# Year Ago Today Bush Re-Elected: Happy Now Assholes? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 2, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134 "2005-11-02T19:09:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/241 "2005-11-03T21:25:57Z")
It was a somewhat tongue in cheek post, but to date, JFK is still the only Catholic ever to be elected president. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/242 "2005-11-03T21:30:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > \ But I think the thrust of the question was not to have you affirm that you don’t like Kerry, but to probe for some _reason_. Not all that complicated, really. The _reason_ dates back to Kerry’s actions after his return from VietNam. At the time I felt that he should have been prosecuted for treason, and that opinion hasn’t changed. I never dreamed the day would come when I’d get a chance to vote against him. Voting against him felt good. If y’all had run the Kucinich(sp) dude, I’d probably have voted demmie. The on-line questionnaire I filled out indicated that he should get my vote. However, I never found out enough about him so that I can factually say, at this point, that I _would_ have voted for him. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/243 "2005-11-03T21:41:41Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > Catholic. WTF? The flow of the thread leads me to assume your remark is directed at me. FYI my Confirmation Name is James. Not that I’ve been inside a church for other than weddings or funerals in several decades, but still… ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/244 "2005-11-03T21:42:09Z")
I really liked Kucinich myself. But people tend to vote more for what someone looks like first, issues come next. Kucinich was too short for people to stomach. Other than that, I agrred with him about 98% on the issues. I voted for him in the primaries, then Kerry in the election. Sorry, but I had a bad feeling about Bush back when he threw his hat in the ring for Prez. That feeling has only deepened. The only time I was 50/50 with him was right after 9-11, but it didn’t take long for me to see the bullshit again. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/245 "2005-11-03T21:45:18Z")
By which, I assume, you mean his involvement with the Viet Nam Veterans Against the War? I had a very close association with the men of that group, though was not qualified to be a member. I am honored to have several of them as friends to this day. If you wish to call them “traitors” call me one too, and I will stand as tall as I may and tell you to go fuck yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/246 "2005-11-03T21:48:48Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > WTF? The flow of the thread leads me to assume your remark is directed at me. FYI my Confirmation Name is James. Not that I’ve been inside a church for other than weddings or funerals in several decades, but still… As I said, it was a tongue in cheek post. You’ve always struck me as a very thoughtful person; I didn’t truly think that would be your reason. Although I did hear it from quite a few people who went with Bush instead. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/247 "2005-11-03T21:53:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > By which, I assume, you mean his involvement with the Viet Nam Veterans Against the War? I had a very close association with the men of that group, though was not qualified to be a member. I am honored to have several of them as friends to this day. If you wish to call them “traitors” call me one too, and I will stand as tall as I may and tell you to go fuck yourself. There was a thread several months ago that asked: “When will the division over the Vietnam war be over in the US?”. I think the consensus answer was “When all those who lived through it are dead.” My reason for not voting for Kerry and your response to that reason are perfect examples. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/248 "2005-11-03T21:54:42Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > The _reason_ dates back to Kerry’s actions after his return from VietNam. At the time I felt that he should have been prosecuted for treason, and that opinion hasn’t changed. > I never dreamed the day would come when I’d get a chance to vote against him. Voting against him felt good. So you voted against him for protesting a boondagle, thus damning another generation to another boondagle. Almost koan-like. Whelp, hope your revenge was sweet enough to wash the taste of 2000 dead soliders down. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/249 "2005-11-03T21:55:19Z")
Well, after all, those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to make the rest of us repeat it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/250 "2005-11-03T21:55:46Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > As I said, it was a tongue in cheek post. You’ve always struck me as a very thoughtful person; I didn’t truly think that would be your reason. Although I did hear it from quite a few people who went with Bush instead. No harm, no foul. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/251 "2005-11-03T21:57:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, after all, those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to make the rest of us repeat it. Damnit, that was my line. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/252 "2005-11-03T22:04:38Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > …My reason for not voting for Kerry and your response to that reason are perfect examples. You brought it up, buckaroo, not me. You haven’t the stones to back up yer offhanded remarks, don’t make them. Sure won’t bother me none. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/253 "2005-11-03T22:07:14Z")
