, at
2:17 AM
Stop grasping for straws. It isn't going to work, not this year. I respect the right to vote for who you want, but a loss is a loss, especially when it's by 4 million votes. No "He's not MY president" shirts huh?
By , at
2:17 AM
O.o can I get one of those shirts??? After all, I'm not American! And couldn't be happier to live in a land without Bush!
By , at
2:38 AM
Er... look, I'm really pissed about Bush winning, but this is just grasping at straws. Everyone who supports their candidate is going to be "committed to helping" their state "deliver its electoral votes."
Don't direct your ire and distaste at them, blame the American people as a whole.
By 
AstralFire, at
3:01 AM
the point your missing is not that just that its a rich guy who wants to help G.W. win its a rich guy who happens to own and distribute the machines that record what people vote for. To say "oh everyone has the right to their own agenda" is one thing if their joe average, but certain people have to keep themselves neutral. You wouldn't let Jeb Bush conduct the presidential debates would you?
By , at
3:10 AM
It's all so freaking hilarious.... No really, it is- Because the bad guys win, again! Yay for evil!!!
...I love America
By , at
4:36 AM
So because a man owns a company that produces electronic voting machines means he has no right to an opinion or political bent? That's ridiculous. That's like saying Dan rather shouldn't be a news anchor because he's a strong liberal and would tend to scew the news towards one side. (Oh, wait...) In any case, just because this guys runs the company doesn't mean he'll be so morally devoid as to instruct engineers to make over 50% of th votes say Bush regardless of who inputs them. It really is grasping at straws, a vain attempt to hang on to a losing battle. Kerry put up a good fight, but he should do the honorable thing and concede victory (something Gerald Ford did for Carter when he was behind in Ohio by only 9,000 votes, not 140,000).
By , at
4:37 AM
Shit, I think hell just froze over.
By , at
4:53 AM
It's like a horrible nightmare, frightening and sickening at the same time. It's like a car wreck, bloody, twisted and terrifying but you can't look away.
Well, America had best prepare for four more years of the same hypocrisy, and remember, it's not that Bush is a liar or a fraud, its that he believes that everything he's done has been the right choice. As the crusades demonstrated back in medevil times, beliefs can be a very dangerous thing. Kerry on the other hand had some good ideas and was willing to change or abandon them or even to accept new ones as the people dictated. He would have been a president who listened to the people as a whole before spending an obscene amount of money or going to war. The people should dictate their own future, and nearly half a billion lives is far too great a responsibility to give to a man who does not even care what they think just as long as they voted him in. I may live outside the states, but many others like me shudder to think of just how badly this current administration will continue to bungle their responsibilities. Here's to Clinton Clinton '08, HILARY Clinton for prez, Bill Clinton for vice prez.
By , at
5:02 AM
I live in Canada, so I'm used to being left out in the cold on election day. My advice? Grab your shovels, and I don't think that what you're going to be buried under will be white...
By , at
5:09 AM
The republicans are trying to stop the counting of the votes now that they have the momentum and since the electoral votes are all hinging on Ohio, which is too close to call and will probably take weeks to count, recount and recount again. What are they afraid of? If they're so certain of their candidate's victory, why would they be in a hurry to stop the process that's elected him? They did that last time and it resulted in chaos. I hope Kerry does not concede and sees this through to the end like he should. Every vote should matter, even those who voted for Nader, because the people have a right to choose and each of them deserve to be counted.
By , at
5:30 AM
(With apologies to John Williams)
DUN DUN DUN, dun DAH dun, dun DAH dun! DUN DUN DUN, dun DAH dun, dun DAH dun!
Any moment now, Bush is going to announce the creation of a grand clone army of the republic.
By , at
5:39 AM
Don't be an idiot. It was -not- the republicans whom stopped counting the votes. The major news organizations called Ohio for Bush at around 3AM and, realizing that calling New Mexico or Iowa or any number of other states would give him the election by default, decided to defer to Kerry's calling the race off, instead of calling it for Bush when Ohio was still being discussed. It was a courtesy to Kerry and to the democratic party - not a slap in the face. It makes me sick to see so many uninformed tunnel-vission'd people like this calling Bush a hypocrit whom then turn around and become hypocritical themselves. Perhaps if you live outside of the United States and can't keep quite as up to date, I can understand, but for those of you throwing a little self-indulgant pity party here, I have just three words for you: "FOUR MORE YEARS."
...and for the record, I'd like to declare myself Libertarian - though one who voted Bush as the lesser of two evils between him and Kerry.
By , at
5:39 AM
Oh god, Hillary for President? *shudder* I'd rather the hobo down the street. At least he's honest about taking your money with his little cardboard sign...
By , at
6:11 AM
Sadly, the majority of my friends who voted for Mr. Bush did not vote on the basis of any real logical platform. When asked why he should remain president they kept bringing up things that had nothing to do with either candidate. Really, Pledge of Allegiance my foot!
And these people voted for George Bush simply because they think he is a Christian. Being a Christian myself, although it's not fashionable (and I am sure will be mocked), I can't see supporting someone who lies, who is selfish/self serving to the extreme that he put my country in a terrible debt, who went off on a tangent to a war strictly to bring his popularity up, refuses to learn from mistakes, and who is judgemental to the point that he mocks other cultures. Liberty Fries indeed!
By , at
6:18 AM
Hey, you unlearning fuck sticks, who read this pile of shit comic.
I use the read this comic, I mean why not? decent art, hot chicks, funny support characters, thats 90% of what a good comic needs!
But the other 10% counts more than all the rest...FUNNY NEW JOKES NOT THE SAME OLD SHIT AGAIN AND AGAIN!
Pity, the only pleasure I reap from this comic now is browsing the fourms and watching you liberal pussys get your asses handed back to you on a silver plater with some heniz ketchup.
Oh, and if you did not vote, because your to fucking lazy or you though your voice would not make a difference. Then you do not need to be crying like a butt fucked baby!
By , at
6:44 AM
You americans are bloody idiots, you've just justified everything Bush has done to the rest of the world. Forget your problems at home, you won't be able to travel without getting spit on. You think you had it bad before? FORGET IT, it'll be a million times worse. Not only do most people think you're greedy, ignorant and war hungry, now they'll KNOW it. You can't hide behind the electing "malfuction" of 2000 anymore. Fucking morons.
