I tell you what, Kate... I can't help you. Honestly, the only thing I really gave W. credit for was the appropriate post 9/11 speech and instilling the belief among other countries that if you mess with us, we might just invade you. Normally I'm not such a "better us than you" type, but in this case, I find a bit of comfort in having a warmonger at the helm. Can't say I'm too happy with the environmental stance, but who is really going to fight these companies and the money they have? I doubt Kerry would have had much luck with them either... he may have at least made it look good, though. They're also wanting to drill off the coast of Florida, if you can believe that. Sad stuff, really.

Remember, though, that you can't blame Bush for these admendments that were proposed and passed. He may be trying to lead a revival of Faith (read: Christian) in our country, but he hasn't completely gone off the deep end about it, although there's a good chance he might now.

You don't have to support, like, respect, even mention the guy's name if you don't want to. I don't expect you to be happy about the current situation. But if you are going to complain, which is your right, I hope you have some ideas on how to fix the problems. You've got four years to organize a revolt... or at least let me know when you join your local militia :)

I dunno--I think I'm still giving W. the benefit of the doubt because of George Sr... not my best logic, I imagine. I'm still trying to figure out what it means that W. actually got himself re-elected. All I heard for four years was "how could you have voted for that guy"? But for all that talk, the nay sayers didn't show up when it counted. Now someone explain that to me.

WARNING!!! POLITICAL QUESTIONING IN PROGRESS.

Okay, so the election is over. Anyone reading knows that I'm not thrilled at the outcome, but let's explore why. I know Kerry lost, and he's no longer in the picture, so let's forget about him for the moment. Let's focus on W.

George W. Bush is our President. Okay. We all know I didn't vote for him. We all know that many other people did vote for him. We know that a country divided does not fare well in the long run. I've been told by several Republicans I've never discussed politics with that "W. won and we need to support our President." Okay. Fine. Now tell me why.

How can I support this man? What has he done, politically, that I can support? I'm honestly looking right now. What has he done that should make me feel, as a citizen under his "guidance" as a leader, that I can believe in him?

Here's what I see. Please prove me wrong.

W's record:

Foreign Policy:
By entering into a war against Iraq on false pretenses, with no strategy for either entry or exit, we have alienated many of our world allies. Very few people in the world think Saddam was a good man or good leader. Very few supported his policies. Did we have reason to make war against him? Probably. There are quite a few treaties and agreements out there that he violated multiple times; there are numerous human rights violations. Did we need to make up a reason to go to war? Did we need to jump hastily into war? I don't think so.

We targeted Afghanistan as a hot bed of terrorist activity. We're still there. Osama bin Laden is still there (or somewhere, at least). They harbored terrorists. But did not those same terrorists learn their lovely flying skills here in our great country? Did we not then harbor the same terrorists? Should we sanction ourselves?

Domestic policy doesn't look any better to me. W.'s focus on healthcare seems to revolve around lawsuits, not providing care. We are supposedly creating a culture of life, but whose life? A 16 year old girl, raped by her father and pregnant by him, needs parental permission to have an abortion in most places. If she can get her mother to offer this permission, the hospital or doctor can refuse to provide not only the procedure, but soon, if the current bill passes, can refuse to refer her to anyone who can provide the procedure. The majority of women and girls who are sexually active do not want to get pregnant by accident. Yet our current education on sex includes nothing more than "don't do it until you're married." How will that decrease accidental pregnancy rates? Pharmicists who do not believe in birth control no longer have to fill prescriptions for it. In many states, health insurance providers do not have to cover the pill, though they do cover Viagra, fertility treatments, and the costs associated with pregnancy.

Environmentally, the current administration has rolled back pollution legislation that has been in progress for over 30 years. We have refused to sign and abide by the Kyoto Treaty, have denied that global warming is an issue, have rejected science in favor of "feelings" about things. Industry triumphs in this battle, to the detriment of our health and quality of life. How will this not drive healthcare costs up? The costs of treating cancers has to be exponentially more than industrial pollution controls; that's not even considering the emotional/mental strains of watching a family member and friend die a slow and painful death.

We're willing to destroy an entire coast in Alaska for a tiny amount of oil rather than spend money on research into techniques for using less oil.

I'm looking for some point of connection. I'm looking for some small point on which I can agree with my government. Can anyone help?

Gee, if I knew what I wanted out of life, I'd be totally intelligent, now wouldn't I?

I want things I already have: security, a job that I feel is worth doing (most of the time), friends and family, enough money that I'm not dying for my paycheck each month, enough material things that I'm warm and cozy, and people to talk to. I guess I wonder how being satisfied with my life leads me to the next stage? Yes, there are things I still want to do. Key among them: more traveling. Lots to see, not much time.

Sometimes, I get this restless wanderlust and I don't know why. I like ND, and I can see staying here, but forever? That's too far in the future for me to see clearly.

I don't know that the world's getting worse -- it's just going somewhere I don't necessarily like. That's different. And also, close-mindedness, while a hallmark of the right, is not confined to that side. Extremists of any sort tend towards it, and so do many so-called moderates. Whatever you are, if you aren't willing to listen, learn, think, change, and grow, YOU SUCK and should change.

