It's interesting. I did some electioneering at my precinct, and a number of people took the Kerry stuff looked at it, looked at me and said "why?"
As in why would a nice tall young professional with a good haircut and expensive leather jacket and good manners be for "Kerry"? I guess I scream Republican.
I would simply look at them and answer "It was the torture thing that did it. I couldn't take the idea of torture".
I'd see the change in their eyes. Then they would walk in to the polls. I don't know if any of them changed their minds, but at least that was the last thing they thought about before they went into the polls. That there was one guy who was not a flaming liberal, who was just like them, and he found it in his heart to vote the way his parents brought him up to.
I wish I was that cool. I sorta feel like my personality is a little too bristly to actually persuade anyone. Also, I am shy around strangers. I so wish I could do something like that.
And is completely unverifiable. Does anyone know this person and can vouch for him? I'd lvoe to post this article on my blog, but unless there's something that says "yes, this really happened" in a way that I'd put my ass behind, I can't do much with it.
The problem is, of course, I can point to dozens of other stories that show the opposite happening, or the same thing, or this, or that, or the other. Which is true, which isn't, which actually happened, and which are wishful thinking?
In today's blogosphere, there's no way to tell unless you research, reference, and detail. And even then, some wingnut in Nigeria can post something on _HIS_ blog saying the opposite, and to the worlds eyes, they are equal in weight.
I'm afraid that i'm right here with you. I'd love for this to be true. I'd ache for this to be true, and for there to be a million other stories like this.
But.
(More: I'd love for this to not be possible. For people to be able to vote because they are informed, and know the issues, and know the candidates. For people to not vote against someone, but to vote for someone. For there to be real options, and for people to have passion for the issues, and not the results.)
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no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 12:03 pm (UTC)As in why would a nice tall young professional with a good haircut and expensive leather jacket and good manners be for "Kerry"? I guess I scream Republican.
I would simply look at them and answer "It was the torture thing that did it. I couldn't take the idea of torture".
I'd see the change in their eyes. Then they would walk in to the polls. I don't know if any of them changed their minds, but at least that was the last thing they thought about before they went into the polls. That there was one guy who was not a flaming liberal, who was just like them, and he found it in his heart to vote the way his parents brought him up to.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Chris
no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 12:05 pm (UTC)I wish I was that cool. I sorta feel like my personality is a little too bristly to actually persuade anyone. Also, I am shy around strangers. I so wish I could do something like that.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 12:23 pm (UTC)The problem is, of course, I can point to dozens of other stories that show the opposite happening, or the same thing, or this, or that, or the other. Which is true, which isn't, which actually happened, and which are wishful thinking?
In today's blogosphere, there's no way to tell unless you research, reference, and detail. And even then, some wingnut in Nigeria can post something on _HIS_ blog saying the opposite, and to the worlds eyes, they are equal in weight.
-dbs, cynical.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 01:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 02:48 pm (UTC)But.
(More: I'd love for this to not be possible. For people to be able to vote because they are informed, and know the issues, and know the candidates. For people to not vote against someone, but to vote for someone. For there to be real options, and for people to have passion for the issues, and not the results.)
Hey, one can dream.