I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream - (US Elect) by NervousPete

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream - (US Elect)

POSTED BY: NERVOUSPETE
UPDATED: Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:37
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VIEWED: 4806
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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:17 AM

(This post contains no swearing, insults, call for arguement or blame. It is heartfelt)

Bit of an over the top title, but a catchy one. Blame Harlan Ellison, not me.

"It's none of your business," that's a comment I read by an American in a newspaper over our concerns across the world as to the elections. The trouble is, the US is a hyperpower, its trade and industry affects the world's economy, social trends and ecology whilst their foreign policy is a factor that affects every nation's dealings, and indeed every nation, some more than others.

It would be wrong for any UK citizen to have a vote in the US elections, and yet it is terribly frustrating that we don't for the above reasons. As such we feel so helpless. We feel that nothing we say - for or against Bush - is heard. We feel choked of a coherent voice.

Tough luck, is the apt reply. And it's a true one. Yet for the people of this country who felt that Bush being re-elected was bad for this world, and for the USA, cannot help but feel crushed. We do not even have the carthasis of casting a vote. Sometimes it feels as if we can vote in a state election, but not the general one - if you see what I mean. I may get some rants in reply to this, and you can guess by my depressed nature on who I was rooting for, but my point is that in the world of the hyperpower we feel damaged - and all the "Boo-yah!" "Four more years!" is rather crushing. I purposely avoided all political debate online - I even avoided following the news of the race itself - in the couple of months up to the election out of a sense that I had said all I had to say to the people I have friendships with over there, and that it was up to them to consider and choose, and that if I were to get emotionally involved I risked being badly hurt.

Despite my withdrawl from it all (aside from the astonishing and very funny (almost) non-partisan Rich Hall Election special on BBC 4 and BBC 2 - which looked at Montana and got pleasantly surreal with a cowboy shoot out between the Canadian Mike Wilmott and a shock jock at the end... anyway) I'm still rather upset, and feel more powerless than ever before.

This is a call to all the Brits out there, hell, all the Europeans, the Africans, the Asians, people of the world... if you didn't like the way it turned out and feel frustrated, do as I'm going to do...

1: Pound some beers back. Or maybe red wine. I haven't decided.

2: Watch Firefly and escape to another world where people of taste agree on things and 'quick's the action and sharp's the word'. And where Kaylee smiles and Jayne does 'man-ape gone wrong thing'.

3: Have three months off all political discussion. Concentrate on story, poetry, art, film, love, laughter, nature - anything away from the squalor of political process.

4: After said three months knock up three Double Entry system with a credit and debit column. One for Neocons. One for Republicans. One for Democrats. Not down respective policies you like/dislike, with between one and three points for how passionate you feel on it.

5: Scour independant papers, radio and news (aka not Fox or CNN or Michael Moore) for said statements on policy.

6: Tot it all up at the end after three years and you'll at least be well armed with fuel to bombard people with WELL-INFORMED opinions. This cannot be stressed enough. Calling Kerry a commie or Bush a fascist ain't going to help anybody.

7: Prepare to go through the entire awful 'hibernate/result/get-in-beers' thing again.

8: Alternatively vote Niska into power, and never fear having to make a decision on anything again! After all, he is the 'safe', 'respectable' choice.

9: Failing all above, find Mark Shepard and Summer Glau, and cuddle them for being lovely. (Warning, may result in legal action)

*Phew* Now that I've spilt my guts on how I feel, I feel a little better. Still going to get drunk and watch Firefly though, and then retreat into that and my novel for the next three months.

Thank you for reading, all of you. Don't savage each other on this board, either. It's not worth it. Just store information, state your opinions neatly and politely and be nice to each other. And share in the wonderful Firefly and quality storytelling. Natch.

Love to you all as a UN citizen and chap who enjoys Bluebird Ale,

Peter Evans

P.S: Keep on flying.

(edited for a couple of grammar mistakes)

"If you can keep your head whilst others... eurgh! Ack! I've spilt my ink! Ugh! Ink on my trousers! Agh! Ink on my shirt! My only hope! The window! Aieeeeee!" (Falls to death)
- Jonathan Nash

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:36 AM

HEB

Well said.

