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Welcome to Backyard Blog, our group online journal for this election season. We've asked a broad array of people with deep ties to the region to share their views on politics during the 2004 campaign.
Send your comments to bbcomments@seattletimes.com. |
November 04, 2004
| There's still an open race out there |
| Posted by at 01:10 PM |
Thinking the 2004 election season came to an end on Wednesday morning with John Kerry’s concession speech may have been premature wishful thinking.
The governor’s race in Washington is still in full swing and will more than likely result in a recount, or a very close win. And here I was hoping that this madness was over! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed watching grown men and women hash it out as if they were on an elementary school playground; but come on!
Usually elections are pretty black and white. Clear, decisive winners for us to rejoice with are usually projected within hours. However, the race between the businessman and lawyer appears to be a race to the wire. So, I will continue to keep Starbucks in business as I load up on coffee to watch and wait with the rest of Washington. |
November 03, 2004
| Another result of the election |
| Posted by at 11:44 AM |
Speaking as a Republican this morning, my emotions were mixed as the results were announced. Yes, I (like Garrett) am happy that Bush was once again voted into the office he has held for the last four years, but I am sitting on the fence on an issue that was voted into law in several states last night. Many gay and lesbian couples woke up this morning to the stark reality that their marriages may not ever be recognized by the state they live in.
I understand and respect the decision made by those voters, but my heart aches for those who are actually in these relationships that have been deemed “fictionary” by our society. I can understand why Jay would want to leave the U.S. after this voting season, as it’s an emotional response. As much as we Americans try to say that we think and act rationally, emotion and religious beliefs play a large part in the decisions we make; and the results are a clear indicator of this.
Though this may be a window closed in some eyes, I hope and pray that Americans can begin to tolerate, understand, and respect the decisions and lifestyles of others.
Respond
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| Not exactly a banana peel, but -- |
| Posted by at 11:16 AM |
I fell down the stairs this morning. Coming down to gather my briefcase and purse and head to work, I noticed my parents had nicely laid the Times out at the bottom of the stairs with the headline “BUSH LEADS” and a very nice little yellow sticky note with a smiley face on it.
I was so shocked that I took a tumble down the stairs and landed with my face smack on the paper (this is not a joke, my aching back and the side of my face being proof…). I thought they were fooling me. If you had told me 2 months ago (amongst all of the anti-Bush extravaganzas and the “He’s destroying the country” cries) that Bush would “win” (with Kerry conceding the race this morning ) I would have laughed in your face and said that there was a quiet padded room and a jacket with nice long sleeves waiting for you in the “other Bellevue”.
But no, looks like 4 MORE YEARS! I’ll get used to this eventually, but it’s still a little scandalous to me for some reason.
And on a funny side note, I took my son with me to the polls last night. Turned out to be not such a good idea – he wanted to help me fill out the bubbles. (Yay for no chads!) He proceeds to announce (in an elementary school gymnasium, packed with people and with great acoustics) every single choice I was making on the ballot. My choice for governor was met with great scowls and grumbling, but my presidential choice (announced in little 5 year old speak, sounded pretty funny) caused the two ladies next to me to start howling.
Also, I was a teensy bit shocked to see so many choices for president. I’ve never voted in a presidential election before (I know, it’s ALL MY FAULT that Bush got elected last time, I’ve already heard) so I was startled to see 7 or 8 names on the ballot, under political parties I had never even heard of. Is anyone a member of these parties? How does it work? I thought you fell under one of three umbrellas the US Government holds over us – Democrat, Republican or Libertarian? (And those anarchists that don’t particularly care for government have a little umbrella all their own)
How do those parties work?
Respond
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| The day after |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 09:44 AM |
That water cooler, for the first time in awhile, was just a water cooler. The fierce voices of passion that decorated the lunch room yesterday now turned to quiet, coffee-drinking whispers. George W. Bush received the highest number of votes cast for any president in the history of the United States.
