The Ubiquitous Election Reaction Post

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 said that this probably was the death of Progressive politics in America. I can’t help but feel that he may be right. I don’t feel like I belong here any more–not with 46% of Americans (according to a December 2001 poll) self-identifying as “Born Again.” There are times, and last night was one of them, where I feel like we’re at most 10-15 years away from a right-wing Christian theocracy in this country.

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.

Election Day

I went out and voted, which I’ve been waiting to do with bated breath for 4 years.

Filled out my little optical-scan ballot, reliving my days of the SAT….I was kinda surprised by that, actually–I expected mechanical voting booths here in Lawrence.

Got my little “I Voted, Unless Some Slimeball Republican Files a Suit to Challenge My Eligibility” Sticker.

…and while we’re on that particular subject: Fuck you, American media. Because you’re trying to be “balanced”, you’re all referring to “Partisan Challengers” working at various polling sites around the country….and yet, in EVERY INSTANCE, the people in question are Republicans. Just fucking come right out and say it, won’t you? Saying “partisan challengers” makes it sound like it’s a both-sides kinda thing, when it obviously is not. Because, gods know, if you said “Republican challengers” or “Conservative challengers”, people might figure out that the RNC is so terrified of today’s outcome that they’ve already started to fuck with it.

*sigh* Sorry. Had to get that one off my chest.

I’ll close with Mike’s quiz thing:

Take the quiz: “What Annoying KCRF Character Are You?”

Cocky Idiot
You could be likable if you weren’t such an egotistical bastard. However that’s damn near impossible since you work so hard at being the best, even if you aren’t. Yes, you do have talent, just not as much as you think you do. If you just spent more time showing your real side to people instead of going out of your way trying to impress them, then you’d be okay. What does it matter? You’re just that good! It’s totally understandable that people are jealous of you, after all it’s great to be great.

Ouch. Well, I actually tied with “Never Out of Character Performer”, which means that yet again, Mike and I are on the same page. There’s a shock, right?

….and there ya have it.

Election Day

I went out and voted, which I’ve been waiting to do with bated breath for 4 years.

Filled out my little optical-scan ballot, reliving my days of the SAT….I was kinda surprised by that, actually–I expected mechanical voting booths here in Lawrence.

Got my little “I Voted, Unless Some Slimeball Republican Files a Suit to Challenge My Eligibility” Sticker.

…and while we’re on that particular subject: Fuck you, American media. Because you’re trying to be “balanced”, you’re all referring to “Partisan Challengers” working at various polling sites around the country….and yet, in EVERY INSTANCE, the people in question are Republicans. Just fucking come right out and say it, won’t you? Saying “partisan challengers” makes it sound like it’s a both-sides kinda thing, when it obviously is not. Because, gods know, if you said “Republican challengers” or “Conservative challengers”, people might figure out that the RNC is so terrified of today’s outcome that they’ve already started to fuck with it.

*sigh* Sorry. Had to get that one off my chest.

I’ll close with ‘s quiz thing, behind the cut:

KCRF Quiz Result