This means, at the least, we got the House. And they know we do. And more knowledgable and better speakers than me will take the stage here, I hope. But, at least, we have the House. The House of Representatives of the United States. We do. WE do. Think about it. And be careful. Let's be strong. And let's mend fences. What is wrong with that?

I’ll summarize my thoughts about the Republicans with a wonderful quote from that great Easter classic, the Ten Commandments…I think it’s rather appropriate, given that we have a “Pastor in Chief” running the White House. I shit you not, that’s what some evangelicals call him…they think it’s cute…I think it’s insidious. Too bad Bush couldn’t bring about peace between Israel and Palestine…then we’d have irrefutable proof that he is indeed the devil. Boy, I really would have liked to see his evangelical fan club explain that one…but alas, that was not to be.

Anyway, here’s that quote for you:

“Where’s your God now, Moses?”

Myah, shee? I only wish I could say it to the people I work with who really need to hear it the most…but since I can’t do that, I'll share it with Salon. Myah…Myah, shee? Soylent green, made of people…

Yes. Oh my sweet merciful God, there is some semblence of sanity left in this country. The country of my birth, my life and all things I care for has left the farthest mists of insanity and been birthed into the coil of reason. With voters far and wide declaring themselves sickened with the Republicans, I can only bow deeply to the floor and acknowledge those who helped make this return to reality possible:

Tom Delay, thank you for being such a typical sleazebag. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

Bob Ney, thank you for stepping down just in time to remind everyone about all the corrupt stuff you did just before the election.

Karl Rove, you are such an arrogant, bald douchebag that you were blinded to the inevitable defeat that you were handed. You are a pathetic little turd of a man and I'm glad that America has come into enough sense to hand down a collossal ass-whupping on you. One I hope will be repeated continuously until such time as you repent or shuffle on.

Mark Foley, thank you for exposing how unbelievably hypocritical the Republicans are about gays, kids and gay kids. Without your brilliant flame-out (pun intended), we could only point to the war, economy, domestic policies, foreign policies and ethics policies for reasons not to vote ffor Republicans. You, though, you really made the whole "Oval Office BJ" thing seem like so much consensual sex between adults, instead of the earth-shattering, impeachment-deserving dental inspection that it really, really was. But, you were only good for two-three weeks of scandal, the rest was up to:

Ted Haggard, the man of the moist cloth. Damn, man, John Kerry had just accidentally botched a joke that killed 600,000 people when suddenly from the library of hypocrisy, you had to go check out "Sex, Gay, Volume 3: Hookers." Dude, I lived in Colorado, and I remember how creepy Colorado Springs is. I can't blame you for deciding to spice things up with a little crystal and pre-paid anal sex. Who among the religious right hasn't thought "You know what? It's a Friday night, I'm 300% straight and an intolerant prick...I need some hard drugs and a nice big dick in me. Yes, that would be quite pleasant. Yes. Pleasant indeed."

Mostly, though, I'd like to thank the voters of America, who have shown me that maybe, just maybe, we aren't going to veer off the great path we've been following for so long. Maybe we're actually going to be able to get this country going where it should be going. Maybe we won't be enslaved by China in my lifetime.

Please, people, let's keep the good times going.

As for me, I'm going to get royally drunk and celebrate!

It's been a long time since Democrats had something to crow about, so we should all feel REALLY good right now and celebrate. But at the risk of raining on the parade-- we do need to keep some perspective. As happy as I am, the Dems majority in the House is still very small, and there is not going to be a sea change out there. You can't compare today's happy outcome (for the Dems) with the Republicans massacre in 1994. More blue Senate seats are up for grabs in 2008, and we could very possibly see it slide right back two or three seats to about where it was before today. Most of the 'social issue' referenda out there on same-sex, immigration, etc., seem to have passed, and most of the new Dems coming in are very centrist; even conservative on some social issues like immigration.

After the initial joy dies down a bit, if Pelosi and Team Blue try to act like what is still a virtual tie in Congress is a revolutionary mandate for change, we're headed right back to where we were before; I'm serious. We need to be sober and remember what this is all about and why we won: calling the President to acount for Iraq. We should keep that as almost our sole, narow focus. Showing some bi-partisanship spirt and working with Republicans on issues where we can work together, like energy, etc., will also show voters we can be trusted and aren't the kooks so many think we are (often with good reason, I'm afraid). Otherwise, what looks like a protest vite against Bush this time around will evaporate by 2008 as sure as death and taxes.

I realize there's a lot of work ahead, we need to build links to the GOP, let's be courteous in our victory, blah, blah, blah--screw that! I want to strut and preen!

After twelve years of listening to heartbreaking election nights full of asshole Republican goons pledging bipartisanship while sticking a stiletto in our backs, I just want to pass a hearty "fuck you" to all my GOP acquaintances. The country hates you, I hate you, and even Jesus hates you. Fuck you all for bringing us an imperial presidency (and not even a good emperor; we got Nero instead of Augustus). Fuck you for an illegal, stupid war, wiping your ass with the Bill of Rights. Fuck you for demonizing everyone from gays to the poor in your quest to retain power. And really, really fuck you for just being self-righteous, fascist, demented thugs. Just. Fuck. You.

We got the switch now, Sunny Jim, and hard times is comin'. As we used to say in the Navy, "Stand by for heavy rolls."