VotingDiscuss

During the current American election I have received a pretty big electronic postbag. Here is a sample for you to share. These flowed from my blog of yesterday where I implored my American friends to vote, whatever their preference. I have edited for space, but kept the intent, typos and even my own errors, for which I apologize!

Many thanks to my contributors.

Tony, I could not disagree with you more. America is stock full of
idiots who have no knowledge of candidate platforms and will vote
blindly..

To which I responded,

Hi Steve,

If voting was just decided on IQ, it would be down to just me and you
and a couple of friends in MENSA who, I must be the first to state,
can't find their own ass in the dark. If voting was based on knowledge
then George W could not have stood let alone voted! The man's entire
foreign travel experience before becoming President was one trip to
Mexico. It used to be decided by your wealth, or land, in different
countries, and yet, in democracies it (the right to vote) is supposedly decided by universal suffrage. To be universal it should be mandatory, not because we all know so much, or are so clever, or rich or are men, but because everyone has a voice in a democracy, even the bloody idiots!


Steve’s answer;

I tend to agree with you but I still hold to the notion you should at
least know something about the candidate your voting for. The Howard
Stern radio show did a skit where an interviewer went to Harlem NY
and asked the "man on the street" questions such as who are you voting for. To a man/woman they said Obama. Then the interviewer went on to ask if they agreed with "Obamas" policies and proceeded to recite McCain policy and everyone agreed. Proving they had absolutely no knowledge of either candidate. Then the icing on the cake came. The interviewer asked if Obama wins will they be okay with Sarah Palin as the V.P.? Everyone said it would be fine.... go figure. Anyway it's sad that people don't take a more active role in educating themselves but it is what it is.


Next is one from Dick, to which there can be no response.


Let's hope that the next two days are among the happiest in history and that the crucial corner is turned. Will somebody please advise Howard Dean that he has two friends in Malibu who will celebrate his genius, dedication and compassion in the highest when those numbers roll in, Karl Rove's best efforts to steal history notwithstanding. Interesting that Rove spells his first name the same way any self-respecting Nazi might but... don't tell McPain this because it will inspire a new Palin speech... he also spells it the same way Karl... are you sitting?... MARX did. Does that make him a Marxist or merely a socialist?

Dick also wrote me another e-mail,


Tony, thanks... I'm not sure I go along with the Australians. I think
people who are too sloth to educate themselves about the candidates and the issues are better off left out of the count. I think every citizen who feels himself informed should vote.

From concerned citizen Marjorie there was this,


We're already having some insanity starting over the voting. There's a Republican guy on the overpass of the 101 in Santa Barbara with army fatigues and a gun screaming obscenities about Obama. I suppose tomorrow all hell may break loose! Aren't you glad you're in London? This may be politics answer to the West Hollywood Halloween celebration on Santa Monica Blvd. Stay tuned.........


And indirectly, via Stevie, what Ms. Brigitte Bardot think of it all;

French film legend-turned-activist Brigitte Bardot took a swipe at Sarah
Palin on Tuesday, saying the US vice presidential candidate was a disgrace to women.

"I hope you lose these elections because that would be a victory for
the world," Bardot wrote in an open letter to Republican John McCain's
running mate in the November vote.

"By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you
are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true
environmental catastrophe," wrote Bardot.

The screen icon from the 1960s, who now heads an animal rights foundation, went on to assail Palin for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could jeopardize delicate animal habitats and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears.

"This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life," Bardot wrote.

In a final salvo against Palin, the 74-year-old ex-star picked up on
Palin's depiction of herself as a pitbull wearing lipstick and said she
"implored" her not to compare herself to dogs.

"I know them well and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal for that matter is as dangerous as you are," Bardot wrote.

My considered response it to ask what can you write when faced with such words, voiced by such a level headed champion of all things fluffy that bark?

I received this from Don,

Well said. It's a shame you don't have the e-mail address of every
American!

Perhaps I should have just featured Don’s message? Whatever way you look at it America, VOTE!