It's Post Election Wednesday 11/06/2002

[WebWarlock]

Well looks like the GOP is taking power in the House and aiming for the Senate.

Locally (Illinois) the Democrats took the Governorship for the first time since...god Otto Kerner? Hell it is hard to remember anyone before big Jim Thompson. We also got the first female AG in the state's history.

Anyway, my family is an very politically active one. I have brothers and sisters in political jobs and offices, my dad is retired from one, my mom still works at all the elections. We even did a little campaigning this year. Happy to report that the canidate we supported got re-elected.

So I hope all you American Kitties got the chance to go out there and vote.

So with out getting too touchy...sensitive issue I know...how are all of you involved in politics?

Do you think Willow and Tara would get involved. I can see Willow ragging against the machine, doing what ever she could. Tara would be more quiet but have the deeper convictions.

Have a good one!

Warlock

[Rosenberg]

Michigan has elected its first female governor, Jennifer Granholm. Carl Levin was re-elected to the Senate, and his brother, Sander, was re-elected as my districts Congressman. All of my candidates won, with the exception of state Attorney General, which is too close to call right now. We may wind up with our first Republican Attorney General in 48 years. Granhom is a Democrat, but the state House and Senate are Republican controlled, so it may be an interesting four years coming up.

I ran for political office once, and lost by 19 votes, so that was the end of my political career. Since then, Ive contented myself with canvassing and doing mailings for my chosen candidates, along with assisting them with financial contributions.

I dont see Tara as being real active politically, Willow perhaps more so. I dont believe they would lean towards being conservative Republicans, however. Gay, Jewish, Wiccan females I think would be disinclined to vote for Pat Robertson or Jesse Helms. Im not sure if they would support Mayor Wilkins either.

[urnofosiris]

Traditionally politics and religion are subjects that this board shies away from as it are potential sources of powerful disagreement. If people have strong convictions, opposing strong convictions can easily lead to arguments there is no getting out of. So be careful in this thread and keep it to the question at hand and as neutral as possible.

I myself am not at all politically involved, unlike in my teenage years when I was very politically aware. I am evolving backwards, heh, soon I will be walking on all fours again.
As it is I do vote everytime, I've only missed 2 local elections since I was 18. I always vote as I believe that at least I will have the right to bitch about things I don't like then.

[WebWarlock]

Dr.G.,

Yeah politics are a touchy subject with a lot of people. My dorm instituted a "no politics talk" rule after one too many very heated discussions. I never follwed it then either.

But your point is right, my father in law always says if you don't vote you don't have the right to complain when things don't work out the way you like.

This race was a hard one for me. On one hand we had a chance to get a Democratic governor into office for the first time since, like I said before, forever. I remember as a teen helping my dad on the campaign trail of Howlett and Stevenson in their respective bids vs. Jim Thompson. The trouble is that despite the Democratic canidate's very positive views on women's rights and domestic partner rights, I knew very little else about him. Personally I didn't care for his stance on guns.

Now the Republican canidate I did know a lot about. I disagreed with quite a bit of his poltics, but I had nothing against the man personally. I had met him a few times when he was AG and I was on a campaign to remove a crooked judge from the Illinois bench. I found him to be a good, honest family man. I worked against him again on the state's stance on the Microsoft anti-trust case. I sent him a letter, and got a reply, when he lost his own daughter. Something I know a little too much about.

So in the end I had to make a difficult choice. I went with my party in this case. Now in the two occasions before that I voted against my own party have been in my mind the right choices (one of them was for the afformentioned Rebulican when he was running for AG). I hope that I made the right choices this time.

All in all, things in Illinois could have gone a lot worse. I am withholding my judgement on our new AG, I mean she is not much older than me. I did see a wierd picture of her a while back and thought "my god, that is exactly what Faith/ED is going to look like in 10-15 years!".

Gotta call my mom and congratulate her on her work for Dick Durbin though, they are old friends and she did a lot of campaigning for him. Dick is a good guy and I am glad he got re-elected. He has been over to my parent's house a lot and I remember talking politics with him as a kid. When I was a kid, not him.

