In this Discussion
- banjo5sing August 2006
- jedi_grrlie August 2006
- kissteam1 August 2006
- sherib August 2006
- thephantommilk August 2006
- tune1shade August 2006
- woodmaid8 August 2006
Speak Out While You Can
Lately, I've been reading a lot about the totalitarian states of the world. More and more the Bush Administration seems to be pointing us in that direction. I don't know if it's that they're so certain that the rapture is coming that they just don't care or if they're attempting to precipitate said rapture (forcing the hand of God, as it were) or just plowing, willy nilly, through everything this country has stood for with no regard for the outcome.
Think about it. Our war on terror took us to a sovereign nation where we overthrew the leader without provocation. The idea was to ensure the future safety and well-being of the American people. Well, look who hates us now!
The federal government thinks it's okay to institute wire taps on its citizenry. They have no qualms about asking for records of our web site visits either.
There is a concerted attempt to make the land of the free a "Christian" nation. Where the founding fathers proposed a separation of church and state (to allow all people to believe as they wished), this administration says "love thy neighbor - as long as they're just like us."
Don't believe that drivel about Th. Jefferson advocating a "one-sided wall" in that separation of church and state. If you read the original missive in which he put forth that position (coining the phrase [ref. Letter to the Danbury Baptists, Library of Congress]) it's plain to see he was all for a solid, impenetrable wall going in both directions.
Freedom is freedom. Liberty is liberty. Don't allow restrictions. I have lived in other countries in this world and I'm here to tell you, there's nothing like what we have here. Don't be complacent. Don't take anything for granted. As soon as everyone does, it will be stripped away. Where will that leave us?
Love your country and your freedom. Be a thinking person who doesn't go along with the status quo. I'm not saying you have to be anti-W (</bush>). I'm not saying you have to move to a blue state to make a difference. Just don't be a lemming.
Thank you for the opportunity to get this off my chest - not that anyone will read it or anything.
Peace out, Mr. Mr. Mr. Jorge, Whom I Adore, Whom I Adore, Whom I Adore!
RabbitFighter
Think about it. Our war on terror took us to a sovereign nation where we overthrew the leader without provocation. The idea was to ensure the future safety and well-being of the American people. Well, look who hates us now!
The federal government thinks it's okay to institute wire taps on its citizenry. They have no qualms about asking for records of our web site visits either.
There is a concerted attempt to make the land of the free a "Christian" nation. Where the founding fathers proposed a separation of church and state (to allow all people to believe as they wished), this administration says "love thy neighbor - as long as they're just like us."
Don't believe that drivel about Th. Jefferson advocating a "one-sided wall" in that separation of church and state. If you read the original missive in which he put forth that position (coining the phrase [ref. Letter to the Danbury Baptists, Library of Congress]) it's plain to see he was all for a solid, impenetrable wall going in both directions.
Freedom is freedom. Liberty is liberty. Don't allow restrictions. I have lived in other countries in this world and I'm here to tell you, there's nothing like what we have here. Don't be complacent. Don't take anything for granted. As soon as everyone does, it will be stripped away. Where will that leave us?
Love your country and your freedom. Be a thinking person who doesn't go along with the status quo. I'm not saying you have to be anti-W (</bush>). I'm not saying you have to move to a blue state to make a difference. Just don't be a lemming.
Thank you for the opportunity to get this off my chest - not that anyone will read it or anything.
Peace out, Mr. Mr. Mr. Jorge, Whom I Adore, Whom I Adore, Whom I Adore!
RabbitFighter
Comments
"I do, however, feel strongly that we should all be involved in the process of choosing our leaders, even if it is on a lesser-of-two-evils basis. If we extract ourselves from the system, due to apathy or dissatisfaction, we give our consent to the status quo.”
Abso-freakin'-lutely!
That quote is why I just admire Damian so much.
When did Damian say that?
Errr, I believe it was in 2004, in a newsletter sent out to the mailing list, urging everyone to vote (for Kerry). I read an article on it here, since I never actually received said newsletter and didn't actually read "How Your Band..." until a year later.
I personally voted for Badnarik, because I really didn't like Kerry or Bush. Bush is an idiot, while Kerry is a pussy. I'm also between being a Libertarian and a Democrat, so Badnarik supported what I stood for. Looking back now, I still think I would have voted for him.
