It hit me more this morning.

On the way to school I thought about all the decisions that the current administration made that I disagreed with, and the way they piled up to make me feel a lot of pessimism and despair. Decisions and policies regarding the environment, the EPA, the FDA, the Kyoto protocol, education, FEMA, executive privilege, detainment, torture, health care for vets, the U-N, energy, foreign policy, the courts, the relationship with Congress....so many issues. More than I can list off the top of my head. And it struck me how relieved I am that this country will be going in a different direction--not just in policies but in the way that decisions are made. And I just felt some of that despair slip away, and I got choked up.

I think I would have felt no small measure of hope even if Obama hadn't won, because I believe McCain would also offer a significant improvement on a number of those areas.

I'm eager to see who Obama appoints to key posts.

Race

I feel as though we went through most of the campaign not talking about race, and that made me glad. But yesterday, during the day, the media started talking about it in terms of voting and turnout, and it seemed positive and appropriate. Then they talked about it a LOT after Obama won, which I also thought was great and uplifting and inspiring.

I think it's going to get an important, short-term burst of deserved attention, and that feels just right to me, you know? I would have hated a campaign season that focused on skin color instead of issues, but I am also thrilled to have so many acknowledging what a fantastic, hopeful message it sends when the majority of Americans can and will vote for a minority candidate. Chris Matthews, although congenitally unable to shut the hell up and let other people talk, had a really nice speech about it last night. So did a lot of commentators. And wasn't it just great to see people of every color engaged and jubilant in Grant Park?

It's neat when race can matter a lot and yet not matter at all. At the same time.

Holy schnikeys

Did the MI stem cell proposal not pass, after all? js_africanus pointed me to the Secy of State website showing the thing may have lost by 100 votes as of 11:00 am.

Major media outlets called it a pass early this a.m. when 87% of the precincts were in.

Man. Could be a nailbiter.

ETA: Or not; I see that Wayne county isn't counted yet. For those of you who don't live in this state, that's Detroit.