Jeff on 11/02/2004:

This election is not only important for those in the United States, but the world at large. The more that conflicts, such as the one in Iraq, are allowed to flair up and drag on for months, even years, the closer we are to a world war; a world war, which could mean great devistation throughout the world.

Personally, being Canadian, I'm can't wait for the election to be over, because I'm tired of the mudslinging, all the propoganda, Michael Moore, and all the other lovely stuff that comes along during an election year.

Nonetheless, I'm still watching my television extremely close today (I've gone as far as to set up a TV here in my office as I work, just so I won't miss anything). I'm frightened to see what the outcome of the election will be. Even though I'm rooting for Kerry, I have a strong feeling that Dubya will once again be elected for another mandate. One thing I really hope for is that this time, the democratic process will work, unlike the Florida fiasco during the 2000 election.

I also hope that voter's (especially those in Ohio) will all get out and exercise their vote. I'm extremely appalled that in Ohio, party's are allowed to have representatives there for whatever reason. I feel it's completely wrong that people need to be subjected to last minute campaigning (read: intimidation) while they wait to cast their vote. Seems to me like this is a major regression in the democratic process for the United States.

Thanks for leaving the comments open on this one Garrett. I've been holding on to that rant for the past number of months while watching all of the debates, etc. It's great to have a place to discuss it.

n3verm0re on 11/02/2004:

I'm not trying to coopt the thread (so Garrett please feel free to delete this question), but for anyone who's voting for Bush, why? I'm not being rhetorical. Civil discourse is crucial, yet somehow we've lost sight of that these past couple of years. The mentality of 'us versus them' appears to have overtaken the right to peacefully dissent, as I'm now labelled a liberal anti-American with sympathy for terrorists simply because I disagree strongly with this Administration.

It offends my sensibilities that Bush is representing the American populace in the world. It's absolutely no wonder that we're reviled so universally, and the sad thing is that I don't believe that should be the case. I feel as though we've lost respectability and that certainly isn't entirely Bush's fault, but I believe that he's exacerbated the problem and would continue to do so given the mandate of another term. But moving beyond the 'four more years' verbiage, why do you feel that Bush deserves another? What has he accomplished? I ask this question seriously and honestly. I'd like to understand beyond the typical 'fear of 9/11' or 'He seems like a regular guy that I could have a beer with.'

It's strange because I'm not opposed to the conservative ideals, a balanced budget, fiscally prudent spending, and a smaller, less intrusive government. Still, the notion of a compassionate conservative confuses me and I have trouble viewing Bush's policy under the conversative light.

A comment by Jon Stewart comes to mind, paraphrased, "If a guy drove me into a ditch and then said, 'Don't worry about it, I'll drive us out of here,' I'd give the keys to a seven year old." At this point, it feels as though these past four years have eroded faith in the system that this Administration wants to foist upon others, and I find that terribly troubling.

Has the spiral been ongoing or have the last four yours lead to this insatisable desire to win at all cost? Politics has been ugly, ruthless, and amoral, but I find it especially telling that there are fundamentalist Christians who feel that the ends justify the means. Weren't they supposed to be the moral barometer of our culture, supposedly, the right and the virtuous? Hyprocrisy is on the march.

Apologies for this drivel.

Ghast23 on 11/02/2004:

I agree with you, Garrett. I'll bet you have some pretty good debates with Shawn, as I'm sure a lot of people who frequent this site have seen his pro-Bush rant over at www.morrisonfilm.com.

Bush has been in power long enough, and his oil-fueled invasion of Iraq is far from being over in his eyes. The military-industrial machine is draining all of our own funds, and I don't see things changing in another four years of this whole terrorist hunt.

I don't envy Kerry if he wins this election. He's got quite a mess to try and fix. And no, he won't be the greatest president we've ever had, even in this desperate day and age, but he sure as hell won't be the worst. VOTE!

Merovingian on 11/02/2004:

Honestly here in Miami, it's completely strange how you see the elderly rooting for Bush when they don't understand the matters at hand.
We are fighting an over budgeted war and for what cause ? Troop casualties!
But no!!! these elderly people think that just because he caught a "major" key player in terrorism makes him a god now !! Saddam was just another excuse, as Barry Mcnamara said in his video, this is nothing but "War Corporatism".

Mark on 11/02/2004:

Thanks for the invitation, Nevermore. I hope this post will shed some light on understanding. It is not an attempt to convince. Only to explain.

I don't think anyone on the left truly understands or appreciates evil. Per Jeff's comments above, you don't understand that we're already in a war.

To better answer your question, Nevermore, I'd need more specifics on what you think is a failure of the administration. You have spoken only in generalities.

I am sad that not everyone in the world agrees with the actions we have taken in the past 4 years. But, doing the right thing is more important than doing the popular thing. With great power comes great responsibility. As stated on another blog today:

Why, given our (the US) track record of international philanthropy, are we all of a sudden seen as the tyrant? Was there not a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions in Iraq? Was there not proof of Sadaam aiding terrorism (which is, again, an international threat)?

To better answer your question (to faciliate the discussion I think we both want), let me know what you think Bush has done wrong, and I could explain why/why not I agree.

I hope this is the kind of discussion you were hoping for, Garrett. Thanks for sharing your bandwidth and pixels.

n3verm0re on 11/03/2004:

Apologies for delaying my response, Mark. I'll get back to you after I've moved past the disgust I suddenly feel for many of my country-men. The people have spoken — resoundingly — and those of us who disagree must accept that and accept that those we disagree with are not de facto enemies.

For the first time in my life, I can say, with a heavy-heart, that I'm starting to revile the American people, even as I recognize that this is a wasteful thought and one that I'll certainly trascend in the days ahead. Still, to think that we could elect a man with no regard for our respectability, our economy, our environment.. an Administration pent on re-fashinoning history and our government in the image of fundamentalist Christian ideal, that makes me sad. I'm hearing now that 'separation of church and state' is a lie, a fabrication of activist judges. Fascist abortionists are guilty of infanticide and ought to be stoned. Gay couples shouldn't be allowed the dignity of civil unions. We ought to reap all that the Earth has to offer and worry not of future generations, as there will be none. This is the age of the second coming. This is the age of endless wars. Welcome to the future.

Let's all drink a toast to atavism.