAAAY too late last night...I'm paying for it this AM.

Satisfying win for America.

It sounds like the public has finally started to move to a progressive mind set, and it couldn't come at a better time.

Democrats have a lot of work on their hands. I'm hoping they take influence in the green party, and get something rolling with the environment. As we see with Sandy, global warming is becoming a horrible reality.

It looks like this is the beginning of the end for the Republicans. There is need for major reform in that party like no other. They really need to shed some of their hang-ups that have forced moderates to the left. They deserve better candidates than what they have produced over the last few elections.

Here's to hoping for a brighter future and a more peaceful world.

Congrats America! It seems like you've taken the first steps towards civilisation! But to become a 1st world country you need to do some work however, like:
1. Introduce democracy, get money out op politics and reduce lobbying. this election there was a 100% chance that Goldman Sachs would win because they own both candidates. In a democracy the government acts in the best intrest for the people and tries to be as transpert as possible. You clearly have a lot of work to do on these subjects.
2. Educate your people. Education is important and should be available for every kid in the same quality. Inequality between poor and rich is a serious problem. everyone should at least get some chances to make it.
3. Adress climate change. 1 out of 4 people deny climate change.. stupidity is your no.1 enemy, not terrorism!
4. Destroy the military industrial complex. if you cut the spending on war by 80% you still spent way more than any other country. use that money to invest in wind/solar/thermal/wave/tidal power and education. also the infrastructure of your country is in a extremely bad shape. rebuilt the bridges. these are the biggest job creators, not the large multinational companies.

Sorry for sounding like iggy

Eis-T, on 08 November 2012 - 6:23 AM, said:

Can I quote that?

Very nicely said, EIS-T. You are correct on all points and a growing number of us over here trying to communicate the same things. Unfortunately, despite the recent progress, many of my fellow countrymen still believe they are above this type of critique and are unable to see things for what they are. Loudly chanting “USA” is supposed o remind the world we are superior without any basis in reality. They truly have no idea how most of you actually see us, nor do they take any of your valid concerns very seriously.

We are coming along. As our current “ME” generation of aging "baby boomers" nears retirement age, more and more progressive young minds are finally being heard. We have a country that has thrived on fear since the 80’s and earlier. This fear is often fueled via religion (in this case Christianity), but in reality, those perpetuating the fear focus on hate rather spreading the love that is supposed to be the actual basis for their religious beliefs.

However, the line of ignorance is not firmly based on age. There are many older folks that do want to evolve just as there are many younger people satisfied with the current status quo. We are a large country and many of the divides are also geographical, but again, it is not fair to lump every individual with the bulk of their regional peers. We have a lot of intelligent, responsible people from every age group and location but the voices of the dimwits are always the loudest.

It would be great if we could once again become the world’s template for progress and innovation, and as you mentioned, education is key. We are getting there, but we are talking baby steps when we need to start running…especially towards climate change. None of the other stuff will matter if we don’t lead the world in making this a number one global priority.

Bosco, on 08 November 2012 - 1:14 AM, said:

Not really, they kept the House of Representatives.

Agree totally Satur8 and Bosco who pretty much summed it up for me, so you all have been spared from a ridiculously long winded whirly rant!


Really, after what has been a grueling campaign that brought some hard-line freaks and hard feelings out of the woodwork, I am relieved the election is over! We get to keep our sitting president so he can finish what we started, and this election marked a big win for women as well as the gay community. I remain cautiously hopeful for the next four years. We got a lot of obstacles in our way and a lot work to do. We are still so divided. Time for everyone on both sides to lay down their arms and come together. Not to sound cheesy and sling campaign slogans around, but I am looking forward.

Fantastic posts by Bosco, Eis-T, Satur8 and Whirly. I used to follow American politics as an Economist subscriber and one of the reasons I stopped (apart from it taking nearly a week to read the thing every err, week) was the tediousness of US politics, especially the Republicans' determination to thwart Obama at every turn. It seems they were more interested in bringing the government down than actually working with them to solve the big problems facing the country.

Re renewable power, I wish my country would seriously invest in green power/green industry, there is massive potential for wind power alone with Britain being the windiest country in Europe. Instead our idiot chancellor chooses importing more gas and cut solar power grants.

mcmarsh, on 15 November 2012 - 12:53 AM, said:

Politics...

Is that a very young Keith Flint and T & E???

Awesome! The Mad Bastard t-shirt must be under his hoodie!

MadPooter, on 27 November 2012 - 2:12 AM, said:

yes it is. gryffindor thanks you for the point.

Speaking of old Chems photos I got a bunch of great ones from an old Russian fan site:





Ed's just trying to get in!





Caption: Tom is God







Tom's O-face returns.





Digging their own hole.

Looking at those photos and realising Tom wore that same shirt for that whole tour (surrender era) and noticed there is a bird on it. Now Im finally putting the pieces together that its a symbol of the the mysterious bird sound thats throughout their music from the beginnings?

(Just putting it out there, Im probably waaay behind and its possibly already been discussed) But.... Does anyone know what the words are on that shirt?

ThePumisher, on 28 November 2012 - 1:00 AM, said:

That's what young geniuses look like!

ThePumisher, on 28 November 2012 - 1:00 AM, said:

So, Tom = Hermione ? Ed = Ron ? Where's Harry ?

My uncle passed away which is a mercy. It is sad as it always is for the ones left behind. But it is also a great relief, considering the circumstances.

My gramps doesn't know yet, so my mom, brother and I will be the ones to tell him tomorrow. If anyone has any words of advice on how to break the news to a 98 year old man that he has outlived his one and only son, I'm all ears. :/

whirlygirl, on 01 December 2012 - 8:26 PM, said:

My condolences, Mia! I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, there's no advice anyone can give you in this kind of tragic situation. I can only hope and wish that you and your relatives stay strong. Maybe you could tell him what you said here, that it might have been a great relief for your uncle (given the circumstances you mentioned). I honestly don't know how I would do it.

@Mia: ::hugs:: My condolences to you as well. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Hopefully I'll be able to see you around the holidays... going on a cruise this year with the parents, apparently...

In other news, finals are halfway done and I only have one more non-take-home final to do. Looking forward to wrapping it up.

Simian Mobile Disco killed it last Saturday. Loved seeing them again--they aren't failing to disappoint.