Finally

Democrats have won control of the House, and Nancy Pelosi is now the first woman Speaker of the House.

The Dems appear to have won control of the Senate, although given Webb's 8,000 seat (0.30% of the votes cast) lead in Virginia, a recount is inevitable (and healthy, and warranted).

Rumsfeld has resigned, and Bush intends to replace him with Robert Gates. Meanwhile, Daniel Ortega has been elected President of Nicaragua. Good grief, folks, did we really need another set of data points to convince us that we never really left the 80's?

And Minnesota has elected Keith Ellison to Congress, making him the first Muslim Representative. Hindus, Buddhists, Pagans, and atheists, take heart.

I am... relieved.

Remember, folks: This is when the work begins. While the House could vote to impeach the Chimp in Chief, there's no way the Senate would approve it (2/3 majority needed for that). The real power of the opposition party being in power here will lie not in its ability to punish, but its ability to resist AND its ability to reach across the aisle and pass reasonable measures.

The thing that appeals to me most, however, is that Bush is now, officially, a lame duck. Oh, that's so delicious.