National Book Awards

Colum McCann has won the National Book Award for his novel, Let the Great World Spin. I haven't read it yet, but was interested to learn that the events in the book occur as Philippe Petit is walking on a tightrope strung between the towers of the World Trade Center. The library has the documentary DVD about Petit's daring stunt, Man on Wire, and I can recommend the film to documentary fans. Now I need to add McCann's book to my reading list.

It's Election Day

Today is Election Day, or as the Seattle Times referred to it today, ballot counting day. I've been thinking about the implications of all mail elections because I've been observing candidates waving signs at street corners for the last few days, recycling lots of flyers and postcards from various candidates, and hanging up on lots of robo-calls. I didn't vote as soon as I got my ballot in the mail, but I voted almost a week ago--and I bet many people have sent in their ballots in advance of the actual deadline.

So does this mean that traditional campaign strategies such as standing on street corners and last minute mailings and robo-calls don't work anymore? I suspect that might be true. Still, I hope you voted. And I'll leave you with a quote from Walter H. Judd, a doctor and American politician.

"People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote--a very different thing."