Oh, oh, oh, oh, Ohio.

[adderslj]

So, we're down to Ohio. Whomever wins Ohio wins America (a divided one, but still the most powerful nation on Earth). And there's less votes in it than the absentee, postal and provisional votes.

Fun, fun, fun.

Update Mind you, the White House has just announced victory, so maybe not.

Comments

[zamiel.livejournal.com]

And it could always turn out well.

The lack of broad, compelling vision is what killed Kerry here in the South, I'm sure of it. Coupled with his war crimes history in an area where 3/4ths of the military bases and personnel are located ... it was a recipe for disaster.

The Average American knows and embraces "hard work and optimism," even if its not real. It is, literally, what this country was founded on. Its a story that sells. Kerry had, literally, nothing to offer that could come close to comparing in an area which considers itself largely the inheritors of the Southern Blue-Collar Legacy.

[predicate.livejournal.com]

Amen.

People live and die by their narratives. While I believe Bush's was a compelling but false narrative, it was still compelling. Kerry focused on deconstructing Bush's narrative -- a dunting task he applied himself to admirably -- but scant work went into crafting something equally compelling.

Sad, since there's so much opportunity to create a positive vision, even in simple terms for those outside the punditry.

[zamiel.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm not sure Bush's narrative is false.

Let me clarify: there are a group of folks that better hope Bush's narrative is not false. The Arabs. His story goes that all they need is opportunity and support and they, as a culture and as tribal peoples, can be bootstrapped up with love and security and an open hand.

The alternative ... well, I've said it before and I'm sure I will again: America, pushed sufficiently, will drink the blood of its enemies like a beast, and feel no regret after. Dresden. Berlin. Nagasaki. Hieroshima. When iron comes to blood, the ease at which the only major cities in the ME could be turned to rubble or, worse, glass is just a trivial flex of our arms. There is no force on Earth capable of stopping us. Moreover, there's no force on Earth who is capable of cleaning up after but us, either.

That's why this particular plotline is so crucial, and why the one Kerry indirectly proposes is so concerning. With Bush, the hand is out. Its wearing a gauntlet, but its notionally there to help. With Kerry, the hand comes back to our chests ... and he may have no choice but to follow the other arc.

I have no moral compunctions about wiping out 30+million people in the ME, but I find it highly inasthetic.

[predicate.livejournal.com]

Well, that reaises the other question -- how MANY narratives are in play?

I really, after considerable study, believe that the "Freedom for the Middle East" narrative is a false one. Not in the sense that it is impossible, but rather that it is not what Bush's administration is pursuing. Looking at the work that individuals in his administration have been applying themselves to for the past couple of decades, Mideast freedom is IMO less of a priority than estabilishing American centers of influence. There's a subtle but distinct difference.

The extent to which the Arab street and press have been articulating that difference is sobering -- very few people in the ME seem to buy the 'America Wants us Free' argument, given our history and the mixed nature of our present efforts.

I think supporting democratic reform and religious reform in the ME is a VERY worthy goal... but it's far more complex and tricky than our current push.

Anyways. Sorry.Didn't mean to derail Addders' thread with this stuff :)