How's that for intolerance?

Okay, I'm homeward bound. I have a memorial supper to prepare.

Well, I know where you're coming from with that sentiment. I identified with my oldest brother during my formative years, but he typically had that "I know what's right and you don't, end of discussion" type mannerism, perhaps all too often. I can't deal with people like that. I second guess myself and all of reality all the time, and I can't understand how some people think they KNOW anything.

As far as the beginning of the end of society, people would probably say that society has gotten continually worse since the very beginning. Our parents think our generation is fucked up just like their parents thought their generation was fucked up. It's absolutely mind-boggling to think of what access to mature material kids these days have. How will that affect their upbringing? Anyway, I'm slightly digressing. You were talking about basic right-wing qualities, no? Intolerance, absolutism, mindless incorporation... I agree in that personal responsibility seems to be lacking these days. Everybody likes to point the finger... anywhere but at themselves. But I'm always lamenting the loss of the Power of the Individual... I think that is partly to blame for rampant apathy. Lack (or perceived lack) of power breeds apathy. Who knows... just remember that things tend to get worse before they get better.

Let me ask you the same question I ask everyone else... what exactly is it that YOU want? You seem to have a total grasp over what you think everyone ELSE wants from YOU... but what do YOU want? You have to start there, and then incorporate other peoples' wants/needs if at all possible. Because after all, it really *is* all about YOU, when it comes right down to it.

Okay, I get it. Divided we fall. I understand. But when the choice is only "You are WITH us or you are against us" and no discussion is involved, I end up against. I do not see things in black and white. I cannot feel absolutist about life -- all things are relative, whether you are speaking of physics, family, or feelings.

So here's the thing: I guess I just feel a little overwhelmed by all of it -- as in life, in general. I see fantastic things happening in people's lives, little and big, steps forward and steps back. But I see our society going in a direction that I find unspeakably dark, a direction of intolerance, absolutism, and mindless incorporation. While we stress individuality, being "unique" has become a marketing tool, not a reality. If we are truly individuals, then we must make choices for ourselves and, poor choices or fantastic ones, we are responsible for them. RESPONSIBLE, fully to blame or commend for our actions and choices. This is what is missing.

I can't seem to get most of this out of my head, the screaming impassioned voices yelling "NO! Wait! You have to look at this and think about it!" have not found their place in action (or, for that matter, verbal communication). I keep having these arguments in my head -- and I'm arguing with my father. We weren't very good at it, because he was always right and I was always wrong. It's not about being right; it's about expressing your view and learning to listen, debate, and reconsider.

I had a dream the other night that I was marrying a childhood friend. Big church, froufy white dress, etc. We are standing at the altar, and he turns to me and says, "You know, I don't really want to do this. This isn't what we want. This is what they want." The last with a gesture at the crowd gathered. And it's true. My dream self agrees, he leaves, and I make some laughing, self-depricating remarks about not being good enough to marry -- all the while feeling relieved. I can't let anyone else make my choices -- and mainly because I'm the one who lives the life created out of them. I've known this forever. Why does it reappear, in my subconscious mind, now? I'm a little confused by that.

I do feel like the kid in the picture looks right now.

Heh. Funny you should mention getting way less chicks... as of last week, I done got myself a girlie. So of course there are girls coming out of the woodwork that are all of a sudden interested in me that were nowhere to be found over the last TWO YEARS. I think they can smell it on ya. Anyhoo, that's another reason why I haven't been heard from much. Oh, and don't forget (mostly because I won't let you) video games = manual dexterity.

First things first. Shit. I can't believe the Republicans won. I was honestly surprised. I figured with as much anti-Bush sentiment that was out there, there was no WAY Bush would win. I still haven't figured out exactly how he did it. Was catering to the Bible Belt worth more than young voters? Did not as many young voters VOTE OR DIE as they thought would? Well, either way it's all Republicans, all the time now. We'll see if we destroy the country and/or world as much as most of you think we will. The Empire I was referring to in my last post was the United Empire of America, which was just green-lit last week.

Now I know you're upset, but I have to be honest and say that Democrats only have themselves to blame for the loss. Looks to me like too much whining and not enough action. They had their chance and somehow, inexplicably, they blew it. Now you are correct in that you don't have to support Bush. I was prepared to support Kerry had he won, but he didn't. I thought he had a lot of good ideas--in some senses, it's almost a shame he didn't win. But at least be some small part of a team player. After all, we're all Americans, and the one thing we can't continue to have right now is a divided nation. It's sad to think how quickly we separated after coming together like never before. I'd hate to think that people would have to be killing us off for us all to get along.

Tell me about these constitutional amendments that were passed... I actually have been under a rock for a bit, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. Is that the gay marriage deal? Must be, I just checked cnn.com. Looks like they got whalloped for the most part. In Florida, we were too busy dealing with slot machines and malpractice and parental notification of minor abortions. Honestly, I don't know what to tell you besides this society isn't ready for that yet. Just like they aren't ready for a black man or a woman in the White House. That's no excuse, but it's all I can give you for right now.

