Saturday, April 10, 2004

   Let's get political.
Seeing as how I've been abnormally cheery as of late, I figure it's time to simmer down a bit with some politics. (Don't worry, faithful readers. There's plenty of insane ranting ahead. What do you think I am, some sort of... Republican?)

The first order of business? Bush's popularity seems to be slipping. At the very least, by a margin for error of 3%. If you ask me (of course you would, you're reading my blog), I think it's because of the Bush Administration's overall dishonesty as of late. When President Bush and VP Cheney asked to speak before the 9/11 commission, they basically told the council what they could and couldn't ask. Which makes it appear as though they have something to hide. Whether they do or don't, such a course of action can only cast suspicion on the administration.

Also, during the Bush-Clarke feud, the White House retaliated to former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke's accusations of inadequate action on the part of the administration with personal attacks, instead of presenting a mountain of "facts". When the administration sidesteps whatever issue is at hand, and uses childish "I know you are but what am I?" tactics, it's time for a change.

Yet another reason for Bush's loss in popularity? His religious agenda. Now, I'll be the first to admit, Bush isn't pushing to turn the US into a theocracy. But it seems as though he's creating a demi-theocracy. For example, Bush's proposed "constitutional" amendment banning gay marriage. The only reasons I've heard in support of this amendment have been religious in nature. Bush says he's protecting the "sanctity of marriage" in the interests of the American people, and is doing what the people want. Question: What is the "sanctity" of mariage? People get married when they're so deeply enamored with each other that they're ready to make a humongous commitment to each other. Just because the two people are homosexual does not mean they are any less serious about marriage. Bush seems to be saying that gays want to be married just to make a mockery of marriage. And as far as doing what the people want, I've discussed the issue with a lot of people in school. Mostly, people are unopposed to it. Those who were against gay marriage gave their reasons as either religious dogma, or homophobic fallacies. And, if I remember correctly, religion is supposed to be separate from affairs of state, and prejudice is supposed to have no place in the government.

But that's just my opinion. Here's John Kerry's. I sincerely hope Kerry wins the election, as he raises a good point here.

. "George Bush and the Republicans in Washington today have run the most arrogant, inept, reckless and ideological foreign policy in the modern history of this country."

I'm inclined to agree with him.

A final reason I dislike the current administration is the use of fearmongering. For example:

"John Kerry's political attacks are not a strategy to win the war on terror," Schmidt said.

It seems to me that, no matter what the issue is, the White House always manages to slip in a reference to 9/11. Erego, Bush should have his campaign slogan read "VOTE FER ME! TERRAR 9/11 SADDAM AL QAEDA TERRAR!". It's simply amazing how successful Bush's fearmongering has been among the sheeple. For example, in a recent discussion with my grandmother, I brought up how Bush pulled out of the Kyoto agreement, which was made in the interests of environmental protection. How did she respond to this? She simply reiterated Bush's successes in the War on Terror (while ignoring his failures in the same operation). Now, I'll be the first to admit it. Bush got rid of Saddam, which was a tremendous service to not only Iraq, but to the rest of the world. But that's pretty much all he's done. The war in Afghanistan seems to have pretty much ended, and we have more of our military resources in Iraq than Afghanistan. What ever happened to the search for Osama bin Laden? Yes, we've still got a presence in Afghanistan. But it's incomparable to our stand in Iraq.

And so ends yet another episode of Random Rants. If you've got an opinion on the subject (or simply wish to denounce me as an "anti-american, communist terrorist-sympathizer"), feel free to add your comment. Itte ki masu, and good God I need a witty tagline.

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