Warlock

[Spice Faerie]

I think both Willow and Tara would get involved. They've both vote, at least. I could see them both being Green Party types. You know, Nadar all the way back in the day. LOL

Spice

[drlloyd11]

I always saw Willow as being a Gore voter, since he kind of is the patron of nerds. Tara definatly Nader or Gore.
Anya is a republican, xander in the middle of debates between Willow and Anya trying to convince him.
Buffy slept in, forgot to vote or like Xander found her self between Willow and Anya.
Giles: New Labour

[Kieli]

I have to say, I've never been so disgusted with an election in my life. Why bother voting at all since Dubya got exactly what he wanted? I'm more disgusted that he manipulated the American peoples fears to achieve his own goals. Next thing you know, he'll be asking the people to burn the Constitution for the sake of that spurious notion of Homeland Security.

I keep very close tabs on American domestic and foreign policies although I've yet to figure out how I can be an effective political activist. *shrug* Guess it's the Libra in me that gets all indignant at the notion of injustice and idiots in office.

Toni

[WebWarlock]

Kieli,

I get that.

Sometimes it is not winning the fight, but believing that the fight is just that keeps me going.

I grew up a downstate Illinois democrat. I am used to seeing election going pretty much the exact opposite of what I wanted. But you don't stop if you believe it is right.

Plus my mom is the ultimate underdog supporter. So it is nice when someone she has worked hard for gets in. I guess I picked up some of that myself. Now my sister wants to start her political tenure (oh, Happy Birthday tomorrow Lori!) Should be interesting cause she would be like the most dull canidate to sling mud at. Cause she has never done anything bad in her life. She doesn't even drink.

There are good reasons, very good ones, why I'll never run for office.

Warlock

[scifiacid]

Well I've very much of the school 'if you don't do anything you can't complain' so I've voted since I was 18. But I'm pretty depressed that the Republicans control everything now. Lets hope we can survive the next few years and the Democrats get off their butts and get new leadership. They did nothing this election what did they expect!?! I know I have this irrational distrust of Republicans, on a whole I'm sure there are moderate 'publicans that are fine, because I'm not Catholic, Male and have millions to hand over to special interest groups to sway vote in Washington! Ugh, and just the other day we hear about the adoption changes in the UK.

But, to the question. I can see Tara being locally active but Willow, for some reason I think she would confuse herself with too much thinking about everything and pretty much fall apart at the thought of having to vote for just ONE person

Anyway, I think I need chocolate!

[ruby]

Last night my gf was online in the office and let out a shriek of horror. Part of me thought, "Oh, she must be looking at the trailer for The Ring again," but I came running anyway.

"What is it?!" I said. "Are you OK?"
"NO!" she replied, pointing at the screen. "Jeb Bush won Florida again!"

Now that really is the stuff horror films are made of.

[19feathers]

Here in Tacoma, Washington, the City Council added a line to the anti-discrimination laws that said that it was unlawful to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation or identity. However, several religious groups in the area objected and collected enough signatures on a petition to get an initiative on the ballot to repeal the law and allow them to legally discriminate against gays, lesbians, transsexuals, and transvestites.

I am happy to report that the initiative was defeated and the message was sent that discrimination against anyone is unacceptable in our community.

[Nix42]

I agree with WebWarlock and DrG on this one, if you don't vote you've got no right to complain when things happen you don't like. Only trouble is every so often you can't help but wish for a box to tick that says none of the above

[scifiacid]

[quote:8d1809193b]Quote:

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Only trouble is every so often you can't help but wish for a box to tick that says none of the above

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[/quote:8d1809193b]

hehe

I think this would have been a choice that would win if we had that option in California. It was the lesser of two evils me thinks here.

[June Leigh]

I'm pissed. A Republican governor has won in my traditionally Democratic state for the first time in decades. However, the state legislature is still heavily Democrat. Plus, I wake up to find that Republicans now control the House, Senate, and White House. Not a good beginning of the day for me.