By , at
6:53 AM
My, what an educated voice you speak with.
By , at
6:56 AM
As a Canadian, I'm very disappointed in this years election, as well as the one in 2000. I figured you guys would have learned from your mistakes. As I explained to my little sister, "Canada wants Kerry because they're our neighbours. Kerry's going to be the kind of neighbour you half enjoy talking to, who keeps to himself and doesn't embarress you. Bush is the kind of neighbour *and yes, that's how Canadians spell it* that leaves junk all over his lawn, constantly makes you blush just because you're next to him and shows his gun to the kids just so he knows he's boss." I'm very sad that I have to live next to Bush for 4 more years, and I can only hope we distance ourselves as much from American politically as possible.
By , at
7:05 AM
This bashing is pretty tasteless. I was merely going to comment that you let your personal opinion influence today's comic WAY too much (I don't mind if you make fun of one candidate or another but there isn't even a god damn joke in this comic, it isn't even funny...it's just sad).
But reading these blogs is worse. No matter who you supported, Bush or Kerry, bashing one of these candidates or the party that follows them is way out of line. Despite their major screw ups, and despite the fact that the majority of the world shares the opinion that neither of these candidates are optimal, they do deserve a little more respect than this.
The world is not going to end just because your preferred candidate lost the election. The country is not going to be destroyed, the bowels of Hell are not going to rise up to claim the Americans, etc. etc., and Americans are not idiots for casting their votes even if it wasn't for the person you wanted. Yes, I believe some people cast their vote for BOTH candidates while being uninformed, but a great deal more cast their votes being well aware of what was going on. There was a lot of close attention being paid during this entire campaign. Now, when the votes are FINALLY finished being counted and a new president declared, I implore both sides to be mature and respectful of those who hold different opinions from you, and be graceful in accepting the results. That goes for the winners as well as the losers.
You don't have to agree with the system, but disrespecting it as well as your fellow man will only make things worse.
--Kay
By , at
7:23 AM
Im trying to get this posted on evry site i can so if you agree pass it on
If you didn't vote or voted for bush THE NEXT 4 YEARS ARE YOUR FAULT
If you agree pass, it on if you don't...TOUGH
By , at
7:42 AM
It's amazing that most of these posts seem to have come exclusively from foul mouthed 12-year-olds.
Kerry lost. The classy thing to do would be to just concede, but no, he has to drag us through the quagmire in Ohio. It just shows how little respect he has for the American people.
By , at
7:48 AM
...yep, hell just now officialy froze over. I thought there were more people who actually wanted to bring our troops home. But now the meaningless bloodshed will continue...this is getting sad.
By , at
7:49 AM
How diluted are you? Kerry would not have brought anyone home! He has said so on live TV! Maybe you ignorant screamers should try, I dunno, getting a fact or two straight before shooting your mouths off!
By , at
7:52 AM
I recomend that those of us who voted for kerry where blue armbands/scarves/whatever to signifi this fat if traveling abroad
ether that or learn to speak with a canadian accent
By , at
7:53 AM
well at least kerry would have a plan. if not, america sucks...
By , at
7:56 AM
I'm a Canadian living in North Carolina (a VERY "red" state). As far as Bush goes, you know my BIGGEST beef with him? Every president we've had has made Canada his first trip. why? because 1/3 of the US trading revenue is with Canada...that and the whole "Canada is good people" thing. What did Bush do for HIS first out-of-counrty trip? he went to MEXICO. Real classy there, Bush.
Living in such a republican state, democrats get a lot of shit. But the point has been alluded to earlier - the US can't hide behind a faulty election on this one. Anything good OR bad dubbya does now (if offically elected) reflects on the nation. It was handled well, it was on your plate. Now it's on your hands.
And yeah, I tried to vote this year. My citizenship (dual, not just American) came four days too late to register. On the other hand, if you didn't vote and do everything you could to help this election along, you've lost the right to bitch about it. And if you voted for Nader but hate Bush, you're an idiot. I don't care if you think the system needs revision, do that a year when it's not THIS close and THIS divided in America.
By , at
7:59 AM
While I myself voted for Kerry, I'll be willing to accept a Bush victory.
Here's the thing - I don't have to like or even respect the man in charge to continue to love and hope for my country. I've dealt with the being spat on abroad thing - I spent a summer in London in 2003, right when the whole Iraq flap was really blowing up - so I know what it's like to be hated just for being American.
That's not Bush's fault.
We've been doing this to ourselves over a number of years - GW just happens to be the personification of what the rest of the world perceives as our worst qualities.
The nation is not doomed simply because we have a moron in the lead for the next four years - remember that he still has to deal with Congress and the Senate - and despite a GOP majority in the Congress, the plain fact is that they are not going to let that man destroy this country.
So the rest of the world thinks we're all idiots - let them be the ones guilty of stereotyping. If they only care to look to the President for the definition of what an American really is, then they are every bit as guilty of ignorance and arrogance as they accuse us of being.
I think, however, that you will find that by and large, most Europeans are at least willing to ask you what you think before they kick you to the curb. I made a lot of friends in London simply because I was able to discuss my feelings on Bush without resorting to ranting, raving, and screaming.
Perhaps some of you would benefit from doing the same.
Acceptance of the results of an election does not equate with acceptance of the status quo. It merely means that you are recognizing the end result of a democratic process - and last time I checked, that's kind of how the country was run. Getting angry about this isn't going to change what's happened - and leaving the country won't do anyone any good either. As a matter of fact, anyone claiming they're moving to Canada or Mexico - congratulations on handing Bush even more power. You're part of the problem, not the solution - if all of his detractors up and leave, that will do nothing more than reinforce his vision that he is always correct.
Let's just watch, people - history will judge - and in the meantime, we still have the power to change things. After all, the only voice that has no effect is the one that refuses to speak out.
Kerry has officially conceded. He is expected to give his speech soon. All hail the emperor. Where's our Jedi Knights at?????!
By , at
8:17 AM
idk if ne of u guys read this comic but heres exactly how i feel about u guys
http://www.punksandnerds.com/d/0017.html
By , at
8:41 AM
Heinz Ketchup.
By , at
8:41 AM
What? Who said something about no bowels of hell opening? I ALREADY HAD MY SHOTGUN LOADED, DAMMIT!