...................
Well, my sister's a ship... we had a
complicated childhood
.................
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:35 AM

DANFAN

"Calling Kerry a commie or Bush a fascist ain't going to help anybody. "

God bless you for shining a little clarity on the situation.

I voted Kerry (just barely). Now that Bush has won, it is my hope that he takes the message of such a close election to rebuild bridges (with the other party, with the rest of the world).

On other threads, I see crazy talk that Bush will make himself king for life.

Your rational comments were... refreshing.

Thank you.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 11:27 AM

UNCHARTEDOUTLAW

Well said, indeed! And nice use of that title. I remember reading that short story in high school. Great one!

-Taylor

The Uncharted Outlaw!
"I brought you some supper, but if you'd prefer a lecture, I've a few very catchy ones prepped...sin and hellfire... one has lepers."
See my Firefly Store: http://www.cafepress.com/NorCalRiviera

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 12:39 PM

SPOOKYJESUS

Fuck! - Kerry didn't win?!?!?!

Actually - check out

www.michaelmoore.com

I mean it's horrible that there's four more years of monkey boy but I'm finding Michaels response chillingly funny. Not Ha Ha funny - or the other funy but funny-ish funny - Y'know.

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 1:47 PM

STEVE580

Hey, I know what you mean...it's just as frusterating for those of us who *did* get to vote in this election. It was maddening to see the numbers roll in: to see how many voted Bush, and worse, why they did (fear of terrorism and support of government-regulated morality).
-Steve

"You should have seen my hair." -Joss Whedon

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 2:45 PM

VETERAN

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Thanks for keeping things in perspective.

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Monday, November 8, 2004 12:12 PM

VILAVON

I'm still flying in 2021. How about you?

Well. It really is none of your business. Move here and it will be. Neat, huh?

Vilavon AKA Claude

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Monday, November 8, 2004 12:25 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

American foreign policy should be the concern of everyone. Americans and others. How can we, as Americans, be so arrogant as to suppose no other country's voice should be listened to? We are all living on the same planet folks.

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Monday, November 8, 2004 1:34 PM

SERGEANTX

Well said Maniac. As long as the US insists on sticking its nose into the affairs of every nation on the planet, those people have a right to speak up about our policies. The notion that the we should just do whatever the hell we want, merely because we can, is unconscionable.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Monday, November 8, 2004 6:57 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Thanks Sarge. You know what I like? I like being agreed with. It's very satisfying. Moreover, I like being agreed with by people who are smart. So that's an extra bonus.

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Monday, November 8, 2004 7:31 PM

LEXIBLOCK

Quote:
Originally posted by Vilavon:
Well. It really is none of your business. Move here and it will be. Neat, huh?

Vilavon AKA Claude

No child, it is our business as long as your country interferes in all other countries on the planet - wether they want it or not.

Apart from electing politicians who will take a stand, we can start by boycotting american products right now. No need to fuel that warmachine anymore.

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Tuesday, November 9, 2004 7:31 AM

STEVE580

Sure, punish American businesses because of the way you feel about American government...that seems like a good idea.

"You should have seen my hair." -Joss Whedon

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Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:31 AM

VILAVON

I'm still flying in 2021. How about you?

Quote:
Originally posted by Steve580:
Sure, punish American businesses because of the way you feel about American government...that seems like a good idea.

I'm sure that after they've had a Mongolian soy latte, they will be begging for a Starbuck's again. Enjoy the used Yugo's folks!!!P.S. In Cuba, a Yugo is a luxury sedan!!!

Vilavon AKA Claude

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Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:34 AM

VILAVON

I'm still flying in 2021. How about you?

Dang. You ferriners is so integillent.

Vilavon AKA Claude

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Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:37 AM

VILAVON

I'm still flying in 2021. How about you?

Quote:
Originally posted by LexiBlock:
Quote:
Originally posted by Vilavon:
Well. It really is none of your business. Move here and it will be. Neat, huh?

Vilavon AKA Claude

No child,
Heh, heh. Thanks for calling me a child. Barkeep. Get that squid a beer. I'm as old as dirt and twice as smart.

Vilavon AKA Claude

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