Infante's Inferno - Yes We Did

12:41 am - Yes We Did

I've been passionate about politics since I was a teenager, a passion instilled by a number of very good teachers back at Laguna Beach High School in the '80s, and sharpened through studying political science at Arundel. I've thrown myself into campaigns and issues, and a good deal of the choices I've made in my writing life has come from that same passion. Politics, as much as poetry or anything else I've ever done, has shaped me. And I've always done this from a belief that this can and should be be a better world.

I've believed, and on occasion despaired, but always I've come back to that belief, that hope, that idea that this is, indeed, a world worth fighting for. Even when it all looks hopeless, there's always a reason ... somewhere ... worth standing up again for, to keep writing, to keep speaking against the darkness.

It's never been about opposition for opposition's sake, although there have been and will be many, many times when that's been the necessary action. But I'm no fan of cynicism. There is so much worth protecting, worth standing up for.

Tonight was the best night I've ever had in politics, sitting with my wife and friends in our living room, watching the TV nervously, clicking from MSNBC to Fox news until the latter got too obnoxious, and then finally to "The Daily Show," which I was watching when Obama's victory was announced.

I took to the man early: his intelligence and optimism, his positive energy. I've not always agreed with him, but I've always believed in him. I cried when he won. Twice, actually. Not everything I wanted out of tonight seems to have happened -- that abomination in California still looks like it may go through, although hope springs eternal -- but in the end, I think the world's a slightly better place then when we woke up.

But here's the thing: Obama is a starting point, not a finish line, and his acceptance speech made it clear to me that he's aware of that. There's still much, much work ahead. Probably even a good deal of fighting. And I've never been one to back down from a fight, and don't expect to start any time soon.

But I'd much rather build.

It's 1:05 in the morning. The ferret's asleep on my lap, and I still have to take the trash out. Life goes on.

I think I'll sleep well.