By , at
8:59 AM
Bleh. I'm Canadian, and I'm glad Bush won out over Kerry.
/shrug
Guess not all of us foreigners think badly of the United States or its President either. Go figure.
By , at
9:21 AM
Democracy: The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
Plutocracy: A wealthy class that controls a government.
which do think you have endorced, bush voters?
By , at
9:25 AM
Bleh, not signing up to post.
_____________________________
I hope people are proud of themselves.
I had been clinging to the thought that humanity still had good in it.
But as a nation, we've elected a president who has shown that he is overly eager to enter wars.
A president who's main powerbase has always been to use fear generated by the presence of terrorists that have always existed, but became focused on assulting us when he was elected.
Hello everyone. Thanks to everyone who voted for 4 more years of war. 4 more years of debt. 4 more years of ignoring human rights.
Even if we get out of Iraq, we have a string of wars ready to fight, and Bush's constant terrorist threat to keep us scared and fighting.
Our nation's deficit is easy enough to see.
It is just infuriating to know people were stupid enough to want to continue the state of insanity we've been living in.
Guess I need to prepare for 4 more years of it.
Maybe we'll still have elections then.
Nico
By , at
9:48 AM
...um...yea, what he said!
By , at
9:53 AM
Well, I suppose he had to win once if he was planning on sitting in the White House for eight years.
I feel weird. Like that, "I'm not angry, I'm just dissappointed," sort of way. I'm dissappointed in you, America. So very dissappointed.
On the up side; No sign of winning iraq and anohter 300 American soldiers dead, their families knowing that they fought valantly for the protection of America from poverty-stricken peasents half a world away. Thank you George W. for making the world a safer place now that there are that many fewer poor people.
By , at
9:57 AM
maybe bush well now lower the draft age limit to 16. wouldn't be a surprise.
By , at
10:05 AM
Set the draft age to 16? Wouldnt there have to be a draft? The Army has convinced the DoD to up the amount of people they can recruit, which is how they get people to come in without force, so there wont be a draft while Bush is in office.
By , at
10:32 AM
I voted for Kerry, volunteered for the Democratic party... and worked my little ass off for a Kerry win. But he didn't. And I accept that. It was a fair race, and Bushie came out on top. While I may not agree with the reasons a lot of people voted for Bush... that was their right to do so. So I must respect it. But still. DAMN.
- J Albuquerque, NM
By , at
10:38 AM
C.Tucker: I think what the rest of the world has to realize is that people that voted against Bush are the people that felt the brunt of the Bush bullshit these past 4 years. New York, PA, NJ, DC, Cali, and the Mich all wanted Kerry. Grant it everybody felt the pain of 9/11, but those of us close to NY, PA and DC saw that horror first hand. The trip to NY that following day was not a plesant one for most of us who had family in the towers wondering if they were alive... And to come to realize that Bush and his crew took this whole thing lightly and made a light hearted attempt to handle the ordeal, this really hits hard, But you people down in the Ol'"BIBLE BELT" woudn't know about that. Bombs aren't gonna go off in Idaho, or Kentucky! Sure there was Antrax in Jersey, but not in North Dakota... I dont think you realize how serious this is... yeah you send your loved ones off to war, tie a ribbon round the oak tree and watch your CNN and nascar, but you don't see the real horror first hand like we did. God forbid you do, but I fear the worst.
yi-shu-jia-215@excite.
By , at
10:40 AM
Alright, first off. This is THE greatest nation on Earth. No ifs, ands or buts. Yeah, Canada's nice and all, sure France is pretty but in the long run America remains the home of freedom. Now, to all you shmuck, liberals complaining about how the election turned out. First I will stress the word election. Since Bush won that indicates that the majority of America wanted Bush back in office. You can spout conspiracy theories and complain about the rich till you're blue in the face, fact is, he got more votes, he won more states. Next, I'm going to point out that you are NOT smarter than everyone else. I am sure you're instantly dismissing what I just said because there might be a spelling error somewhere, but believe me. You're not smarter than me or many of the millions of other people who voted for Bush or just Republican in general. You just have a different opinion and just because you hold it doesn't mean that it should be accepted gladly by the masses. Now, perhaps instead of playing the sore losers for the next four years and dragging your feet you could do something constructive with your time like perhaps working together.
By , at
10:45 AM
I agree with Riovanes, to some extent. that's one smart cookie.
I'm Canadian, and yes i'm committed to democracy, but i still can't help thinking that something went wrong. we were so sure that kerry was the right man for the job, intelligent, cautious, and pragmatic.
but it appears that he couldn't capture the vote. is it republican meddling? media brainwashing? were we just too angry at bush to realize why ppl wanted to vote for him?
i know i don't want to go to the US, but now i'm considering leaving Canada, because it's just too close. maybe there's still a few good socialist dictators somewhere in the EU.
oh, and regarding a comment about left-leaning US citizens wearing blue armbands when travelling abroad... i actually think that's a good idea, in light of the really bad reputation bush has in canada, europe, the middle east, et cetera. yes, we may be shallow by judging an american by their president, but that's what we're doing.
anyway, i hope you ppl can make the best of the next 4 years. in any case, Canada is always willing to accept our expatriates back. heh.
By , at
10:49 AM
Great nation... but for how long?
C.Tucker
By , at
10:50 AM
Quilly: As a first time voter i think its an understatement to say that I am dissapointed with the way this election went. Watching last night it was crazy to see how all of the major cities voted for Kerry. Its really a shame that it turned out this way and i believe we have a rough four years ahead...
Alot of first time voters will be discouraged to vote the next election but not me. Its my reponsibility and duty to voice my opinion... even if it wont make as big a impact as i previously thought.
By , at
10:52 AM
Hey, just being in Idaho doesn't mean one has no idea of what's going on in the world. I retired here, after a stint workin counter-terrorism in the Army. Bush's policies are bankrupt. I fought hard for Kerry in a place where guys with democratic campaign stickers get their tires slashed and windows smashed; knowing full well we'd never carry the state but believing that we had to make our voice heard. Ultimately, America by and large took a very baffling step in selecting it's leaders. And while I may spend the next four years trying to figure out why so many people seem to act without reason, to love a Democracy is too help push it into a bed of fire if that's where it intends to go.
