My guy lost..:-(
Posted : November 2, 2004 at 10:14 pm [America/Los_Angeles]
..because apparently majority of the voters in the end did not think he had enough “moral values” (comparitively speaking) to be the President of United States.
Oh well. You win some, and then you lose some. I guess I lost tonight. Congratulations, Mr. President and my Republican friends!
As George Bernard Shaw famously said:
Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
Note:
Tonight, I am really happy and thankful that I live in California (or maybe I should say the “West Coast”). After this Election, I am not sure I would enjoy living in the so-called “red” states. After all, I am a brown-skinned, non-Catholic (or should I say, non-Christian), non-American, moderate liberal and a “nuanced” guy who strongly believes in a woman’s right to choose, favors gay marriages and firmly backs federally funded stem cell research 
- Anand
Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004
9 Comments
In the 2000 election campaign, one of Bush’s ad had a subliminal message in it. Let’s say that disregard the capacity of people to think for themselves was very disturbing for me. Even more disturbing was the fact that nobody took it seriously. When Bush won, I thought: “Oh, well, people elected him, they deserve it (a President that thinks the American people are so dumb they need a subliminal push)”. But after 4 years of blunders, unnecessary war, lifes lost, debit, etc, etc, etc…he is re-elected?
Now I know. For once, he was right.
Posted by: Camila at November 2, 2004 @ 11:33 pm
Thank you for all your wonderful comments, Camila! You’ve been quite a wonderful “virtual” friend.
I wrote my first blog entry on “US politics” exactly 3 months back on Aug. 3rd, 2004. As some may know by reading my blog entries, I gave this Election my time, my money, heck practically my life during these past three months. I would be lying if I said that I am not upset tonight. Infact, I am extremely disappointed and feel a sense of personal failure. But I have no regrets. Well, maybe some..;-)
I am sure I will have a clearer head tomorrow or a week from now, but as I see it today, here’s a list of things that worries me:
1. Faith/Values/Evangelicals/Catholics/Religion: This gradual emergence and impact of discussion of “Faith” or “Religion” or “Moral Values” in US Politics is HUGE and I don’t see this abating anytime soon. President Bush and his Republican friends will run with this apparently unbeatable “cocktail” as long as citizens of states like Idaho, Montana, Kansas and Alabama allow them to. Personally, I hate it. I hate this aspect of US politics more than anything else.
2. Media: The fact that the voters of this country are so misinformed about the happenings in their own country, let alone the world, is another huge problem that will threaten the very fabric of US democracy. A “free” media does not automatically guarantee a “fair and balanced” media as we’ve seen it again and again, thanks to our friends in 24×7 Cable News Business or Radio Shows.
3. Fate of Democrats/Liberals: I used to always tell my friends and/or relatives that if Democrats can’t win this time, I don’t know when they ever will. With tonight’s defeat (both in “Electoral” and “Popular” Vote) will set the Democrats back by at least a good 5 to 10 years, unless they figure out a way to better “define” themselves, their “ideologies” (if any) and their “leadership”.
I am sure it’s not the end of the world, although it sure feels like it..:-)
One can only “hope” that better sense will prevail in President Bush’s style of leadership (replacing “arrogance” with “pride”) and his Administration’s policies (be more “pro-life” than “pro-war”).
- Anand
Posted by: Anand Sharma at November 3, 2004 @ 12:38 am
2. Media:
You mention “24×7 cable news” and “Radio Shows” as being misinforming people, when this election truly showed an abundance of left-wing media support:
- why didn’t anybody in the elite media questioned kerry about his 20 years record of voting against any type of defense programs?
- let me think on top of my head who was behind kerry…
+ moveon.org
+ michael moore and farenheit 9/11
+ CNN,CBS,ABC,NBC (don’t get me started on Dan Rather, Katie Couric)
+ NY Times, LA Times,
+ Hollywood
+ NPR
+ Bruce Springsteen
+ MTV, Puff Daddy, etc…
- If you are going to make a case for right-wing media, you should, at least, accept that their is a fair-share of left-wing media. C’mon you either closing your eyes or don’t want to accept this.
- I think that this election proved that the American people can’t be fooled by the elite media anymore. Thank god for the internet, Fox News, and AM Talk Show hosts - I really think that these three factors played an important, if not an instrumental, role in Bush’s re-election.
Remember me? I have posted before as Anonymous here before, you can call me M.Salvaje from now on.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 3, 2004 @ 7:24 pm
My Anonymous friend/M. Salvaje:
First, relax. You seem a little worked up..:-)
Second, no I don’t think I favor a left-wing biased media any more than a right-wing biased media. I apologize for not being thorough in my listing of the so-called “biased” media in my comment above. I was merely giving a few examples.
Third, let’s go over your list:
farenheit 9/11: It’s called “movie”. It’s not forced on anyone. You pay money to go see a “movie”. A big difference between “lies” pushed upon you vs. “lies” you choose to go and see.
moveon.org: It’s a 527 organization. I do agree that these organizations can quickly get out of hand. Example: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Texans for Truth, etc.
michael moore: It’s called “Freedom of Speech” my friend. I am all for it. You don’t want me to list here your friends on the right-wing side that are equally obnoxious. I did not think so..;-) (p.s.: Again, I don’t care. These individuals have all the right in the world to have whatever opinion and say whatever they want)
CNN,CBS,ABC,NBC (don’t get me started on Dan Rather, Katie Couric): This (along with the 24×7 Cable News shows) is “really” where the BIG PROBLEM lies. I could not agree more. However, I am sure you can understand that CNN, ABC and NBC are not universally left wing biased. If you don’t agree, check out mediamatters.org. Again, I am not saying that I agree with this, just pointing out that it goes both ways.
