...And The Heads Rolled

Last week, one has to admit, was momentuous. Leading up to election day, one got the sense that things were not going to change in America. In fact, the climate inside the United States conveyed that it was going to be same old thing, complete with the machinations of the Diebold voting machines to boot. However, even a jaded and perhaps cynical person like myself can be changed by the outlook that was presented in the aftermath of results. The GOP (including some of its figureheads that played into the elections of 2000 and 2004) was voted out. Americans had demonstrated their disgust. They elected Democrats in their midst, some of which came from once was considered Republican districts.

What even might have seemed poetic justice to those disenfranchised during the 2000 and 2004 elections, Mr. Blackwell (R.-Ohio) and Ms. Harris (R.-Fla.) were voted out of office. They both figured heavily in the elections process of their party. In the end, they found out that their constituents were not blind to what had happened in the past. They were sent packing unmercifully in what was seen as a "repudiation" of the policies of the past, especially when it had to do with the present Administration.

The most interesting aspect in the aftermath of the elections is that it was a time of milestones. In Congress, we get to have our first elected Muslim member in the history of America. In that same path, we get to also witness our first lady Speaker of the House, the third in line to the Presidency. Ms. Nancy Pelosi (D.-CA) is regarded by many in her party as being a hard-working, pragmatic individual. In fact, she diplomatically engaged in talks with the President and his colleagues soon after the post-mortems of the voting process conveyed it said and done.

But, what seemed the most "constructive" avenue that was taken was that the heads started rolling. Like any good soap opera (and I know the ladies (and some guys too) like to watch their stories), the narrative of what happened when the people had spoken included a few casualties. Say goodbye to Mr. Rumsfeld. Rummy was the first to fall on the sword of change. Long reviled as well as praised for his "tough as nails" style, it seemed that his stance on torture proved to be too much. Mr. Bush, who only recently stated that he would keep the former Secretary of Defense to the end, reneged. Rummy had to go. And sent packing he was. Word had it that Mr. Hastert, soon-to-be ex-Speaker of the House (taking up the reins after Tom "The Hammer" DeLay unceremoniously left in a cloud of accusations regarding corruption), would be stepping down and out. Not far behind him would be the resignation of Ken Mehlman, in January.

And like famed author Kurt Vonnegut would say in his wonderful book, Slaughterhouse Five, "And so it goes".

After listening to Air America as well as progressive talk radio during the last few days, it would seem that the callers expressing their content and joy were released from the Gulag. They spoke of their hopes and fears with a newly elected Democratic Senate and House. They also mentioned their opinions about how the Dems would have to put up or shut up on their promises--especially when it came to raising minimum wage and having oversight committees to root out the corruption that had taken hold in government. This was not time for one to rest on their laurels. It was time to work and to put their money were their mouth was. After all, a portion of the American people had to endure the strife that was placed upon them since 2000. Furthermore, after the elections nearly six years ago, there was no way to vent anger or dissent. Some of us in America had to grin and bear it.

Grin and bear it we did until the day of reckoning. For those of us who did express dissent from time to time, quietly watched and waited as those who fell into party line chided, ridiculed and taunted "the whining liberals". After all, those "whining liberals" were "godless" in their approach of bringing "bad morals" and "terrorists" in America. Some of us who did speak out are not quite so convinced that those in lockstep actually changed their spots after Tuesday's revelations of discontent and disgust at the policies that had really broken the back of foreign as well as domestic policy.

But those who opposed those "whining liberals" and "progressives" that did speak out, got a wake up call. And toothpicks did not have to pry open their eyes.