Traveller Living in Toronto

Friday, November 05, 2004

Reactions to the Election

I remain unhappy with George W. Bush. I can not accept the fact that he is willing to take away human rights in order to impse the tyrany of the majority on a minority. Unfortunately, that is the size of the man. He is not going to remove the worst aspects of the Patriot Act. He is not going to get the US out of the war in Iraq. There is no way I could have voted for him.

I also remain unhappy with the conspiracy theorists who believe this election was stolen. To me, the fact the election was a decisive victory was a good sign even if I did not agree with it. Now, we have all these people saying it was illegitimate etc. etc. YET, they could have set up scrutineers who would have seen that honesty was upheld and they argue "it would be too much work". I have no use for the whining.

When Truman upset Dewey at the last minute there was a wide acceptance and honour shown for the President. It seems to me, no matter how bad Bush is (I liked his Dad and Mother MUCH better), we owe the office respect and as one person put it to me we owe the man respect only when he proves he has earned it.

canadabear@torweb.com

¶ 7:02 PM

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Voting Day in the United States:

It seems to me that if I were in the U.S. I could not vote for George W. Bush nor could I vote for John Kerry. There are many reasons for that.

The President took the U.S. into an unnecessary war. This war was the first I went out and stood in a candlelight vigil against - and I am in my seventh decade on this earth - not an activist by nature.

I also disagree with anyone taking human rights away through a Constitution. The decision to go with the Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is just one stupid decision. Before attending the first legal gay wedding in Canada, I did not support gay marriage. However, as I exited the building that day, I decided the couple was so happy that they ought to have the right to marry, just like other humans.

I happen to be a strong Christian who has attended "so-called right-wing" churches most of my life. However, I can not believe the interpretations I hear about the Bible. God made me. God does not make mistakes. It was not God or Christ who spoke out against homosexuality but more Paul. It is unclear to me how the books of the Bible got selected some 600 years after Christ - what about the book of Thomas? Why was it not included? For me, the materials by Bishop Spong make a huge amount of sense.

John Kerry wants to take freedom away by maintaining the Patriot Act That is one of the worst pieces of legislation around. John Kerry is not for human rights either. As we learned with Clinton, someone who is lukewarm to gay rights will not do much - although at least he sees the folly of a Constitutional amendment.

Now, what do I propose as an alternative. My first choice would normally be the Libertarian Party but lately the Green Party has become so much more fiscally conservative while being socially aware that they provide an excellent alternative to the Libertarian Party.

It seems to me strategic voting never works. Thus, I would vote for the Greens if they are on the ballot.

Why will I NOT watch the results tonight. I do not need the frustration of knowing one of two losers is winning. How horrible for the world! How horrible for the citizens of the U.S.! I feel sorry for you.
¶ 6:12 AM

UPDATE:

I have not been here for some time. So much has happened in my life including a major computer problem in the summer which kept me behind in my work.

Today I experienced something I never thought I would see. I had lost my bith certificate. Because I am headed to the Philippines the end of December and my Passport needs to be renewed prior to then and I also need to get a Visa, I had to go to the Ontario government office to apply for a replacement.

When I had gotten my marriage certificate I had to line up early (they open at 8:30) and then the line-up was huge. I got home after 10:00 a.m. (getting into line about 7:30). So this morning, I went at 7:20 a.m. and was home by 8:00 a.m. as they opened an hour early and served efficiently. When did you ever expect me to say something kind about bureaucracy?

I paid an extra amount for expedited service which will give me time to get the passport and the visa I hope.

Arnold, here I come.

As I walked over to the government offices it was raining but a gentle and pleasant rain which my umbrella handled well. When I came out to walk home the rain was much more severe and the wind had come up so the umbrella started to bend aroudn and I would have been Mary Poppins.

I am going to get back to blogging and will blog my whole stay in the Philippines. That way people can check and see what I am doing.

That is all for this morning. I have grading to do unfortunately so must get to work.
¶ 5:23 AM