The cynical side of me looks at the results, notes that they do not match the exit polls that were coming in all day, notes that the record turnout (historically a sign of Democratic and anti-incumbant support) didn’t appear to swing things….and recalls that the majority of the country voted on electronic machines provided by Diebold, whose CEO, a Bush campaigner, promised to “bring the election in” for Bush.
However, I know that it is far more realistic, and far less comfortable, to think that instead, slightly more than half of the people in the country have no problems with a dangerous, ignorant religious fanatic–because when it gets down to it, they are JUST LIKE HIM.
A friend of mine,
I can’t leave, though. If I packed up, I could take my oldest daughter with me, but my two youngest live with their Mom, and that keeps me here. So, I am instead left with the words of Tolkien’s Aragorn:
- “We must do without hope. At least we may yet be avenged. Let us gird ourselves, and weep no more. We have a long road, and much to do.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Book II, Chapter VI.
…and while I’m thinking about it– a message to all of my Bush-supporting friends: Yes, I understand that you’re not that kind of conservative. You’re a Teddy Roosevelt Republican. You’re a fiscal conservative who is socially liberal. You know what? IT DOESN’T FUCKING MATTER. By supporting Bush, you’re allying yourself with the social and religious extremists who have hijacked your party. By not abandoning them, you’re condoning them, which makes you just like them, no matter how much your precious ‘ideals’ like to convince yourself otherwise. Your support does nothing but lend legitimacy to the corrupt, ignorant, fanatical neo-conservative movement. Think about it.
Yep.
On the last paragraph, bravo, sir.
Try to keep in mind that a significant portion of America did not vote for the bastard, and that’s the group you do fit in with.
D.
The only consolation I’ve manage to derive from last night is this:
More people voted for John Kerry yesterday than have ever voted for a Democratic candidate in the history of the US. More than Clinton in his landslide over Dole. More period.
It’s not much. It may not be enough to give me faith in participating in the system any further. But there it is in black and white.
Love the icon, Theron.
Sadly, not too many people remember the old flag-codes. I remember on 9/11 going outside and hanging our flag that way, and people getting mad at me for being “disrespectful”. Fucking morons.
Well, what can I say?
1) I am old. Old enough to regret once voting for Reagan.
2) In that same past life, I spent four years in ROTC in high school and had to know that stuff.
Yup, four years of ROTC AND president of the Wargames Club. I tell you, it’s a miracle I’m not STILL a virgin. :-/