At present I am sitting here contemplating what will happen 5 days from now...and I can't breathe. So very much is at stake, that I feel, divided as we are, that the entire nation understands this. We are standing at the edge of a precipice. We have a choice now, we can let our fear cloud our judgment as it has done so often in the past, or we can be brave, close our eyes and step forward with a new leader, a new vision, and try a new way of doing things with the part of us that wants to be afraid no longer.
As Micheal Moore quoted George Orwell at the end of his film Fahrenheit 9/11, there was never meant to be a victory with the war, that it needs to go on perpetually to keep the body politic (that's us) frightened, desperate, and distracted.
I think of my favorite poem by Dylan Thomas:
So what will our choice be? Will we decide to wipe the cobweb from our eyes? Have we lost enough, suffered enough, that we can no longer turn the other cheek and tell ourselves what happens doesn't affect us? There is no way to know. All I can for the time being is wait to exhale.Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
How do you feel in the days leading up to this historic election? How does the War on Terror affect who you will vote for?
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9 comments:
I’m rather disgusted of the current election. How can these so called educated individuals behave in such an improper manner? There has been such a vast quantity of negativity and slandering, mostly on McCain’s behalf. Why would anyone want to vote for these individuals, which not only have skewed views on their political ideas but also can slander others so easily? The war on terror has not changed my views on who I will vote for. I would vote for Obama either way because of his views on the government for change that will better our government.
In all honesty the level of disgust is the current election has gotten to the point where I do not even want to think about what is going on. I have been avoiding turning on the T.V and turning on the radio. I have little faith in the people in America to do the right choice.
Ana
Laura Barrera
As we get closer to the presidential election 2008, many things run through Americans minds. Who will be a better leader? Will he have the power to bring our country out of the rut our former president has left us in? I wonder will our leader crumble under pressure or will he rise up and show our nation that there is nothing to fear and there is still hope?
I have hope that we as a united nation can step up and make the right decision. After the terrorist attacks and the war, and still we haven’t found the right person to blame, and if we did our current president has let him go, I believe Americans are tired of not having the answers we are looking for. We are tired of a President who doesn’t really know what’s going on in his own nation. Witch at this point I think even a five year old can lead our nation better then Bush ever did.
With a new leader in office, we have the opportunity to rise, to once again be the nation we were 8 or even 10 year ago. No one is perfect but if their going to be in office they could at least strive for perfection to defend their nation and their nations people. They need to be willing to listen to the public and their views on society. We do not need to be afraid of our leader because without the people there would be no leader.
In these few days leading up to what can be considered the most anticipated momentous and necessary presidential election in the history of The United States of America; many people are feeling excessive anxiety. These anxieties are not the result of any one catastrophe itself, like America’s failed and bailed out economy, corrupt politicians and elected officials, non-receding national deficits, or even our nation’s least productive yet most expensive war ever in its history. (Lobe 1) However, these pre-election anxieties are the mingled chronic symptoms of a self motivated, manipulative, excessive and unchecked government; along with it practices. These vices have all been employed against American citizens, for the reason of inspiring FEAR in our hearts and minds. We must not let these factors influence how we choose tomorrow’s leaders and policies. Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter stated, “FEAR obscures reason, intensifies emotions and makes it easier for demagogic politicians to mobilize the public on behalf of the policies they want to pursue.” (B01) It is evident these techniques have been very effective.
For too long Americans have witnessed what horrendous effects FEAR has on our own Sovereignty; pure corruption and chaos. On the other side of anxiety are this nations desires, aspirations, deeds and potential to regain the real people, attitudes and qualities, which this country were and are built upon. Principles like, leadership, patriotism, honesty, true democracy, which are contrary to the vices used by previous administrations and officials to conjure public approval, must guide our future decisive affairs. Individuality, deception, ignorance, neglect and small thinking are all culprits of creating illusions of FEAR in our democratic government. We must now be brave, vigilant insightful, trustworthy and none-the-less diligent in how we determine tomorrows leaders and policies.
So on this November 4th 2008 let FEAR be the only factor which does not shape your decision. FEAR is an emotion which renders its possessor void of free will; surrendering it subconsciously. We will not achieve a better future reality, by running afraid of our current factuality. As put best by Franklin D. Roosevelt, former president of The United States of America, “the only thing we have to FEAR is FEAR itself.” (Inaugural Address, 1)
By: Jarrell A. Easley
Works Cited
Lobe, Jim “Iraq War Costs Now Exceed Vietnam's”
Common Dreams Org. 1 Sept. 2005. 29 Oct. 2008
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0901-02.htm
Brzezinski, Zbigniew “Terrorized by 'War on Terror: How a Three-Word Mantra Has Undermined America” The Washington Post 25 Mar. 2007. 29 Oct.2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/23/AR2007032301613.html
Roosevelt Franklin D., Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933, as published in Samuel Rosenman, ed., The Public Papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Volume Two: The Year of Crisis, 1933 (New York: Random House, 1938), 11
As the presidential election nears, we hope that the we the people put fear aside and make the right decision. A lot of people don’t like change, but this country needs it. We need a leader that will do just that, bring change and not use fear to control us and keep us in the dark. Someone with a new vision and also that is not afraid of trying new ways of getting things done. The Bush administration has been poisoning the minds of the American people with their fictitious “war against terror”, the war on Iraq and the belief that we are somehow wining these wars. But the bottom line is that they have no Idea what they are doing, they are using us to pay for their own financial gain and it is time for us to put a stop to it. That is why we need new leadership, we need someone that will stand up not just to the rich but also the poor and middle class, and also to speak up for the people that do not have a voice or vote in this country. The American people have forgotten that this great nation was created by Immigration and that because of Immigration it is what it is today. Yeah sure there are some illegal immigrants that do not deserve to be here, throw them out, don’t generalize and think they are all the same a lot of them are hard working and just want to provide a better life for their families. There is a lot of things that a new leader will have to work on and he can’t do it by himself he needs our help. So I think that we need to build up some courage, make the right decision and vote for a change.
