2008 Citizen Mudede
posted by on November 4 at 10:56 AM
30 minutes ago, I found myself in the situation of voting for the first time in my life. As a lover of philosophy, and Greek philosophy in particular (Socrates is my holy ghost; Plato my king; Aristotle my prince), it was meaningful to finally perform (rather than consider or read about) a democratic act. I was too young to participate in the only democratic election in Zimbabwe’s history (1980), and by the time I was old enough to vote (1988), there was no reason to—one of my own relatives, Zimbabwe’s Register General, kept one man and one party in power.
I got my American citizenship three years ago, and today I really did this thing. I voted for people and propositions. I committed the act in the International District, and during my walk to work, I didn’t listen to a reading of Plato’s Republic (I wanted to revisit his anti-democratic allegory of the ship) but instead listened to the traffic on Interstate 5. Seattle has become my Athens.
Yo, I did it by mail like everyone else, sauce
This goofy country keeps attracting the best people.
Congratulations citizen, and thank you.
Congratulations, Charles! I hope you voted for Obama.
Congratulations :)
Right on, Charles. I'm so happy for you. this year of all years.
Congrats, Charles. May your first vote be for a winning candidate.
When did you move to Seattle, Charles? As a fan of your stuff, just curious.
@ 8, in 1992.
Congrats, Charles. I voted in the ID too (I live there). Well, I voted a bit north of it (Yesler). Where exactly in the ID did you vote?
Congrats! My mom just got a certificate from the state of Pennsylvania for voting in the general elections of the last 50 years. Hope you put together a similar streak!
Felicitations upon this momentous occasion! And may you vote many more times in the years ahead.
@ 10, across the street from the panama hotel. one of favorite blocks in the city.
Charles, I totally think most of your stuff is unbashed wankery (and I love the Greeks), but I just teared up a little bit.
*unabashed. I'm clearly too distraught to spell.
@13, that's a great little tea shop in the Panama.
Congratulations, Charles. What a great first vote.
If we shift to base line - an honest, fair and big turnout election - the vote and voters - that is what keeps us free.
There is really nothing else short armed conflicts and a slew of rioting.
The Republican modern tradition of voter suppression and fraud is the MOST despicible thing about their neo facist agenda.
Charles, Seattle is my Athens is the BEST line of the day. Take note city council and mayor.
Well done, Sir.
Congratulations, Charles! Way to go!
That's wonderful, Charles. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Welcome, Charles. Don't let this simple act cause you to be grounded or anything - we like bashing your wankery.
Congratulations and thank you for accepting the responsibilities of citizenship in our beloved city state.
Now, run out and reap the rewards—free coffee, free ice cream, free masturbatory aids, and doughnuts—but be forewarned: the penalty for corrupting our youth is steep. (This is your only warning.) But we don't need to go into that.
I just hope your first time ends with a more progressive result than mine—1984. [shudder]
Chaz, I take back every mean thing I've said about you on Slog. Let's start fresh tomorrow. Congratulations, BTW.
Congrats, Mudede.
Best.Post.Ever
God I'm a wreck today! :-)
Charles, this brings such a new perspective to you. I've always enjoyed our interactions, but now I see them in a new light. I had no idea that you had never voted.
Thanks for your participation. That simple act is at the core of all progress everywhere. Willful participation.
This one gave me chills.
Wonderful, Charles, wonderful. I hope that you are able to take a certain degree of "ownership" in your President when he becomes such.
Well played, Charles. As a fellow citizen, I salute your act of democracy.
Congratulations, Charles. I'll never call you "Chaz" again, and I'm sorry six months ago I told you to go out and get a real job. You have a great and important job.
Congratulations Charles!!
I'm an immigrant too, although I moved to America and became a citizen years before you did.
This is something I think many native born Americans take for granted. They are US citizens by birth, not by choice. They knew growing up that they could vote any time they chose to after they turn 18. But we moved here by choice (or our parent's choice), and have actively worked to become a US citizen. I could not vote until I was in my late 20s. I think going through that process gives me a less casual view of voting, and I never miss an election.
I just voted about an hour ago, and have rarely felt more proud.
What an occasion! Congrats to you, citizen.
Great story Charles.
i would totally smoke you out, citizen.
This brought a huge smile to my face. It's a momentus occasion and it's wonderful. Thanks for voting Charles!