VICTORY FOR OBAMA

After an interminable campaign, whose multiple twists and turns made the conclusion impossible to predict with any certainty, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Not surprisingly, "Obama Beats McCain to Become First Black President" had pride of place in our Top Twenty, nabbing the most props (212) and the most comments (632). "The times truly are changing!" said uncle-dave. "I'm not a very emotional guy," confessed salir, "but Obama's acceptance speech made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and [brought] tears of joy to my eyes! We are headed for much better times because of this outstanding man." There was some party skirmishing in the thread, but also the odd note of conciliation. GregD saluted the GOP nominee's grace in defeat: "I will give McCain this, his concession speech was a work to behold. I just about lost it when he called Obama his president." Said cowboygrandpa: "That was the McCain of old, who would have told Bush to stuff it in his diddy bag when it came to backing him on torture." There was also a somewhat reluctant second from not2needy: "Not like him, but very gracious, I have to give him his props!" But PsychoHosebeast argued that McCain would require some rehabilitation: "Well, if he wants to hang onto his seat in AZ, he better get back to the same person they elected." Added nightschase: "We must be gracious in victory and extend our hand out to those right-wingers. We have to let them know even though we may differ on opinions and policy, we are all Americans and we should work together for a better future." Other related stories included a Spadecaller video, "Election Day," with 109 votes and 48 comments, and "Oprah Sees Own Presidential Vote Dropped by Touch-Screen Voting Machine," with 98 props and 244 comments. (Said Sabretooth: "Seriously, they really need UN observers watching these elections, this kind of crap could start a civil war.") And finally, on a more humorous note, there was "Nostradamus Writings Predict McCain Victory," which won the page-view derby with a shocking number: 221,041. At least one member, sweetguitar, greeted the prophecy with an old-fashioned Bronx cheer: "And I'm having lunch with Santa and the Easter Bunny. Get real, people. Nostradamus musta been smokin' some good stuff!"

WAILIN' ON PALIN

On her way out the door, the GOP vice-presidential nominee got her share of knocks from the Propeller community. "5 Reasons to Put Down 'Pitbull' Palin," for example, rang up 88 props and 50 comments. "Winky Palin has a core constituency that includes all the nuts on the right, the far, far right," said Charlson. "We simply cannot have this type of person anywhere near the national reins of power," agreed vor. "GW was bad enough, but this is a whole different dimension of ignorance." Endoscopy, meanwhile, defended the Alaskan governor, whose statements "make the atheist super left see red. Therefore they have to start rants twisting anything she says and does." A related story, "Alaskan Personnel Board Clears Sarah Palin of Troopergate Ethics Violations," generated 51 props and 173 comments. "An innocent ditz is still a ditz," said Tangent001. Agreed Tcaros: "She's not innocent. That's a bunch of well-timed baloney." But DeauxNut dug in his heels on the governor's behalf: "She's the one that filed the complaint on herself with the personnel board so that the truth would come to light. Smart move, she knew she was innocent and just proved it." Related (and less complimentary) stories included "It's Official: Palin Is A Moron. Says Press Criticism Of Her Threatens Free Speech," with 71 props and 252 comments. Said whitross: "I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry." Replied mickdavidsons: "You don't need to cry unless she and McCain win on Tuesday." There was, however, a parting shot fired by DamnLiberals: "if you think Sarah Palin is dumb, the Obama camp has actually muzzled Joe Biden because the idiot can't keep his mouth shut."

AND DON'T OVERLOOK....

"Simpsons hit for not-so-gay crack" racked up 60 props, 873 comments, and a hefty 122,661 page views. (Unfortunately it also brought a legion of homophobes out of the woodwork.) The Propeller community sounded off about space junk, the Rolling Stones, and California real estate. And last but not least, there was "Nudists won't get own polling site," with 22 props and 78 comments. There didn't seem to be much sympathy for the aspiring nudies. "Nude people of the world, get a life," insisted rdeussen. "With multi-hour long waits at polls, suggest throwing a sheet over your nudity for the duration of the vote will do nicely. I bet your local grocery store insists on shoes, shirt and pants!" Said paint954: "Their right to be naked stops where my right not to see naked people if I don't want to starts!" And there was a more partisan assessment from swv7865: "If the likes of Obama become president, then we'll have nude voting soon enough." Keep an eye out for the new president's very first piece of legislation: the Buck Naked Franchise Act of 2009, which won't get out of committee until the addition of the fiercely contested Speedo amendment.