Was it really 60% that turned out and voted? Honestly, that sounds like an improvement to me... how did that compare to years past?

I tell you what, Kate--the country you're looking for will have to have about 270 million less people in it to get where you want to go. It's not more money, more problems; it's more people, more problems. It's just like Kerry--I like the idea, just don't see it happening in reality.

Four years, Democrats. Four years starting last week. Get your shit together, get behind one guy, and win the next election. I actually voted for a Democrat for the first time ever and lost (Betty Castor for FL Senate).

Oh, and thanks to Ohio for being the Florida of 2004 :)

The Empire? You know, channeling Star Wars is going to get you WAY fewer chicks than just admiting you play video games.

She said:
It didn't take me long to vote either. I walked over on my way to work, which was nice.

But as far as the results, I'm highly disappointed by two things:
I've already been told about 4 times by Republicans lording their victory over me that now we just need to support President Bush.

Okay, two problems with that: all of the people who have said this to me are Republicans that I have NOT discussed politics with. We do not have conversations, like Mark and I can, about policies, agreeing with actions or not, etc. We do not discuss politics because these people don't or can't discuss -- they insist that their position is right without discussion and will not listen to anyone else OR, and I'm not sure if this is worse, tell me they just don't like politics. WTF?

Second problem: I DO NOT HAVE TO SUPPORT BUSH'S POLICIES. I DO NOT HAVE TO AGREE. DESPITE WHAT JOHN ASHCROFT SAYS, I HAVE A RIGHT, AS A UNITED STATES CITIZEN, TO DISAGREE WITH MY GOVERNMENT AND OPENLY EXPRESS THIS DISAGREEMENT. Besides, if we had a gulag archipelago, I'm already living where it would be.

The second thing that disappoints me: The passage of these bullshit, scared right-wing agenda constitutional amendments (11 fucking states) the prejudicially amend the documents in each state that are supposed to GRANT rights, not take them away. There was never a constitutional statement in support of slavery. The amendment was to clarify that we, as a country, had finally decided to officially embrace what we had declared in stating "all men are created equal." Again, we later amended it to include women. There are laws in the majority of states (what, like 47 of them, as well as a federal law in the DOMA) that "define" traditional marriage. Okay, I think they're bullshit, too, but at least that's where they belong: as laws, not as statements of our government's founding beliefs. This pisses me off more than so many issues just because of the scared ignorance that prompted it. If my marriage, were I to have one, were solid, no one else's relationship would affect mine (except, perhaps, my husband's with his mistress). If my relationship is on shaky ground, and I were looking for a scapegoat, only then could I delude myself into thinking that someone else's love would in any way, shape, or form, affect mine. HOW does this make sense? There is no logic in any presentation of it. Were marriage, as an institution, not on a faultline akin to the San Andreas fault in our culture, this wouldn't even pretend to be an issue. It's a distraction, and one based on fear, ignorance, prejudice, and frankly, fucking idiocy.

Wait, I actually have a third issue: 60%.
We live in a country that thinks our cultural and political systems are so great and wonderful that we are seeking to ingrain the notion of our perfection in the minds of other cultures. Nevermind that the world has not cried out for US salvation. Let's just skip that part. We think democracy is the greatest system of government ever. Let's again let the truth of the statement go unchallenged for the moment. We try to spread it, to free other countries with it. BUT ONLY 60% OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE UNITED STATES CAN TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THEIR LIVES TO GO AND CAST A BALLOT? And how many citizens get involved beyond that? How many campaign, run for office, or even spend the time becoming informed voters? How many people do you know that insist that they just don't have time? How many times are you one of them? I know I am sometimes. At least it's over 50%. But that's not good enough for me.

I cannot believe how frustrated I am at the way things work in our country. And at the apathy that abounds.

Vote cast, baby. Took me about 20 min. Sorry guys, I just got back from Vegas this morning, so I just dropped in to say that so far, not much is happening at Ground Zero. We're hoping some other state fucks up and saves us from the jokes this time around.

LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!

Go. VOTE.

Now, I'm going to tell you now I don't care who you vote for. This isn't entirely true, but I do think it's more important that you figure out what's important to you and vote for whomever most embodies that view.

Let the debacle begin.

Mark, how does it feel to be at ground zero?

Falling down on the blog again, aren't we?

It's sunny today -- for the first time in a week and a half. It's amazing how you don't realize that you miss something until it comes back.

So, I'm back at work full-time. I was off conferencing last week on Thursday and Friday.

I have one question relating to that deal. Here's the story:
I'm walking down the stairs with another conference participant, a man in his late 50s or early 60s from one of the local colleges. He asks if I'm a student. I tell him "no," and tell him where I work -- both jobs. He looks at me with a condescending look of amazement and says (wish I were joking): "But you're just a baby!" My first instinct is to trip him down the stairs -- he's old. Maybe a hip would break. But to be realistic, how rude is that? And the thing that kills me is that I didn't have a good comeback. He cornered me a few minutes later to start yakking about something, and mentioned my age AGAIN! Okay, even if I was a student, this is a professional conference and all attendants should be accorded some measure of courtesy. You know he wouldn't have said that to a guy my same age. What the fuck is up with that?