This may be my favorite photo from 2008, taken by the webcam atop Teton Pass on Election Day 2008. (Hat tip Darcy Lagana.) Better than any photo from Barack Obama's rally at Boise State or the record-shattering caucuses in February, this photo says everything that needs to be said about how Idahoans dove into Democratic activism this year. Check out more photos and memories from 2008 here.
Happy New Year. 2009 will be a year of hope, change, wrenching decisions and the knowledge that -even amid hard times ahead - we have set our country back on a course that will make life better for our children and grandchildren.
Thoroughly plowed [Mmm... Hot Buttered Rum] , I stood around the fire pit with friends late last night. Conversations running from Geo Politics and Poverty to the merits of Budweiser's new American Ale and Daft Punk.
With Midnight only a couple of minutes away, someone commented on how happy they were to see '08 go - and shortly - Dubya with it.
There was unanimous agreement; but moreover a spontaneous outpouring of hope, relief, pride and alcohol fueled giddiness at the prospect of national rebirth on January 20th with the Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of our United States.
At the stroke of Midnight someone exclaimed "Thank God!", leading to a "God Bless America" from another, which in turn led to a hearty, happy, drunken sailor worthy bellowing of "God Bless America" by all.
I love 2009 already!
Posted by: The Boise Picayune | January 01, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Picayune,
That sounds like an excellent New Year's Eve indeed. Thanks for sharing. I, too, am optimistic for 2009.
Citizen Julie
Posted by: Citizen Julie | January 02, 2009 at 07:26 AM
Love the voting day photo from atop Teton Pass. I'm wondering if you spotted any of my fellow Wyomingites on the other side of the highway?
Posted by: Mike Shay | January 03, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Wow I was just there yesterday.
Posted by: Sisyphus | January 04, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I love the picture. As a regular driver of the pass, election day was one of the worst of the year. Lets give a big pat on the back on the volunteers for withstanding a blizzard to get the message out.
Posted by: flip | January 13, 2009 at 12:26 PM