# Announcement: I am not voting for Bush. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2004, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893 "2004-09-10T08:23:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/21 "2004-09-10T15:54:35Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > I understand the frustration and sarcasm you use here, **Shodan** , but you will find that there are any number of people who may not be overly thrilled with Kerry, but intend to vote for him, like **Airman Doors** , simply because Mr. Bush’s actions, policies, and/or evidenced attitudes have triggered their gag quotient. Right. Those folks will get along fine on the SDMB, because they gag at the thought of Bush. Anyone else will get flamed and snarked at and attacked because their hatred of Bush is not deep enough. Exactly as **Airman** describes in his OP. > [@Polycarp](#): > > Mr. Kerry no doubt has his virtues, but he has made something of a fool of himself in this campaign. But I believe he will get a large number of votes, not because of what he stands for himself, but because he is widely perceived as the only viable alternative to Mr. Bush – and a fair proportion of moderates agree in general terms with my last paragraph, and would vote for Pumbaa the Warthog in preference to giving Mr. Bush a mandate to continue as he has for another quadrennium. Right. The only acceptable position is to vote for Kerry and to publicly hate Bush. Exactly as **Airman** describes in his OP. > [@Binarydrone](#): > > Shodan, Speaking as a non-partisan human, I have to say that I find your post in this thread to be rather snarky and mean. I was agreeing with **Airman** that the reaction of the anti-Bush crowd is snarky and mean - _to anyone who does not hate Bush sufficiently._ It is not enough to be a Kerry supporter. It is not even enough to vote for Kerry as the lesser of two evils. You must vote for Kerry, **and** you must publicly declare your hatred of Bush. Exactly as almost every poster in this thread has done, and exactly as **Airman** described in his OP. > [@Binarydrone](#): > > The OP, and indeed most people in the thread, are expressing nuanced political opinions, yet you somehow feel the need to come in and take a pot shot. **Airman** is expressing nuanced opinions. He is also bemoaning that he is receiving pot shots, not from me or from the non-Bush bashing conservatives on the SDMB (all six of us :)), but from the partisan extremists of the Left. Exactly as described in the OP. > [@Binarydrone](#): > > While it may be true that the overall tone of the SDMB is left leaning, my impression is that the blind partisans of the Left are pretty balanced by the blind partisans of the Right (hint: you are part of what makes that balance happen). To be honest, both sides are an embarrassment. It seems like you just don’t get it. Which is simple horseshit. **Anyone** who does not express sufficient hatred of Bush is labelled as a blind partisan of the Right, regardless of the nuances of their position. You are doing it to me, others are doing it to **Airman**. Exactly as described in the OP. Cripes, debating liberals is easy. All you need to do is wait twenty minutes, and you get a half dozen of them demonstrating that everything you say about them is true. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/22 "2004-09-10T16:11:49Z")
**Shodan:** \*I was agreeing with Airman that the reaction of the anti-Bush crowd is snarky and mean - to anyone who does not hate Bush sufficiently. It is not enough to be a Kerry supporter. It is not even enough to vote for Kerry as the lesser of two evils. You must vote for Kerry, and you must publicly declare your hatred of Bush. \* **Shodan** , as you know, I’m a liberal poster of long standing on this board. I’m opposed to most of Bush’s actions and policies, and I don’t want him to be re-elected. I do not, however, hate Bush, and I never have. Nor have I ever criticized any other non-Bush-hater, liberal or conservative, for not hating him. You are simply making the same kind of sweeping partisan generalizations that you’re simultaneously accusing liberals of making. What’s the point? ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/23 "2004-09-10T16:13:22Z")
This is simply another Me Too ™ post. If I could have voted in 2000, I would have voted for Bush. In 2004, I will vote for Kerry. I disagree with the majority of his policy stances, but I do believe that he is a man of some moral character, and before commiting troops overseas I hope that he’ll be able to use some of his own personal backgroud in military service in weighing that decission. I partially supported Bush in 2000 due to his strong stance on limited military intervention overseas, and then only with clear American interests involved and a clear ability for military intervention to help the situation. Iraq was neither. I don’t think of Kerry as a fiscal moderate or even conservative like Clinton, but then again, with the Republican control of both houses of congress, I am confident that little expensive legislation will be passed. Unlike Bush’s first term, in which rather than facing head on the difficult issues raised by this country’s coming demographic crisis by pushing for true Social Security and Medicare reform, he just gave away more benefits in the name of political vote-buying. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/24 "2004-09-10T16:21:12Z")
