photo by wavy1

United Farm Workers fight for union recognition at Country Natural Beef. The union said the majority of workers had signed cards in support of a union but the company questioned the validity of the vote. After being dogged by boycotts and negative media attention, the company late last week agreed to a process whereby the employees would decide if they want union recognition. Since the majority of workers already voted for a union, this re-vote is simply a reaffirmation of the previous one.  What this means for the workers at Country Natural Beef is better pay and benefits, safer work conditions and dignity as unionized workers. Si Se Puede!  Takepart by learning more about the UFW and supporting their other organizing efforts.

He also makes me feel better about missing the NYC post election hoopla whilst in Ohio:

(via SNOB)

Being in Ohio on election night was clearly the cool choice (although not necessarily the most memorable) and thinking about how happy Mark and Devo must be just makes me happier.

Also, on a related note, I’ve decided that anytime I’m directing someone and need them to cry, I’ll probably just play the Obama speech video from Tuesday night.

And also, get excited and takepart at the new Change.gov!

Time is running out, if you haven’t voted yet, get out there!  I voted earlier this afternoon, and I’m still buzzing with excitement.  I’ve never been as enthusiastic about an election, as I am about this.

Here’s me just after voting:

I was going to document more, like inside my voting booth, but

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I love that Facebook is making it virtually impossible for any of its users to not get out and vote. Facebook has a very cool rising tally ticker thingy of how many Facebook members have voted so far. As of 6;30 pm EST 3,676,320 Facebookers have cast their ballot and the number keeps growing.

takepart and check out the Facebook election page which also features tools to help you find your polling place, learn if your state allows late registration and who to contact if you’re having voter issues.

Ah it’s so nice to know there is more to Facebook than stalking people…well at least for today.

OK, I know there’s still a lot of voting to go but I’m getting super antsy…  Eeek!! Polls start to close soon and my favorite movie of all time, Psycho, is on Turner Classic Movies. Too much excitement. I can feel my stomach twisting up in knots waiting for the election results.

Luckily I should be able to loosen those knots with the election day cookies I made:

They’re vegan too

takepart to make the cookies yourself (just make the frosting blue)

And woah woah woah - the election is really going to be over soon. Can you believe it? I mean can you really believe it?

Before it ends catch up on some of the more interesting election day stories after the jump.

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All this talking of voting and the like today, and to be honest, I hadn’t really been feeling the buzz of it all.  I mean, even though I’m in Chicago, I voted two weeks ago, by absentee ballot in my home state of California.  So the political ads didn’t pertain to me, and the campaigns have been going on for so long now (what, like, seven years?), it’s hard to believe it’s actually ending ever, let alone today.  Remember when Mitt Romney was a frontrunner?  Exactly.

So, today, I had planned one watching the results while playing video games, in my apartment, because at this point I’m just worn out by it all, and kinda just want it all to just go away.  I’d still be excited when my guy wins (I’m trying to maintain the non-partisanship here), and when Prop 8 gets rejected so my sister can get married in December, but try and be subdued about it.

Until my friend called and offered a ticket for me to go to the Obama rally.  Seems kinda like something I have to go to.

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The non-partisan Pew Trust issued the results of its final election survey yesterday which found Barack Obama leading John McCain by 6 points (52% to 46%). There are many forces that can explain this significant difference. Obama has run a fantastic grassroots campaign that has solicited the support of many first time voters and youth who have been his stalwart supporters since the beginning. He also offers a vision for our nation that defies racial, economic and social divisions that will bring much needed healing to our country after 8 years under George W. Bush. Last, we’ve all lived through one of, if not the worst, presidency ever. Bush’s reactionary vision for our country has left us in a shaky position as he has dismantled thousands of regulations, laws and international treaties designed to ensure environmental protection, human rights, civil rights, worker-place safety, health care access, torture policies, veterans benefits, educational access and many more that I don’t have room to list. The New York Times reports today that Bush is scrambling in his remaining 77 days (can they end any quicker?) to implement his final rollbacks on civil liberties, abortion access and environmental protection.

I hope you will be an active participant in our democracy by voting today! And, don’t forget that there are plenty of other things to vote for in addition to the presidency, such as Congressional races, state propositions and state elections. Your vote will make a difference in bringing about change our country desperately needs.

Happy Voting!

takepart and GOVOTE!!

Here I am on my way out to vote:

WOOHOO!

Here I am after:

Have you voted yet?

It’s a great day to be an American!

takepart with GOVOTE and make sure you have the correct voting information!

I took this photo with my Blackberry while walking through the East Village on Sunday. Unfortunately, Blackberry pics are not top quality, but hopefully you can get a gist of this very cool mural.

I am moved by this mural. I am also someone who used to get shy when discussions turn into heated political debates because sometimes they make me feel dumb and afraid. I am often very overwhelmed and annoyed by all the bullsh*t that surrounds elections. I, over the past few years, have threatened an elaborate and impossible plan to move to Italy to escape the shameful state of US politics and the current economy. But this mural made me happy to be an American right now. It made me feel like a smart, empowered, American. Are there some things that piss me off about the US? Sure. (Like I dunno, the fact that we are still fighting a war. Oh and the fact that Flavor Flav is a bona fide celebrity). But I do love that as an American I have rights, one being the right to help choose the next president and this mural reminds us of that simple and awesome fact : “America, Make the Right Choice. Vote.”

Today feels like a holiday. All morning I have gotten emails and instant messages

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It’s here! I can’t believe it…. I almost don’t believe it.

IT”S ELECTION DAY!!!

Here’s a mix of TakePart’s recent election day related posts. Give a read to make sure your voting rights are upheld and to see the free stuff you can get.

And of course, takepart with GOVOTE and make sure you have the correct voting information! (my brother just voted - and for the first time!!!!)

Do Your Last Minute Homework and CAST YOUR VOTE TOMORROW