An Early Return

Neon Memes • If the electoral season at last concluding today has proven anything, it has proven that democracy needn't and perhaps oughtn't descend to the simple and often simplistic level fostered during the past two or three decades by "the usual suspects"―the pundits of all stripes, whose most edifying political message customarily reduces to nothing more edifying than "Heed my words." Moreover, whichever way the "headline" election likely goes today―that is, whether an African-American becomes the president-elect or a woman becomes the vice president–elect―this will rank as a bona fide moment in U.S. history about which all Americans should feel proud. That said, this easily qualifies as the most depraved and obnoxious ballot-casting exercise I've experienced since officially becoming a St. Louisan more than a decade and a half ago. For reasons unknown, my polling place (for Ward 11, Precinct 3) had shifted to the Connection Church (6701 Virginia Avenue, 314.256.0545), and by the time I arrived there at 6:20 a.m., the line already stretched around the corner from Haven Street and halfway to Loughborough Avenue. It took me fully an hour just to reach the door to the church. Total time? Ninety minutes. Dawdlers should consider this a caveat. ―Bryan A. Hollerbach, Managing Editor