Tuesday, November 02, 2004
The Long, Good Tuesday
So much to talk about today! I don’t care how annoying politics can get, election day is a total blast. I love watching the coverage as they light up the states, talk to “experts,” and try to make sense out of endless polls. I don’t want to talk completely about politics, so I will throw in a few Carl-isms in the mix also.
But before I start, a young man from Iowa was killed today in Iraq. He was from Emerson. I am 90% sure that I know that kid, and I want to say that my sympathy is with his family. War is so stupid, and I hate that we are in Iraq at all… but then again, we aren’t exactly living in Eden anymore.
******WARNING: It will be a long one today!******
I’ll divide it into chapters in case you want to just read a part or two at a time.
1 -----
- Proud: I am proud of our country. The turnout was very high, and there was a noticeable increase in civic pride. The words “record turnout” were on everyone’s lips. People voted with a passion. It was nice to see. They had two hour lines in Omaha, with some precincts even running out of ballots. People were civil and patient, and it made me proud to be an American.
- Not Proud: The youth turnout was poor. We were sort of duped into thinking that this was the year the young people mobilized. The percentage of youth turnout of 19-29 year olds was about equal to 2000. Too bad. The democrats were banking on it, I think, as they utilized everything from MTV’s videos to “Rock Against Bush” concert tours. The dreaded “exit polls” said that the youth were not decidedly anti-Bush at all. But, in fairness, as P-Diddy pointed out (what a great political analyst to rely on), 17% this time is a greater number than 17% of last time. The overall numbers were up. Ignore statistics or die.
- Curious: How will we live together the next four years knowing that we split our votes almost to the person in many communities? There seemed to be a lot of unrest and anger in the years following 2000’s election (which was understandably side-tracked, then reignited thanks to 9/11). The light has been turned on, and our divided nature has been exposed… will we see a rush for moderate stances? Will we see conflict?
2 -----
I still don’t understand the Electoral College. I don’t see where it helps represent me/us any better than a popular vote. I must be the only one. Colorado was voting on a measure to dole out its 9 votes based on percentages of popular votes, but it was resoundingly voted against. I wish I understood its value better…
- Proud: The television coverage this year was far better, and way more lucid, than in 2000. It was a little theatrical, but they were gun-shy to declare winners in the states.
- Not Proud: The candidates did not fill me with pride. I still refuse to think that these two are the best we have to offer. Oh McCain, where art thou?
- Curious: Ted Kennedy. His name is used in vain a lot by both sides. Republicans use it to scare voters in a bogeyman-esque way. The Democrats use him as a yard stick to show how lesser-liberal their man is. I wonder if this bothers him. He has become an in-joke to all.
3 -----
Ralph Nader. The fly in the ointment. In a way, I respect the people who went out and voted for him on principle. On the other hand, I feel like it is not the time to play the game of “ideals.” The election process is monstrous, and I hate it as much as anyone, but it is a 2 party system (like it or not). A vote for Nader is truly a wasted vote. You cannot convince me on any grounds (beyond classroom/tavern philosophy) that this is otherwise. Play the game, and vote for one of the two guys who has a chance at winning. Voting for Nader is almost an evasive action that does no one any good.
- Proud: I am proud that so-called “character” was not the fulcrum of this election’s campaigns. I hate when it becomes a rallying cry, because everyone’s hands are dirty. At least at that level. To quote a classic movie (and relevant considering the charges leveled at Kerry early on), claiming that the other candidate is of a worse character than another is like “handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.”
- Not Proud: Abortion, the monster that cannot be stopped. Stab it with your steely knives, but you just can’t kill the beast. (Is that right? I am sort of rusty on my Eagles quoting). In Council Bluffs, there was a disgusting billboard of a slaughtered fetus. It (the billboard) was strapped to both sides to the RV, with the slogan “Does Kerry Care?” I don’t want to get hooked into the abortion debate, but let me say this… (there’s always a “but”) the argument for many pro-life people is that the fetus is a living human, and that it should have rights as one. To terminate a fetus is to murder, they say. Okay, then why take away its dignity by showing it about town? It would be similar to a pro-Kerry RV displaying a soldier’s shredded body after a mortar attack, with some similar uncreative and over-passionate slogan. Either would be inappropriate, and I am sickened and angered by the fetus-mobile. Pro-life supporters wonder why they have been so demonized in the media… (you aren’t exempt pro-choice people! Remember your awful “I had an abortion” shirts?)
[note: on re-reading this post, that quote seemed in bad taste, considering the topic. This was unintentional! The “beast” I speak of is abortion, not fetuses. I leave it in, because my aim was to bring some levity to a topic that is so grossly divisive and in honesty, without hope of resolution]
- Curious: Why was terrorism such a big issue? Was it because of our natural fear? Or was it manufactured by the media/campaigns? For me, it is something we will never fully stop the threat of… I am surprised that social security and health care (REAL concerns) weren’t bigger issues. Kerry’s wife was a bigger concern than terrorism…
4 -----
There is a great deal of talk about vote tampering. The biggest thing, even locally, is Federally Inactive votes. Those are ballots that are cast, but their fate is up in the air. They may not count at all. In some areas (again, even locally) people were called as late as Monday evening, and told that their precinct’s polling place had changed. On and on it goes. It sometimes feels as if there is indeed a conspiracy at work.
