Election stuffs

Yeah, I was up until 3:30 watching CNN. So?

No, I don't think Kerry ran a worse campaign than Gore. Not only is that all but impossible, but Gore started with the election his to lose (and he did so). Kerry actually had to win from the incumbent.

That said, if he'd, oh, mentioned the bloody environment once or twice, he might have pulled some votes in states where Bush has all but completely fucked over Mother Earth (Nevada, Colorado).

Did the Republicans cheat? Depends. Because of the way Diebold's machines were set up (as well as Diebold's promise to deliver Ohio for Bush), there will always be an accountability cloud hanging over the election (and would have been no matter what the result). That said, I've heard no evidence suggesting that votes were lost (yet). I think Rove played his dirty tricks mostly in the pre-voting days (recorded faked phone calls and emails, etc). Then again, Rove is like Nixon, in that he's compelled to do the most repellent thing, even when it's not necessary. So who knows?

But even if there were dirty tricks or outright cheating, the election can't be stolen unless it's close to begin with. No matter how you slice it, over 50 million Americans want a President who rapes the environment, actively hates homosexuals and Muslims, lies to the public, wipes his ass with the Bill of Rights, and is the epitome of all the corporate/military special interests Eisenhower warned us about when he retired fifty years ago. Yeah, that's your friends and neighbors. And mine.

The "youth vote?" Fuck 'em for staying home. Watching Jon Stewart is kinda pointless if you don't actually pay attention, isn't it?

The millions in my state and the ten others that voted to discriminate against homosexuals in the state constitution? Fuck you all with a razor blade. May every one of you pick up Jaye Davidson at the next singles bar you go to.

Oh, and fuck you, Denise Majette. Anyone could have gotten their ass kicked by Johnny Isakson, and no one, anywhere, thought you had a chance in hell. But thanks to your futile attempt, we now have Cynthia McKinney back in Congress. Fuck you right up the ass with Cynthia's anti-semitic father's severed penis.

And no, although I'd love to see Ohio turn out in Kerry's column, I know it ain't happening.

And that's all I really feel like saying about the election for now.

In other news. . .

Last night's Gilmore Girls was quite good, even with the usual Gilmore Plotholes (Rory standing blindfolded in a crowded hallway is a great way to keep something secret, right?).

Last night's Daily Show special rocked. Except for Al Sharpton, who was more of an ass than usual. Bill Weld, on the other hand, reminded us that Republicans don't have to be the classless assholes who are currently occupying DC.

Thanks to dandelion_diva for pointing out the Criterion Collection 2004 Holiday Gift Set. Containing every in-print CC film. That's 241 films on 282 DVDs. Extreme Moviegasm! Only $5,250.00, and worth every penny!

Speaking of things I've recently wishlisted, how come no one told me that both Charles de Lint (with The Blue Girl) and John Barnes (with Gaudeamus) have new books out? We're only talking about two of my all-time favorite authors here. I demand that the Universe keep me informed!

lordrexfear pointed out this site, which has not only current WB trailers, but lots of classic ones. Yay for Bogie!

Oh, and even if the prophecy is bullshit, I'm still glad the Redskins lost.

Nooooooooooo!

Astro City: The Dark Age Postponed.

My last election post

I'm taking a break of at least a week before posting on the election again. That's just for the sake of my emotional well-being.

But I'm frustrated and amazed at the anger being thrown Kerry's way over the fact that he conceded.

I stayed up until after 3 watching the Ohio votes come in. And Bush's margin, instead of shrinking to around 50K, ballooned to nearly 130K. That wasn't what they were hoping for when they decided to wait and see what happened in OH.

I'd have preferred it if Kerry waited longer to concede. But he clearly looked at the numbers today, and saw that the provisionals weren't going to help him win. I'm sure his campaign also investigated for irregularities, but since Diebold has no auditing mechanism, all they could do was look at the optical scan and other ballots, and there were few identifiable irregularities there.

So Kerry did the classy and proper thing. He conceded, even though he could have caused things to drag on. It's the first step in the country attempting to heal itself. Doesn't ensure that we will, but it'll make things a lot easier.

(For those who are students of history, you might remember the Nixon, too, could have challenged Kennedy back in '60 and dragged the already-controversial election out. He chose not to for the good of our nation, and managed to salvage enough goodwill to relaunch his career.)

Oh, and for those saying he should have waited until the Provisionals are counted, because what if he was wrong? This isn't high school debates. Ohio will still count their ballots. And if Kerry somehow won (which I highly doubt, much as I'd love it to be the case), he'll be President. Conceding won't change how the electors are ordered to vote.

Off to teach a class. In the future, I'd love to see the day after Election day become a national holiday. Who the hell wants to work after watching returns all night long?