Strange election anecdote from Miami Beach, FL

Just got back from a fun-filled weekend with friends in South Beach, Florida. Though dancing ‘til 5am was top-of-mind for me and my cohort, we kept two other current events at a high second: the ALCS and, of course, the presidential race.

It seemed two Obama spots ran on a loop during each baseball game: the “unravel” ad, and the one I like to call  “many faces of McCain” (an ad that I find equal parts hilarious and unsettling).

We also spotted quite a few Obama signs in store windows, Obama bumper stickers (including one on a taxi cab – is that legal?), and a bonafide Obama-gear store.

On the McCain end? To our observation, no T.V. spots running (we even tuned in to Fox News… for as long as we could stomach it) and limited support signage. However, on our last vacation day, we did run into some HARDCORE McCain supporters, out in full force.

Who were these McCain fans, you wonder? Three Black supporters! Ingenious. One – an older gentleman – was clearly native African; the other two (both women) might have been African-American. Though I didn’t get a photo of them, I did obtain one of their most peculiar fliers. It got all crumpled in my bag (oops!), but I have included a photo regardless.

I’m particularly impressed with the 5th line: “Adding ‘sexual orientation’ to the definition of hate crimes”. Obama supports it, McCain opposes it. Maybe you aren’t for same-sex marriages. Ok, fine. But to be opposed to providing protection against violence directed at LGTB individuals? That’s flat-out brutal and heartless.

And, of course, the 8th line, "US Senate vote declaring English as the official language of the U.S. Government" (McCain supports, Obama opposes). How ironic - it was clear the African man who handed me this flier spoke very limited English.

Anyway, early voting in Florida begins today. So we’ll see if these three represented a larger Miami voting block… or just themselves.

Comments

[Pocho Saurus]

Great post - it's amazing what Obama's half a billion dollars will buy in this election.

Pity John McCain and his paltry public financing - is anyone going to call out Obama and the DNC for raising so much money to win this election?

Just wondering...

[Saurus Pocho]

How dare Obama and the democrats raise so much money! Especially when they are taking such small amounts of money (>$100) from millions of lower and middle class people! U.S. citizens shouldn't be allowed to influence politics in our democracy unless they are rich.

[El Bruce]

The "official language" thing is hilarious. There's no reason for English to be the official language of America, because America isn't England. They invented it, it's named after them, if there's any reason to have an official language, they've got enough reason, and we don't.

We've always been settled by immigrants - well, even before foreigners showed up on the shores of this land, there were many languages spoken here. And those who did show up have always spoken whatever they've spoken in order to get along. The American language is no language, and every language.

But that's idealism, not practicality. In terms of signage, forms, etc. each municipal area creates media in whatever languages are represented locally. Given that we now have automatic translation and direct printing technology easily available, there's less need now for an official language than there ever was.