I came across a couple of posts today by someone who seems to typify the feelings of many, many people about the results of the presidential election.
Dunstan just can't figure out how more than half of the country could be so blind, and not see the noble and great attributes of John Kerry. How could they possibly support the “psychopathic, right-wing, religious zealot” George Bush? Why, the only answer must be that they “couldn’t see past their own self-centered, jingoistic, downright ignorant selfs“.
Give me a break.
Here, he lists his reasons why he is so angry. To summarize, Bush has a whole four years to do so many irreversable, terrible things. But can he back up his wild-eyed, baseless claims?
He says “sections of America will have been polluted and eviscerated beyond human healing“. He says “some bits of land will get ruined, some fish will die, the air will get a bit dirtier“. Oh really? Four years from now, you tell me which sections of America you referred to, and how it would be any different had John Kerry been elected.
He says “God knows what loss of rights and freedom certain people in this country will have suffered“. The only “certain people“ I can think of that will have their rights and freedom lost is terrorists. I'm fine with that. Quite frankly, I do not want another terrorist act committed in this country. I acknowledge that certain things have become less convenient. I do not have the “right“ to board an airplane with the dignity of not having to remove all accessories, remove my laptop from its case, remove my shoes, etc. I don't like it, but oh well. And is this George Bush's fault?
He says “gay and lesbian people in this country will slowly have their rights eroded“. No, what has happened is that the majority of people in this country are putting their foot down, and not permitting these people to have additional rights. We do not accept their type of relationship as equal to that of the family. I accept gays as decent human beings. However, I do not accept their desire to raise children as a couple. I do not think they should be married the same as a woman and a man are married. Neither does the majority of the country.
He says “some innocent people will die“. If he is referring to the war in Iraq, well, war is certainly a terrible thing. People die. Contrary to what liberals may think, I as a conservative value human life. It is sacred. I do not want innocent people to die. Neither does George Bush. But the terrorists in Iraq are a cancer that needs to be extricated now, before it grows to an unweildy size. A hell of a lot more innocent people are losing their lives at their hands. These terrorists must be stopped. And does anyone actually think that it would be any different if John Kerry was elected? He himself has stated infatically that we must finish the job we started. We can't just pull out and let the country implode.
As an aside, it seems to me that the terrorists have the power they do because of our dependence on their oil. We financed our own misery. The solution is to remove our dependence on their oil. George Bush has championed clean-air alternatives like a hydrogen-based society. If we could change to hydrogen engines and fuel cells, the terrorists would lose their money source and therefore their bite. And the air would be much cleaner. Imagine that. Conservatives, including George Bush, want clean air too. Hmmm.
The people elected George Bush because they decided they didn't trust John Kerry. John Kerry does not have a good track record as a senator. He is eloquent, for sure. He says what people want to hear. But that is not what makes a worthy president.
The above trumped-up, baseless, liberal lines make me want to turn the tables. Who really can't “see past their own self-centered, jingoistic, downright ignorant self”? And the Kerry supporters feel "moral outrage"? I think the Bush supporters had a better sense of morals.
Ok, I'll stop now. Like Dunstan, I don't think I will be posting any more on the subject. I really don't think it changes anyone's mind. I just had to get it off my chest.