Ramblings From Justin Penney

I'm completely surprised by the results of the presidential election. I honestly can't believe that after the bungle of the last four years that Bush got another chance.

However, before I dig into that, I want to point out that Zell Miller (D) was defeated by Johnny Isakson (R). In case you forgot Zell Miller gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention copletely lambasting the Democratic party and later challenging Chris Matthews of Hardball to a duel. This guy played puppet to Bush and still got screwed!

From this CNN article, 80% of people that voted for Bush voted based on "Moral Values." This essentially encompasses gay marriage and abortion. This was also considered the most important issue in the election with 22% of voters feeling that way. The economy was the second with 20% considering it the most important. People are more concerned about gay marriage than they are whether they have a job or whether anything is done about terrorism (19%).

79% of the people that voted for Bush think that we are safer from terrorism. Bush's own state department release a report that says otherwise.

Data at release showed minimal change in the number of terrorist attacks worldwide in 2003 over 2002 levels - a decrease from 198 attacks to 190. In 2003, the overall number of reported anti-U.S. attacks remained more of less constant as well, 82 anti-U.S. attacks in 2003 as opposed to 77 attacks in the previous year.

The report is available here.

Ok, I'm tired. I've had a trying day personally and this just made it worse. I'm ranting now....

Bush has lied repeatedly about Iraq. These aren't little doesn't affect anyone lies like the Clinton oral sex issue. These are lies that have killed tens of thousands of people! We were given reasons for going into Iraq:

• Ties to 9/11 - found false by Bush's own 9/11 commision
• Ties to Al Qaida - also found false by Bush's 9/11 commission
• Posession of banned weapons - not according to the Duelfer report

There were weapons there. They were under watch by the IAEA. We of course got them the hell out of there so now these not banned conventional explosives are in hands that we know nothing about. We don't know who has them or what they are going to be used for. This makes me feel safer!

This strike first crap is insane! There's a reason it's called national defense, it's to be used in a defensive manner. This war marks the first time that the U.S. has been the instigating party in a war. Afghanistan was a great move and I was 100% behind it. Al Qaida said they were responsible for the attacks, the Taliban in control of Afghanistan said they helped and supported it, we went in a ousted them. That was brilliant until with went to Iraq. Which as it was unfolding I couldn't get any straight answers about what we were doing there when we hadn't even gotten Bin Laden! So Bin Laden is still out there plotting. Smooth.

I got in a discussion with a Bush supporter. He said we had to go in and attack people before they can attack us. While I understand the reasoning it doesn't work like that. The world doesn't work like that. You can't go kill your neighbor becuase he could possibly kill you! You can't lock up people becuase they may commit a crime! Anyone could do anything at anytime. It's freewill and humans will use and abuse it.

It's all becoming to Orwellian. With the relaxation of search and seizure laws by the so-called "Patriot" act. Taking away rights and winning the support of the public through fear is a tactic used very succesfully by the Nazis:

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

-- Herman Goering, Nazi Reichmarshall

This piece of legislation was well lubricated by an unsettled feeling in the U.S. about safety. Now we're not safe from our own government. The kicker is how unabashed the administration has been about it's use! We were told it was only for terrorism. That statement kind of makes you tingly inside but on the anniversary of the bill they talk about how this piece of crap helped them reel in drug dealers and mafia men.

The last bit to choke on. On September 11th, 2001 there were attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania (the PA attack was theorized to be heading toward California). All of these areas voted for John Kerry. Washington D.C. vote 90% for Kerry! Obviously the people that were attacked don't feel any safer with Bush!