However, before I could even add a spring to my step, I encountered a really good friend and coworker worried and shaken because her marriage had come under attack last night. This is an issue to her that, of course, is very deep and personal. It's impossible to rejoice when someone you care about looks so sad.
It was at this moment that I had my final thought. Although this morning I have never been more proud to be an American, more proud to be a Republican, I realized there was still work to be done in this country; tolerance, freedom, and hope have not been yet reached. If we are going to get there, we are going to need each other: both the blue and red states.
To everyone reading this I hope we remember that on November 3, 2004, we are all still Americans, and we are all still in this together.
Respond |
| The Pottery Barn Presidency |
| Posted by at 09:41 AM |
OK, my Republican friends... you have the White House and strong majorities in Congress.
Do what you will, but please don't carp about obstructionist Democrats. And please tell your President to stand up and start taking responsibility for his actions. Please let the buck start stopping with him.
Just as Colin Powell invoked the "Pottern Barn Rule" in Iraq--as in "you broke it, you bought it" (which is not actually Pottery Barn's policy but you get the idea)--so is it in play here.
There will be nobody to blame the next four years on. So good luck, godspeed--and know that a loyal opposition will be taunting you with our "reality-based" outlook. Unless Bush starts publicly admitting that God is telling him personally how to run the country, a bit of reality might be a worthwhile contribution to the public discourse.
On a final, personal note, I'm sorry that I lost this election for the Democrats.
Watching as ten states banned gay marriage, it became painfully clear that conservative voters who turned out for "moral values" and against the "homosexual agenda" made the difference, just as that blasted Karl Rove said they would. I'm sorry that David and I selfishly wanted hospital visitation rights, protection for our joint property, and the right to pay our taxes together. Apparently, this is so repugnant to Americans it swamped all other considerations. So it looks like our status as "walking, talking wedge issue" is ratified.
At this point, the marriage vow that David and I made is what is holding us together and keeping us here. As we went to bed to bad with the news, we said, "Whatever else happens, we have each other." I would, honestly, prefer to leave the country. Or rather, I feel that it has left me and moving would just be a matter-of-fact recognition of this reality. It would be easy to move to David's native Australia--and my mother, stuck in Oklahoma, is egging us on, with the proviso that she wants to join us.
But David, God bless him, wants to stay. Hearing him talk of his love for Seattle, our home, and our friends here, I realize it would break my heart to leave. Maybe it already is broken. And maybe that's the "Pottery Barn Rule" that really matters--your heart belongs to the country that breaks it.
This is my country, however much so many voters want me to be a second-class citizen. I can still vote, still march, still protest, and still raise my voice in celebration of all that is good and beautiful here. From wherever I go, that's what I will be doing. So this is no end, just a new chapter.
Thanks to the Seattle Times for the chance to write, and thanks to everyone who has been reading along the way. From here on out, my friends and I will be on nonfamous.com trying to make sense of all of this. Because blogging, like politics, is a way of life.
Respond
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| 2000 all over again? |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 12:12 AM |
The pundits are afire with comparisons to the 2000 election. However, when Gore sent in the lawyers there was one difference: he had one the popular vote. If we wake up tomorrow and Bush leads by over 100,000 votes in Ohio, is leading in the popular vote, and Kerry does not concede, it will only serve to further tear this country apart.
I know the Republicans here have not raised the champagne glass in celebration of victory over Kerry. They also hope that in turn Kerry can show enough respect to do the right thing, report for duty, and if then numbers do not change, concede.
Respond |
November 02, 2004
| A nervous night draws to a close (?) |
| Posted by William Thomas Mari at 10:55 PM |
Ok…I’m calming down now, and not just about the national stuff.
Although Patty Murray, the self-described “former mom in tennis shoes” turned longstanding incumbent, has indeed bested grandfatherly George Nethercutt by 55% to 42% for Washington State’s senator spot , the amiable, white-haired Dave Reichert appears to be winning substantially against Dave Ross-the-radio-man. And Rob Mckenna has a 51% to 46% edge over Deborah Senn, so I’m encouraged.