By , at
11:03 AM
Even if K had managed to scrape Ohio, he still would have been 3 million down on the popular vote. Don't demonize Diebold for what the American people have chosen.
By , at
11:03 AM
yeah its awfully hard to blame this one totally on cheating, many people actually wanted this guy back in office.
By , at
11:05 AM
Bush won the popular vote this time. It makes me wonder what that majority experienced during the last four years. Clearly not what I experienced.
By , at
11:21 AM
I just have to ask you guys/gals who claim USA is the home of freedom...
Exactly WHAT are those freedoms that USA has that the Sweden, Canada or UK or Germany or France hasn't?
I mean, it's illegal to murder people in the USA. Can't steal. Don't do drugs.
Freedom of speech and religion? Check. We've got 'em.
Freedom of assembly? No problem there.
Start businesses? Totally legal both in USA and in Europe.
Molest children? Illegal in USA and Canada and Sweden and so on...
Drive your car without a licence? Illegal in USA too.
So WHAT, WHAT, WHAT are your freedoms that make you so specially free?
From a superficial point of view Holland seems WAY freer than USA...
/Karlsson the Swede
By , at
11:25 AM
Bush won... it's not the end of the world. I still love America for one, but that might be because I'm not an eejit who equates politics with people.
-Toteone
Just remember, please - Just because Bush won, doesn't mean that every American voted for him. Half the country can still be considered intelligent.
By , at
11:58 AM
At this point, complaining isn't going to be getting us anywhere. Bush won, somehow, and that's that. What we should be doing is figuring out how to work with what we have. It's better than sitting around a bitching about how we believe it was an unfair fight, or that people who don't think like we do are idiots.
And those in the international community who are equating a world leader to an entire people whom he governs are being idiots. WE'RE at fault because THEY don't know any better to not generalize?
Sure, the events didn't turn out as I personally would have liked to see them. But at this point, just deal with it. Reorganize, restructure, and work on making a difference.
The partisan gap shall swallow us all.
By , at
12:04 PM
Let me get this straight. Because someone voted in a manner that you do not agree with, the only possible reason is because they are less intelligent than you?
What happened to tolerance? What happened to love? The point of voting is to have America as well represented as possible by the President. He won the election, fair and square. America was just fine for four years. In fact, the economy pulled out of the shortest economic slump, ever, and the slump can't even be blamed by Bush. He was unfortunate enough to be President during 9/11.
- the above abbreviated amounts to this, in short handed vulgarity ---
Shut up. He won, Kerry lost, don't be a whiny little bitch about it. Unless you are girls. If you are girls, then I retract the bitch statement in respect for my genitalia and their continued existence. If you are a woman, then you are some other insult that I don't have time to think of at this moment.
By , at
12:07 PM
Bush won. Must deal with it, and crying foul will do nothing at all in this situation. LEARN TO ADAPT.
Also, assuming that everyone who voted for Bush is an idiot is rather arrogant...just because people have different political and moral beliefs from your own does not mean that they are automatically stupid...also, how much does the president himself affect each individual citizen...if you have a problem with the way the country is run, do not place the blame solely on the president, place it on the entire governmental system, and the rat politicians that infest it...stop focusing on one election as if it is a do or die situation, and try to identify other problems that need to be solved...
By , at
12:17 PM
One good thing has come of this election, no matter how badly Bush and his regime fuck this country up in the nest four years. Provided we are still allowed to vote by then, the amount of eligible voters voting will continue to go up. With how close this election and the one before it were, even with the confusion, they demonstrate that EVERY person's vote does indeed count, for better or for worse.
By , at
12:17 PM
Karlsson .. you want to molest children? And murder people and the such?
I dunno. I don't believe we have real freedom. Cause I notice my blog has been getting traffic from the Military since I've said something about taking over the world with a robot army. :-
But telling people not to get mad because we have Bush(a racist as well might I add) is really a shame. Cause I thought I had the right to protest. And I damn sure don't want that ...... in office.
By , at
12:17 PM
Maybe the answer to all of our problems would be to remove our country from the stagnant two party system. Both parties are owned by the same people, so what's the difference if Bush got in instead of Kerry...they will only be looking out for their benefactors anyways....
By , at
12:21 PM
The really bad thing about this election is that now the Democrat front runner for 2008 is probably that malignant bitch Hillary Clinton.
I'm an active Republican, and I'm actually a professional political consultant in California. I saw this election as a contest between two really bad choices, and no real solution to the problems that actually face the nation. Add to that the incredible levels of bigotry throughout the nation, and it does cause you to wonder why the founding fathers ever thought that giving people the right to vote was a good idea...
For God sakes, Alabama just voted AGAINST removing segregation from their state constitution...
Neither party is working to solve the problems, and the third party choices aren't even worth the effort it would take to laugh at them.
What I wouldn't give for a Ronald Reagan again... This country needs something to believe in for a change, instead of simply voting for something to hate. The Gipper's death this year was more than just the death of one great man, it appears to have been the death of a dream.
- Doug
--------------------
By , at
12:34 PM
I feel increddibly sad, all of those who keep saying stuff along the lines of "don't call someone ignorant for having a different opinion" need to open up their eyes, and ears. I'm sorry but I am so disgusted with the majority of you all right now I barely know where to begin. In fact, I'm not even going to start. I just have one wonderful thing to be thank-ful about right now and that is that my home has been continuously overlooked by Mr. "W", I hope he continues to pretend we don't exist and heaven and hell knows that we will all do our best to ignore him. I will NEVER tell someone I'm American again and be proud of it. I hope Hawaii gets sovereignty soon. Until then Kerry is MY President.
By , at
12:44 PM
It actually is somewhat fair to say "they are all stupid" though "They are less-educated and ill-informed" would be a better choice of words. Kerry won increasingly large majorities the higher up the education ladder you go, and the majority of Bush supporters STILL think that Sadaam and Osama are buds and "experts believe there are WMDs in Iraq."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2026&ncid=2026&e=7&u=/latimests/20041103/ts_latimes/thenationalfissureremainsdeepandwide
You can pretty much blame this election's outcome on Fox News.
By , at
12:44 PM
Wasn't 2000's elections outcome mistakes Fox New's fault too?
They seem to think they can make their own news, rather then report on things that are ACTUALLY happening.