Excuse. Your offhanded _slurs_, more to the point. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/254 "2005-11-03T22:15:38Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You brought it up, buckaroo, not me. You haven’t the stones to back up yer offhanded remarks, don’t make them. Sure won’t bother me none. My guess is he means the infamous “cavorting with North Vietnamese” alegations. I doubt he’s talking about simply protesting the war. At least I HOPE he doesn’t mean that. And **JCoM** , I’ve seen a few of your posts. You’re no Kucnich voter. Trust me on that! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/255 "2005-11-03T22:26:31Z")
> [@Shodan replying to me](#): > > Believe what you like. I am not naive enough to pretend that I could express myself in such a way that the nattering ninnies of the “Bush sux” contingent could not react with the usual bullshit barrage. > > I swear, you folks are the whiniest bunch in captivity. Nothing but Bush-hatred 24/7, and the instant you get even a trace of it back, you strike these self-righteous poses like it means something. Um, well, whatever you say. However, this is me. Remember me? The (if I say so myself) usually rational and fair-spoken Liberal But Not A Fucking Lunatic ™ who sometimes even posts to agree with you, and tends to avoid “Bush sux” rhetoric and mindless Bush-hatred in general? (I do have to plead guilty about the “for those of us who can actually read” crack, though.) When someone like me tells you that your post did indeed come across as gleeful indifference to various concerns including the deaths of US soldiers, maybe it shouldn’t be automatically dismissed as a “bullshit barrage”. Just suggestin’. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/256 "2005-11-03T22:33:46Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Beyond naive, it makes you idiotic ,particularly after having four years to consider what happened in 2000. You vote for your love candidate in the primaries, and if he/she doesn’t get advanced to the final two, voting for a third party candidate in the finals tends to help the candidate that is furthest from your views. Aw jeez, not this shit again! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/257 "2005-11-03T22:40:21Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > My reason for not voting for Kerry and your response to that reason are perfect examples. 😕 The hell?!? You mean you consider Kerry should have been prosecuted for treason just for protesting the Vietnam War as a Vietnam vet? Seriously? I have no personal ties with Vietnam Veterans Against the War, but I honestly never heard any serious suggestion that they might be guilty of actual treason. And this from somebody who voted twice for Jimmy “Amnesty” Carter and twice for Bill “Draft-Dodger” Clinton? Sorry, but I completely fail to understand this reasoning. > [@John Mace](#): > > My guess is he means the infamous “cavorting with North Vietnamese” alegations. I doubt he’s talking about simply protesting the war. At least I HOPE he doesn’t mean that. But **John Carter** specifically fingered “Kerry’s actions after his return from VietNam”. At which time he was protesting the war, not “cavorting with North Vietnamese”, right? Not even allegedly. Color me still confused. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/258 "2005-11-03T22:42:59Z")
Funny! The GoogleWhore device picked up on **John Carter** and wants to sell me Barzoom memorabilia. Oh, and rectal thermometers, for some reason… ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/259 "2005-11-03T22:45:50Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > The (if I say so myself) usually rational and fair-spoken Liberal But Not A Fucking Lunatic ™ you rang? ( I **wring** 😉 ) yes, \*\*Kimstu’s got a reserved seat at our meetings. I always let her pour the chardonnay. and **Shodan** - yea, I got what you were aiming at, but not 'cause your aim was good, ya know? ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134/260 "2005-11-03T22:47:02Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > By which, I assume, you mean his involvement with the Viet Nam Veterans Against the War? I had a very close association with the men of that group, though was not qualified to be a member. I am honored to have several of them as friends to this day. If you wish to call them “traitors” call me one too, and I will stand as tall as I may and tell you to go fuck yourself. > [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > There was a thread several months ago that asked: “When will the division over the Vietnam war be over in the US?”. I think the consensus answer was “When all those who lived through it are dead.” > My reason for not voting for Kerry and your response to that reason are perfect examples. I realize this is off-topic but what good does it do to hold a grudge for over 30 years? The Vietnam War has been over for a long time. The Cold War–the central conflict from which it sprang–is history. We normalized relations with Vietnam in the early 90’s. It’s now the place where sweatshop laborers make our Nikes. I hate to sound callous but you have to move on at some point. Why should people like myself who were either too young–or not even born–around the time of the Vietnam War have to suffer the consequences of a spiteful electoral decision based on a 35 year-old perceived grievance that can’t possibly be rectified? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-ago-today-bush-re-elected-happy-now-assholes/329134.md?page=14)