On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:15:20 -0500, "James T. Kirby"
wrote:

Prometheus wrote:


I shouldn't do it, but I'll respond anyhow. I agree- Bush has NO
MANDATE to push his agenda. I wasn't really *for* Kerry, but I voted
for him anyhow specifically because I was afraid the Bush faction
would consider a 1% margin a "mandate". The frightening thing is that
the Republicans have the majority in every part of our government, and
they actually *can* push their agenda. I sincerely hope and pray that
the next four years are not going to be as bad for the US as I am
afraid they are going to be- but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm afraid we'll all suffocate if we hold it as long as needed. I think it
will be
more therapeutic and productive to start screaming.

And get bigger locks on the doors. Good of ol' shrub to extend a hand
across the partisan divide so that he can try to yank the other half
over to his *moral ideals* of getting in private citizens' business
and starting holy crusades. It really saddens me to see the huge
increase of religious sentiment as part of the political process.
It's good to have a leader with some values, and a belief in a higher
power to which they may be held accountable- but it's absolutely
terrible and frightening to be led by a man who truly believes that
God speaks to him. I've voted Republican in every election since I
was 18 years old, and this election was the first time I did not. If
the Religious Right doesn't tone it down a lot (and I mean A LOT) I
will never cast a vote for another Republican candidate again. I, for
one, will not support a modern-day Joan of Arc in a land which is
supposed to represent freedom and human rights.

A lot of people bristle at the sentiment that Bush's extrodinary level
of religious belief could be a bad thing- but it is. He's not
following the ideas expressed by Christ; he's acting on the old
testiment ideals of a *jealous god* that kills without reason and
demands without proofs. I will never bow before any man or god that
claims a right to force my mind or hand on the basis of their belief
in the absence of proof. To abdicate the right of discrimation based
on another's opinion of the truth is certain death, and I will not
support it. Ever. To hell with "working together"- Cheney stated
they had a "mandate" within 5 minutes of the acceptance speech, and
that is a clear and unequivocal statement that they intend to push
their agenda without compromise or discussion. So be it- but I
reserve the right to defend myself from all comers, be they public or
private.