history

[greygirlbeast]

What gets me is that I absolutely refused to allow myself to believe that John Kerry had any chance of winning this election, and yet, this morning, I still feel like someone has sucker punched me in the gut. It seems no matter how little faith I grant the human race, it's will always be capable of astounding and disappointing me. There seems to be no self-defence against hope. MSNBC just posted the news that Kerry has conceded, so it's over, kiddos, and we have four more years of G. W. in the White House and four more years of whatever hell that includes. But beyond the fact of Bush as President I think there are more disturbing messages to be learned from this election. I'm not yet entirely certain how to formulate or express most of them, but I can see that they're there. Is it the end of the world, Bush winning this election? No, but it is definitely another step in the right direction — if world ending is what this species is destined for, and I can see no substantial evidence to the contrary.

Isn't there something ironic in the fact that the vast majority of the cities most in danger of future terrorist attacks — New York, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, etc. — went to Kerry, while all the South and all those "heartland" states went to Bush, who claims to be our best defence against terrorism? Clearly, he hasn't made those most at risk feel any safer.

Meanwhile, eleven states have voted to amend their constitutions to forbid same-sex marriage, and all these amendments passed by double-digit margins. The bigots carry the day.

I can't think about this too much today. Maybe tomorrow. Today I have to think about work and moving and being in Minneapolis in eight days. I have to speak with my agent in NYC and with Subterranean Press and with an editor at Marvel. I have work to do, and everything I see and hear is making me sicker to my stomach, sicker to my soul. Time to stop looking and listening for a little while.

Comments

[grandmofhelsing.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, eleven states have voted to amend their constitutions to forbid same-sex marriage, and all these amendments passed by double-digit margins. The bigots carry the day.

It appears that Religious Right voters galvanized by this issue provided Bush's margin of victory, including in Ohio.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

It appears that Religious Right voters galvanized by this issue provided Bush's margin of victory, including in Ohio.

I honestly hope that you're not meaning to suggest that gays, lesbians, and transsexuals are responsible for Bush's victory, that we're to blame and are to be blamed for trying to gain access to what we deserve and everyone else already has?

[mb2u]

I think it's more likely that the Religious Right used the perceived threat of "those people" (aka, us) being treated as equals to motivate their people to show up at the polls in force. But if it hadn't been the gay marriage issue, it would have been some other "morally correct" motivating issue that they'd have used. The Religious Right knew it had to turn out the votes this year, and they delivered.

[wishlish.livejournal.com]

aqctually, Caitlin, as a supporter of gay rights and gay marriage, that appears to be exactly what happened. Terrified by the prospect of two people that aren't a genetic man and woman getting married, the Religious Right swamped the polls.

Are GLBTs to blame? Hell no. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. But for this year, it's true: a lot of Americans damned the country to hell because they were afraid of gay marriage.

I just can't figure out why Kerry conceded so quickly. We backed the wrong guy. I wanted a guy who would fight to the death. I didn't get that.

I saw this comment on Boing Boing:

"People say there are two Americas. I think there are at least three.

One is Bush's America: an amalgam of the extreme Christian "conservatives," corporate interests and the builders of the burgeoning national-security state.

Another is the Democratic "left": wedded to the old, discredited politics in a time that demands creative thinking.

I suspect there's a third America: members of an increasingly radical middle that will become more obvious in the next few years, tolerant of those who are different and aware that the big problems of our times are being ignored -- or made worse -- by those in power today.

That third America needs a candidate. Or, maybe, a new party."

If we're going to fight for the right things for this country- competent leadership, diplomacy as a tool to avoid terrorism, human rights (including marriage for all), responsible spending- the left and the middle are going to have to come together to swamp the right. It didn't happen this year.

And what the hell is up with that bigot senator South Carolina elected?

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

And what the hell is up with that bigot senator South Carolina elected?

I think the answer is implicit in the question.

Are GLBTs to blame? Hell no. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. But for this year, it's true: a lot of Americans damned the country to hell because they were afraid of gay marriage.

Thank you for clarifying. I'm a little hair trigger just now.

[wishlish.livejournal.com]

I think we're all on the trigger. It's a bad day for all of us.

as someone from New Jersey...

[dystempted.livejournal.com]

i'm glad you pointed that out, about NY/DC and their surrounding metro areas. because it is an important point to notice in this election, one that no one has really given attention to. and, in New York, it wasn't even close.

[lokust.livejournal.com]

<3

[sprachlos.livejournal.com]

I have work to do, and everything I see and hear is making me sicker to my stomach, sicker to my soul.

exactly the same way i am feeling, but it's the same-sex marriage ban that disturbs me the most.
kerry or bush is just about giving the shit a different name.

[rsbryswrrl.livejournal.com]

I believe it was John Kerry in one of the many speeches leading up to this fiasco, um, I mean election, that "when people think, Democrats win." It makes me sad to think that the rest of the world will now see us as a nation of morons.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

It makes me sad to think that the rest of the world will now see us as a nation of morons.

Nothing new there.

[bunkiesgirl.livejournal.com]

Time to stop looking and listening for a little while.