5 -----
To close, let me address a matter of faith (or two). Let me tell an anecdote/parable. While I studied heavily this last week, I constantly had the TV running. Other than dozens of hours of horror films, I watched a lot of anime DVDs. I finaly was able to watch the entire series of Trigun from beginning to end.
In Trigun, there is a character who is a pastor/gunman. His name is Nicholas Wolfwood, and he carries a giant metal cross with him wherever he goes. He is sort of a man-of-the-cloth who lost his way. In his heart, he wants to do what is right, but the means to get to those ends often perplex and elude him. In the meantime, he makes mistakes, builds regrets, and shuts himself off from those around him.
In the climax of the series, he is mortally wounded, and he staggers to a church, leaving trails of blood behind him. He stoops at the altar and addresses God out loud, leaning wholly on his cross. As he petitions the Lord, he begins to reflect on his life, his motivations, and his actions.
“Was everything I did a mistake? If so, can I be forgiven? I didn’t want to die like this!”
But die he did. Was he forgiven? Did he find peace? Was he wrong in his actions, or were the ends enough to justify his choices? Did his existence even matter? Was there even a God there listening to him, or was he merely addressing himself in a detached manner, trying to make sense of his own life? Is that all mankind ever really needed from religion anyway, the idea that someone was out there, caring, listening?
I am a lot like Wolfwood; dragging my cross through life, trying to make sense of things. I have a lot of good that I want to do, but I too have made a billion mistakes. I suspect that I will be kicking against the goads until my last days as well, and I know that I will die with a lot of regrets. Life doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me, and I have a very hard time stepping out on faith. But deep in my heart, like Wolfwood, I see myself leaning wholly on the cross, seeking understanding and forgiveness, fighting death, but aware of its inevitability. In all things, good and bad, at least I know I have been as honest with myself, and others, as I could.
I still have my cross, Gary. It’s heavier than I can tolerate sometimes, but I couldn’t imagine myself without it. Be patient with me.
6 -----
Well, it looks like I got back into the swing of typing. I cut stuff out if you can believe it or not. I have a great mini-essay written about Christian bumper stickers and graffiti in Council Bluffs, but it didn’t seem to fit the mood. Sorry the blog was so long. : ) But then again, I am not exactly twisting anyone’s arm to read this crappy online diary! : ) Just kidding! I appreciate everyone who stops by, and I always welcome feedback. Thanks for all of the encouragement and correction, and have a great day!
See ya!
But before I start, a young man from Iowa was killed today in Iraq. He was from Emerson. I am 90% sure that I know that kid, and I want to say that my sympathy is with his family. War is so stupid, and I hate that we are in Iraq at all… but then again, we aren’t exactly living in Eden anymore.
******WARNING: It will be a long one today!******
I’ll divide it into chapters in case you want to just read a part or two at a time.
1 -----
- Proud: I am proud of our country. The turnout was very high, and there was a noticeable increase in civic pride. The words “record turnout” were on everyone’s lips. People voted with a passion. It was nice to see. They had two hour lines in Omaha, with some precincts even running out of ballots. People were civil and patient, and it made me proud to be an American.
- Not Proud: The youth turnout was poor. We were sort of duped into thinking that this was the year the young people mobilized. The percentage of youth turnout of 19-29 year olds was about equal to 2000. Too bad. The democrats were banking on it, I think, as they utilized everything from MTV’s videos to “Rock Against Bush” concert tours. The dreaded “exit polls” said that the youth were not decidedly anti-Bush at all. But, in fairness, as P-Diddy pointed out (what a great political analyst to rely on), 17% this time is a greater number than 17% of last time. The overall numbers were up. Ignore statistics or die.
- Curious: How will we live together the next four years knowing that we split our votes almost to the person in many communities? There seemed to be a lot of unrest and anger in the years following 2000’s election (which was understandably side-tracked, then reignited thanks to 9/11). The light has been turned on, and our divided nature has been exposed… will we see a rush for moderate stances? Will we see conflict?
2 -----
I still don’t understand the Electoral College. I don’t see where it helps represent me/us any better than a popular vote. I must be the only one. Colorado was voting on a measure to dole out its 9 votes based on percentages of popular votes, but it was resoundingly voted against. I wish I understood its value better…
- Proud: The television coverage this year was far better, and way more lucid, than in 2000. It was a little theatrical, but they were gun-shy to declare winners in the states.
- Not Proud: The candidates did not fill me with pride. I still refuse to think that these two are the best we have to offer. Oh McCain, where art thou?
- Curious: Ted Kennedy. His name is used in vain a lot by both sides. Republicans use it to scare voters in a bogeyman-esque way. The Democrats use him as a yard stick to show how lesser-liberal their man is. I wonder if this bothers him. He has become an in-joke to all.