At the same time, I’m still chewing my nails, figuratively, over the governor’s race. It’s really, really close (49% to 48%), and it may take the rest of the night and parts of tomorrow to figure out. Whew… *quivering conservative blogger sighs. Almost there!*
Respond
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| Dem despair? |
| Posted by at 09:41 PM |
I left work early today to canvas for MoveOn.org. Beautiful moment: we were visiting a boy at a house near mine who our records showed had not yet voted, knocked on his door, but got his roommates instead.
They let us in, down to his room, where we knocked again and prodded him to go vote, after a few minutes of discussion he grabbed his ballot out of the trashcan and walked down to the local precinct. Victory.
So I'm sitting in a friend's living room now, and Florida just got called for Bush and people are starting to panic, the sentiment seems to be to drink into oblivion if Bush wins.
Respond |
| Greetings from New Mexico |
| Posted by at 07:30 PM |
It’s 6pm (Mountain Time) here in Farmington, New Mexico. I’ve spent the last five days (or six? My brain is barely working anymore) here in the Northwest corner of the state to help John Kerry win the Presidency hours from now. Farmington is kind of like Yakima. Lots of dust, trucks, and Conservative voters.
I’ve been close to campaigns before, but never anything like this. Two weeks ago, New Mexico was locked in as a swing state, and volunteers and paid staff flooded into this sleepy part of the Great Southwest. The office I’m now writing from has expanded from a few locals working hours a day to more than one hundred people all working to help win the state for Kerry.
In 2000, Gore was crushed in San Juan County (there aren’t any islands to visit here, though) by 24 percentage points. But as the voting here draws to a close exactly four years later, there’s something different going on in San Juan County.
In 2000, George Bush walked away with a net gain of nearly 10,000 votes from San Juan County. As I look up at our turnout tracking, there’s no way Bush will come away with that kind of gain this year. Because in addition to being conservative, San Juan County is also home to one of the oldest living cultures in the United States, the Navajo Sovereign Nation. And this year, our team has worked with Navajos to help raise turnout on the reservation to record levels.
The energy here is incredible. Each day flies by…in the first few days the pressure increased by the day. In the last forty eight hours, the pressure has doubled by the hour.
Now it’s 8pm Mountain time. The final returns for our county are coming in, and our targeted precincts have exceeded our expectations. Our confidence (and that of the 200 or so that have gathered to hopefully celebrate with us) is growing.
If the rumors I’ve heard are true (and I guess we’ll see soon), Kerry will carry New Mexico, and the Electoral College. My fingers are crossed. More to follow…if I don’t pass out from exhaustion.
Respond
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| Reality check |
| Posted by at 07:27 PM |
Why, if we know the outcome of the Presidential race more than likely won’t be announced until tomorrow morning, are we all on pins and needles tonight watching and reading about the latest voting updates?
Americans thrive off of adrenaline rushes and the fantastic battle. Democrats may be starting to panic seeing the president’s numbers climbing, but there’s still a long night ahead of us. So, if you’re feeling the effects of your day (like I am) grab a cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and settle in for the night…it’s going to be a long one.
Sitting at work today, a coworker of mine (DeAnna, here’s your plug) and I were discussing office politics during the election. This country was founded on the right to make our own decisions and choices, and amongst our choices is the choice to vote or not to vote.
Everyone was given equal right to this freedom and though it is a choice and a privilege, we should also allow those who choose not to vote to live without feeling like they are committing a cardinal sin and damned to hell. There are simply those who will choose not to go to the polls today and ignore all the ramblings of us bloggers. These people are exercising their rights as Americans and we should allow them to live in peace.
Why is it that once we have decided something is right or necessary, we try and force our beliefs on everyone else around us? Now if only P. Diddy would stop with the ”Vote or Die” campaign and return to the music.