I wish I could do that, but alas, I have to go home to neighbors that have plastered their house with every Bush sign imaginable, who will no doubt be rejoycing this day with their new urchin they just popped out. Maybe they'll name it after their hero: Low IQ Mother Fucker.

Don't forget to dress warmly for Minnesota. There was frost here this morning.

[mb2u]

What I find more disturbing were the gains made by the Republicans in the Senate and the House. I'm hoping that this will finally force the Democratic leadership to grow some teeth, but I doubt it.

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

You still have love. You still have what sounds like a kick-ass place to move come December. You still have love. You still have the friendship and support of all of us here and all of those who'll make it to Fiddler's Green. You still have love. You still have an amazing gift with words that has stunned me and others many times.

And you still have love. Despite double-f'ing-digit margins showing people not believing what you and Spooky have (I'm feeling the pain of it here in Oregon, and I'm straight) is worth protecting, you still know that what the two of you share is something lovely and good, and I'm happy for you.

Take our victories where we can.

*hugs*

[extatika.livejournal.com]

No matter how low my opinion of humans, they always find a way to prove it generous.

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

Just remember: the vote was *close*--48% Kerry to 51% Bush certainly indicates that Bush does not have overwhelming support. In fact, I'm almost glad he's got four more years. That's more than enough rope for him to go and hang himself but good. Sure, the country will suffer as a result, but...hey, 2% more of the populace want that, so they can go right ahead and enjoy it. Fine by me. I and the rest of the American populace who stand against this crap will continue to stand against it and fight tooth-and-nail against the tide of moronic traditionalism masquerading as "Conservativism." I am, in fact, encouraged more by the fact that Bush didn't win by a landslide than depressed by the fact that Kerry lost by such a small margin. There are still a lot of people Out There who don't support Bush, and believe me, they aren't going anywhere. I hope W seriously enjoys the next four years of constant griping, exposes of his own stupidity and underhandedness, loss of world allies, terrorist threats, etc.

Man, the cleanup after this regime is done is going to be horrendous. Fine. That's what the American people want, that's what they'll get. But when the opposition surges forth in four more years to contend with it, the fuckers who voted for Bush are going to be either 1) kissing our asses to fix the mess he left on their own doorsteps; or 2) plowed under by the response.

The US has survived much worse presidents than George W. Bush but ONLY because people out there continued to stand up for what America truly should be during those hiccups of stupidity. Societal and technological evolution continues apace despite momentary aberrations such as this regime. Traditionalists will attempt to preserve a fictional world that they see as passing away, but in the end will always get trampled underfoot. You cannot hold back the evolution of a civilization for long. Hitler tried it. Mussolini tried it. Mao tried it. They all failed. MISERABLY. Four more years of The Shrub does not equate to a major setback: it's just four more years of bullshit...and a span of four years seen in the light of the gradual but inevitable liberalisation of American society is virtually negligible.

Remember: the 18th Amendment was a supposed victory for the Right, an actual amendment to the Constitution restricting a certain type of freedom. It last ten years before it was repealed. Let's see a "Defense of Marriage" amendment put on the books. If it even lasts ten MONTHS I'll be amazed.

The only way Bush and his cronies will win is if all the people riled up against him decide to shrug and admit defeat. If we DON'T do that...if we, in fact, get even louder, more vociferous, and nasty in our opposition--then that stupid son-of-a-bitch will come to rue the day he ever got re-elected.

Only a 2% difference. A hair under half of the population DOES NOT SUPPORT George W. Bush. And that's just after four years of his presidency. Given another four years, I will not be one bit surprised if that fraction swells gigantically.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Just remember: the vote was *close*--48% Kerry to 51% Bush certainly indicates that Bush does not have overwhelming support.

Yes. This is very important, obviously, and it's not something I addressed in my entry (mostly because I didn't want to think about all this crap for a while). Bush just barely won this election, which makes me a little curious and annoyed at Kerry's quick concession. With both the popular vote and, especially, the electoral vote, it's very close. This is one of many, many reasons that I'm not talking third parties. I don't see "three Americas." I see two, sharply divided.

Something to remember, too. No war-time president has ever lost a re-election, ever.

Four more years of The Shrub does not equate to a major setback: it's just four more years of bullshit...and a span of four years seen in the light of the gradual but inevitable liberalisation of American society is virtually negligible.

I look at the electoral maps, and the division just seems so profound, the regionalism so striking. New England, the upper Midwest, and the Pacific states (excepting Alaska), are unanimously pro-Kerry. The South, the Rockies, and the Plains states are resoundingly pro-Bush. This means a lot, and it's something that I hope the Democratic Party will take note of between now and 2008. It's no surprise, to me, that those areas viewed by so many Americans as the "great disolute Babylon" — the "intellectual" North and "godless" California — are blue on that little CNN map. I think our centres of culture clearly stand for change, but we're all swimming against a riptide of hysterical reactionary New Right retrogressive/dominionist politics.

[velocityb0y.livejournal.com]

Remember: the 18th Amendment was a supposed victory for the Right, an actual amendment to the Constitution restricting a certain type of freedom. It last ten years before it was repealed. Let's see a "Defense of Marriage" amendment put on the books. If it even lasts ten MONTHS I'll be amazed.

