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12 more days....
Oct. 23rd, 2008 05:06 pmLately, I've been getting a lot of calls where no one leaves a message (yes, I screen my calls, I don't pick up the phone 'till I hear a real person). And now with all I've been hearing about robocalls, I'm wondering if that's what they are. Can't say it encourages me to pick the phone up.
I'm trying to ignore the polls, especially now they are saying McCain is closing the gap, but I honestly don't know what I will do if he pulls it out using such despicable tactics. Is this really what American political discourse is about - how many lies you can tell about your opponent without causing your audience to actually vomit over your feet in disgust? Are people really so stupid that they think someone could spend - what, 10 years in public life? - while hiding a genuine hatred for America? Do they think large numbers of people go to all the trouble and expense and exposure to slander because they view the "average American" with revulsion, and want to destroy the country? Are they really so racist that they can't tolerate the idea of anyone but a white Christian in charge of the country? So genuinely fearful that anyone of another race or religion would want only to punish them, if they came to power? I guess there's always been mudslinging, but I have this foolish belief that people have grown wiser, if not better, over time. I know that things _have_ gotten better - a black man no longer has to fear for his life if he is friendly towards a white woman, people don't seem to believe Jews have tails anymore.
Then again...so much of the rhetoric about Prop 8 (which would make gay marriage illegal) is based on religion. There was full-page ad in the L.A. Times quoting Matthew (I think it was Matthew) and Leviticus as an argument for passing it. Aren't we supposed to have separation of church and state here? Do these people genuinely not understand that there are good, upright, devoutly religious people who do not happen to be Christian? And that it might be a little offensive to make laws forcing everyone to comply with their notion of Christian morality? I can imagine the uproar if someone cited the Koran as a basis for voting for some measure. Heh, maybe I should see if the Koran has anything to say against homosexuality - putting that out there might be just what it takes to get these people to vote against that proposition.
But honestly, given the explosion of problems we have, the issues we need answers for - are people really going to make their choices based on hate speech? Are we always going to be mired in that?
Well, I've cast my vote. And I'll hope for the best.
I'm trying to ignore the polls, especially now they are saying McCain is closing the gap, but I honestly don't know what I will do if he pulls it out using such despicable tactics. Is this really what American political discourse is about - how many lies you can tell about your opponent without causing your audience to actually vomit over your feet in disgust? Are people really so stupid that they think someone could spend - what, 10 years in public life? - while hiding a genuine hatred for America? Do they think large numbers of people go to all the trouble and expense and exposure to slander because they view the "average American" with revulsion, and want to destroy the country? Are they really so racist that they can't tolerate the idea of anyone but a white Christian in charge of the country? So genuinely fearful that anyone of another race or religion would want only to punish them, if they came to power? I guess there's always been mudslinging, but I have this foolish belief that people have grown wiser, if not better, over time. I know that things _have_ gotten better - a black man no longer has to fear for his life if he is friendly towards a white woman, people don't seem to believe Jews have tails anymore.
Then again...so much of the rhetoric about Prop 8 (which would make gay marriage illegal) is based on religion. There was full-page ad in the L.A. Times quoting Matthew (I think it was Matthew) and Leviticus as an argument for passing it. Aren't we supposed to have separation of church and state here? Do these people genuinely not understand that there are good, upright, devoutly religious people who do not happen to be Christian? And that it might be a little offensive to make laws forcing everyone to comply with their notion of Christian morality? I can imagine the uproar if someone cited the Koran as a basis for voting for some measure. Heh, maybe I should see if the Koran has anything to say against homosexuality - putting that out there might be just what it takes to get these people to vote against that proposition.
But honestly, given the explosion of problems we have, the issues we need answers for - are people really going to make their choices based on hate speech? Are we always going to be mired in that?
Well, I've cast my vote. And I'll hope for the best.