By , at
12:48 PM
Day 1 reader, first time poster.
I just wanted to voice my two cents here. Over the course of the life of this comic.. the forums and the blogs here have been downright cruel at times towards people who don't share the same views, Dem or Rep. Today, I read the blog.. and I see people who are normally violently partisan and downright rude at times being extreamly civil, almost kind, to the people who lost, (or won). yes.. people still voice their opinions, but i'm not seeing the same blantant attacks on others. I'm actually proud of you all for putting it all aside, since its over.
I know for myself, I was disapointed with the result, but the most important thing was NEVER me getting what I wanted (though, it would have been nice). The important thing in this election was that what the people wanted happened. In 2000, that did NOT happen. Regardless of my own personal views, what the people wanted DID occour this time, and for THAT I'm glad.
By , at
12:50 PM
How many of you actually realize that the world has not ended this morning? Bush won. Yippee. Those of you who supported Bush, please go have your party and enjoy yourselves. Those who didn't, let's go drink ourselves stupid and mourn.
Done now? Good.
America doesn't have to die. Those of you who voted for Bush did so for various reasons. Keep your eye on him! Make sure he does what you wanted him to do! You want him to run the war well? Make sure he does? Make sure he doesn't mess it up and tell him when he does. "Mr. President, I voted for you because I thought that you could bring peace, democracy and freedom to those less fortunate in the world. I thought you could do it without crippling the American economy and I thought you could do it with dignity and with the acceptance of our allies. Please, don't fail me."
And the rest of us can stand in the background waving our "Bush is stupid" signs and chanting, "Go ahead, Bush. Prove us wrong. We dare you."
And maybe we will be proven wrong. Hell, we have to hope so.
By , at
12:59 PM
Yeah, to all the non-Americans making broad generalizations and bashing our country: JUST BECAUSE BUSH WON DOESN'T MEAN EVERY AMERICAN SUPPORTS HIM OR AGREES WITH HIM. ALMOST HALF OF US WANTED THE OTHER GUY. Please stop being rude and condescending and stereotyping us. It's insulting.
By , at
1:42 PM
It's statisticly proven that the "intelligent" are a minority on any bell curve of IQ. So It's no suprise that Bush won at all. Religion is a cage.. you don't have free thinking when it's written out in a book exactly how the world is. Think for yourself instead of picking a reliogous zealot because you think he's some holy saint that's going to lead us to a moral heaven.
By , at
1:52 PM
Intelligence, unlike most people like to believe, is strictly graphed as a national average on a bell-curve. It's hard to say that "all people who supported Bush were stupid" or "all people who supported Kerry were smart" that's just a matter of subjective opinion. There are educated and intelligent people on both sides, but for some reason or another have different ideologies about how the country should be run both ideologically and economically.
However, while the educated (college and above) voted for Kerry, those in higher brackets of financial success voted Bush. While not surprising that higher income groups voted republican (as people in higher income brackets tend to benefit during periods of Republican control), it's hard to believe that people who are wealthy or hold high-paying positions requiring education and skilled labor to be successful would be retarded, no matter how much you hate unequal distribution of wealth.
So, if you're going to attack someone, use reasonable thinking, rather than using random angry generalizations to guide your arguments. You might end up resembling the ones you hate so much.
By , at
2:01 PM
Ugh. I feel sick.
I hate to say it, but I think I've just lost my faith in America. Really, I have. What happened to all this Anti-Bush sentiment? The organizations rallying the Kerry vote? Is our country made up of morons?
I don't mean to say every Republican is an idiot. Two of my closest friends and the most intelligent people I know are Republican. Of course, it should also be mentioned thet each is a fundamentalist Christian. One is majoring in religion, the other wears T-shirts proclaiming Jesus. And they both used it as a deciding factors.
I've seen far too many idiots on the Bush side. Seriously, people who look at only a single issue for their decision. My own parents believe half the lies told about Kerry and support Bush for no other reason than he's Republican. They even believe his "Bushisms" are done on PURPOSE to lighten the mood.
I always believed that they were a minority in our country. That people were seeing what a horrible job Bush did. It's not about Republican or Democrat, it's about who can do the best damn job.
It ends up that the majority of the country are idiots.
It wouldn't bother me so much if I thought that every vote was an informed decision, made by somebody who knows all the angles. If you're a Republican who is well-informed and voted Bush, well, good for you. It's the idiots who voted solely on a single issue; the people that let biased media or ad campaigns influence them; people who let religion cloud their vision; it's those people who I speak out against.
I've lost faith in you, America.
As for me, I'm currently researching colleges outside of the US. I don't want to be here when our country goes down the gutters in the next four years. I hope they won't spit on me, wherever I go.
Maybe I'll be back later.
By , at
2:29 PM
The higher bracket income are a minority as well... I was attacking the religious/nascar/gun rack people that make the majority of rural areas. Most barely have a high school education, let alone understand political policies. They're very easily influenced and stubborn. That is the majority of america. What great qualities... you agree? Why would the mega cities like chicago and new york and Washington DC itself vote Kerry? Because more 'enlightened' people live there.
By , at
2:33 PM
Something fun for everyone that thinks all Republicans are idiots: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
Feel free to look at the vote by education. People with high school education, some college education, or college degrees voted more for Bush than Kerry. Only the select few - those without high school education and those with postgrad study - voted more for Kerry than Bush.
By , at
2:37 PM
Bush went to Yale AND Harvard.
He must be the smartest man on Earth.
By , at
2:40 PM
Bible Belt-er here. New York person? Yeah, trust me, we fully understood the pain of 9/11 as well, and I personally don't appreciate that stereotype at all. While further from myself might be "safe" from bombings, Tennessee houses two major military and scientific bases, and is too damn close to D.C. for comfort.
In any case...
I'm glad Bush won legitimately, or at least from what we can tell so far. There doesn't seem to be any amass of foul play, and I hope to god it remains so. Not that I would object by any means to Bush being outed, but I'd rather like it to NOT cause a mass wave of voting cynicism.
Let me lay down something that I think a lot of people on both sides need to hear:
America will not die a fiery, nuclear death. It will not become a giant dictatorship "American Empire". It might get close, but the public outcry at the breaking point would be so great that it would be impossible to completely seize power.