I'd like to believe that, but the 11 out of 11 states that adopted amendments tell a different story. Sure, most of them were red states, but Oregon?? (And if we really did learn anything from Prohibition, then why is the government fighting so vehemently to keep pot illegal?)

Given another four years, I will not be one bit surprised if that fraction swells gigantically.

Again, I'd really love to believe that. But why should I? After four years of Bush, a slightly higher percentage of people voted for him than in 2000. I think that a large percentage of the country is too apathetic to know or believe anything other than what Fox news tells them. Fox says everything's peachy, both here and in Iraq, so it must be so. And I don't see any reason that that percentage would change.

Sorry, my cynicism circuits are in high gear today. You're probably right, things probably aren't as bad as they seem. But I expected better out of America, and didn't get it; I also expected the youth vote to come out and make a difference, and it didn't happen. :-(

[oxygenhigh.livejournal.com]

I stayed up all night last night, watching in utter disbelief as the red cancer slowly spread itself across the map.It was like watching America commit suicide. I admit, I'd gotten my hopes up; I was so optimistc. Today I am reminded there is a reason I'm this cynical.

I don't feel American anymore. I feel lost, and scared.

We were robbed in 2000. This time, we did it to ourselves.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I don't feel American anymore. I feel lost, and scared.

I think a lot of us feel this way. I know I do.

[ironjocelyn.livejournal.com]

It was like watching America commit suicide.

Wonderful way to put it. I have a bad feeling that we're about to get everything we (collectively) deserve for keeping him in office.

please don't blame us in Ohio

[las.livejournal.com]

Everyone I know voted, and voted for Kerry. Kerry signs/stickers outnumbered Bush signs/stickers by a margin of 4-to1. The crowded polling place I voted at seemed largely dominated by Kerry supporters.

And yet Bush won the county.

It should be noted that the company that manufactured our electronic voting machines is run by a man who is a big Bush supporter.

Draw your own conclusions.

Re: please don't blame us in Ohio

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Draw your own conclusions.

May I use a purple crayon?

Re: please don't blame us in Ohio

[las.livejournal.com]

Did you want the "purple pizzazz", the "royal purple", or the "plum" crayon? 'Cause I kinda wanted to use "plum".

Beating the conceded horse with a purple crayon

[las.livejournal.com]

I've voted in every presidential election since I turned 18; I voted here in 2000, and in comparison, this year's turnout was tremendous. I and Gary Braunbeck waited in line for close to two hours, and watched several people wait for an hour or so and then bail because they had jobs or kids or just plain had to use the restroom.

In some places in Ohio, people waited in line for 10 hours or more. Everyone I talked to -- and my coworkers live in all corners of Columbus -- had hour-plus waits.

Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell oversees the elections process and appoints the members of boards of elections in each of Ohio's 88 counties. He oversees what kinds of voting machines are used, and how many are distributed to each polling location.

Blackwell is a diehard Republican. Some voters -- voters in historically Democrat-voting districts -- have complained that not nearly enough machines were distributed to their locations, thus ensuring slow lines that many voters would not be able to endure.

Was the shortage intentional? Being forced to not vote because you gave up your place in line to go to work or pick up your child from daycare is not legal grounds for challenging an election's outcome. But given the small winning margin, it might be an effective tactic indeed.

There weren't enough machines. Most people stuck it out in Columbus, anyhow.

But that's just the start of the story.

Two days after all those stories of crowded polls, Blackwell's office released the voting statistics. According to them, fewer people turned out to vote in Columbus this Tuesday than in 2000.

And suddenly all the local news stations who had been showing broadcasts of historical, unprecedented turnout in the city were wringing their hands and wondering "why registered voters failed to turn out."

Huh?

Even if polls got 50% fewer voting machines than in 2000, that's still not enough to explain how 5-minute waits turned into 1- and 2-hour waits.

And just today, an "error" with the electronic voting machines in Gahanna, a Columbus suburb was found to give Bush 3,893 extra votes. Records show only 638 voters cast ballots in that precinct.

In short, Bush got 600% of the possible vote, just in one precinct.

So. Gee. How many of these "errors" have occurred in the state? How many occurred across the country?

I suppose that if a big chunk of votes just "disappeared" into electronic aether or midnight landfills, one would end up with a bafflingly low voter turnout statistic, wouldn't one?

This whole thing just smells.

[stardustgirl.livejournal.com]

I think our centres of culture clearly stand for change, but we're all swimming against a riptide of hysterical reactionary New Right retrogressive/dominionist politics.

I totally agree with that. And I can't shake the feeling that we've just entered a New Dark Ages.

[setsuled.livejournal.com]

The bigots carry the day.

Yeah, right into the night.

I'm starting to think we need a wormhole weapon. Actually, just a wormhole would be nice.

I'm not yet entirely certain how to formulate or express most of them, but I can see that they're there.

I know what you mean. I think it may have to do with sort of . . . physically touching a terrible monster we knew was there. We knew there were a lot of people who make decisions based on terrible biases while ignoring the facts. But to actually feel them through their actions still, like you said, feels like a sucker punch to the gut.