I vote and I'm involved in several women's rights and civil rights organizations, but I probably wouldn't run for office. I don't have a very tough skin.

Willow would be involved, I think, for a candidate she truly believed in. Tara wouldn't be so involved, but I think she'd vote at least.

[Always E]

Well, Nevada has officially crossed over into "Conservative" land...funny given Las Vegas is pretty much the adult playground of choice in the U.S.

Speaking of my lovely town of Las Vegas and Clark County in which it resides...68% of the residents voted to amend the Nevada Constitution to "protect" marriage and all the rights afforded to "married" couples as to be only between a man and a woman. So, in a town that allows gambling in grocery stores, open containers on the street, and as long as you refer to her as an "entertainer" and not a hooker, you can get a girl 24/7, the folks here decided that same-sex unions needed to be protected against at all costs. I can go on and on, but why bother...the smear campaign that the "Coalition to Protect Marriage" waged over the last week has done it's damage.

The bottom line...now might be a good time to seriously consider leaving Las Vegas. So to all the Kitties who like Las Vegas...and I really do like this town...it's just become a great place to visit, but you probably don't want to move here.

I would also have to say that both Willow and Tara would have been very proactive in educating the local population about why it was so important to vote against Question # 2 in Nevada...and we could have used their votes as well.

19Feathers - do you have room in Washington for a few very disgruntled lesbians from Las Vegas?

Everyone have a great Wednesday!

-E

[Kalita]

Well, I'm not American, so I don't have too much to add... though if I were, I would not be happy with the overall national results.

Up here north of the border, well, I'm none too satisfied with our current leadership either. I'd go into details but I'm not dragging all that crap onto the Kitten; this is a nicer place than that.

So, have a good day, everyone!

[Kieli]

I wish I was as positive as you, Tim. I've lost a whole lot of faith in the electoral process. And I do NOT agree that if you don't vote, you don't get to complain. It's sad that we the people are relegated to voting for the lesser of two evils because our choices of candidates are slim pickins. What's even more sad is that hardly anyone has publicly complained of this growing trend! It's sad that we can't trust a damn soul in office (or precious few) to actually follow through with their promise to represent the people. Elections make me bitter in ways I just cannot express. I went to vote but I was so disappointed that there wasn't a "None of the Above" or "Hell no I ain't voting for any of 'em" selection. At least I could respect the process a bit more.

I wish your sister luck in her political career. She might be the only honest candidate on the ballot! Lord knows, we need a solid, upstanding person in office these days.

T.

[Jennifer]

I'm very disappointed in the state of Nevada. The majority of people voted 'yes' on Question 2, meaning that Nevada recognizes marriage as only being between a man and a woman. I wasnt surprised, this was the verdict 2 years ago. But still...grr. At least I know I tried. Any other Nevada kitties frusterated about this?

Edited: I guess it would help if I read all the posts in this thread before I commented. Hi Always E

[BBOvenGuy]

Winona Ryder was just convicted on two of the three charges against her. Not guilty on Burglary, but guilty on Grand Theft and Vandalism.

* sigh *

[WebWarlock]

Gay marriage was hot item early in this race for Gov. in Illinois, but then it got back burnered in the licences of money scam (Illinois Government, killing innocent people since 1818!).

Maybe now that we have a Democratic gov he will be reminded of his stance. But since he told one thing to the upstate voters (where I am) and another to the downstate voters (where my familiy is) I am not going to hold my breath.

RE: Nevada. Gee I had no idea marriage needed to be "protected". So If I live there do I get any special treatment that my marriage will be safe or do they send me things to help?
Hmmm... Sounds more like Scared Old White Guys (TM) to me.

Sorry I can talk politics all day. I remember where I was and what I was doing the day I heard Jeanine Kirkpatrick defected to the GOP.
Course I also remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the day I heard Marvin Gaye had been killed.

