Non-American commiserates

[Green_Gem]

Just a note to all Americans in ‘mourning’ to let you know you are not alone. A continent away, I and many of my fellow countrymen feel your pain and anguish.

Ironically one of the satellite TV channels here aired Farenheit 9/11 on Monday night, the eve of the election. Apparently the movie grossed $23 million in it’s first week on circut in the USA and while I understand that it was heavily biased against George W Bush and that Michael Moore pulled out all the stops, I couldn’t help but feel that even if fifty percent of the documentary was exaggerated or shown out of context ( not saying it was, but giving critics the benefit of the doubt) there was still enough in the other fifty percent to disgust me and make me really angry – and I’m not American! I couldn't help but think the American people had been terribly duped but now, today, the results with a re-election of George W Bush for another term in office and an increase in the ‘popular’ vote, just completely bewilders me.

I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks about the US electoral process, but I’ll never understand the mindset of the majority of voters.

I realize there are domestic and other issues as well, and I’m not asking for an explanation in that regard. As I said, I’m simply adding my commiserations and wishing the many good and insightful Lit people, especially Shereads and Dr_Mabeuse, who are bitterly disappointed, much strength and fortitude. You will live to fight another day and you show the world the true spirit of what honest Americans with integrity are. On a final note, the Democrats and all who voted for them can be very proud of their efforts and their resolve. I can only hope that some lessons have been learned from the past four years and that this next term is an improvement on the last.

Green_Gem

 

[Guest]

Hear, hear, Green Gem!

I want to add my own commiserations to all those broken hearted by today's election result.

It is a massive thing, and we feel it over here in the UK, because the world could have been a vastly different place today.

Lou

 

[ABSTRUSE]

You limey's rock!!!

Does this mean I can still hate the french?

Seriously, if it wasn't for the Non-Americans I've met here on Lit, I may have been another ignorant American who believes the world revolves around us. I am amazed how many of you pay attention to our political shenanigans while so many Americans could give a rat's ass about what goes on elsewhere in the world. I have such respect and admiration for all of you.

Thank you all for your tolerance over the past few months.

 

[MLyons]

Green_Gem--

As one of the broken hearted....(albeit a bit more silent about it than others) I appreciate your condolences, and more than anything else, your friendship.

 

[minsue]

 

[TheEarl]

You limey's rock!!!

I am amazed how many of you pay attention to our political shenanigans while so many Americans could give a rat's ass about what goes on elsewhere in the world. I have such respect and admiration for all of you.

Don't worry Abs. We'll get our revenge when Teflon Tony calls the election. You'll hear me arguing for the right wing instead of the left for a change.

The Earl

 

[Green_Gem]

Abstruse, sweet girl, I'm not a Limey!! I'm an English speaking... wait for it... - secret about to be revealed- South African!

And MLyons, a big hug for you my dear friend

Green_Gem

 

[gauchecritic]

I'll offer my condolences to the Republicans, because as you well know your President has very little to do with how the country runs, you need to get a different set of behind the scenes guys.

Sorry Dems but from what I heard last night/this morning, little would have changed on the international scene had your man won, although I understand he would have made a difference internally.

Sorry world, I wasn't allowed to vote.

Gauche

 

[Guest]

Don't worry Abs. We'll get our revenge when Teflon Tony calls the election. You'll hear me arguing for the right wing instead of the left for a change.

The Earl

I won't. Screaming Lord Such of the Monster Raving Looney Party will be getting my vote.

(Is that guy still around, or did he die?)

Lou

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Abstruce, sweet girl, I'm not a Limey!! I'm an English speaking... wait for it... - secret about to be revealed- South African!

Green_Gem

South African???? Do you know Charlize Theron???

 

[Guest]

Abstruce, sweet girl, I'm not a Limey!! I'm an English speaking... wait for it... - secret about to be revealed- South African!

Green_Gem

That's so

That means you sound like a pissed Dutchwoman.

Lou

P.S. Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Green_Gem]

Don't know her personally AB, but she lived in Benoni, a real conservative Afrikaans town just outside of JHB. I know two people who went to school with her. Does that count?

She's definitely SA'S golden girl along with the other 'star's -Nelson Mandela, Ernie Els, Mark Shuttleworth who have all made their international mark as well. Funny thing about Charlize though, with her American accent; when she returned after winning the Oscar for 'Monster' she did an interview in Afrikaans and sounded like she had never left Benoni! Good actress I guess!

Green_Gem

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Don't know her personally AB, but she lived in Benoni, a real conservative Afrikaans town just outside of JHB. I know two people who went to school with her. Does that count?

