I understand the humor element of the map. I don't think it's a very funny joke. That map simply amplifies the division in our country, and it indicates a clear prejudice that some elements of our population have toward others.
Just because a large portion of the country doesn't have the same political leaning of another isn't any reason to wish them ill. I often disagree intellectually with what I read on your site, but I find it very interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes thought-provoking. Different points of view should be encouraged, not squelched.
I heard a soundbite somewhere of a liberal-leaning politician who was encouraging the south to secede so that there wouldn't be any need to worry about them ruining another election.
Do you ever wonder if the south views California, New York, and the other left-leaning parts of our country the same way?
I've met very intelligent people from Georgia, from Ohio, from Indiana, from Kentucky, from Florida. Me and a friend were musing over an e-mail debate he's been having with a friend of his in PA, who stated, essentially, that if people in the south voted with their brains and not their guts, Kerry would've won. Conservatives can look at the same situation in the same way and come to the reverse conclusion -- that Bush would've won in a landslide if liberals had used their minds.
Truth is, most everyone uses their mind and their gut in voting. We all bring our understanding of issues, combined with how we feel about our candidate or the other, and we check the box that reflects our opinion of who is best for us.
In the end, the beliefs of the left and of the right are all opinion. And it ends up being a matter of swaying people, changing their hearts and minds, and getting them out. That didn't happen for Kerry in this election--looking at the red/blue map, he doesn't appear to have moved anyone to his way of thinking. Admittedly, neither did Bush.
I personally think that Bush should use this term to govern more towards the middle. Whether he does or doesn't is his choice. But I think if all our politicians work in a spirit of cooperation, as opposed to clinging to the us/them spirit that this map highlights, that is when we can actually start seeing our country become more united.
The three places where the Sept. 11th attacks ocurred are overwhelmingly blue states. For those who think that Bush would wage a better war on terrorism than Kerry, those in the cross-hairs seem to disagree.
Well, I'm a member of that "they" you're speaking of, and I think America could use a little dose of Canadianism in certain areas, and I'm not just talking about the drugs. :)
Comments (13)
I hate that anyone would change their vote based on a threat from Osama, but that's pretty funny.
Posted by justin | November 4, 2004 4:27 AM
My God, Jack.
Posted by Jim - PRS | November 4, 2004 5:20 AM
If you really think that's the "best election map yet," that's very disappointing.
Posted by ThePieman | November 4, 2004 8:34 AM
If we can't laugh any more, Osama wins.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 4, 2004 11:11 AM
Hence my use of the words "really think".
I understand the humor element of the map. I don't think it's a very funny joke. That map simply amplifies the division in our country, and it indicates a clear prejudice that some elements of our population have toward others.
Just because a large portion of the country doesn't have the same political leaning of another isn't any reason to wish them ill. I often disagree intellectually with what I read on your site, but I find it very interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes thought-provoking. Different points of view should be encouraged, not squelched.
I heard a soundbite somewhere of a liberal-leaning politician who was encouraging the south to secede so that there wouldn't be any need to worry about them ruining another election.
Do you ever wonder if the south views California, New York, and the other left-leaning parts of our country the same way?
I've met very intelligent people from Georgia, from Ohio, from Indiana, from Kentucky, from Florida. Me and a friend were musing over an e-mail debate he's been having with a friend of his in PA, who stated, essentially, that if people in the south voted with their brains and not their guts, Kerry would've won. Conservatives can look at the same situation in the same way and come to the reverse conclusion -- that Bush would've won in a landslide if liberals had used their minds.
Truth is, most everyone uses their mind and their gut in voting. We all bring our understanding of issues, combined with how we feel about our candidate or the other, and we check the box that reflects our opinion of who is best for us.
In the end, the beliefs of the left and of the right are all opinion. And it ends up being a matter of swaying people, changing their hearts and minds, and getting them out. That didn't happen for Kerry in this election--looking at the red/blue map, he doesn't appear to have moved anyone to his way of thinking. Admittedly, neither did Bush.
I personally think that Bush should use this term to govern more towards the middle. Whether he does or doesn't is his choice. But I think if all our politicians work in a spirit of cooperation, as opposed to clinging to the us/them spirit that this map highlights, that is when we can actually start seeing our country become more united.
Posted by ThePieman | November 4, 2004 11:29 AM
No Pieman, it's actually pretty funny.
Slightly offenstive, but isn't that what makes it funny.
Amd even if you don't like the joke, I'm not sure you need to write 300 words explaining why Osama attacking America isn't funny.
I'll second Jack and say, "If we can't laugh at ourselves, then the terrorists win."
Posted by Justin | November 4, 2004 12:10 PM
Did you actually count them? There are actually 408.
Posted by ThePieman | November 4, 2004 12:14 PM
Do you ever wonder if the south views California, New York, and the other left-leaning parts of our country the same way?
Of course they do! That's the damn point!
Posted by no one in particular | November 4, 2004 12:47 PM
The three places where the Sept. 11th attacks ocurred are overwhelmingly blue states. For those who think that Bush would wage a better war on terrorism than Kerry, those in the cross-hairs seem to disagree.
Posted by Ken | November 4, 2004 1:07 PM
Here's another funny map (that's sure to offend SOMEbody):
http://sandhill.typepad.com/sandhill_trek/2004/11/jesus_land.html
Posted by raging red | November 4, 2004 5:11 PM
Red:
no need to rub it in the Dems faces with that map. they just had a bad election, now you tell them that they are just like Canadians? that's low
Posted by steve | November 4, 2004 5:45 PM
Well, I'm a member of that "they" you're speaking of, and I think America could use a little dose of Canadianism in certain areas, and I'm not just talking about the drugs. :)
Posted by raging red | November 4, 2004 6:59 PM
Are you talking about the extra "U"'s in our words? Colour? Flavour?
Posted by ThePieman | November 4, 2004 7:57 PM