# Kerry has conceded **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777 "2004-11-03T16:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/101 "2004-11-03T19:39:29Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > . . . being gay, transgendered, atheist, Muslim, Jew or agnostic in Bush’s U.S. Outta the park, **Eve**. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/102 "2004-11-03T19:44:39Z")
> [@buttonjockey308](#): > > You want change, but want someone else to make it happen for you, that’s bullshit. What’s more, all the energy that the Dems had came not from Kerry being a dynamic, viable candidate, but from the hatred of Bush. > > Anyone who voted for Kerry just to remove Bush ought to be slapped alongside the head. Since Kerry was the only choice we had left to oust Bush, why is that not a good enough reason to vote for him. [Stan from South Park]Don’t you see? It’s always going to be between a Douche and a Turd.[/Stan] > [@](#): > > I don’t agree with Bush on 75% of his positions, but unless I stand up and act, Bush will run roughshod over me, and everyone else who does not agree. We need more squeaky wheels, my friend, to squeak in the ears of our elected officials. If you haven’t stood up in action, you’ve bent over for inaction. I’m afraid I lost my idealism at a very young age, because I don’t think activist are able to do jack-shit about anything. The person with all the power is the one with the best spin and the most money. Do you really think anything will change by a handful of people trying to change something like allowing gay marriage? Look how well that turned out this year. Yes, I’m cynical. I can’t help it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/103 "2004-11-03T19:46:38Z")
Excellent concession speech, for whatever that is worth. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/104 "2004-11-03T19:47:51Z")
Oh crap! It was Kyle that said that, not Stan. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/105 "2004-11-03T19:58:27Z")
I have a question about this sort of philosophy (what I’ve bolded)… _Originally Posted by Liberal_ > [@](#): > > Maybe. Why don’t you go ahead and join the chorus of Gobear, Eve, and others who ridicule his faith and mock his God. Go ahead and blame him for your own pathetic inability to formulate properly a public relations appeal. Scream “homophobic asshole!” at him just **because he doesn’t immediately throw out his whole worldview that has been instilled in him since childhood.** Keep being a jerk. Maybe the world will spontaneously turn upside down and your strategy will suddenly begin working. I had a lot of beliefs indoctrinated in me when I was growing up. Some were decent and noble to retain. Others were reprehensible and I’m glad that over the course of time to have changed my views. However, I’ve met many people (my family is the most prominent example I have from personal experience) who have quite bigoted ideas and yet, because that’s what _their_ parents taught them, cling to them tenaciously and are very proud to do so. All this despite knowing that thinking thusly is harmful and hateful. Like racism. I just don’t understand why that would ever be a valid argument about why something is a good thing to pursue. Anyone able to help me with this? ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/106 "2004-11-03T20:32:30Z")
> [@Linear Crack](#): > > [Here is a nice view of OUR country](http://images.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/elections2004/_images/2004countymap.gif) Hey, it’s not our fault that Bush voters are so repulsive that even they can’t stand living in close proximity to each other. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/107 "2004-11-03T20:35:36Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Too bad you think so. Given that I opened a thread to, not very successfully, rise above my anger and congratulate the Pubs, I like to think I might be given the benefit of the doubt. > And yet you say nothing about his first post using God to taunt us. You’re such a filthy hypocrite. Religious aggression is good, and resisting theocractic mockery is “mocking.” He didn’t mock you. He didn’t say anything to or about you. He said, “Praise God” in response to “Kerry has conceded”. You simply inserted yourself and your agenda in between the two. Regarding your “congratulations”, it rang hollow to me, what with your warnings, your you’ll-get-what-you-deserve pedantry, and your reference to a Pyrrhic victory. If I had voted for Bush, I wouldn’t have felt congratulated. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/108 "2004-11-03T20:39:13Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > I had a lot of beliefs indoctrinated in me when I was growing up. Some were decent and noble to retain. Others were reprehensible and I’m glad that over the course of time to have changed my views. However, I’ve met many people (my family is the most prominent example I have from personal experience) who have quite bigoted ideas and yet, because that’s what _their_ parents taught them, cling to them tenaciously and are very proud to do so. All this despite knowing that thinking thusly is harmful and hateful. Like racism. I just don’t understand why that would ever be a valid argument about why something is a good thing to pursue. Good thing I didn’t make that argument then. I didn’t say his attitude was a good thing to pursue. I said that the manner in which Gobear and his cohorts go about trying to change his attitude isn’t working. And obviously, it isn’t. The reason it isn’t working is because he is locked into a rut, and rather than assist him in digging out of that rut, they are pecking at his skull while he ducks and becomes more entrenched than ever. They’ve done this now to millions of people, as yesterday demonstrated. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/109 "2004-11-03T20:51:30Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I said that the manner in which Gobear and his cohorts go about trying to change his attitude isn’t working. Ooooh, am I a cohort? Is that like being a Pip, or a Raylette? ---
