I was standing at the bus stop today and I noticed someone with a Kerry/Edwards button on their bag. I thought about Illinois, an oasis of blue in a sea of angry red and then reflected on our neighbors to the south. And to the west. But not all the way west. Here, let me lay it out for you topographically:
I got that from a friend and it made me think. This nation is SO DIVIDED. Divided against itself and against the rest of the world. I don't think I can put into words how I feel about the election results. Or how I feel about being an American. I am so grateful I grew up in an educated, liberal household, where I was taught to be tolerant, kind and non-judgmental of others. The religious right of this country have spoken. En masse.
The results were pretty close in some states, but it is still disheartening that people are still so blindly following this man. This conservative agenda makes me sick. Ask him about real issues, like the environment... unemployment... education... and he has some half-ass answer with some vague plans. But ask him about gay marriage or stem cell research and he is violently opposed! Why can't he be violently opposed to things that kill people, like WAR?!?!? Who is gay marriage hurting?
These religious zealots make me ill. They always want to dictate issues that should be of no concern to them. That don't affect them directly. Like gay marriage. Doesn't God want his children to be happy? Why do some people deserve to be happier than others? No, the WORD OF GOD says MAN SHALL NOT LAY WITH MAN... Did God actually say that? Or did some man say that thousands of years ago and decided to write it down and now it is an iron-clad thing we must run our country by? God created EVERYONE. Gay. Straight. All colors. All creeds. FOR A REASON. Our difference make this world go around. God created gay people. Gay people don't wake up one day and think, gee I think I'll be GAY TODAY! That sounds SUUUUUUUUPER! You just are. It's the way God made you. So Bush-supporters, are you saying God is wrong? That his will should be denied? That only certain children of God ought to be happy? You know how badly that must be pissing him off? Mind your own damn business and go back to your trailer. While you're there, read a book or something.
My friend Marty put it beautifully:
it pains me to say that as long as 1/5 of our electorate is christian conservatives that place the protection of stem cells and the "sanctity of marriage" above pre-emptive war, poverty, health care, social security, the
environment and the world, we may never be the same again. i am honestly as down on our country as i've ever been. some say "america, love it or leave it," and honestly, i'm not sure i want my children to grow up in what america has become.
Ok, I am stealing from Angry Kevin right now because his post got me. The rest of the world's opinions are something we need to consider. America is not an island unto itself, we must be able to cooperate with other nations. Hey Bush! Allies are an important thing! Dontcha think?
Yes I am European and wanted Kerry to win. But at the end of the day it doesn't affect me as much as those who voted for Bush. Good luck with the record deficit, the growing unemployment, and continuing lack of friends...and of course, the more hostile terrorists that Bush has unleashed. Kerry would have been better for you, and you guys are going to kick yourselves. Security, Pah! Anyone, including Kerry could have instigated security for your country. Bush has only taken away your civil liberties and created a big brother dictatorship.
Charlize Hoff, Frankfurt, Germany
To the Americans who voted; Good for you. To the Americans who voted for Kerry; hold your head high, you did all that you could. To those Americans who voted for Bush and 4 more years of incompetent leadership; You will get exactly what you deserve. To my fellow Canadians who live in such close proximity to what is apparently a large population of war- mongering idiots, we must continue to remain unmoved by propaganda and threats and again respond with a polite "No thank you" to the next request to join the "coalition of the willing to bomb other countries because we feel like it". With Bush in office again it's only a matter of time.
Chelsea, Toronto, Canada
What does the likely outcome of this election mean to me over here in Australia? It means that the majority of U.S citizens prefer: war to the possibility of peace, unilateralism to the possibility of a worldwide effort in the face of terrorism, more reliance on oil and the Middle Eastern problems that come with it, to the possibility of more sustainable and viable energy sources. These amongst other issues were clear differences between the two candidates. Unfortunately I fear that they will get what they ask for and takes us down with them.
David Allen, Brisbane, Australia
Oh goodness, what a sad day this is for democracy. With Bush as president for next 4 years we can only look forward to more incompetence. America will continue to lose the trust within it's allies and the respect of the rest of the free world.
Darren Bussler, Staffs, England
The comments here split into two groups: Those outside America who can see the damage Bush has done and those inside America who seem to believe the never ending propaganda they are bombarded with.
Tim Barraclough, Birmingham, UK
Bush wins, and it really tells something about people of the United States. More war and misery.
Annika, Helsinki, Finland
The voice of America indeed - but which America? How so many people voted for Bush is mind-boggling. An absolute disaster. This is a tragic day for our planet and for all of us, wherever we live.
Raymond Perrez, Toulouse, France
According to this result the majority of American voters are apparently happy to live in a society that eschews any kind of social or liberal values whatsoever. I fear for the future of America's many poor citizens and the minority of civilised and decent and above all educated American voters who voted for Kerry. Most of all I fear for the future of the world and hope that Europe and in particular Tony Blair takes a much tougher stance against any more US military aggression that Bush has planned for his second term.
Matt, London, UK
Thanks Kevin!
Ok, back to being a shallow girly-girl. The O.C. premiered last night! It felt so weird watching it in an entirely new living room with entirely new roommates. Marissa has lost her damn mind. And I love it! I love that she is a vodka-swilling, angry, bitter, shadow of a person and I loved it even more when Summer told her she was too skinny. Eat something bitch! This season is going to be delicious! Ryan looked hot. I dug the scruff and despair. It suited him. Seth was adorable as always, more than ever I want smack it up, flip it, rub it down, OH NO! So Thursdays nights... you know where to find me.
Oh, in case you care... things with the boy are all good. We had a long talk and it seems that he likes me more than I thought. He was worried that I was really messing around with ex-roommate and that I was too drunk to even realize what was going on. Which wasn't the case, I was just unaware that ex-roomie was saying those vile things. It was loud in there! Anyway, water under the bridge. He is coming over tonight and hopefully everything keeps going well.
If you live in Chicago or anywhere near Chicago, get outside this weekend! It is supposed to be the last nice one we get until mid-July.