I personally voted for Badnarik, because I really didn't like Kerry or Bush. Bush is an idiot, while Kerry is a pussy. I'm also between being a Libertarian and a Democrat, so Badnarik supported what I stood for. Looking back now, I still think I would have voted for him.
Voting is mandatory in my country. If you do not vote, you get fined up the wazoo.
Of course, people find ways around this - like donkey voting, where you register that you have voted, but never actually tick any box on the voting ballot.
I find it strange - and kind of sad - that people don't embrace their right to vote. I figure, if you don't exercise your right to vote you don't have the right complain either.
I don't agree with celebrities pushing their choice on others, but I do think it's a good idea to encourage people to educate themselves and get off their lazy butts one day ever four years and vote for the people who have the power to make or break their futures.
I agree. I think any encouragement to vote by anyone, celeb or not, is a good thing.
i voted in the last elections over here
the people i voted for didnt win though
so the system works..
Seeing as I have no clue who you're talking about, I'm going to assume he wasn't a candidate in Mass.
I mean, I can't vote anyways, but we fake-voted in Soc. and my teacher was pretty certain that the only candidates in Mass. were Bush and Kerry. Something about Nader not getting enough signatures or something, I dunno.
Anyways, I'm going to be 18 at the time of next voting, so I'll be there. Really, though, right now I'm more interested in politics of the past, seeing as I just finished reading The Jungle and want desperately to know why communism took off more than other, less radical forms of Socialism.
Ah well.
Exactly.
Speaking of elections, my state is holding an election on September 9th. Our elections are held on Saturdays and everyone HAS to vote or they get fined several hundred dollars. That means everyone in the entire state has to make it to their local voting office or whatevs sometime on Saturday to cast their vote or they're in deep doo-doo.
Personally, I'm excited. I love elections. Usually 'cause I hate whoever currently holds the position of power and want to replace them with someone better.
That's why I'm so.....almost weirded out by the Vh1 thing, haha. 'Cause it's not just us, EVERYONE over there is ardent about who they're voting for (whether it's good music or not), and we're all so willing to get our friends to vote, but what about the real elections?? Like, why is it that so many more people are voting for American Idol than for presidential elections??? That's so wrong.
Agreed. Some people just aren't interested in politics. Also, you must remember, it's far easier to votw from home rather than treking out, waiting in line, and voting in elections.
I would like to think that mandatory voting would be better, but then we'd have lots of people voting who don't even bother to research those running. THe ballots would be flooded with uneducated votes.
Beh. Politics is hard yo.
I would like to think that mandatory voting would be better, but then we'd have lots of people voting who don't even bother to research those running. THe ballots would be flooded with uneducated votes.
Beh. Politics is hard yo.
Yeah, here, I've met people who vote on the "Sexiest" politician running. Others vote for whoever. Some people just rock up, get their names ticked off and don't actually vote (aka "donkey voting"), therefore avoiding the fine but not actually casting a vote. It's concerning, but at least we have the right complain when things don't go our way.
And another way of looking at it - if a Politician REALLY pisses everyone off, they can be afraid they won't be voted for, because they have to answer to everyone. They know everyone is going to rock up to vote on the day of the polls and they'll be held accountable. If it's not compulsary maybe they won't be held so accountable because people jus twon't turn up. Did that make any sense? Probably not, I'm tired lols.
And another way of looking at it - if a Politician REALLY pisses everyone off, they can be afraid they won't be voted for, because they have to answer to everyone. They know everyone is going to rock up to vote on the day of the polls and they'll be held accountable. If it's not compulsary maybe they won't be held so accountable because people jus twon't turn up. Did that make any sense? Probably not, I'm tired lols.
Don't worry, that makes perfect sense. There's no excuse. Everyone is responsible for everyone.
I think it would be ebtter that way.
I would like to think that mandatory voting would be better, but then we'd have lots of people voting who don't even bother to research those running. THe ballots would be flooded with uneducated votes.
Beh. Politics is hard yo.
Agreed, there would be a lot of people just voting to vote, but at least everyone would be getting out there. And hopefully if people were forced to vote, they'd pay more attention.
'Course, then we'd have to worry about bullying and intimidation....
'Course, then we'd have to worry about bullying and intimidation....
Well, I haven't heard of bullying and intimidation happening here (Australia), so it may not be as big of a concern as you might think? I mean, no one can know who you voted for anyway so you can still vote for who you want and lie and say, "Yeah, I voted for Howard"
The Republicans have a pretty good hold on the South, and it's definitely happened before.
That's a really good point.