Now I'm Worried

I have never been convinced that the election was going to be a runaway for Obama and a news story this morning (so far just seen on AP, but how long does that last these days?) has me particularly worried. It reports that an aunt of his from Kenya has been living illegally in the U.S., having failed to get asylum and received a deportation order she ignored.

It looks like the story is probably true, though I still had some questions after reading it. (For example, when was the deportation order? What is the appeal process and is she following it?) I know a lot about African politics and a fair amount about the brokenness of our immigration system, so understand why somebody would unwilling to return to Kenya. But I don't need a lot of imagination to know how the Republicans will spin this.

And, by the way, I have little doubt that had she been granted asylum, the Republicans would find a way to spin that.

Richmond

I took advantage of today's awesome weather to drive down to Richmond and do the capitol volksmarch there. Significantly, it was also an American Revolution event and I need a few more events before that program ends this year.

The drive down was pretty dull (though scenic at this time of year - lots of fall color) until the last couple of miles where I was delayed by a massive accident which had one lane closed. Still, it took just over 2 hours, including a stop in Spotsylvania to buy gas. I had no problem finding the starting point, which is a restaurant in what looks like a semi-industrial zone. The directions said there is a start box outside on the veranda for people who want to walk before the restaurant opens. Finding the start box was a bit tricky. Actually, I had to call the point of contact because I couldn't find it. It turns out to be the thing that looks like a fuse box bolted to the fence. Some kind of sign on the outside might help. And, since it was closed with two bolts, finding it was not the only complication. Fortunately, I had a few coins with me and a penny makes a perfectly adequate screwdriver.

The walk instructions were, fortunately, considerably easier. The route included several urban trails around the James River and associated canal system, as well as the Tredegar Iron Works / Civil War Visitor Center, White House of the Confederacy, Museum of the Confederacy, and Capitol Square. I know that Thomas Jefferson designed the capitol building and he is just about next to G-d in Virginia, but I prefer domed capitols myself. Richmond's Old City Hall is pretty spectacular, though, resembling a gothic cathedral in design. I also thought that the statue of George Washington is pretty spectacular. It also has smaller statues of other Virginia patriots. I admit to only being familiar with Patrick Henry and George Mason and I only know Mason because every third building in Fairfax County is named after him. The disappointing site along the way is the Falls of the James River. They're really just a bunch of rocks and rapids, without any significant drop.

Overall, it was pleasant walk, but I still think Annapolis is a more attractive city. Hell, if I could handle the commute, I would happily live there.

My drive home was probably quicker than the drive down. Or, it would have been, had I not gotten a bit lost trying to get back to I-95. It was a good day trip, as long as one ignores the inherent absurdity of driving 100 or so miles each way in order to walk just over 6.