Shodan, I am not labeling you as partisan because you don’t hate Bush, I am labeling you as partisan because I have never seen you post anything but support for the Right in any of the threads of yours that I have read and I have never seen you do anything but condemn the Left. Now, I am more that willing to be wrong and will gladly go to any link that you provide to the contrary, all that I am saying is that is the conclusion that I have reached based on your posts. Further, to my recollection I have not expressed hatred of Bush and no one has labeled me as a blind partisan for the right. To be fair, the former point is probably not universally true, so I may have gotten my Liberal cred at some point, but it is worth mentioning that as the election grows closer I have made a very deliberate effort to be _more_ understanding and polite and (as far as I can tell) these efforts have gone unnoticed. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/25 "2004-09-10T16:33:44Z")
**3mae:** _I don’t think of Kerry as a fiscal moderate or even conservative like Clinton, but then again, with the Republican control of both houses of congress, I am confident that little expensive legislation will be passed._ 😕 You’re counting on Republicans to be automatically fiscally conservative? With deficit spending and debt service costs soaring under a Republican administration, including the past two years of Republican control of both houses, and continuing commitment to expensive programs of military expenditure and tax reduction, I’m not sure your confidence is justified. The Republicans did used to be known as the more fiscally conservative party, but a lot of them haven’t been walking the walk in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/26 "2004-09-10T17:15:31Z")
I’ve been paying attention Airman. An added benefit to Bush getting voted out in my mind is the fact that, as a former commander in chief, you wouldn’t be restricted on what you can say about his cic style. You first alluded to that, what, three months ago? I’m actually looking forward to you getting it off your chest. I hope you can in January of 2005. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/27 "2004-09-10T17:16:14Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > **3mae:** _I don’t think of Kerry as a fiscal moderate or even conservative like Clinton, but then again, with the Republican control of both houses of congress, I am confident that little expensive legislation will be passed._ > > 😕 You’re counting on Republicans to be automatically fiscally conservative? With deficit spending and debt service costs soaring under a Republican administration, including the past two years of Republican control of both houses, and continuing commitment to expensive programs of military expenditure and tax reduction, I’m not sure your confidence is justified. > > The Republicans did used to be known as the more fiscally conservative party, but a lot of them haven’t been walking the walk in recent years. I absolutely realize that, but I’m cynically depending on the fact that Republican and Democrat partisanship will lead to bickering and generally not getting anything accomplished. Which, IMHO, is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/28 "2004-09-10T17:57:50Z")
Good OP **Airman** **Shodan** , you’re a fool. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/29 "2004-09-10T18:16:40Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > They’ve even called _me_ a Bush supporter, \*\*despite that I’m the only one I know of who has pinned on him the label of “tyrant”. \*\* Rightwing fascist [LIAR!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=275207) > [@](#): > > As I’ve stated in other threads of this genre, a frightened populace is an easily controlled and manipulated populace. If you convince people they should be frightened, then by golly they probably will be frightened. And if you then offer up the bogeyman for them to be frightened of, well ditto. And if you offer yourself as salvation, well then you do the math. **It’s worked for madmen and tyrants throughout history.** Now is no different. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/30 "2004-09-10T18:34:34Z")
