Fuck.
Well, I can take just a little solave that in my state the Democrats continue to improve their status, gaining a national senate and house seat. And we didn't enact any anti-gay messures. Cook County (mostly Chicago) was 80% in favor of Kerry.
The senate race here was downright pleasant. A little background: Obama wasn't the preferred candidate in the primary, but won handily. Republicans quickly abandoned their first candidate due to a sex scandal. He wasn't polling well anyway, so I think they gave up quickly. The runner up in the Republican primary had used anti-immigrant commercials; he tried to get the nomination, but the party leaders denied him. In part it's because he was going counter to Bush's immigrant policy, but I also think it's because the Republicans didn't want to be branded as racists. Then they bring in Keyes, a hopeless candidate, but also a way to throw a bone to their most conservative members. But they just ended up alienating their moderate members; they even left Keyes off the Republican voter guide that they sent to us.
Obama himself is a very progressive Democrat. He came out against the war before it started, and even spoke at anti-war rallies. While his overwhelming success (70% to 27%) was in large part due to the incompetence of his opponents, I think he would have won even against a viable opponent. So that's nice.
But still, fuck. It struck me yesterday, before any polls had closed or results had come in, how nice it would be if Kerry won. It would feel like we were in a civilized nation again. But we aren't. We're still fucking barbarians.
Nice entry. It sums up my own feelings, too. I have lost faith in the American people.
Barbarians?
Yes, I think we are, but for different reasons. I've lurked for the past few months listening to your anti-Bush rhetoric - because you're such a great python programmer. But I've disagreed all the way.
You call the situation in Iraq barbarianism? I call abortion barbarianism. Guess we don't see eye to eye. A civilized nation under Kerry? A civilized nation doesn't eat their young to satisfy their selfish cravings.
Oh well, it's pleasant to see that myself and a few other million 'evangelical Christians' got out and voted. Who would have thought the election would come down to moral issues? :)
And no, I'm not trolling. You mentioned in a previous post that you couldn't understand why anyone would support Bush. It's a different set of morals and priorities, 'tis all.
btw, I used to live in Naperville. It's a shame to see Ill. go the way it has...
Hey, now that it's over, can you get back to posting about python? Top notch stuff you put up about programming. Top notch.
# Perry
Thanks Ian,
FWIW, I feel a tiny bit better after reading someone else with a similar sense of well-merited disgust at the current political state of the USA. And I suppose it encourages me to take a similar slight solace at also living and voting in a moderately civilized state (Massachusetts)--our state house became even more overwhelmingly democratic; and we have some quite good congressional reps: Frank, Markey, my own Olver, and Sen. Kennedy.
There was something nice about reading something on a Python/techie blog that was especially encouraging. I read a number of liberal political commentary sites, and I expect to read what I do there. But to see a ray of humanity's better side somewhere else entirely is a nice thing.
But still: F*ck! How come the country I live in can't show the a greater modicum of intelligence and decency. Four more years of tax dollars paying to drop bombs on Iraqi children! (And also the crackdown on civil liberties, of course; and insane fiscal policy; and fundamentalist xtianiaty being enshrined as a "state religion").
OK, I refuse to turn Ian's comment forum into an argument about abortions.
But, um, fuck.
My state went for Kerry as well (Oregon). Unfortunately we also went for the anti-gay vote. After years of defeating moronic anti-gay amendments, the fuckers found one wrapped in satin the average voter could fall for.
Humorously, one could interpret the amendment as prohibiting a heterosexual from remarrying. I hope someone figures out how to enforce that. Meanwhile we face years and millions of dollars enacting legislation piecewise toward providing moderate civil rights to gay couples.
Way to go, Oregon! Shit.
Homosexuality. Can't make it okay, man. What do you think Christian's are going after with these laws? Do you think we're just trying to make others obey our rules? Power tripping? Got nothing better to do?
Here's the skinny, straight up. It's easy to sit back and let others go down whatever road they wish. It's easy to just take care of yourself. It's easy, in the name of freedom to tell others - hey, just do whatever you want. It's okay by us.
However, understand the plight and burden of the Christian. In my heart, honestly speaking, I carry the knowledge that a life without Christ is one that will not see eternal life. You may not have the same conviction. If so, you'll completely disagree with everything I say. But with this knowledge, I see around me millions of people who are dying and going to hell. It pains me so. What do I do about it? Well, I attempt to share the good news of Jesus Christ and our need for a savior. Along with that, I attempt to show others the sin in their life and the consequences of it. Homosexuality is a sin - according to God's word, not my own petty and oft incorrect feelings. If I sit back in my cozy little recliner and take the attitude of others who don't care about anyone else (freedom, man, let them do what they want), then I become an accompliance to their doom.
""And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.""
I am commanded by my Lord to do so. Granted, in a loving manner, but I am commanded to do so.
My goodness man, I'm not trying to impose my will on someone. I'm trying to help them see the problem possessing them - one that desparately needs addressing. Creating laws that make sin right according to man's ideals have devestating consequences eternally.
I ask myself, do I honestly believe the Bible entirely, word for word? Yes. Because of that, I'm trying to help these people. I don't hate them. I don't find them repulsive. I don't wish them to be outcast by society or discriminated against. But I cannot sit by and call wrong right when the effect it has will lead people to everlasting suffering.
Check it out:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Believing this, how can I possibly vote for a law labeling sin as being right? How can someone repent if they don't know they're doing wrong? That would be the ultimate betrayal of my fellow man.
Aw man, I've gone off on a tagent again. I'm sorry Ian. This probably isn't what you want on your blog. I felt I needed to respond from a conservative point of view, but out of respect for you (it is your blog) I'll quit here.
Thanks,
Perry# Perry
Yeah. I know. I can't spell.# Perry
OK, I refuse to turn Ian's comment forum into an argument about abortions.
But, um, fuck.
My state went for Kerry as well (Oregon). Unfortunately we also went for the anti-gay vote. After years of defeating moronic anti-gay amendments, the fuckers found one wrapped in satin the average voter could fall for.
Humorously, one could interpret the amendment as prohibiting a heterosexual from remarrying. I hope someone figures out how to enforce that. Meanwhile we face years and millions of dollars enacting legislation piecewise toward providing moderate civil rights to gay couples.
Way to go, Oregon! Shit.
I too am sorely disappointed that so many in our country would forgive a man who has led us (steadfastly no doubt) into a disasterous war, costing thousands of lives, billions of dollars, and hell to pay for the next decade.# Rick Monroe
I came here for a little solace and I leave even more depressed.
My goodness man, I'm not trying to impose my will on someone. I'm trying to help them see the problem possessing them
I would have never thaught I would read such an argument in the 21st century. It reminds me the Inquisition, and all the religious prosecutions that were common at the begin of the Renaissance.
Hopefully your country is still far from being intolerant. But seen from here (Europe) it looks like the secularisation of the state is really in danger.# Nicolas
Barbarians?
So the difference between barbarians and civilization is 150,000 Ohio voters? I think you're painting with a very broad brush there.
Well, we are barbarians either way, because we all knew it was going to be close to 50/50. But will the nation act like barbarians? This came down to 150k Ohio voters.# Ian Bicking
Perry,
http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/# Bubba Joe Loudermouth