Respond |
| A nervous night under way |
| Posted by William Thomas Mari at 07:04 PM |
Man o man, am I edgy! I’ve been watching the news off and on all afternoon and into the evening. Even though Mr. Bush is currently ahead with 171 electoral votes to Kerry’s 112 (as of 6:45 p.m pacific time) ), both Florida and Ohio are still up in the voting air, and that means about 250 votes are yet to be determined.
Plus, there are a bunch of potential twists and turns that could swing either man towards the much-coveted 270. Not to mention our state’s neck-and-neck governor’s race. This is nerve-racking! I’ll have to stay tuned!
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| It all comes down to this |
| Posted by at 07:01 PM |
Today, as I finished filling out my absentee ballot, I was amazed by the excitement that I felt. The excitement I'd experienced didn't stem from voting for my presidential, senatorial or gubernatorial candidate of choice, but rather from the judges at the end of the ballot. I suppose this thrill stems from a few different factors, but primarily from the fact that a voter gets to do a good bit of deduction and extrapolation in that type of a race.
When you look at it, all a person has to go on is a few paragraphs. Sometimes they tell you a lot. Sometimes they tell you very little. When you see the words "won't legislate from the bench," your choice is easy. When the paragraph turns to more neutral terms like "compassion", "fairness", and "justice", the job gets a lot harder. This is where things get fun. You have to dig through the endorsements and think who their decisions could favor. You must look at what jobs they have held to see if they will be tough or wishy-washy. You examine their accomplishments and awards to see what kind of person they are, or at least portray themselves as.
When all is taken into account, you take your pen and fill in the circle. You do this knowing that you've had a larger than normal impact due to all those who choose to skip that part of the ballot. As you slip it into the envelope, you know that you've made a statement on what could very well be the most important branch of government.
This is America pure and simple. God bless her.
Respond |
| My first Election Day |
| Posted by William Thomas Mari at 01:29 PM |
I just got back from voting in Snoqualmie. Forgive me, but it was exciting!
Being my first election, and deciding presidential, gubernatorial, and state senator races made it particularly stirring. I voted at my local elementary school, and as of 10:20 a.m., nearly 240 people had already voted (the polls opened at 7 o’clock).
Charlotte, an elderly retiree volunteering as a poll worker, said that "...we've been very busy so far today..." and there was every indication that she was right. I waited for a good forty-five minutes in a line that was easily a hundred strong, and it seemed that for every person who finished and went on their way, another entered. This was during the supposed “lull time” too!
The school had a hushed, excited atmosphere, as average folks from all walks of life filtered in and out, many clutching voter's guides and actually studying them as they waited in line.
I saw no “problems” whatsoever, and any hiccups that did occur (a missing pen in a voting booth, misplaced addresses, etc.) were addressed quickly and quietly by the poll workers. "That was easy..." I heard an elderly gentleman say, and I agree, everything seemed to be going fine.
Ordinary citizens, many looking a bit tired and cold, leaned over rickety, plastic and-metal foldout voting booths, filling in little ovals. There were kindly retired folks, many wearing red-white-and-blue (or some combination thereof) sitting behind folding tables and chairs, helping people with signing in. It was quite a sight, democracy in action.
There wasn’t anything glamorous about it. In fact, the whole process appeared quite mundane, a humdrum civic affair that involved you, your pen, and a piece of paper. In the end, that’s how we govern ourselves. We won’t let some demented terrorist threaten us. We will vote our conscience, and that, as ordinary and average as it gets, is what makes our country such a great place to live.
Being part of this Backyard Blog project has been a distinct privilege, and I am very grateful for the experience. Like sports analysts prepping for the Super Bowl, we bloggers have been passionately debating, discussing, and sometimes
arguing as the election drew near. As it’s now arrived, and all electoral bets are off, it’ll be exciting to see how everything works out. Thank you all for reading
and responding. Here’s to a decisive and definite election.
Let’s go vote!
