Of course voting is useful. But then again, I don't put a big glow to it. Voting is about as essential as washing yourself. It's something you're supposed to do. Now, you can't go around bragging, expecting to get props because you voted. That's stupid.
Chuck D.

not to deter anyone from voting, but are you kidding me!! alot of people are having a plethora of different feelings in the last hours prior to this "historic" election but the feeling i am having now is a tinge of bitterness and disgust. did it really take 8 years of the George Bush administration and a bi-racial candidate for people to get involved en mass in the electoral process?? my parents have long instilled in me a sense of the true history of why it was important for me to vote. and not just in national elections, but specifically in local elections as my dad always said this is where the true change (since this has been a buzz word this year) happens. it is in the local elections where you can see a real difference in your communities. and now all this talk of the history of the bi-racial candidate becoming president or the female vice-president...what about the history that even allowed these two persons to be in this position now?? was that not enough to compel these people en masse again to be engaged in the political process prior to now?? and what if all these new found "voters" are not happy with the outcome of the election? what if their candidate doesnt win?? will they become cynical and not participate anymore?? will they hold the winning candidate accountable to addressing issues and concerns that matter to them?? and what if their candidate does win. will they hold that person accountable or give that person a pass?? i am a little bitter and disgusted because with all of the historical talk of this election we have failed to recognize that it shouldnt have taken all of this to get you involved and it better not take all of this to have you stay involved or we will be worse off than when you decided to take an active part in this process....but oh yeah, go vote!

the election season of my discontent

this election season has brought to light many overt and often subtle allusions to sexism, ageism, and yes racism on both sides. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann in this short video clip issues a plea to the Republican Presidential nominee. i am not so naive as to think that the election of either candidate will deter people from doing idiotic things or from the evils of hate and bigotry and chauvinism, but we must learn to have more open discussions about race and gender, and sexual orientation if we are to truly be One Nation....

is my support on blast

i have been having some recurring thoughts lately and i wanted to put it in the atmosphere and get a response from you guys...it is not a secret to most of my friends that i am an Obama supporter, but i must admit that i have been hesitant to broadcast my Obama support at work or at home....and i have a yard sign that remains in my living room and a magnet on my fridge...i do engage in some political conversations and i think even the people that i dont talk to presume i am voting for Obama, correction have voted for Obama. i did post the sample ballot for my state in the break room at work and my co-workers know that was my doing along with a sign for the dates of early voting! but i think some people can chalk that up to, well this is the first time he has voted here being new to the area?? but my recurring thoughts have been, how many other people are "secret" supporters of either Obama or McCain?? And why do some people have no shame or are unabashedly screaming their support while others silently cheer at the latest polls or cringe when a candidate or surrogate does something or says something we disagree with?? why are some people so open to discuss politics in "mixed" company and others in that same crowd even in the same conversation give glancing looks of now why did you have to go and say that, or can we please change the conversation; their uneasiness to engage in political discourse in no way hidden. why cant you openly discuss politics and/or religion? why? is it fear of some retribution? some retaliation? or simply being labeled and placed in some categorical box?? may be that is why its much easier to not declare or broadcast an affiliation at all and don the cloak of "independence" rather than the robe of "hey i am a supporter"...its much easier just to cheer silently i guess......

Genographic Update....

Each day I check my "genographic" updates so far still no uploaded results. As a reminder, see my post "Nosce te Ipsum" from September 23rd. Thus far my DNA sample has been processed for at least a month now, going through several processes (here's the bio-nerd in me coming through); a quick rundown (you can track your sample at the Genographic website):

1. Arrival and Batch Creation: The kits are received at the Houston office of Family Tree DNA and checked in.
   
   
2. DNA Isolation: The cells are broken open by incubation with a protein-cutting enzyme overnight. Chemicals and the samples are transferred into deep well blocks for robotic DNA isolation.
   
   
3. DNA Analysis and Quality Control: The samples are transferred into PCR amplification plates for testing using a robotic liquid handling station. The appropriate chemicals are added to the samples to amplify the targeted regions of the DNA for testing.

Here you'll find few interesting links from the Genographic Project:

1. Atlas of the Human Journey: a cool, in-depth interactive map showing how the first people migrated from Africa across the Globe. The map also shows the relative genetic markers to geographic regions.
   
   
2. Globe of Human History: this map lets you select a date range to trace the earliest humans and their migration patterns with STORIES! The range is between 5,000 B.C. - current.
   
   
3. Genetics Overview: a brief introduction to modern genetics and how gene markers work.

Discover your ancestry today, buy the kit!

quote of the week

"No pressure, no diamonds." -Thomas Carlyle