This is a knitting blog; I try to avoid talking too much about politics. But I'm in no mood to discuss my knitting, either. So all I'll say is that I'm baffled by this election. What country am I living in? I always assume the best of people, I truly believe that humans are basically good, so the only conclusion I can draw is that Americans are very very scared.
I'm scared too. Scared that we're going backwards, becoming less free, less evolved. I'm so sad about the number of states that passed ballot initiatives banning gay marriage, some even banning civil unions. I just don't get it.
I'll go back to talking about knitting sometime soon... in the meantime, I'm praying for a miracle.
me too.
Posted by: mrspilkington | November 03, 2004 at 09:37 AM
Well said. I guess we're too scared for a change?
Posted by: Mary Beth | November 03, 2004 at 10:56 AM
We ARE going backwards. Scary isn't it? Who are these 51% ????
Posted by: jessica~ | November 03, 2004 at 11:31 AM
It is so sad...fear is a big motivator.
Posted by: Margene | November 03, 2004 at 11:40 AM
I'm with you! The words, "Never Again" come to mind...
Posted by: caroline | November 03, 2004 at 11:50 AM
I'm so disheartened and upset Alison. I don't want to live in a country that fears gay marraige more than war and dead soldiers.
I look at my children and tell myself that's why I bothered, that's why I volunteered, that they are why. And where does that get me? With a president that doesn't give a crap about my children's future, or the fact that half the voters don't want him.
Posted by: Lynnette Kopetsky | November 03, 2004 at 12:56 PM
I'm another one in the "me too" category. What is it going to take for real change and progress? It feels like this country is just sliding backwards into some gigantic mud puddle.
I'm praying for that miracle right along with you...
Posted by: Heidi | November 03, 2004 at 01:50 PM
me too. me too. I heard that Kerry conceded, so I'm not sure what kind of miracle could even happen now. I'll hope anyway.
Posted by: kate | November 03, 2004 at 01:54 PM
It was so depressing last night to have our map of the US to color in. Red all over the place. I am afraid also. Afraid that they have a majority in the Senate. Afraid that he gets to appoint someone to the Supreme Court.
I think San Francisco needs to hand out gay marriage licenses again.
Posted by: Dympna | November 03, 2004 at 02:10 PM
This makes me so incredible angry at Bloomberg for serving NYC up to the Republicans the way he did. I felt like I was on a movie set for some "Aliens Invade NYC" movie with all the ridiculous security. All meant to cultivate fear and anxiety outside of NYC, where terrorists will probably and hopefully never target. Well guess what, they killed people here in NYC and in PA and in DC, and ALL THREE states/districts voted for Kerry! They politicize everything, without scruples. They stole the 2000 election, then accuse the Dems of suborning election fraud as a smokescreen for their 2004 election tamporing. It is enought to make you want to scream.
Posted by: Alexa | November 03, 2004 at 04:50 PM
Alison, please feel free to read my entry about this at my new blog: http://saccharin.prettyposies.com/archives/000010.html
Posted by: jennie | November 03, 2004 at 05:17 PM
Jennie,
Thank you for the link to your message. I agree with a lot of what you say, and appreciate your perspective. One of the things that has become blatantly obvious to me is that my liberal views are far outside the mainstream of this country. I happen to believe that Bush's views and policies are also outside the mainstream, but I recognize that as a New Yorker transplanted from Massachusetts, my perspective is very skewed. I do my best to think independently, but I am also a product of the liberal culture I am surrounded by (mostly by my own choosing.)
I especially appreciated what you said about local politics. Voter turnout yesterday was inspiring - even if it didn't have the effect that I personally would have hoped - but when I've voted in my local elections, my polling place has always been like a ghost town.
And for the record, I don't think that all Bush supporters are "stupid, heartless, and selfish." As I said, I believe that humans are basically good, and that people voted for the person who that thought would be look out for their interests and safety. I'm just dismayed to see that my values are so different from those of 51% of my fellow citizens.
Again, thank you very much for your thoughts. I pray that more Americans will take the nuanced view that you offer.
kind regards,
Alison
Posted by: Alison | November 03, 2004 at 08:26 PM