Respond
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| Libby finally decides! But -- argh! |
| Posted by at 10:59 AM |
I’ve been volunteering for both the Bush and Kerry campaigns (not officially of course, but assisting friends and family in posting signs) and teaching my 5-year old how elections work and trying to explain how electoral votes are distributed. (He was actually able to tell ME how they worked…thanks SchoolHouse Rock! )
I have to join the masses and tell everyone (that has not already) to brave those lines, find that elusive parking spot and get thyself to their local voting booth today to, because it is super important to voice your opinion, whether or not this is “THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION YOU’VE EVER SEEN IN YOUR LIVES!!”
It is ALWAYS important to make sure that you take advantage of the privilege we have to vote and make sure that your voice is heard, whether or not you feel you’re making a difference. (Just look at the 2000 election…just a few votes and the country could have been completely different!)
All right, drumroll please…contrary to popular belief in my home, office and amongst my friends, I HAVE made a decision. It took me a lot of research and a ton of time, but I finally decided to vote. (And that’s all I’m going to share.)
I’m one of those weirdoes that believe that I should keep your vote to myself. It’s not horribly necessary for me to go preach to the masses who to vote for, unless I am the candidate. I like signs in public places (medians, corners, that sort of thing), but don’t think they’re a great thing in personal yards.
I understand campaigning and that sort of thing, but I would (PERSONALLY) never be able to cold-call someone on the telephone or email them or go to their home to tell them to vote for my candidate of choice, unless that particular candidate was my best friend (who should TOTALLY run for office) or my husband, or any member of my family.
But that’s just my honest opinion.
I have enjoyed the camaraderie displayed here on the blog during this election – it was very informative for me and a unique experience that I am grateful for. I look forward to tomorrow morning when the results are “announced”…maybe I should find a television somewhere tonight!
Respond
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| Election day observations |
| Posted by at 10:46 AM |
Monday nights during the past two months have been a refuge for me as my Young Life kids are a welcoming distraction from the election.
However, last night was anything but a distraction. A few of the high school students I know were quick to say that they would vote for Kerry if they were of age during this election, if only because he is pro-choice. In Walgreens, the man behind me in line was ranting about the latest Bin Laden tape and his newfound love of John Kerry. His political speech in the middle of a checkout line was anything but welcome. He bad mouthed our current president with such ease that it made me worry for any friends that this man might have.
Listening to this man on his anti-Bush tirade made me wonder: if we are so quick to hate and verbally strip politicians, whom we do not know personally,
what would some of us say of those people we DO know. Are we so terrified of the end result that the only comfort that we find is by bringing slander to others’
names?
This is one blogger who will be happy to see the end of this election, if anything to see the rage return back to the Seattle roads and out of store aisles.
Respond
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| Wet the vote |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 10:20 AM |
Rain, Rain, Go Away.
A blogger on the scene report! For days now we have all been hearing about endless lines at our polling places, rumors about the election machinery itself breaking down.
I just voted shortly past 7:00 a.m. this morning in Kirkland. The ballot was easy to figure out, and the whole affair took about 4 minutes. I wonder if the rain will impact the predicted 80 plus Washington turnout? My prediction is that it will (70 percent turn out).
Do any of my fellow bloggers have a prediction for the day? Popular vote? Electoral Vote?
My Prediction
Popular Vote: Bush 49 Kerry 47
Electoral College: Bush 293 Kerry 245
Respond. What's your prediction?
Surprise: Bush wins Hawaii
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| Vote tomorrow! (Only you, Ian) |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 07:47 AM |
Ian, my friend are you still trying to convince me of Kerry the War Hawk from Massachusetts—Defender of freedom, and all things good and fluffy. Oh well, remember to vote this Wednesday, and see you when you get back!
(note to all Republican readers, don’t tell Ian but y’all should vote today.
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November 01, 2004
| An election eve thought |
| Posted by at 05:09 PM |
For quite some time I’ve been sensing everywhere, and with everyone, a great sense of voter fatigue. What will happen tomorrow? Just how on edge is everyone? Do we really need or want all these damn lawyers to figure out which hanging chads actually count?