Before World War I, the British Empire was top dog. Then they entered the war, exhausted their military and economy, and the United States, an isolationist state to that point, built up its own military and steeled its economy for war. German boats attacked, Zimmerman note shit, we invaded, and it was over in months. America ascended to superpower-status, and the tides of the world shifted.
And now it's happening again. Has been for decades. The balance of power will always shift to someone else after long enough. Our military will be exhausted, our economy will plunge too far, and someone like India or China will take charge of the Middle East, leaving America to heal. Nothing dramatic. Just societal climate change.
We'll become a part of the rest of the world.
And there you have it.
By Kinneas - Your Friendly Reality Check, at
3:03 PM
To whomever it was that replied to my question about freedoms.
No, I do not want to do these things, but I used them as rather extreme examples to illustrate the fact that I CAN NOT see why USA is freer than, say Denmark or Austria or suchlike. Or sweden for that matter.
All the freedoms you have, we have as well. In some cases you had them before us and in other cases we had some freedoms before you did.
The point is, of this rather roundabout rant, that USA is ONE of the homes of the comparatively free.
Not The Home of the free. (But admittedly the land of the occasionally brave and the land of lots of cool stuff, good clean fun and generally nice people.)
By , at
3:05 PM
Without bin Laden, their is no way on earth that a president could bring the USA to it's current state and be reelected. Terrorism works. Fear works. Expect more of both, and a country that works a lot more like Saudi Arabia.
By , at
3:18 PM
To the guy with the question about our freedoms?
We have the freedom to vote for Bush. That's our choice.
I suggest that the rest of the world quit being so damned focused on America. We are trying not to be this arrogant superpower, but all you guys do is look at us and bitch. I never see a post that says, I'm live in London and hate Halo 2.
It's our country, and we just exercised our freedom. If you feel like we matter to you, but you don't matter to us, make your country better. We'll take notice.
You guys seem to think everything bad in the world is our/Bush's fault. Why not bitch at China for a while and see what that gets you?
By , at
3:43 PM
Ralph Waldo Emerson "The Conservative"
"Conservatism makes no poetry, breathes no prayer, has no invention; it is all memory.Reform has no gratitude, no prudence, no husbandry."
Personally, I feel that the lack of centeralization in the president and the United States as a whole is a problem. I am sure many liberals and conservatives would disagree with me but I felt that even though the election was done fairly it seemed to make me feel bad about both partys. I feel that god has been invited into politics too much and it is becoming a matter of faith to vote for your canidate, this is wrong because leaders by their nature are corrupt (or else communism would have worked in russia). I also feel that the lawyers have taken over politics as well. Anytime there is a victor, someone doesn't agree and lawsuits fly. Oh well.
Okay...
I've just spent way too much time going through these posts, and I read some I agreed with and some I hated, but that's not why I'm commenting...it just strikes me, that no matter WHO has won this election, if people can't get along at all without going to these kinds of extremes even on an online forum, then what hope is there that political parties, foreign policies, or presidents/royalty/dictators/whatever can keep things neutral? Whatever happened to the idea of a supportive opposition?
Americans. Chill. The election is over, and, frankly, seemed to me to be too close to call, either way. I respect anyone who voted, simply *because* they went out there and had their say, no matter who they voted for.
Non-Americans. Chill. I'm not surprised by some of the messages of hate and contempt I've seen here, but I had hoped there would be more of the support that our country clearly needs instead of the kind of detached hatred that seems to be the norm.
I realize we make mistakes, and I wish the election hadn't turned out the way it had, but INSULTING people never made anything better--it only makes you look childish.
*shrugs* I'll probably get flamed for this, and get called a meddler or worse, and have people tell me I don't know everything and should keep my nose out of their business. But this is *every* one's business, and it's not going to get any better if we sit around yelling at each other here.
My two cents.
Laura
By , at
5:15 PM
I followed the link posted, to the webcomic Punks and Nerds, and read the archive (a very new submission to the growing genre, this only took about 8 minutes). I liked the comic alot, and I think it's going to be one of my favorites. But the strip in question, the election one...well, maybe I just don't like to be told to shut up. Politics, to my knowledge, is very verbal, and unique in that's one of the few activities in the world in which bitching and moaning can actually get quite a bit done.
So hey, its only one day after the election. Now is the best time to get the moaning, wailing, gnashing of teeth, etc done. It's healthy, I think. Once those of us who have spent the day in a depressed drunken stupor sober up, whenever that maybe be, I found what I consider a very well written and well intentioned article online which I think presents a great plan to begin again with. Perked me right up. http://slate.msn.com/id/2109128/fr/ifr/
And remember to write your Congressman(Congressperson?), today thru the foreseeable future! Nearly as influental as voting, or so I'm told. I'll be doing it, hoping to get an assault weapons ban reinstated despite the Republican majority. Those things f*ckin' terrify me.
By , at
6:22 PM
Hey, if it makes a difference, I heard about this letter on the news awhile ago. I found it ... not particularly suprising ... that they weren't switching out of the E-Voting system afterwards, but yeah.
What I do find odd, though, is why not pledge a place like ... say ... California? I mean, Ohio, PSH, nothing. Five Electorals!? OMG, WE'RE TOTALLY GONNA WIN.
Yeah, politicians and their monkey boys are stupid.
By , at
7:20 PM
I bet a lot of you complained about the fact that Bush didn`t win the Popular vote 4 years ago... well, now he won the popular vote by 4 million votes.
As to the strip... The first few panels looked okay, but why does Fairbanks look like he was run through MSPaint in the following panels?
By , at
7:29 PM
You know what this all bull. Pure and simple blame clinton the economy of Clinton was a direct result of Regan and Bush sr. Not Clinton all he did was listen to Greenspan. Guess who appointed Greenspan anyone anyone? It was Bush sr. Now that our in the mess we are in is not only Bush but Clinton as well. All of you out there who go out and watch movies like Fahrenheit 9/11 believe that Bush set this all up. Well you know what he didnt. We are fighting people that hate us. The "9/11" commission lay the blame to both administrations Bush and Clinton. Bush is just trying to protect us. He fought a war against Iraq to get the WMD's and yes we havent found them. But if you pay attention to the news you would see that guess what the UN weapons inspectors (that has nothing to do with Bush mind you.) found an entire warehouse the held WMD's and they are now gone. BUT i guess all of you missed that huh. And to say that he is fighting a war just to get oil. HMMMM i dont see my gas prices going down do you? I guess that means we do not have the oil the majority claim Bush went in to get. And do you know what the majority of voters voted for Bush your "slick" Willie never recieved the majorty neither did Bush sr. In fact no president has recieved the majority (and when i mean majority i mean over 51%) not even Reagan recived that. So quit your belly aching and you know what honestly if you dont like it here leave no one is holding you here so just go.
