Four More Years…
November 3rd 2004
So it’s decided, we have Bush for Four more years. Frankly I was surprised by the quick response on the last post there, which should remind us all how divided this country is over one man. In fact, I find it incredible that his elections have been so close. If you think about it, what are the odds that the country would be divided almost exactly in half? And worse, the implication of that fact is that half the country feels horrible today, and will continue to be angry for the next four years. If it had gone the other way it would be the other half, but the same would be true. The country is divided, plain and simple, and it probably always will be.
What kills me is that the division is on issues people have such strong opinions about. I was talking with a friend yesterday, no longer quite the same friend after that conversation, who said she would never vote for a president who would let fags get married. I’m sorry, but that’s racism, no question. I don’t care what your reasons are, if you use a derrogitory word for a group of people (which is all a race really is) and you really mean it, you’re racist. It’s one of those things that will cut off all ties with me in an instant — if you never want to talk to me again, just call someone a fag in front of my face. Same is true for many people on the abortion issue. A friend of mine has a pin: “You cut off my reproductive choice, I’ll cut off yours,” and you’ll get a heated speech if you mention it. I don’t even want to start there, aside from saying that it’s another religious debate, and I hate religious debates.
I’ll leave you with some other reflections on the results from some other intelligent people. And also, just that I had hoped to read Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning” this morning, a poem written for Bill Clinton’s inauguration, which expressed such hope and glory and peace that it uplifted the spirit of the whole nation. I still remember her reading the last line on TV, and I know now why my parents had me miss the first hour of school to watch it.
This morning, cold and dreary here in Berkeley, feels the opposite. Lets just say George Bush would never comission a poem, and that makes me sad. Yet, I still will say simply, very simply, with hope, Good Morning.
Thank you Tristan. Your words will help anyone who reads your post today. I know it’s just what I needed.
It would seem to me that since American’s gave Bush the majority by 5,000,000 votes, that the people truly “deviding” America are those not supporting the president. I respect your right to hold whatever view you please, that is one of the great things about our nation, but it doesn’t make much sense when you blame the devision of a country who supports Bush on the people who support Bush.
Also if all Americans were to read this post, “anyone” would be less than half (the minority) according to yesterday’s election. Quite an interesting fact in relationship to your comment.
Yet you still argue, yet you still will not let this division (division) die. You are proud that our president has won, and I would be too if Kerry had won, but if you don’t understand that the race was close then you’re just being ignorant. Yes, he may have won by 5,000,000 votes, but there are 55 million people who voted against him. I am definately not blaming the division on Bush supporters. I never said that and I’m sorry if it came through. In fact, I tried to make it completely out of the context of a single party, looking rather at the general division that exists because of both sides, because the sides exist in the first place, and it struck me as sad that they’re only separated by a measly 3% of the voting population, which, if you know anything about statistics, doesn’t mean squat.
In regards to your last statement, I could have a statistical heyday. Let’s start by saying that the majority in this case is a difference of three percent, statistically insignificant as I said previously. Second, we have to consider the demographics of the internet user (likely to be more liberal), and the demographics of the blogosphere (again, more liberal than not), as well as the ones who are likely reading this weblog, linked to generally from other similarly liberal weblogs. Somehow I don’t think the voting statistics directly transfer to the demographic who would ever read this, so your point falls through. Nice shot though, that was a real cheap one.
Go back and read the last sentence I wrote. In fact, if you have the time, read “On the Pulse of Morning”. With that in mind, that you have the nerve to continue this animosity bothers me. Yet, I am over it now, and I thank you for reading and commenting, so lets just enjoy the next four years the best we can. Life goes on.
Hey tris, great entry. I just have one thing to say to Ryan who commented before me. So Ryan tell me where in this entry Tristan said that the division of the country was because of the republicans. Dont read something into it that isn’t there, and i think it is disgusting to blame one side or the other for dividing a nation. So dont complain about reading that and then try to throw it right back. The blame game was in kindergarten, we’re adults now. The nation is divided, but it isn’t anyone’s fault. It seems you are implying that everyone should support Bush to end this division, but i wouldn’t want to live in an America where everyone supported the presedent, Bush or Kerry. Would you?
No, because then we would call it “facist.” Division is inherent in our nature unfortunately, so if there is complete unity, then it’s either artificial or coerced, organized religion being the prime example.
Thanks for commenting, Garrison.
Even as a european, the US election does impact me. I feel terrible that Bush was re-elected. I see it as a giant blow to world peace, a frigthening step back, and a victory to Osama Bin Laden, who’s (now) declared goal is to bankrupt America.
Even so, I know how much more worse it must be, to be an American non-Bush supporter today. My deepest sympathies are with you all.
As I said on my personal site: sometimes, things have to get a lot worse, before they get better.