Editor's Note: I've been waiting for my chance to vote for a long time now, but ever since I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 on opening night months ago, I've had this draft of some sort of definitive political/election opinion post floating around my blog. Never really happy with it, it's gone through numerous drafts, and, quite frankly, I'm glad to be done with it- this is the final edit, good or bad. I'm just going to cut out the bulk the post and just leave you with a summary. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.
Fahrenheit 9/11: An excellent film, despite my political preferences. Just like Bowling for Columbine, Michael Moore has chosen all of his facts, clips, moods, and angles in out-of-context situations to produce and outstanding piece of one-sided work. I'm embarrassed to think about how many Americans will vote based on a combination of this film and the television debates, and nothing more. Moore wanted a documentary about the bad side of Bush and did just that, to an outstanding degree. I'm sure his feelings about Flint, Michigan had no influence on any of this, either.
Americans that vote: Large masses of people have been, will be, and still are stupid. Voting is important no matter what, moreso in a Democracy. However, the majority of Americans are uneducated voters and this makes me sad. Celebrities that endorse politicians (including movie stars, rappers, and singers) are stupid. If your vote is based on the opinions of The Governator, Brooks & Dunn, or anything like that, you are stupid (see above).
The Presidential Election in 2004: This has been one of the dirtiest, most shameful elections I've ever witnessed, and I have also noticed that for all their "passion" for voting, people really can be assholes about politics. Opinions really can bring out the worst in people. That's why, personally, I tend to shy away from political debates, and am hesitant about calling myself a "Republican". People make assumptions just like when I say I am an atheist.
'04 Candidates: I personally think President Bush is doing an adequate job as President of the United States, I do not want John Kerry to be president, and would've preferred John McCain to lead our country, but things don't always go our way. Voting for Ralph Nader is a waste of a vote.
My prediction: Personal feelings aside, I think George W. Bush will be re-elected.
My Vote: I consider myself an informed voter. I also have an agenda that consists of interest and passion about one single issue that neither candidate has remotely addressed at the national level. It is on this issue that I have based my absentee ballot vote for the state of Ohio on:
"John Kerry's sensibility is mostly against the human exploration of the solar system. His votes on space exploration have been, almost consistently, negative. His hostility towards the space shuttle and the International Space Station are just one indicator of how he feels about the whole idea of human exploration and colonization of the solar system. His record on space issues tracks closely with that of the senior Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy, who may be America's single most anti-space politician since Bill Proxmire."
Key Resources-
Please remember to Rock the Vote November 2nd and express your informed opinion.
Electoral Vote Predictor, care of Andy Fedus
Yahoo! Review of Fahrenheit 9/11
John Kerry's Official Space Policy
George W. Bush's Official Space Policy
George W. Bush's Vision For Space Exploration
IndependentsForKerry chime in on Bush's space policy
The Space Review essay contrasting Bush and Kerry's Homeland Defense and space defense policies
The Space Review essay 1 , essay 2 , essay 3 on space policy and the 2004 election
A welcome break from real politics: JibJab
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I’m not trying to change your mind or appear obtrusive, but after reading your journal I just wanted to point a few things out. Although Bush has outlined ambitious space goals, his budget does not include any money to meet these goals. The Bush administration's plan for lunar bases and human exploration of Mars is based on political rhetoric rather than technical and fiscal reality. To finance this proposal, the White House suggests taking funds away from key space science, Earth science, and aeronautics programs. Also the Bush administration has excluded potential international partners from planning. It is hard to fund a space program with a record deficit and a president making tax cuts without creating new revenue elsewhere. The Bush administration touts the flight of a privately funded commercial rocket plane (SpaceShipOne) as a victory, contradicting Bush’s personal pledge to help space exploration and showing little faith in publicly funded programs. I’m sure you know much more about this than I do, but I just wanted to add my two cents.
ReplyDelete-Jacob, the crazy east coast liberal
The Presidential elections are a real shock to me. Here in Australia it is compulsory to vote. Every citizen must vote on election day or incur a fine. We are always told that because voting is optional in America the presidential campaigns are so much more heated. I've seen so many celebrities on TV promoting the vote, we really don't have any of that hype over here.
ReplyDeleteIt is also amazing to see that here in Australia [right now] during day time TV we are receiving the live election results all throughout the day. Now here in Australia we only have three free to air channels worth watching and one of which is being used to show another nations elections. That just shows how closely linked the two nations are.