resurrectionsong

October 24, 2004

Another Reminder to Vote

Last week, I wrote a post hoping to remind people to get out and vote for Bush even if they consider themselves to be living in a safe state (or a state with no chance for a Bush victory, for that matter). I believe that the only way to see this vote end without the ugliest legal battles to every accompany a US Presidential election is to make sure that our guy wins with the electoral vote, a good margin in the popular vote, and a real mandate from the people to go ahead with his plans.

I'm staying on message right now because I believe the issue is that important. The rest of the world seems to be getting a bit nervous, too. The vast majority of writers for Arab News may be pulling for Kerry to win, but there is an interesting sense of fear growing that America might not be able to provide the decisive leadership needed if it's embroiled in a prolonged post-election battle.

“The prospect of the US being unable to take urgent decisions for months cannot be taken lightly,” suggests an Arab diplomat. “Such paralysis could be dangerous in our region where the situation remains volatile. The war in Iraq, the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the UN fight with Syria over Lebanon, and the Israeli plan to withdraw from Gaza cannot be put on the backburner for months.”

The article does go a little over the rhetorical top, but it does have a strong point: the world needs strong American leadership, and that leadership will be threatened by the kind of paralysis that we seem to be headed for.

I really don't want to see that happen.

Read the rest.

Update: And for more good commentary from Arab News, you might enjoy this:

In no other way can the United States contribute to the improvement of the economic conditions of the Arab countries than by transmitting to them the ideas of economic freedom.

Well worth reading.

Posted by zombyboy at October 24, 2004 11:42 PM

Comments

For any of you who are still undecided, keep this few points in mind:

* Senator Kerry has claimed that he will respond if we are attacked again. He has made no proposals about getting terrorists before they get us.

* Iran will soon have the capability to create nuclear weapons. Will Kerry wait until Iran attacks another country, or holds them hostage, before he takes action?

* In 1992 Clinton promised a middle class tax cut. In less than 3 months Clinton actually raised taxes on the middle class. In spite of Clinton's tax the rich mantra, he realized that taxing the rich doesn't do anything worthwhile. Kerry has promised to soak the rich and not raise taxes on the middle class. How long will it be before Kerry renegs on his promise?

* France is involved in the U.N. Oil-for-Food scandal. France would have never sent troops to Iraq because they were making billions off of Sadaam Hussein.

* France and Germany are in no position economically or militarily to send sufficient troops to any place where they aren't already. And neither is Canada.

* The only other 2 big countries that didn't participate in the Iraq War are Russia and China. Russia is also deeply emmeshed in the Oil-for-Food scandal and wouldn't have sent troops. China is currently more concerned about sending troops to Taiwan. Iraq has no importance to China.

* While some Hollywood celebrities are claiming that Bush wants to rape women (something to do with abortion) Bush has never talked about undoing Roe v. Wade, nor does he have any intention to. Most sane conservatives accept the Supreme Court ruling as law and don't think about over turning it. I think you will find that most Republicans (outside of the Evangelicals) don't consider it an issue. Yes we do consider partial-birth abortions to be a seperate issue. However it is not a way to get a ban on all abortions. As a matter of fact, the Republicans would lose a big part of their base if it was.

* There is not going to be a draft, and there is no such thing as a backdoor draft. Only Congress can authorize a draft. There has been a mechanism in place for a draft since about 1972. It was put in place in case the Cold War became a hot war all of sudden. The military does not want draftees. The military is now a high tech environment and requires dedicated and committed soldiers in order to work.

* Kerry has great hair, and Bush mangles his speech. Regardless, I bet you know exactly where Bush stands on most issues, and can't up with a credible statement about most of Kerry's positions. You know what Bush is going to do, Kerry changes with the polls. This is not the time for a poll driven presidency.

I hope this has been useful. The other thing I hope is that regardless of who you vote for, that you study the issues and do vote.

Posted by: Remy Logan at October 25, 2004 12:36 AM

Alright... I'm as much a Republican as the next guy, but what in the hell is wrong with the GOP? Bush should not be running for president.

He's botched everything he's touched. 380 tonnes of explosives in terrorist hands. A horribly ill-planned post-war plan. Ignored countless offers of advice.

As a registered Republican, all I want is for him to admit one single mistake. His whole administration is based on blame. I was a supporter in 2000. But I can't support a president who refuses to accept any blame whatsoever. I've lost all respect for him. I don't want to vote for Kerry, but I may.

I don't give a shit about his dodging nam, he wasn't the only one. People were doing that all over the map. Big fucking deal. I don't care that 9/11 happened on his watch (and I don't consider him successful as some do in preventing another attack. It's only been 3 years since 9/11. There were 7 between the two WTC attacks) because I don't believe that that is something that can be magically predicted. But goddammit can someone at least admit ONE MISTAKE for me.

That is all I want. If that happened, I would vote for Bush. No one faults someone for mistakes. You learn from mistakes. And if he can't admit one, then we can only assume they'll happen again. That's all I'm saying.

Don't flame me as anti-Bush. I just want him to show that he's realistic and in touch with the fact that there are serious flaws to be admitted to. All I want is ONE.

Posted by: Bizzle at October 25, 2004 01:28 PM

Bizzle,

Regarding your need for an admission of mistakes, I offer this by Douglas Kern - http://www.techcentralstation.com/101904C.html

Posted by: Opinionated Vogon at October 25, 2004 08:28 PM