"Thinkin' is for pussies."

[kellinator]

I'm eating, sleeping, breathing, and pooping the election. It's driving me stark raving mad. It's making me do things like sit here staring at www.electoral-vote.com juggling the numbers and praying that just a few of those polls are wrong. In short, it's making me miserable. I don't know how I'm going to get through the next week.

I tried to take last weekend off and have a nice break while I was in Florida. Florida. Ha ha ha. What the fuck was I thinking? The most upsetting thing I saw was the billboard we passed in Jacksonville that said "Let's defeat John Kerry and give Vietnam veterans the homecoming they never got." I immediately started screaming something incoherent which probably scared the other passengers. How can anyone say that with a straight face? John Kerry is a Vietnam vet. George W. Bush used his family connections to get out of Vietnam and didn't even fulfill his obligations to the National Guard (the same National Guard he's now stranding in Iraq for long periods of time). The mind boggles.

But you can't reason with the people who put up that billboard. I'm sure you've seen this study, but I'll post it anyway:

Three out of four self-described supporters of President George W Bush still believe pre-war Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or active programmes to produce them, and that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein gave "substantial support" to al-Qaeda terrorists, according to a survey released Thursday.

Moreover, as many or more Bush supporters hold those beliefs today than they did several months ago, before the publication of a series of well-publicised official government reports that debunked both notions.

This goes along with my description of the basic Bush philosophy, as I described it while watching the debate with streamweaver and cadoln: "Thinkin' is for pussies." And its corollary, "Readin' is for pussies", because people are persisting in these beliefs despite documented proof to the contrary. If Fox News says it, it's good enough for me! I don't think I've ever been so relieved to get back inside the perimeter as I was last Sunday night, shortly after nearly losing my supper over the "Thank God for Fox News" billboard.

Michael's parents are Republican, and when I met him he was undecided. Last week he told me he's voting for Kerry. I'd like to flatter myself that my incisive commentary made the difference, but in all likelihood it had a little more to do with maximizing his chances of election-night nookie. Which entirely depends on the outcome. If Kerry wins, yeah, I'll be lookin' to celebrate. If the unthinkable happens (I can't even bring myself to type it), I'll be drinking myself into oblivion and crying a lot. Not much of a turn-on.

I've sent in my ballot, I've made my contributions, I've done voter canvassing, I've talked and persuaded and begged till I'm blue in the face. I don't know what more I can do.

I got so depressed I went and read the Bill O'Reilly sexual harrassment papers at the Smoking Gun, hoping the humiliation would cheer me up. I don't think it worked, but at least I got a snicker out of the "falafel" line.

Comments

[xforge.livejournal.com]

I was listening to His Majesty's bullshit rhetoric this morning on NPR, and every time he spoke I kept hearing Dueling Banjos in the background. It was bizarre.

"He kin run but he cain't hahd!" (hurl, ralph)

[penguinicity.livejournal.com]

I can sympathize. I had similar thoughts while driving around during my lunch hour as I was looking at a bunch of big-ass SUV's flying American flags from the windows and sporting "W" bumper stickers. Why is it that the people who are the most rah-rah cheerleaders for the US (flying the flag, "support our troops" ribbons) seem to be the people who believe the least in American values like freedom of speech, true political discourse, separation of church and state, the right (and, indeed, necessity) of "petition[ing] the government for a redress of grievances," etc.

[streamweaver.livejournal.com]

Hey hon, you guys still coming to the eclipse thing tomorrow night? We're going to do it at the Raging Burrito.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Yup, I saw your post and was meaning to comment. I'll definitely be there, and Michael's probably coming. I'm looking forward to it!

[d2leddy.livejournal.com]

because people are persisting in these beliefs despite documented proof to the contrary.

It has the scope and magnitude of religious faith. Only it's politics.

[xforge.livejournal.com]

They believe whatever he says because to them, he IS their religious leader. He has painted himself the Messiah of the New Right, and they're going to follow him no matter what.

Now then, what's that last chapter of the Bible say about the arrival of a Messiah... hmm... (flips pages) Oh here it is - the first one to get here will be the false messiah. How 'bout that now?

[d2leddy.livejournal.com]

the Messiah of the New Right, and they're going to follow him no matter what.