3 -----
Ralph Nader. The fly in the ointment. In a way, I respect the people who went out and voted for him on principle. On the other hand, I feel like it is not the time to play the game of “ideals.” The election process is monstrous, and I hate it as much as anyone, but it is a 2 party system (like it or not). A vote for Nader is truly a wasted vote. You cannot convince me on any grounds (beyond classroom/tavern philosophy) that this is otherwise. Play the game, and vote for one of the two guys who has a chance at winning. Voting for Nader is almost an evasive action that does no one any good.
- Proud: I am proud that so-called “character” was not the fulcrum of this election’s campaigns. I hate when it becomes a rallying cry, because everyone’s hands are dirty. At least at that level. To quote a classic movie (and relevant considering the charges leveled at Kerry early on), claiming that the other candidate is of a worse character than another is like “handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.”
- Not Proud: Abortion, the monster that cannot be stopped. Stab it with your steely knives, but you just can’t kill the beast. (Is that right? I am sort of rusty on my Eagles quoting). In Council Bluffs, there was a disgusting billboard of a slaughtered fetus. It (the billboard) was strapped to both sides to the RV, with the slogan “Does Kerry Care?” I don’t want to get hooked into the abortion debate, but let me say this… (there’s always a “but”) the argument for many pro-life people is that the fetus is a living human, and that it should have rights as one. To terminate a fetus is to murder, they say. Okay, then why take away its dignity by showing it about town? It would be similar to a pro-Kerry RV displaying a soldier’s shredded body after a mortar attack, with some similar uncreative and over-passionate slogan. Either would be inappropriate, and I am sickened and angered by the fetus-mobile. Pro-life supporters wonder why they have been so demonized in the media… (you aren’t exempt pro-choice people! Remember your awful “I had an abortion” shirts?)
[note: on re-reading this post, that quote seemed in bad taste, considering the topic. This was unintentional! The “beast” I speak of is abortion, not fetuses. I leave it in, because my aim was to bring some levity to a topic that is so grossly divisive and in honesty, without hope of resolution]
- Curious: Why was terrorism such a big issue? Was it because of our natural fear? Or was it manufactured by the media/campaigns? For me, it is something we will never fully stop the threat of… I am surprised that social security and health care (REAL concerns) weren’t bigger issues. Kerry’s wife was a bigger concern than terrorism…
4 -----
There is a great deal of talk about vote tampering. The biggest thing, even locally, is Federally Inactive votes. Those are ballots that are cast, but their fate is up in the air. They may not count at all. In some areas (again, even locally) people were called as late as Monday evening, and told that their precinct’s polling place had changed. On and on it goes. It sometimes feels as if there is indeed a conspiracy at work.
5 -----
To close, let me address a matter of faith (or two). Let me tell an anecdote/parable. While I studied heavily this last week, I constantly had the TV running. Other than dozens of hours of horror films, I watched a lot of anime DVDs. I finaly was able to watch the entire series of Trigun from beginning to end.
In Trigun, there is a character who is a pastor/gunman. His name is Nicholas Wolfwood, and he carries a giant metal cross with him wherever he goes. He is sort of a man-of-the-cloth who lost his way. In his heart, he wants to do what is right, but the means to get to those ends often perplex and elude him. In the meantime, he makes mistakes, builds regrets, and shuts himself off from those around him.
In the climax of the series, he is mortally wounded, and he staggers to a church, leaving trails of blood behind him. He stoops at the altar and addresses God out loud, leaning wholly on his cross. As he petitions the Lord, he begins to reflect on his life, his motivations, and his actions.
“Was everything I did a mistake? If so, can I be forgiven? I didn’t want to die like this!”
But die he did. Was he forgiven? Did he find peace? Was he wrong in his actions, or were the ends enough to justify his choices? Did his existence even matter? Was there even a God there listening to him, or was he merely addressing himself in a detached manner, trying to make sense of his own life? Is that all mankind ever really needed from religion anyway, the idea that someone was out there, caring, listening?
I am a lot like Wolfwood; dragging my cross through life, trying to make sense of things. I have a lot of good that I want to do, but I too have made a billion mistakes. I suspect that I will be kicking against the goads until my last days as well, and I know that I will die with a lot of regrets. Life doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me, and I have a very hard time stepping out on faith. But deep in my heart, like Wolfwood, I see myself leaning wholly on the cross, seeking understanding and forgiveness, fighting death, but aware of its inevitability. In all things, good and bad, at least I know I have been as honest with myself, and others, as I could.
I still have my cross, Gary. It’s heavier than I can tolerate sometimes, but I couldn’t imagine myself without it. Be patient with me.
6 -----
Well, it looks like I got back into the swing of typing. I cut stuff out if you can believe it or not. I have a great mini-essay written about Christian bumper stickers and graffiti in Council Bluffs, but it didn’t seem to fit the mood. Sorry the blog was so long. : ) But then again, I am not exactly twisting anyone’s arm to read this crappy online diary! : ) Just kidding! I appreciate everyone who stops by, and I always welcome feedback. Thanks for all of the encouragement and correction, and have a great day!
See ya!
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