lemons

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what to say. i imagine that about half of the country is still numb and walking around in a daze. although really, i don't. those that actually got off their asses and voted for kerry probably are, as i am. but so many people didn't vote that could have. the republicans won florida because they mobilized their millions of bible thumpers that hadn't felt like voting last election. getting them to vote was easy, just tell them if they don't vote for bush then the bible will be banned. oh shit, not that!

getting people to vote for kerry was harder. you actually have to talk to them, to get them to enter into a dialogue in which they were willing to not only offer their ideas but listen to others'. to vote for kerry, one had to be able and willing to think.

just to be clear, everyone can think. there's a lot of people in the country that aren't willing to think, however. aren't willing to take the responsibility of thinking for themselves. this, of course, seems to be a constant theme in the states. poor education, bad role models, too much zealotry, heavy handed and biased media, isolation from other countries/people/cultures.

all i could think while watching the states pop up election night for one or the other was that the only way kerry was going to win was if everyone suddenly started taking responsibility for their actions. my parents voted for bush. any attempt of trying to talk about why leads to a fight. my mom likes to say i'm not a good listener because i ask her to back up her claims about his integrity and ability with facts, not 'feelings'. the only reason i can seem to tell as to why they voted for him is because their parents voted republican, so my parents do. it doesn't matter if the candidate is someone like bush, just vote with the party. don't take responsibility for one's ability to think, or for one's actions.

i was im'ing with tripp late on election night. i was really angry. i'm glad i didn't post the things i was saying to him, because they're not going to do us any good. those of us who take responsibility in our lives, who think for ourselves and act accordingly, are not going to help anyone by throwing rage at those who are too afraid to think for themselves. that will only back them further into their shells. the only thing that's going to help right now i fear is time. with bush in charge we can be sure that help isn't going to come from within; misinformation will be the rule, and all the blind followers will be praised for their spinelessness and lack of morals, which have already apparently become the 'new' morality.

unfortunately this isn't a game where we can reload back to our previous save and hope that we do better in the attempt at ousting bush and his ilk. maybe a few more concentration boosting potions, or wisdom enhancing gauntlets to help us beat some sense into the empty heads of the american people.

instead of four years to make up for, we're going to have to make up for eight years. his term will end. terrible things might happen to open peoples' eyes and the next president might be better. or maybe we'll keep pulling ourselves and the world in tow into a darker and more dangerous world. i don't think that the average intelligence varies between place or time in regards to this world and this century. america isn't dumber, or europe smarter. it all comes down to each and every person and whether or not they take responsibility for their lives. right now it ain't happenin.

for those stuck in their shells, wake up. for those of us that have been disenfranchised in this recent election, have patience, don't stop caring. change takes time, lots of it. know that it's worth it.

peace