Opinion

When most people think about philosophical conversations they imagine stoners pondering their existence as they pass the bong. Philosophy is as rigorous and objective as the logic that structures it. Because of the precise nature of philosophy, a lot of philosophical conversations DO end up sounding like stoner conversations. Take for example this philosophical exchange - Q: "Does god exist?" A: "Yeah dude, I totally feel his energy every time I chill with my bros."

In the end, the conclusion to the election was exhilarating and inspiring in equal measure. For some, euphoria, jubilation and passion persisted; for others, a sense of redemption, justification, nostalgia and even disappointment prevailed.

But while the results provoked an astonishing range of emotions, what should not be lost and must not be denied is that there has been a tremendous, remarkable, even epic transformation in America.

The election is officially, like, so five minutes ago, but before the media refocuses on the things that are important (photographing Lindsay Lohan's crotch, for example), I wanted to reflect on the experience of living through what was surely a defining moment in American history. Some are stoked and others want to move to Australia. Such is the result of an electoral field day.

Early voting allows voters to begin casting their ballots days or weeks prior to an election. In Yolo County, early voting began on Oct. 6 and continued up until Nov. 3.

This year the different early voting polling places - notably the Memorial Union - noted a much higher turnout than in previous years, with lines of people constantly wrapped around the MU.

UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services has undertaken a project to replace lights in parking structures with bulbs that are more efficient and fixtures that detect motion.

Welcome to the day after. As you read this, you will know the results of a historic presidential race I can only assume at this time. I could make some stock comments about "the American journey continuing" or a ready-made quip about "our experiment with democracy," maybe even lay on a little Lincoln-quoting (I was thinking "dogmas of the quiet past") to further inflate the moment past its due, but even on the eve of a probable liberal ascendancy there remains an unchanged truth of which we must oft remind ourselves.

The homeless. They are told, "Get a job, you bum!" How exactly does a "bum" go about getting a job? Just curious. Most college students I know can't get a job and they shower every once in a while. "Go to McDonald's, they're always hiring!" Don't you think a person who has resorted to sleeping on the street has ever tried to get a job at a McDonald's? Assuming that all homeless people are even mentally competent to do so. One-third of the homeless population is mentally ill. Yeah, I bet that looks great on a resume.

For the past eight years the presidential leadership of the United States has been sorely lacking to the point of nonexistence. The country has been led - or left - to plunge in a downward spiral embarrassing to both citizens of the country and the world. Whether or not George W. Bush can be blamed for all the circumstances that have led to the country's current condition is debatable. What is not debatable is that Senator Barack Obama is the presidential candidate most able to rejuvenate and inspire our country.

The potential influence of the youth vote has been a recurring theme in this year's election, but the question is whether young voters will materialize on Election Day. The idea of a massive youth turnout is nothing new. This year, though, the implications of a no-show from young voters will be dramatic.

If there is one thing that irritates me more than the thought of a glorified hockey mom being a heartbeat away from the presidency, it's the assertion that your vote doesn't matter. And by you, I mean the voting demographic ages 18 to 24. Because, my friends, it actually does.

This past summer, the oddest thing happened to me. (Beside that time I woke up in the middle of Pasadena with a dead dingo in my arm and a backwards B drawn on my face). While checking my e-mail one morning, I received this letter from a guy named Mike. It read: "Hey Lynn, I read your articles every now and then, and I don't even go to UC Davis.... Are you on Okcupid? Some 20-year-old girl named Sammi has been posting your articles as her own, and now all these guys are all about it. I stumbled across her and started reading, then dejavu settled..."

The Cal Aggie Christian Association has long fought for the expansion of civil rights. We fought for racial equality at Selma. During the Vietnam era, we helped students facing the draft. We fought for women's rights and access to birth control. And now we must speak out for our LGBT community.

Legislating criminal justice policy through balloting like what Propositions 6 and 9 propose is unnecessary and costly. Not only do both propositions come at a great cost to the state general fund, but this cost is likely to be transferred to agencies like the University of California. If approved by the voters on Nov. 4, these propositions will cost upwards of $1.5 billion.

Twentieth century philosopher Albert Camus once concluded that "there is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide."

Today, as voters examine some of our state's more costly propositions, it would appear as if California has come to terms with the futility of its existence and stands only moments away from choking back the barrel of a gun.