**Author:** ![Psycho\_Pirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Psycho\_Pirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psycho_Pirate)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/110 "2004-11-03T21:03:45Z")
I’m not going to get into a big debate about my religion, because it has been correctly pointed out that this is not the appropriate forum. Suffice it to say, I hold my beliefs based on my upbringing, years of dependent and independent study, and through a lifetime of soul-searching. Believe it or not, I did not invoke the name of the God I worship in an attempt to offend, annoy, mock, bait, or antagonize anyone. Perhaps a simple “Thank God!” wouldn’t have resulted in this unfortunate hijack, but perhaps not. I attribute the negative reactions more to high emotions on both sides of the aisle today than to an overall dislike of religion in general. I’m glad Bush was elected. I’m glad Kerry conceded. I don’t expect any of you to agree 100% with that. There are different viewpoints. Showing a modicum of respect would be nice, and some of you have done that. However, this is the pit, so respect isn’t required. I’ll keep others’ possible reactions in mind when posting in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/111 "2004-11-03T21:05:40Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Ooooh, am I a cohort? Is that like being a Pip, or a Raylette? Were you the one with the “or else…” quip? Or am I confusing you with someone else? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/112 "2004-11-03T21:08:19Z")
> [@Already in Use](#): > > Hey, it’s not our fault that Bush voters are so repulsive that even they can’t stand living in close proximity to each other. You mean the wide open spaces like San Diego, Dallas, Cincinnati, etc.? Again, generalizations generally suck. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/113 "2004-11-03T21:45:29Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Good thing I didn’t make that argument then. I didn’t say his attitude was a good thing to pursue. I said that the manner in which Gobear and his cohorts go about trying to change his attitude isn’t working. And obviously, it isn’t. The reason it isn’t working is because he is locked into a rut, and rather than assist him in digging out of that rut, they are pecking at his skull while he ducks and becomes more entrenched than ever. They’ve done this now to millions of people, as yesterday demonstrated. My humblest appologies then. I definitely wasn’t trying to put words in your mouth. I was attempting that age old idea of repeating something back for clarification, to make sure I got the concept. I obviously missed the boat. However, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask something else since the general has already briefly been brought up about entrenched mores. In my previous example, using myself, it was imperative for _me_ to seek out alternatives and change my ideas. I didn’t think anyone else should do it. And although I realize that’s not what you’re saying either, it does seem to put the impetus on others rather than upon the person responsible. Now I realize that said individual may not _want_ to see/do differently, but isn’t that the crux of the whole matter anyway? Presenting a reasonable view of things and hoping intelligent thought, discourse and re-consideration happen. If not, what should happen then if obstinance is purely the result of _nothing_ more than long held beliefs? That attitude should be combatted (agh! I can’t think of the actual word I want and I feel this one is too strong – I hope it’s understood what I’m getting at), right? ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/114 "2004-11-03T22:06:34Z")
Kerry’s campaign said that they would count every vote. I saw Edwards himself say that on TV this morning. And later this same morning, before the absentee votes even get in, Kerry goes and pulls a stunt like this? Way to break campaign promises! Yesterday I wanted him to win, but if he runs in '08 he’s lost my vote to one of the independent parties. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/115 "2004-11-03T22:08:32Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > You mean the wide open spaces like San Diego, Dallas, Cincinnati, etc.? > > Again, generalizations generally suck. Oh dear, did I forget my usual “this is a facetious remark, not a detailed statistical abstract of the United States making sure to note each and every exception to a general trend” disclaimer? My profound apologies. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/116 "2004-11-03T22:13:45Z")
My own feeling is that Bush is the individual Pat Robertson was talking about several years ago when he said that the Christian right had people in high places in position to take over the government of the United States for Christ. If you think a theocracy in America is impossible you just haven’t been paying attention. If you are an atheist, an agnostic, any kind of non-Christian, gay, lesbian or trans-gendered, your days of relative freedom are numbered. Church-state separation has been under attack for years, and the forces of the New Dark Ages are in place. I know, I know, hysterical, irrational. I’m dissilusioned and very tired. Maybe I’ll feel better after some sleep. But I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/117 "2004-11-03T22:51:44Z")
Mr. Kerry, thank you for leading a spirited campaign. To you and every one of your supporters, the whole of America owes a debt of gratitude. Getting the vote out, informing the voters, and stirring interest in the Presidential contest were objectives, the turnout at the polls yesterday being evidentiary of a tremendous success. Your speech today was that of a gracious gentleman, a reminder of why you are the recipient of such ardent allegiance. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/118 "2004-11-03T23:04:58Z")
> [@Already in Use](#): > > Oh dear, did I forget my usual “this is a facetious remark, not a detailed statistical abstract of the United States making sure to note each and every exception to a general trend” disclaimer? My profound apologies. :rolleyes: \<-- He may be sickenly green, but he’s your best friend when you need him. ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/119 "2004-11-03T23:38:18Z")
> [@cityboy916](#): > > Kerry’s campaign said that they would count every vote. I saw Edwards himself say that on TV this morning. And later this same morning, before the absentee votes even get in, Kerry goes and pulls a stunt like this? Yeah, I agree with this. What has he got to lose from counting all the votes? I’m feeling extremely disappointed. ☹ :mad: ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777/120 "2004-11-03T23:53:57Z")
> [@Psycho Pirate](#): > > PRAISE GOD! Why? With separation of Church and State He/She/They were not allowed to vote, anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-has-conceded/272777.md?page=7)