I am similar to Airman Doors in the fact that I will not vote for Bush. That is a decision made several months ago. However, since I live in California it hardly matters who I vote for, since Kerry will win the state. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/31 "2004-09-10T18:43:30Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > I am similar to Airman Doors in the fact that I will not vote for Bush. That is a decision made several months ago. However, since I live in California it hardly matters who I vote for, since Kerry will win the state. Do us a favor and vote anyway. BTW FWIW I would have voted Bush in 2000, had I voted. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/32 "2004-09-10T19:10:14Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It’s too bad, but there it is. Nuance is the enemy. Moderation is betrayal. It won’t go away unless Kerry wins. I think you’ve touched on the truth generally. It won’t go away even _IF_ Kerry wins, because partisanship, stirred by people like Limbaugh and (help me here, I’m trying to think of a left wing analog to Limbaugh, but it’s just not coming), will still be with us no matter who is in the White House. Maybe in the final analysis that’s a good thing. The blend of disparate idologies, strongly expressed, is what makes American politics and life generally as vibrant as it is, and as secure. Everybody moving in lock step is just, well, un-American. It’s a cinch if everybody on these boards were moderate the SDMB would be a lot less interesting than it is. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/33 "2004-09-10T19:29:18Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I was agreeing with Airman that the reaction of the anti-Bush crowd is snarky and mean - to anyone who does not hate Bush sufficiently. Which explains why **Reeder** is the most popular poster on the entire board. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/34 "2004-09-10T19:40:07Z")
Yeah, Airman. I really respect you for not just sticking to the party line. I really think Bush is bad for our country, and that it goes beyond simple partisanship. This isn’t just a right vs. left issue. > [@xtisme](#): > > I know what you mean Airman. If you aren’t in lock step with everyone else on this board you MUST be a Bush supporter. If you disagree with Kerry, you have GOT to support Bush. You just can’t get it through peoples heads that BOTH of these bozos are lame. I have blowero over in another thread yanking my chain in a futile attempt to get me to just admit I’m a secret Bush supporter and card carrying Republican. > > -XT Don’t be an asshole, xtisme. I said nothing of the kind. What I DO think you are is a secret liberal-hater (or maybe not so secret), but you don’t have the balls to admit it, hence your pitiful revisionism in that “other” thread you mentioned. If you want to pit me, why don’t you grow a pair and start a thread instead of burying it in someone else’s? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/35 "2004-09-10T20:56:03Z")
You said “Bush supporter.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/36 "2004-09-10T21:27:16Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Which explains why **Reeder** is the most popular poster on the entire board. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/37 "2004-09-10T22:11:38Z")
The Doors man rocks, and he knows I think so. Stay conservative, stay strong…and stay true to what’s right. You rule. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/38 "2004-09-10T22:20:36Z")
> [@DesertGeezer](#): > > I think you’ve touched on the truth generally. It won’t go away even _IF_ Kerry wins, because partisanship, stirred by people like Limbaugh and (help me here, I’m trying to think of a left wing analog to Limbaugh, but it’s just not coming), will still be with us no matter who is in the White House. That and after 2000, the legitimacy of each WH occupant from here on out will be called into question. \ > [@](#): > > Maybe in the final analysis that’s a good thing. The blend of disparate idologies, strongly expressed, is what makes American politics and life generally as vibrant as it is, and as secure. Everybody moving in lock step is just, well, un-American. It’s a cinch if everybody on these boards were moderate the SDMB would be a lot less interesting than it is. I think you’re right in a way, but we seem to be tearing ourselves apart lately. It’s like that idea has gone past what you speak of to something totally worse. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/39 "2004-09-10T22:38:18Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I think you’re right in a way, but we seem to be tearing ourselves apart lately. It’s like that idea has gone past what you speak of to something totally worse. Let’s hope we find equalibrium sometime soon. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893/40 "2004-09-10T23:26:14Z")
**Shodan** complaining about collective groupthink is like Carrot Top complaining about obnoxiously unfunny comics. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-i-am-not-voting-for-bush/263893.md?page=3)