By , at
7:39 PM
Ohio has a lot more than five electoral votes...
Anyway, just to say, I believe in the saying, "I may not agree with what you have say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
I believe in that saying, always have, always will. However, some of you people really put that belief to the test. Before you post, calm down and breath, think, and if you're still upset, wait a day. Better to remain silent than make yourselves look like fools by spouting off all of this nonsense.
By , at
7:40 PM
Hmmm...the Diebold guy said that, huh?
Except, you know, Ohio still uses PUNCH CARD VOTING.
Meaning Diebold had no economic stake in Ohio's elections.
By , at
7:48 PM
Shh! Careful, don`t upset their prejudices... :P
By , at
7:59 PM
While I do appreciate the minority feeling many of you have (I am a Republican in Western Washington, a VERY liberal area), I must say that you need to realize that Bush is our President. If you don't like it, ask yourself what you've done to change things. Sure, you may've voted, but when was the last time you petitioned for the change you want? When did you stop whining for long enough to write a coherent letter to your senator?
As for the right to voice your opinion, I will not try to deny you that. I tell people why I back Bush, and I told them why I was not behind Kerry. I don't mind if you want to yell incoherently, even. But if you really hate this country, you also have the freedom to leave. If I did not believe in this country, I would likely exercise that freedom.
Maybe in four years, the candidates will run on their own merits, rather than what's wrong with the other--that is the main thing I would like to see. Until then, it would be good to practice that kind of courtesy in all political discourse. Maybe we'll see better candidates that way.
By , at
8:55 PM
You know, it strikes me that most supposedly "open-minded" people are pretty much only open-minded about their own beliefs. I, personally, am proud to be a close-minded jackass. I'm closeminded towards racism, reality TV, blindly following ANYTHING, and many other things. I'm also Republican and voted for *gasp* Bush. I think both of them were worthy candidates, I just preferred Bush. This entire campaign only proves that you can't win something as big as a presidential election by relying solely on your opponent's mistakes. Thats called mudslinging, and its generally regarded as bad.
As for the uneducated/rich-bitch stereotype associated with Republicans, I scored a 1400 on my SATs and a 5 on the AP Calculus exam. Do any of you obviously intelligent (due, of course, to your mindless liberal bias) people know what an AP exam is? I'm currently a Freshman at the University of Washington planning on majoring in Neurology. My main disadvantage is due to inadequate funding, but through hard work (holy crap, did I just say the W-word?!) I think I can get through that. The main problem will be the ever-rising inflation caused by a constantly increasing minimum wage enacted by the Democrats of my state.
Put aside all your annoying biases. Bush won the election because more people wanted him to win than didn't. The End. Kerry even conceded honorably, but you people are going to try and drag an otherwise good man down into your depths.
As for all you people that want to leave the country, go for it. I'm sure there are plenty of hard-working, decent people that would love to have your share of it.
By , at
9:31 PM
Let's not rat on and on at each other about "liberal" or "conservative" biases, especially when very few of us actually know the actual meanings of the words, shall we? In all honestly, by technicality, George Bush is economically and socially more liberal (non-isolationist, government expansion, more regulations on society) than he is conservative by veto record alone.
Now, to the Clinton-hater: I don't claim to be a giant Clintonite, but let me assure you that from an economic standpoint, Clinton didn't do a thing wrong. Sure, the Internet boom helped significantly, but understand that during presidencies throughout our histories such anomalies happen consistently. I think far too many people view the presidency as different people reigning over the same country, when really we are all in a constant state of shift and the sole responsibility of the president is to adapt.
So quit your bitching about Clinton, especially if you wish others to quit bitching about Bush. Both are equally disrespectful.
You know, I think the problem people have with George Bush is that he is not a president of America, he is a president of his party. From an unbiased standpoint, Bush seems to particularly not care about the issues anywhere outside his immediate constituency.
Now, of course an elected official's policies are going to slant one way or the other, that's why one's constituency voted, but there is an extreme difference between remaining on one's platform and flippantly disregarding the other party.
On a final note, does no one on the Bush side find the fact the Republicans now have full control of both Executive and Legislative branches a little scary? I know the Reds are happy right now with their victories, but think about it: Total control means judiciary review is a cinch, and then Republicans on a single, united platform would have control of all three systems...
...Which totally and completely negates the system of checks and balances our government relies on to be a true republic and not a dictatorship.
I dunno, that's a little creepy. I plan on writing to my Congressmen to tell them what to do so Bush does not, simply for the sake of democracy.
And I suggest everyone else do the same.
By Kinneas - Your Friendly Reality Check, at
10:30 PM
Well, John Howard will be a happy man now, no doubt. You can count Australia in for all of Bush's wars, yay. Plus the Free Trade Agreement means our culture and media will be saturated with American goods and entertainment.
Australia sucks right now. Our culture sucks, our foreign policy sucks, our leaders suck. We give bands like Jet six ARIAs. We have bad comedians and useless television icons.
Blah.
By , at
11:10 PM
You know, it is interesting how liberals claim to be the ones who are accepting of different aspects of society. You think that Republicans, conservatives, and the religious are nothing but blithering idiots, yet you hold equality of all people to be one of the core principles of your politics.
Hypocrites.
Is it any wonder that the black, latino, and Jewish vote is swinging more and more towards the Republicans?
Oh, and for the individual who said that the Bible belt has no experiance with terrorism or whatever you said, I would invite you to visit the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial if you ever get the chance.
You people seriously need to get a firmer grasp on the concept of democracy. You don't win all the time. Do you think conservatives were jumping for joy when Clinton was in office for 8 years? Right now, we are in a situation where the nation feels that conservative ideals would be best for our country's interests. Someday we will swing back to a more liberal viewpoint. Unless you want America to become some sort of dictatorship, you should accept the election results and move on. All these childish accusations and insults are probably what lost you the election in the fist place.
