One week from today we will (knock on wood) know who won the presidential election. Both sides have basically assured us the end is nigh if we choose wrong. If one fellow wins, you will lose your job, home, health care, and civil liberties. if the other wins, you will either be blown up by terrorists or eaten by wolves. Election-day itself promises to be marred by fraud, intimidation, technical breakdowns, and potential violence, followed by weeks of litigation and chad jokes. I don’t see either side accepting the doom they’ve convinced themselves is inevitable if their guy loses. I wish I could say that we just shake hands and move on, but there’s nothing to suggest that is the case. How in the heck are going to get on with our lives?
I wont hate social conservatives any more on nov3 than I do now, and I think most people feel the same on both.
Unless there’s some seriously widespread fraud or similar scandal in the election, I don’t think we should worry about riots or anything.
Edit: most people feel the same on both sides.
Actually, that’s exactly what I am afraid of. Even caught-with-your-pants-down fraud would be better than what it will be, which is both sides accusing the other of cheating, and patching together anecdotes from around the country about crack-for-votes and bullies-at-the-box, and an electorate that’s both divided and distrustful, etc. Regardless of the outcome, we know the losers will litigate. It’s got to be a landslide, or we’re going go through another bloody mess.
That’s a pretty big “unless”, esp. since most evidence points to the contrary (i.e., widespread fraud and scandal is already taking place).
See, now, we just haven’t been taking the TV ads seriously enough. All the conspiracy theorists are speculating that Rove & co. will stage a terrorist attack on the election eve. But the ads show what’s really planned: They’re going to release wolves in battleground states to suppress voter turnout! 
I actually don’t expect the outcome of the election to be in serious doubt by the end of November 3rd, and I expect the loser to concede graciously.
As for getting on with my life if Bush wins… it’s a prospect almost too horrible to contemplate and I also don’t think it’s going to happen, but I guess I’ll just drink a lot and withdraw into my shell and suck my thumb at night and watch civilization crumble around me over the years, and remind myself that it’s only life.
Optimistically I would say mid-November for recounts and lawyers to calm down… pessimistically 2008 until who won or not to stop due to the next election.
Mid-december probably is a good estimate of when the money for lawyers should dry up ?
So, urban people will have to worry about terrorists, and rural people will have to worry about wolves? Because I live in the city and I really don’t want to have to add wolves to my list of things to look out for.
For me, easy. Movie awards season will be starting.
In a way, I almost hope Bush wins. Then the gloves come off. The thing I dislike more than having a conflict is wondering when it’s going to finally arrive. If a cultural war is brewing, I don’t think Kerry is the man to personify the devide. His image is presently so vague that right-wing demonization is almost more helpful in drawing contrasts than his own confused messages on the issues. At least we know Bush is a dishonest front-man for the neocons and evangelical Christians. I don’t know what the hell Kerry is, really.
To make an omellette, you’ve got to break a few eggs. So, since the damage is largely done, let’s break the whole carton and be done with it. If Bush wins, I don’t think the left needs to feel any need to aspire to multilateralism (if they ever did) any longer. The social conservatives (who are blind to the economic swindle BushCo has perpetrated, so we may as well forget about “protecting the middle-class”, since they completely inhabit la-la land on that issue) have really thrown down the glove this time around, so why play nice any longer? Really, why bother? I see it as hopeless to argue or appeal, so let’s just dispense with the pretense of unity, and get to the down-and-dirty business of whatever paradigm shift we appear to be in for. I’m tired of the looming clouds: Bring on the storm, already.
Bush winning could be an opportunity, if you think about it. We Americans have become fat, ignorant, and complacent. Maybe it’s time we really shook things up to the point something simply must give way to stark reality. Then, on either side, we will truly know where we stand, and can chart our course appropriately. And so can the rest of the world. In a way, it might be a plus to see Bush continue the way he has gone, just so he can definitively clinch his title as the worst president in American history. Perhaps we really need to finally feel ashamed of ourselves before we wake up and start valuing our position as a potential force for good in the world, instead of living in the fantasy of a worldwide zero-sums game where might is right, and if we don’t use it, we lose all.
Maybe we can switch homes? (In which case I can assure you that you would not write this.)
Salaam. A
Then vote for Bush, if Kerry wins arabic speaking wolf packs in the city parks will tear your children to shreds.
I plan to take to the hill on Nov. 3 with a small band of armed freedom fighters and contest the results of the election till the bitter end. I’ll do this reagardless of who the declared winner is, mainly because I like being contradictory.
The clownesque childishness, the ridiculous vulgarity and lies used by the candidates , the intimidations, the clear intentions to be as fraudulent as parties can get away with is beyond the definition for “banana republic”.
Do you have an idea what impression all of this makes onto the world outside the USA ?
In addition: Do you have an idea about how all of this highlights the hypocritical US arrogance to claim that they are in a position to “teach” other nations and people about “democracy”, that they invade and occupy sovereign nations to “bring democracy” and that the US is in the position to “teach” other people “how to vote”?
Learn something about democracy and non fraudulent honest voting systems yourselves first = try in the future to look at how other nations do it and learn from them before even remotely come to the idea that others could learn from the USA.
Salaam. A
Well, The Stranger newspaper in Seattle already has a list of places to protest on November 3 if Bush wins.
I already have coyotes out back at night, so I ain’t afraid of no wolves.
The Incredibles opens next Friday. I’m seeing that even if I have to run over Katherine Harris to do so. 
Lighten up Salaam. Comparatively, the US is a damn sight better then most other countries in the world. And you want to see a banana republic? Try local elections in France or Ireland on for size and you’ll see wonderful examples of human treachery that make Florida 2000 look serene.
I’ll go on regardless. Some of the language some posters are using is a little confrontational but then most people act tough over the internet and are perfectly reasonable when you meet them in person.
Did you mean to post this in a different discussion? It seems seriously out of place here.
Nope. Was referencing Salaam and Loopydude’s posts all at once. Should have used quotes. :smack:
I’m guessing Lochdale was referencing Aldebaran’s post, which ends with the salutation “Salaam A.” (Salaam Alaikum, Peace be to you), but could easily be confused for someone’s name (“George P.”)
Additionally, Lochdale, note Aldebaran’s prior post:
… from which I gather he is living in a country that Pentagon war planners are probably drawing bullseyes all over right now (or just one that is feeling the political fallout from our recent military adventures).
I was indeed misinterpreting “Salaam A.” and I did not know its full meaning.
Is Aldebaran in a country that could, potentially, be attacked? If so, I’d be curious to hear about the extent of his 'net access regarding censorship etc.
sigh
So apparently, the OP’s answer is “no way anyone’s getting on with life (at least if Bush wins) because the world will end.”
Swell. I’m sure that’s the answer he was looking for.