This country has always been divided ideologically. There have always been political parties and nasty campaigning and tricks and deceit. There have always been flip-floppers, stubborn ideologues, playboys and even drunkards serving as presidents. Every four years have been “THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF YOUR LIFE.”
My skills of prognostication are no better than your average political pundit so I won’t waste paper [or pixels - Ed.] making subjective electoral guesses.
Suffice it to say that tomorrow someone will win and someone will lose and since no one is going to flee the continent due to the results—save Alec Baldwin—we had all better learn to at least treat each other with some vestige of civility (at least until the mid-term elections).
However, if John Kerry were to win tomorrow’s election I am somewhat consoled by what the author Tom Wolfe has to say about the Massachusetts Senator: “[Senator Kerry] is a man no one should worry about at all. He is not going to introduce some manic radical plan, because he is poll-driven, and it is therefore impossible to know where or for what he stands.”
Not that a blowing-in-the-wind kind of administration is what this country needs right now, however.
Here’s to a relatively smooth transition into either another four years of Bush or a new Kerry administration. Please leave the lawyers outside the polling place. The American electorate doesn’t deserve another month of this bickering.
Respond |
| It's as if "Sex and the City" had an episode about elections |
| Posted by at 04:00 PM |
The clock is ticking towards November 2, and all anyone can talk about at work is the election…both state-wide and Presidential. The non-stop talk of the elections makes me wonder: Is it appropriate and P.C. to talk of politics in the workplace?
Knowing that so many people have very different opinions, could voicing your opinion lead to a hostile work environment? Is it ok to voice your opinion knowing that what you say could very well offend a superior or fellow co worker?
No longer are we sitting in the safe confines of a University lecture hall or classroom where everything said is taken with a grain of salt and where your opinion could lead to a healthy debate. When today’s society is as divided as ours is, are our jobs secure if we are voicing our political and religious opinions in the workplace?
Respond
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| Ian's on the road |
| Posted by at 01:52 PM |
I too have joined the crew of Bloggers on the road, first in LA for work and then on to New Mexico to help elect John Kerry as the next President of the United States.
As such, I’ve got precious little time to clean up the chaff my fellow bloggers have left on the site the last few days.
1. Hey Garrett. Fortunately, our blog offers us the opportunity to actually discuss issues that simply appear as sound bites from other outlets (I guess in this case, I mean you).
You’ve got an impressive list of weapons systems that Kerry has purportedly voted against. As Kerry himself has said, “Everyone knows you can play with these votes”, and lo and behold, (to borrow a phrase from one of your heroes) there you go again. Check out this article from Slate on the topic of Kerry’s voting record.
2. But more to the point, the “laundry list” of Kerry’s supposed votes against these weapons systems as THE reason for why we shouldn’t trust Kerry completely misses the mark and illuminates why the Bushies are the wrong choice to lead us in the war on terror…we don’t fight terrorists with Abrams tanks…we fight them with human intelligence, “drying out the swamps” of regimes who harbor terrorists (see my last post for why this is NOT Iraq ), and finally, lifting the standard of living or giving hope to people living where terrorists recruit.
An Abrams tank vote isn’t the issue. Applying pressure to Saudi Arabia to cut off terrorist funding and training centers, helping the reformers win in Iran, negotiating and disarming Kim Jong Il in North Korea, actually pursuing bin Laden in Afghanistan and Pakistan…the list of the things the Bushies have ignored that actually are the issue seems to have no end.
3. Finally, hey William? An electoral college lead of 10 points is not a “decided edge.” In fact, your confidence should actually be something more akin to panic.
Bush continues to be stuck at 47% to 48 % in the battleground state polls. I refer you to these stellar sites, Mystery Pollster , Princeton Professor Sam Wang, and the ever-informative Slate , where you can get a laundry list of recent polls.