But he's not even a good New Right Messiah. He's a lousy one. Reagan would have been a better choice.

the first one to get here will be the false messiah. How 'bout that now?

I wish the previous one would return and please oh please save us from his followers.

[xforge.livejournal.com]

If it goes like St. John the Divinely Old and Possibly Addled said it would, that's what'll happen, but only after a great huge mess. Oh well, I guess we live in "interesting times," as the Chinese curse goes.

I had a funny little scenario in my head of all the truly righteous, the people who are good in their hearts on the virtue of just being good (instead of kissing up to Jayzizz to get their Divine Salvation), all being brought to their ultimate reward, much to the shock and chagrin of all the selfrighteous, judgemental CLOWNS that Bush keeps around himself.

And then we all go NYEAAHH, we were right and you were wrong, and we're cast down 'cuz you're not supposed to be proud, either.

[d2leddy.livejournal.com]

I suppose we're suppose to pity them and want to help them. o.O

[xforge.livejournal.com]

Bah!! If jeering at those idiots is wrong I don't wanna be right.

[d2leddy.livejournal.com]

Amen.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

My uncle has been insisting Bush is the Antichrist for a couple of years now.

[xforge.livejournal.com]

One reporter with a possible inside track said he believed the Pope felt so also. Rumor speculation innuendo ad infinitum, but hmm, whose word to trust, the Lord of Lies or a guy who's sat and talked with "God's Right Hand?"

= )

[blackacre.livejournal.com]

Last night i was jumping down ranting in the parking lot at Applebees with a fellow liberal co-worker about people who don't see the light. Like...I'm so fucking edgy about the election its not even funny.

As far as electoral-vote.com - what has always bugged me is that the polls are averaged. i don't believe WI will go for the evil one - though thats possible. But what the HELL is the deal with HI? Like, it can't be right. Most polls AREN'T right.

The key with this election is going to be turnout. The GOP will play dirty tricks. If enough of us show up, it won't matter...the question at this point is simply whether or not the fix is in. Which, as much as I hate to admit it, I fear might be the case.

[john666.livejournal.com]

I was very disappointed in the state John Kerry's wife made about George W. Bush wife never having had an important job! {please note there are no quotation marks as I do not remember the exact quote!}

Mrs. Bush was a TEACHER and a LIBRARIAN two very worthy professions. If Mrs. Bush had only been a stay at home mom as Mrs. Kerry implied this IS a very nobel profession as well.

I am glad I have already voted!

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Let's see, I'm disappointed in four years of lies and a thousand dead American soldiers, and you're disappointed by a throwaway comment made by a person who isn't even the candidate?

That's asinine, John. I'm disappointed in you.

By the way, if you want to wail about people saying things that aren't very nice, look to your own fucking party: George W. "Major Asshole" Bush and Dick "Go Fuck Yourself" Cheney.

[john666.livejournal.com]

I can be as disappointed in what a none candidate says {Even what a candidate says} because my vote has been cast and there is ABSOLUTELY nothing I can do about it now. Kerry could say he had sex with a goat and I can not change my vote! Bush could say he plans to have Texas leave the Union and I could not change my vote! Anything I say from now on has no bering on my vote!

look to your own fucking party
I HAVE NO FUCKING PARTY Please do not label me! The man may or may not have been my candidate 4 years ago but he is my President and is due some consideration. Even the worst man to hold this office was still President of the United States of America and should be afforded some consideration! Just my opinion.

I do feel that teachers, librarians, and stay at home mom are very respectable job fields and would be disappointed in ANYONE that said otherwise!

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

I apologize for mischaracterizing your political affiliation (or lack thereof). It was an honest mistake.

[bouncepogo.livejournal.com]

She apologized many times. She misspoke. She reiterated what important jobs motherhood AND teaching are.

Have you EVER misspoke in your life?

If you want to talk about misspeaking, how about GWB saying that we are invading Iraq because they have WMD?

I think that one is far more important, and far more offensive to the American people.

[captain-bob.livejournal.com]

If the Red Sox win the Series it will be Armageddon and nothing will matter any way. I can't wait to get all those vacated cars! Seriously, when asked who I wanted to win the Presidential election, I replied "Someone else".