thoughts on technology and culture, politics, and information design
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
post-election thoughts
All day I have felt shell shocked.
It is difficult for me to understand why the popular and electoral vote are both clearly in favor of President Bush. I have gone through a cycle of emotions. A strong desire to leave the country. Raw fear about the consequences of a continued Bush presidency. A sense of betrayal. Suspicion of voting machines that leave no paper trail.
One apparent surprise in the election was the importance of 'morals'. It is unclear to me how Bush is considered moral, or how it is possible to be pro-life and support pre-emptive war at the same time. There is clearly a major division between this nation on the intersection of religion and politics.
Why, in a time when we are fighting a war - apparently against those whose religious views we consider 'extreme' - is a certain brand of zealotry becoming a political force?