Take particular note of Mystery Pollster’s Incumbent Rule which is enlightening for all, and terrifying for Bushies throughout the land.
Respond
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| Get out and vote |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 01:39 PM |
I have to echo Stephanie’s sentiment about feeling exhausted. My shoulders are literally sore from the stress of thinking about this whole affair, and my mind fried by too many attack ads. However, for those of you who are in a district that is uncompetitive, or thinking that since the Presidential election is decided in Washington there is no point in voting -- think again.
Recent polls show that the race for Governor is indeed tightening. Rossi who has been described by the Wall Street Journal as a "state-level star," was featured along with national newcomers like Democrat Barack Obama. The Seattle Times (endorsing virtually every other democrat save McKenna) gave the nod to Rossi. In other words, the battle for the Washington Governor’s mansion is far from over.
The impact the governor could have on our lives is potentially far greater than the presidency: how much we pay at the pump, sales tax, higher education, class room size, gun control, the future of Boeing and Microsoft will all be affected by our choice for governor.
Get out and vote.
Respond
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| Less than 24 hrs to go |
| Posted by at 11:09 AM |
Election 2004 is almost to a close. It's less than 24 hours before the election ballots officially begin casting and I find myself exhausted.
I've read up on candidates, initiatives, given mini-lectures to those of my friends who have tolerated this mayhem, and now find myself worn to the point of exhaustion.
The older I become, the more I realize that the decisions we, as a people, make together do affect our lives. Will there be a Social Security to assist us when we are old enough to receive it? Will Washington State finally house charter schools? What will be written of this election in history books? The rest of the world looks on America for our sense of Democracy and compromise, but our inability to agree on anything of major importance, selfish tendencies and a "We're always right" attittude may reflect poorly on ourselves.
Will this election change our reputation among nations? So many questions that may be left unanswered.
The only thing that myself and fellow bloggers seem to agree on is that this election is an important one. Come Wednesday morning [in theory: Ed], we will have an elected President, governor, state officials and voted into effect different initiatives. Regardless of the outcome, I will respect the decision WE have made together.
Respond. Do you feel the same sense of election exhaustion? Will the vote be decided Wednesday? |
| Bin Laden tape response |
| Posted by Garrett Ryan Ferencz at 11:04 AM |
Buried in work from an utterly busy week, there suddenly seemed to be a quick migration to the water cooler (or actually the tv in the lunch room next to the water cooler). The work day stopped cold.
Osama Bin Laden had a message for America. A message to all of us purporting to prevent killing more of our innocent civilians. Bin Laden asks us to meet his demands, he asks the American people to abandon our ally, Israel. As I hear it, he asks America to allow religious fanaticism to prosper, genocide to continue; he asks us to no longer care.
This blogger must admit that I have rarely been moved emotionally more than after hearing these words. The emotions of everyone at my office were high this past Friday.
The timing of this message is unmistakable, and its aim is as clear. Bin Laden wants to affect the American election. He wants to destabilize us through fear, hate, and weakness. He wishes for a pacifist to take the helm of this nation and move its course.
The most outrageous part of Bin Laden’s message is its striking similarity to the criticism by Michel Moore that Bush did not do all he could during 9-11 to defend our people—the people Bin Laden wished to kill. There is no doubt that whether it was John F. Kerry or George W. Bush as president on September 11th, both men would have done all they could to protect us. Although my generation is one of cynicism, there is a time when we need to have a little faith.
The fallout from the Bin Laden tape is unclear. The Kerry supporters think it may help his campaign by demonstrating we have yet to capture Bin Laden. I and my fellow Bushites think that there will be a backlash.
I guess only tomorrow will tell. However, one thing is certain: the message to Bin Laden must be that the American People do not negotiate with terrorists, we will not negotiate with you, and we shall be unwilling to allow you to chose the next President of this nation. The hunt for you will continue, and Bush or Kerry we will not be deterred.
Respond
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