Warlock

[mscheckmate]

I could see both Willow and Tara getting involved in politics. Not as candidates, but as volunteers. They'd probably have strong feelings on environmental issues, and especially strong feelings about gay and lesbian issues. Being constantly demonized by candidates beholden to the religious right tends to push many gay people into activism. (Eventually, anyway.)

I'm a Californian, and I'm happy that almost all of the state candidates and ballot measures that I supported won. But I'm frightened by the election results on the national level, and what they portend for my country, and, possibly, the world.

I wonder if California could secede from the Union?

[WebWarlock]

mscheckmate,

I have often wondered if California could secede as well!

Wow, Wynona got convicted.

Well I just got a nice little note. I was talking to the printer of my witch book. So if I publish it through ShadowEarth games, I'll have to charge $30.00 a pop to make any money. If I sell it to another company (which is actually my plan SEG is kinda dead right now) they can charge $40.00 and I'll make less. Ah love this biz. Logic like this keeps my mind sharp...now where is that whatever smilley...

Warlock

[Grimaldi]

its been a while since i've voted since i am lazy and don't have a lot of faith in the political process. it just seems that when you vote on propositions, there is alway an immediate legal challenge by the losing side, plus the fact that the candidates who run for office spend more time trashing their opponents than saying how they will improve the country.

[mscheckmate]

[quote:c1c346e916]Quote:

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I have often wondered if California could secede as well!

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[/quote:c1c346e916]


Aww, Warlock, you and the rest of the country.

We Californians just laugh good-naturedly when you all call us "the land of fruits and nuts." We are happily off in a world of our own here, and that's the way we like it.

BTW, poor Winona. Most cases like hers get pled down to misdemeanors, and the defendants end up on probation and doing community service. But, somehow, she ended up in court charged with three felonies.

The DA's office couldn't convict OJ, but that doesn't matter, because they nailed Winona. I know that society feels so much safer knowing that a dangerous criminal like her will be out of the game for a while.

[theatremouse]

I wanna secede from the union.....
quoth my galpal as of one am "waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh"
suceeded by tremendous moping.
any aussie kittens wanna let me move in? i've been wanting to move to australia for years, i now have extra impetus to do so, like, NOW.

peace out.

(bighugeMassive emphasis on that peace part)

[scifiacid]

I'm thinking moving to England looks pretty good right now!~

[Dumbsaint]

I dunno. I'm thinking that going nationless looks pretty good right about now.

Yo, ho, yo, ho, a pirate's life for me.

[theatremouse]

yeah, that too. i'm in.

peace.

[daddykat]

Yeah, I can imagine W&T being somewhat politically active, whether as Dems or Greens, if not now then by the time they're older. (Hey, if there are parallel dimensions at all, there have to be multiple Buffyverses among them.) With any luck, by the time they reach their mid-40s like I'm the 2-party system (which was great for the Industrial Age) will have been dismantled. Our "Jewiccan" couple would more likely be either Green or Democratic Populist than Reform, Farmer-Labor, or National Democrat. (And, by mutual agreement, they never argue politics w Xander and Anya, who'd be either Progressive Republican, Free-Soiler, or Federal Republican.)
Honestly, I can't say I'm unhappy w the results. I didn't vote for our winning Demo-governor-elect here, but he's a good man and I don't have a lot of worries. As far as Iraq, that was already settled and different election results wouldn't have "unpassed" the resolutions that already went thru. And maybe now we can get some of those over-lengthy vacancies on the Federal bench filled, maybe gte the Homelan dSecurity and Natioanl Prescription Plan laws passed, and get back to running the country instead of both parties provoking deliberate failures to embarass the other side. I get SO tired of "the public be damned as long as they balme the others and vote for us next time" attitudes so universal among political types.
If this is TOO partisan, I'm sorry, I agree a forum like this has to watch it.

[Taz]

This was my first time voting, I'm 24 and my girl said I had to because I can and others can't. So I did, sadly Wayne Allard was re-elected for 6 more years of Republican BS.

I don't think Tara would really be interested except to try and keep phobes and the such from having too much power. Willow would be very interested as she is the nerdy type and would make sure Tara was aware.