Hop On The Bus, Gus

Today's a strange day. Not 'strange' like "get me some strange", though that definitely has something to do with all of this. Remember in 2000, when nobody gave a shit about voting? Look how far we've come in eight years—almost every Facebook update, every Tumbl(r), every Twit(ter), every GChat status, every lapel, every messenger bag, every Starbucks, and every other seemingly obnoxious way to communicate anything to another human has suddenly become a sincere form of expressing a collective passion for, well, Obama. Fair enough. I'm not complaining, I'm not even asking where these people were two years ago, or even two months ago. If you're going to support Obama without even knowing the guy's politics because it feels good—or even because your friends are doing it—do it. Climb on board that bandwagon, or if you're Diddy: VOTE OR DIE, motherfuckers.

Contrary to what I'd normally put here, I'm not here to disparage these people, who're far more legion than anyone would ever like to admit. If there's ever a time to wear your heart on your sleeve, it's now. I'm just asking them to keep doing it. Don't stop. Don't stop talking or thinking about politics: local, regional, national. Don't shut the fuck up. Read a newspaper, a magazine, or (yes) a blog. Understand the issues; stop taking umbrella positions and learn why the other guy might be right, too. Get involved with local politics. Donate time, donate money, donate design or whatever.

Here's the thing, though: in no small part do I kind of (okay: really) want to see where these people will be next week if, god forbid, the Mac Attack pulled the rabbit (wearing a gold watch, natch) out of his ass. FiveThirtyEight, my make-a-wish for today is that Nate Silver could run a prediction scenario, here. Think about it: a few sad Facebook updates; some outraged Tumbling. They would sit in a bar for one night, cry, maybe, and wait for the next election to come around so they can give it another shot. This isn't pessimism, it's not cynicism. It's sure as shit, time tested and true. But it doesn't have to be.

Change, kids, doesn't just happen by voting. And a guy in a suit isn't going to do all the work for us. Please, for fuck's sake, please remember that. Don't just vote. Tomorrow might be even more important than today.

But this is my advocacy, this is my spout. I'll check in later and let you know how it goes.

Anyway. Here's the reason for this post. Please enjoy.