NY Times: Again, yes and no. After all, they do have Op-Eds from people like William Buckley Jr., William Safire, David Brooks to name a few. Also, it’s not like we have any dearth of print media which is pathetically right-wing biased: Washington Times, Wall Street Journal Editorials to name a few. Again, I want “credible” news, not left-wing or right-wing news.
LA Times: See my comment above.
Hollywood: Yes, the preponderance of violence and sex in movies and content coming from Hollywood is a giant concern. I am not sure what has that got to do with “News” or “Elections”. If you think that you’re pissed that Hollywood actors/actresses endorse a political candidate, again, that’s an individual’s right.
NPR: They’re probably as fair as they get. They’re not perfect, but they’re leaps and bounds ahead of some of their peers.
Bruce Springsteen: Entertainer. Free speech. You get the idea.
MTV: I did not know people got their news from MTV. It’s called Entertainment.
Puff Daddy: Entertainer. Free speech.
You seem to be confusing “entertainment” with balanced and credible “news”. When I talk about Media, I am specifically referring to professionals who call themselves “journalists” and claim that they give “news”. That is where the bulk of the problem lies!
My friend, we need to be sure that we understand the difference between “free speech”, “entertainment” and “journalism” and seek appropriate “fairness and balance” without encroaching upon an individual’s freedom of speech or civil liberties. It might be difficult, but it’s not impossible.
Frankly, the very fact that you thank the existence of Fox News leads me to believe that it probably will be impossible for the two of us to agree on much…;-)
So why I am writing all this? Don’t ask me..;-)
Posted by: Anand Sharma at November 3, 2004 @ 9:03 pm
First, relax. You seem a little worked up..:-)
This is exactly what I get from people all the time simply by stating the facts. Please tell me what gave you an impression of me being “worked up” ? I was never worked up while I was writing this…
farenheit 9/11 a “movie”, hmmm… I think moore called it a “documentary”.
Freedom of Speech / Entertainer - yes you are right. I am simply listing them here as an example of ALL the kerry supporters.
Again, even though, our opinions differ, I do enjoy your blog - I am open minded and I am always interested in getting opinions from “both” sides
M.Salvaje.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 4, 2004 @ 8:12 am
Yes, being “open minded” is precisely what this country needs..:-)
Good to hear that you visit this site regularly
- Anand
Posted by: Anand Sharma at November 4, 2004 @ 8:44 am
Though I share with you a profound disappointment for the results, I don’t see why you should feel a sense of personal failure. I think you did a wonderful job, always being optimistic, and courageous. I will tell you why. I’m not American, though I have lived in the US for 5 years (not living anymore), and am thinking about going back. I remember that I had a British English teacher in my homeland, and she was always criticizing my country. Every class she would say something negative in regards the criminality, the air, traditions, and, of course, politics. I always wanted to ask her to leave my country and go back to hers. As a result, as an immigrant, I’m always reluctant to criticize anything about the country that I’m currently living. However, not only you did a great job, but also made your point clearly, without ever criticizing AMERICA as a whole, just parts that you didn’t agree. The balance is so hard to achieve, but you did it! This, and also the fact that your blog provided “food for thought” is reason to be proud of, regardless of the election’s outcome. Congratulations and a big thank-you!
Now, I agree with your faith and politics views. As I wrote before, I’m a Christian but I don’t see why faith and politics should mix. Actually, I think these issues are quite un-mixable by nature, and religion should be a very private and personal (not political) matter. What it is? A modern day crusade?
As for the media, you said that voters are misinformed about the happenings, which I agree and will add one little point: I know it is, perhaps, hoping too much, but the American people should be aware of the global results of their choices. They should have the idea that they are not only choosing their President, they are choosing someone that have the power to affect real lives in far away places. People elected Bush in 2000, that went to war in Iraq, a country in the other side of the planet, and as a consequence, about hundred thousand lives were lost. People that in one day are trying to go on with their daily routines are dead in the other. And waht for? Not to think about global consequences is to have that “so what?” attitude that is very, very arrogant. Even misinformation is a form of arrogance, for you are informed of what you care about. A pity, really, since Americans are not alone in the planet and the world is getting “smaller”.
As for the fate of the Democrats, this time I happen to be a little bit more optimistic than you. I have hope that 8 years will provide some “historic-eyes” to the people , and they will react. Or, in a more simplistic manner, every action results in a reaction…
So, let’s cheer up!
And “Live Long and Prosper, Anand!”
Regards,
Camila
Posted by: Camila at November 6, 2004 @ 6:53 am
I am officially on a break, but I could not pass up the opportunity to say: Thank you! Your comment was exceptionally well written and I am greatful for all the kind things you had to say.
I luv this country. I luv it for one simple reason - it helped me re-discover myself, my strengths and it opened doors of opportunities for me to survive and thrive. And it did all that at a time when I was scared and nervous about my future. I felt luved, respected and embraced by Americans. So I guess there is this sense of obligation to repay the goodwill and warmth that I got from the good folks of this country in my own humble way. Ofcourse, the fact that my two nephews and a niece are American citizens does not hurt either..:-)
I will hope, pray and continue to do my share to ensure that America and Americans once again “earn back their well-deserved respect” around the world. Needless to say, I have my reservations about President Bush’s abilities and willingness to “engage with other nations to start the healing not with arrogance, but with pride and humility”. I have my reservations about his “lack of fiscally conservative ideals” that this country desperately needs. Well, come to think of it, I have pretty serious reservations about some of his social, fiscal and environmental policies.
Having said that, I do wish President Bush the very best and hope that he proves my paranoia “wrong” in every respect. I really do.
Thanks again, Camila!
Posted by: Anand Sharma at November 6, 2004 @ 7:26 pm
Thank YOU!
Posted by: Camila at November 7, 2004 @ 4:31 pm