"Desmondo Jose Luis? Whoa! Where you at, Desmondo?"

Last night Ty and I watched "The Fugitive"--I forgot how much I love that movie! We looked on CNN for just a little bit to see election results, but I ended up about falling asleep before the movie ended, so by 9:30 I was at home in bed and didn't see anything until this morning.

I've had a few calls from upset people, and people coming into the office, and discussions with co-workers about how the country is "doomed" now.

Now, before I get into my response, let me tell you how my morning has gone. I woke up late (but I slept!), found out I am allergic to a new eyeliner (the burning pain has gone away now... mostly...), found the defroster on my car wasn't working, had a tree relieve it's burden of snow on my head, found that the new sweater I was wearing had a hole in it... and was late for work.

This could normally spell a bad start to a morning for me. But today was the first snow, and nothing bad can happen on a day when it's the first snow of winter. I came into work feeling optimistic (and a little damp from the snow still caught in my collar), and I intend to stay that way. So for everyone who says that the country is going to hell in a handbasket, let me offer you my optimism.

Einstein said, "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." If you're unhappy about the results of the presidential, House, and Senate elections, stop whining. Start writing.

Write Congress:
2751 Prosperity Ave
Suite 600
Fairfax VA 22031

703.289.4670
800.659.8708

Write to the Senate:
Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

(202) 224-3121

Write to the White House:
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

(202) 456-1111

Not sure who your congressmen/senators are? Check here for Congress, here for the Senate.

But don't allow yourself to be caught up in the wave of cynicism that is flooding the country. Hope for the best, and the best will come. Maybe not right away, but maybe in your own little corner of the world things will be ok. As long as we try our hardest and do our best, things will be ok.

I was reading in the Washington Post this morning, and was really impressed by this part. And then my discourse on the outcome of the election will end.

"Because of the ideological polarization of cable television news, talk radio and the Internet, Americans can now get their information from entirely partisan sources. They can live, if they choose to, in an ideological world of their own creation, viewing anyone outside that world as an idiot or criminal, and finding many who will cheer their intemperance. Liberals have perfected this machinery of disdain over the past few years. Given the provocation, the same approach is likely to be turned against the new president by the right as well. " Michael Gerson, The Washington Post