By , at
1:04 AM
Can anybody tell me the difference between a Democracy and a Republic? Also, what exactly should be done to solve problems involving difference of religions? Cuz last I checked, over 2000 years of changing religions, politics, world-views has done nothing to decrease religion based conflict.
By , at
2:08 AM
A pure democracy is where each person votes on every single event that is presented. Pure democracies are best used on small towns and villages as it becomes difficult to get everybody together once you go to multiple towns. A Republic solves this problem by having the people elect representatives to make their voices heard. As you can see, America is a republic, not a democracy.
The conflicts between religions are actually a lot less frequent now then they were in the Middle Ages. None of the wars the West has started have been religious based. Factions of the Muslem religion are currently the troublemakers. This shows that Islam is in need of a reformation like the one that Christianity had during the Middle Ages.
The problem is that, in many cases, the Muslems who are causing the problem worship without thought. This is not the case with all Muslems however. The Muslems in question pretty much follow whatever the clerics or other powerful people in their area say. If they say that Allah has commanded that something occur, then that is good enough for them.
You see this in Christianity as well in some of the more "flamboyant" televangelist churches. However, the Christian religion is now very slow to violence.
By , at
5:35 AM
Jesus, you people just can't stop wanking, can you?
One, the circumstances were different under Clinton than they are today, what with the conspicuous lack of WAR and DEFICIT and all that, so regardless of whether they're right or not, "liberals" have just reason to want change desperately to the point of silly namecalling.
Two, a Democracy, sir, constitutes direct election of its leaders by its citizens, while a Republic uses a system of intermediaries in its voting process (our electoral college). America is a republic.
Three, as long as one specific group of people believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are correct in their beliefs and views, there will always be problems with that. Monotheistic religion, with its worshippy style, is easily the biggest perpetrator.
Four, I already said to stop throwing labels around when you honestly don't know what you're talking about. Go research "liberal", "conservative", "neo-liberal", "neo-conservative", "authoritarian", and "libertarian". You might gain a little insight as to why our country is shaping up to be the way it is.
Also, you might not look like such a dumbass.
So, for the last time... based on statements and voting record...
Bush is socially neo-liberal, his rural constituency is primarily neo-conservative, and his more wealthy backers are American libertarian.
By Kinneas - Your Friendly Reality Check, at
5:37 AM
The deficit was a result of multiple factors.
1. 9/11: Face it, the collapse of two of the major buildings in NYC couldn't have had a positive affect on skitish stock brokers.
2. The tech bubble: e-businesses were springing up like weeds and everybody was buying into them because they were promising profit out the wazoo. The vast majority of them then failed. That's a lot of invested money down the drain.
3. Military increase: Besides the fact that terrorists attacked us on our soil, the fact is that the world was becoming too volatile for the American military to stay at Clinton's "world police" level. The military is a very money hungry organization.
And, before anybody comments on the tax cuts, rest assured that the amount given back to the American people would be the equivilant to spitting into the Sahara to try to make a lake.
The war is pretty self-explanitory. Afghanistan was harboring the people who attacked us. It's not too difficult to justify going in there and kicking some tail (okay, it isn't too difficult for normal people). Iraq is a bit trickier, but it must be remembered that the war on terror is not just about Al Quida. If we only go after groups after we attack us, we are going to see a whole lot of our skylines being changed before this is over.
Now, Iraq may not have WMD, they may not have huge ties to terrorist organizations (they do with terrorists going after Israel, but that's a different story), but they have one thing that could turn out to be our biggest tool in combating terrorism.....
A secular government. That means that Iraq is the best candidate for introducing democracy. Terrorism thrives in the theocracies of the Middle East. If democracy can be planted there and if it can spread, terrorism will have a much harder time finding recruits to go on jihads for them.
Now, I'm sure a bunch of people here are going to whine about how the war is illegal and countless other things. Well, consider the alternatives.
How else could we stop terrorism?
1. Go into the Middle East and bomb them back to the stone age. Not very ethical is that?
2. Plant our lips squarely on Osama's ass and beg him not to attack us. Give in to any terrorist demands. Hope you like your ladies in robes.
Now, I'm not going to bother to put negotiation up there. Why? Because it is in the terrorist's best interests not to negotiate. We value human lives, they don't. Ergo, it will be a better deal for them to get everything they want by killing people rather then making a deal and having to give up demands.
So, as you can see, Iraq is the best idea that we can carry out right now. You want the killing to stop? This is the way.
By , at
6:20 AM
Once again the purpose of this WEBSITE is made clear.
They just want to whine and complain. They promote conspiracy theories that even Alex Jones would not take on.
Not matter the cute artwork, the central motif is angry slacker who is depressed and lashes out at the perceived enemy.
Okay I now see why the ignorant(Bill Clinton can not be Hillary's VP canidate- read the constitution sometime) 12 year olds like this one.
By , at
6:30 AM
(cue Sideshow Bob happy evil laugh) Take that you hippy freeks!
Justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys
You got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
We’ll all meet back at the local saloon
We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
By , at
6:31 AM
"My God...how has it come to this? Has Heaven decreed it? Am I the guilty one? You don't know what it's like to doubt everything...even yourself."
Y'all need to stop wasting this blog's time with insulting one another.
Fact is, Bush won. By a whole 3 million votes...almost one percent of the total population of our country. That is *not* a decisive victory, but it *is* a victory. The Democrats *have* a right to complain about it, because they make about slightly less than half the country. (There's something wrong with the system if about a half of the country hates the president, regardless of what the other half thinks.) And the Republicans have a right to bragging about their victory. But the Republicans do not have a right to bash the Democrats for not wanting to bow down and kiss Bush's feet.
I'm sick of hearing the winners act like they're annoyed at the losers. They've won...they have no right to complain. The losers do...they're in for very hard times, because they will be forced, by law, to do what the president has said.
For those outside of the U.S., it is also *not* the Democrats' fault for Bush being reelected. You can shout all you want about how being us spat upon by you is justified, but you cannot know whether or not each individual one of us wanted Bush to be our president.
It's not *my* fault Bush was elected president. I didn't vote for him. If you mistreat me just because some half of my country is suicidal, you're just as bad as the war mongers are.
I'm out.