September 2, 2004
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Rock the Vote?
Living in NYC (a predominantly Democratic city), I’ve observed everyone and their mothers bashing Bush (citing movies like Fahrenheit 9/11) and have read entries on Xanga expressing the same. Now I’m no Bush-lover myself, but I’m curious to know if all the people out there bitching about him are actually going to vote this coming November?
It seems to me that many people are simply jumping on the anti-Bush bandwagon and demanding his removal from office because it’s the hip thing to do. Do you even KNOW what Bush’s policies are or how they differ from Kerry’s?
With the RNC in town this week, there have been throngs of protestors from around the country here as well. Now I can respect anyone’s right to free speech but when you start fucking up traffic (lying in the streets), tying up police resources to keep your stupid asses in check (1700+ arrests so far), wasting our courts’ time because you want to protest in Central Park instead of the West Side highway (which is actually closer btw to Madison Square Garden – the location of the RNC), I think you’re doing WORSE for your cause than helping it.
Can you imagine with the sheer amount of people gathered in midtown this week, if there was a terrorist attack here? (e.g. suicide bomber)
What would the protestors say in response? Would there stance against war still be the same?
Mind you, as much as there are people protesting the war in Iraq due to the questionable reasons we’re there in the first place, there are many protestors out there who are simply against war period (regardless of the cause).
So please do me a favor…if you don’t plan on voting this November or anything else active to support your stance against Bush, shut the fuck up already.
EDIT: Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly. I can respect a person’s right to gather and exercise their freedom of speech in protest and I’m sure many of the protestors out there WILL probably vote. My gripe is with the bandwagon protestors, whether it be those who hide behind their computer screens or those that go as far as creating havoc that aren’t really doing anything positive for their cause.
Comments (24)
I can’t vote so I can bitch and it’s ok, right? RIGHT!
i couldn’t agree more dude!!…totally pisses me off watching and reading the news about all the trouble these protestors are causing the city…i’m sure a huge amount of them are just following the herd mentality…and what about that guy that beat up the officer?…what kind of protest was that?…yea i’m sure he got his voice heard
(he got caught the next day, recognized by wearing the same exact clothes…hahaha)
i don’t follow any of the policies or what either candidate stands for or etc etc etc…never took part in politics and never voted…and won’t vote this yr either…
well if there was a terrorist attack in the city where people were protesting, the protestors would probably just blame bush…..morons.
amen
what if i’m anti-bush AND anti kerry?
you should read this week’s TIME – there are 2 excellent articles on both for & against bush on page 58 and 59.
It doens’t really matter if you vote or not in NY due to the electoral college system.
i think youre targeting the wrong people… activists are activists and the many that ive come across all vote, whether its federal elections, state elections or local elections, and are very much in the know about whats going on in terms of policies… sure there are many out there that follow like sheep (or in one case, a black guy that just likes to beat up cops with an aneheim angels throwback hat on), but in all honesty, if they didnt CARE, they wouldnt really be protesting, you know (again, that black dude wasnt protesting jack im sure… just wanted to cause trouble)? i know for myself, i try to keep myself as knowledgeable as possible about those i like, and those i dont like (how else would you know you dont like them, you know?)…
but i think its healthy that people are at least talking about it now. before 2000 (and including 2000), less than half of all eligible to vote actually voted… this presidential election year is different tho… there seems to be much more energy (esp with young americans and minorities)… mebbe i just dont understand why people would do all this ranting and raving and not vote…
but its tough to formulate an argument for people to stop talking about it if they dont plan on voting because honestly, how would you know if they voted or not, or if they are planning on voting.
also, many people think it simply as an inconvenience that the protesters are here in ny… hell, i felt the same exact way when i was stuck in traffic… bu thats way too simple… they are voicing their opinions and they are passionate about it… can you really fault them for that? for being american and going about it the american way? dont forget, there is a right to organize as much as there is a right to free speech.
i would guess that the people who have the initiative to actually get off their asses and protest are surely going to be active voters.
it’s the xanga-type people who sit on their asses all day and blog their virtual protests that won’t be voting.
that being said, yeah protestors in general are annoying as fuck. it’s tough because most of them are peaceful… but you get too many people together and they start thinking like a mob… unfortunatley that’s human nature.
thanks for picking that up … dick
ducksoup98 – i read those articles.. very interesting. btw, i finally registered through rock the vote two days ago…. thank you very much…GO KERRY!
i agree…it’s understandable that there are so many people out there that are anti-bush. but at the same time, they ARE some areas where they are causing more trouble than good in this city.
yes, they want to get their message across to the politicians as well as the masses, but at the same time…theyre also making themselves look bad in front of those who are currently undecided/indifferent. since last week, i was stuck in traffic during the freakin’ bicycle protest FOREVER…and a couple days ago i got ambushed by a bunch of anti-bush fanatics trying to get me to buy a shirt for them. don’t get me wrong, i hate bush…but i’m not going around attacking everyone that loves the guy.
you should join C.R.A.P. Citizens Rebelling Against Protestors.
Btw.. i don’t always agree with the way people choose to express their views. However, if you felt that strongly about something i’m sure you’d want to do something about it too. Obviously the protesters don’t put themselves out there – risk getting killed, arrested, injured, etc. for their own health. They are doing what they’re doing with good reason and they should have a right to do that. Also, why do people always say things like “.. i’m no bush lover but…” or “i don’t exactly like bush myself but… ” Has playing devil’s advocate on political issues for the heck of it suddenly become ”the hip thing to do”?
once we got outta work early b/c people were planning to lie in the streets by City Hall at 4:00. and this is philly.
it’s not the protesters i have issues with, it’s the bandwagoners that state empty rhetoric, be it anti- or pro- bush or kerry, when they have no idea about what they’re talking about, and no facts or even explanations for what they just said.
but it is good that people are at least talking about politics, myself included. i’ve never been more interested in politics, and i think that can be said of so many others out there.
Do u think ur hot shit 2not reply 2 ppl.? How come to sum u do but sum u don’t?
I would be curious to know your take on this if you have the time, a xanga report, click here and thanks
the DNC was a pain in the ass too. but at the same time, it was awesome because of all the celebs and free stuff the city was passing out. kerry bought my vote with a free smoothie.
ya don’t wanna get me started..but Bushes policies in Iraq have increased the chances of a suicide bomber blowing himself up in Midtown than lowered the chances…..all I am gonna say cuz I could go on for days….and do on my little dog and pony show…
I am gonna vote btw….(not for bush)
You’re right. They should stop wasting valuable police resources and tieing up traffic. I mean just because America broke international law, waged an illegal war, and alienated our allies doesn’t mean they should disturb your commute.
I hate it when protestors waste police resources and get themselves arrested and thrown in jail. Just like those damn civil rights protestors.
BTW, did you steal the stfu line from Dick Cheney? Joke
no, we didn’t break up. I’m visiting him in NY this weekend. He’s in NY for the month.
This is to TurkShady where did you here America broke an International Law? That is mightly interesting. Especially when Hussien broke the treaty he signed back when the first Bush is in office. If you hate Bush because of the economy or lack of Jobs or even the war, at least get the facts straight before you post them. You come off like a damn fool. This is the problem with America today, lack of education and knowledge. They believe every idoit with a camera aka Michael Moore. And I am Democrat.
well there was no terrorist attack there in NYC (although the islamic terrorists are now killin 5 year olds in russia). What do u all think of Bush’s speech?