Even though I am only a resident and cannot vote, this year I have been more involved in the presidential election than any other years. I see that many of the problems that all American citizens face today, not only affects them but everyone living in this country as well. The war against terror has been putting fear on the peoples mind for a long time and now with this coming election we ask ourselves, will we get a change and a moment to breathe? Or do we live in fear and hold our breath for another four years? One thing for certain is that we cannot keep living like this, it is time for change and that time is now.
Well today is the election, excitement , stress, and care-free attitudes are in the air and I have a little bit of all three. I am glad Bush will be getting out of office, I feel he did not do the greatest job and what ever president is next has to pick up the pieces.There is alot of talk about Obama winning the election, I feel he is going to be the winner. McCain is sticking to his guns, I admire that in a person. From watching Fahrenheit 911 and the Power of nightmares it seems that Republicans are the bad guys,so does that mean that Democrats are all angels?Well whoever gets picked for the election I hope he does a good job of running the country. I personally don't care who wins.The War on Terror is a joke, I totally support the troops, biut we need to get the hell out of Iraq, and deal with problems here in America.This blog is from Sean.
Today was the big day and I was very excited about it. The past two years have been leading up to this very moment. And as i hear Fox news calling Philadelphia and Ohio (Key swing states)in the backround, this puts a smile to my face.
The lackluster performance of Ex-President Bush is a big reason for this. Its obvious many people feel this way as we see that even fellow politicians have thrown in the towel per say. The republican party's view on the war on terror is a leading force as to why many americans feel change is a must. This and the recent financial industry meltdown make voting today a momentous occasion.
At lunch, I was allowed 1hour extra to go and vote. I voted at my local polling place:
SCC Community Church Fellowship Hall in Long Beach. its not my first time voting so it wasnt a big deal. What was a a big deal to me, was the ability to vote for change. And that was pretty exciting.
~Mauricio Esquivel
A. Laureano
As the Presidential Election comes to an end, people fear who will become our next president. Many people look at what color their future car will be and its always the nice pretty one that wins, thats exactly how their basing this election. Color does not matter, at least not any more! Obama as the first black president of the United States of America, is a change that we need, a change that can lead us towards a better future not only for ourselves but for the upcoming generation.
We can show them in the near future that anything can happen. Dr. Martin Luther King jr. showed us the courage and led us to freedom. He once stated in the Lincoln Memorial 1963 “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by their color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Barack Obama has a strong character, his a man of principal, a man of change. We send out Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians, out to war to fight for our country, for our freedom, so why can't we have a Black Commander in Chief? We can!
As push comes to shove, one way or another we will have change for our future, if not today then the next day, we will no longer be afraid of different views. I'd say our path is full hope, hope to end the war that has no meaning whats so ever. We now only have the memories of those lost a battle. We need a president that will make better decisions at war, at home during a crisis and have better outcomes, better comebacks and most of all have loyalty for its country and its people that come from all walks of life.
Miguel Sanchez
The 2008 Presidential Elections have come to a historic end and the American people have elected their first African American president, Barack Obama.
President elect, Barack Obama defeated John McCain by a substantial difference in electoral votes, 349 to 173. The number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency is 270. Some red states such as Florida and Colorado, which in previous elections had been won by republican candidates, upset the republicans as they turned blue on the polls and were won by Barack Obama.
The race for the White House was an intense, difficult and lengthy battle for both parties. It was a long process that involved strong campaigning efforts, including speeches and debates delivered by both candidates and their running mates, all in attempt to reach out to the nation and let their ideas and proposals be understood.
Barack Obama did a much more exceptional effort in addressing the nation’s issues such as healthcare and the War in Iraq. The economy has been of major concern to all Americans and it was a crucial topic that was talked about frequently during campaign trails. I think Barack Obama had better solutions and efficient resources to get us out of this financial mess and problems. Barack Obama did an outstanding job in reaching out to the people, especially the young community, and encouraging them to register and vote. This year, voter turn out was greater than previous elections since 1908. Obama’s idea for change helped build a shared vision between him and all Americans. It is a change that has been overdue for 8 years and people were not willing to deal with another 4 years of the same bullshit. Perhaps that is one of the many reasons why I chose to vote for Obama. John McCain reminded me so much of George W. Bush and noticed McCain failed to distance himself from Bush’s policies.
Obama brought about hope in democracy and supporters with his win to the presidency. I believe change can and will be achieved under the leadership of Barack Obama and this country will rise from the downfall it has taken.
It’s finally over!
I wasn’t all that excited at the beginning of the campaign, but towards the end I started to feel the pressure. I couldn’t stand anymore seeing these debates and speeches and all the political warfare between Mr. Obama and Mr. MacCain. I just couldn’t believe that America would stick with the republicans once again seen all that happened to us during Bush administration.
This time America didn’t make the same mistake of 2000 and 2004, we didn’t give them a chance to cheat, and we shut them down with over the double of votes. We turned our fear against our own fears. Fear of another economic crisis, fear of continuing the nonsensical war in Iraq, fear of not having a world for the future generation to live in. The War on Terror didn’t have much influence in this election; the economic crisis was the key factor that opened our eyes to a greater danger and the need for change.
Even though I cannot vote, I’m proud of the country and proud to have volunteered for the greater cause. Congratulations to all those who toke part in this election and to our next President Mr. Barack Obama.
John K. Bacchus
Reference:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27549215/?GT1=43001
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