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In the Scrum

Since I'm a crazed right wing fanatic, you should guess what was the first thing that came into my head when I heard Justice Rehnquist was in the hospital.

Gee, I sure hope he's ok...

I know as an evil right winger I should only think about how this guys health problems relate to me and my political views on the world, because as an evil right winger its all I can think about, right?

Sorry, it just doesnt work that way for me.

When I read work by people who have so clearly lost their perspective that they start reviewing childrens movies through the lens of politics, I know that some people really need to go get a beer.

A gentle reminder dear readers, as we head down the stretch here in the last few days before the election. This is not the last election, it is just another election. Despite what Mr. Kerry says, this is not "the most important election in our lifetime!" If it turns out that Mr. Kerry wins and the candidate I prefer loses, I have still won. Democracy is not about getting your way, its about concensus. I am a citizen,I am enfranchised with the power of the electorate,I am a voter and my voice was heard. I do not have to win an election to feel validated, I just need to be asked. If my candidate wins, good for him, if he loses, see you again in 2008.

I will not protest,burn down buildings,vandalize cars or shoot guns into the oppositions party headquarters or condone it if it is done by anyone in my party. I believe this is what separates me from that other party, but that's just me.

I do not look at every flutter of a butterflys wings as a sign from the Gods on how the election is going to go. I do not filter information and news as to "Good for Bush, Not Good for Bush". Justice Rehnquist is a man, he deserves to be thought of as just that, and his service to the nation second, and out about item # 78, we should think about his politics and how it relates to us. Common decency demands that remember that he is not a wooden icon, he is a man, with a wife, kids and grandkids. Today, someones grandfather entered the hospital for a dangerous procedure. Today, someone walked through the process of losing a parent, Today, a wife thought about the possibility of life without her partner. If you can't grasp what their day was like when they heard that the man of their life was in the hospital, you really need to take a deep breath and try to remember who you are and how you got that way. Who made you so small and petty? Who made you such a victim that you can't rise above your politics?

When you get all done making your case for your candidate, just remember you still have to live here. Be careful what you say about the veracity of people who disagree with you because after the election is over, they aren't going away. They will still be there, making their case, despite all the evidence that says otherwise. Much as I would love to see Paul Begala just say " oh well, I guess we were wrong,I'm glad Bush is President" it's just never going to happen, and that's fine. We still have to live together. If Bush wins, the left will still be here. If Kerry wins, The right will still be here. Thanks to the 2nd amendment and the fact that most Americans are reasonably good marksmen, they arent going to be hearded into flatcars and shipped away anytime soon.

So relax folks, put you feet up and enjoy the show. Go buy a beer for the other side after they lose and welcome them as neighbors and friends, because believe it or not, that's who we are.

One of our neighbors went into the hospital today, try to remember that when you screech about his impact on abortion rights.

Posted @ October 25, 2004 04:24 PM | Current Events

Posted by: Jeff Smith at October 26, 2004 03:10 PM