She's definitely SA'S golden girl along with the other 'star's -Nelson Mandela, Ernie Els, Mark Shuttleworth who have all made their international mark as well. Funny thing about Charlize though, with her American accent; when she returned after winning the Oscar for 'Monster' she did an interview in Afrikaans and sounded like she had never left Benoni! Good actress I guess!

Green_Gem

I give you that one, she is brilliant, Monster was fabulous. Nelson Mandela, such a wonderful man, to endure so much but always manages to have a smile on his face......okay, I don't know the other two, but I'm sure they are cool. too

Oh and so are you.

 

[English Lady]

*hugs* to all those upset by the events of today and a too if it helps

 

[Green_Gem]

Hey Lou,

No disrespect, just amazing how people think if you aren't American, you're British! Mmm there are days I've wished I was... much less crime, but terrible weather. AND hun, I am definitely not 'Dutch' sounding. Note the deliberate emphasis on the 'english speaking.'

G_G

 

[dreampilot79]

As an american, I feel constrained in commenting on our political system.

I do believe however that if I had stuck with my origional plan to legally change my name to "Noneof Theabove" and made an effort to get on the ballot, I would have stood a very good chance of being elected.

I for one am an independent and felt that there were NO good choices for president in the election past.

So we get what we deserve.

 

[Guest]

Hey Lou,

No disrespect, just amazing how people think if you aren't American, you're British! Mmm there are days I've wished I was... much less crime, but terrible weather. AND hun, I am definitely not 'Dutch' sounding. Note the deliberate emphasis on the 'english speaking.'

G_G

Like you've got a plum in your mouth, eh?

 

[Green_Gem]

Abs,

Last punt for South Africa and then I'm shutting up. Ernie Els is the obscenely wealthy golfer who is often in the big million dollar prize money stakes in the US and England. Mark Shuttleworth was a nice quiet boy from CapeTown who developed an internet security system for making credit card purchases safely that was bought by an American group for a really obscene amount of money. When the deal came through he gave every one of his employees one million rand, and that even included the gardener. He started his business in a garage and eventually expanded to a small house with a dozen or so employees. More recently he paid $20 million to go into space.

Ok, I'm shutting up now. Don't tempt me Lou!

G_G

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Abs,

Last punt for South Africa and then I'm shutting up. Ernie Els is the obscenely wealthy golfer who is often in the big million dollar prize money stakes in the US and England. Mark Shuttleworth was a nice quiet boy from CapeTown who developed an internet security system for making credit card purchases safely that was bought by an American group for a really obscene amount of money. When the deal came through he gave every one of his employees one million rand, and that even included the gardener. He started his business in a garage and eventually expanded to a small house with a dozen or so employees. More recently he paid $20 million to go into space.

Ok, I'm shutting up now. Don't tempt me Lou!

G_G

Thank you for informing me, you should be very proud.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Thank you, Gem, that really means a lot. I’m afraid that the America that I and most of the Americans on this board know is really going to need all the world’s support and understanding in the years ahead.

Two years ago, when the Republicans won the mid-term elections, Cheney pushed through tax-relief for the rich by saying, “We won. This is our due.” Now the Bushies control both houses of government and don’t have to worry about looking good for re-election, so they can pretty much do whatever they want. There’s simply no one to stop them, and I’m afraid it won’t be pretty. They’re taking the results of the election as a public endorsement of their policies; a signal to keep on the way they’re going.

They won on a campaign of fear--fear of terrorism, fear of godless homosexuals, fear of strange values--but the real program is economic and cultural. The economic part sonsists of the continuing insidious transfer of wealth from the have-nots to the haves, the cultural part of the imposition of conservative evangelical Christian values on society at large.

Yet the biggest blow for me is that the people have indeed spoken. They want things this way. I no longer feel welcome in my own country. That’s what hurts the most. These people are dangerous. Mark my words.

---dr.M.

 

[LadyJeanne]

You're welcome in California, Doc. And Illionois, and New York, and all those other blue states who delivered our votes for reason, thought, and tolerance.

 

[Somme]

just putting my http://www.ourkidsports.com/gallery/albums/watersports/oar.jpg in...

 

[ABSTRUSE]

They won on a campaign of fear--fear of terrorism, fear of godless homosexuals, fear of strange values--but the real program is economic and cultural. The economic part sonsists of the continuing insidious transfer of wealth from the have-nots to the haves, the cultural part of the imposition of conservative evangelical Christian values on society at large.

Yet the biggest blow for me is that the people have indeed spoken. They want things this way. I no longer feel welcome in my own country. That’s what hurts the most. These people are dangerous. Mark my words.

---dr.M.

Well put Zoot, very well put. Thank you.