The other night I talked to a group of NRA-belonging, terrorist-hating Soldiers who do not plan to vote for President Bush, and I lost all the wind from my sails. If they're not voting for President Bush, the die-hard capitalist right-wingers from Oklahoma, then who will? This week I've begun to ready myself for a Bush defeat, just to be emotionally prepared. To be honest, I'm disappointed that I'm not more optimistic, but I just see so many factors working against President Bush.
The president plays a major role in my life. Whoever he is, he will be my husband's commander-in-chief and will determine a lot about our life over the next four years. And he will be due the respect that his title deserves. As MAJ Winters said in Band of Brothers, "We salute the rank, not the man."
I therefore take Dean Esmay's pledge:
Now here is my interesting question: I've made myself some friends among conservatives by speaking this way. But I do find myself wondering: how many of you on the right will embrace such a philosophy if John Kerry should carry the election in November?
I don't want to hear why you think it won't happen. Indulge me: pretend it might. How many of you will have the patriotism to say, "I disagree with many of his policy directions, I do not think he is conducting our foreign policy in the right way, but I will do my best to get behind him and support him until elections come around next time?"
I'm genuinely curious. For that is the stance I intend to take. I will refuse to call him traitor, loser, liar, incompetent. He will be my President, my Commander In Chief, the Chief Executive of a great nation, elected by the will of a majority of the electors in these 50 great united States. So even if he does things I disagree with in conducting foreign policy, I will say, "I respectfully disagree with the President's directions, but I will do my best to express my dissent respectfully and hope that I am mistaken and that he has made the proper decisions after all."
That's my pledge. How many of you will take a similar one?
I will make that pledge, as I have already pledged before. But I also echo Bunker's dismay:
As long as Kerry, if elected, acts like a President I will support him as one. Too bad Dubya wasn't given that opportunity.
MORE TO GROK:
And it's a good thing I found out about this Vietnam video before he became president, so there's still time to laugh at what a douche he is! Seriously, it's been three hours and I'm still giggling.
Posted by Sarah at July 29, 2004 10:55 AMAnd just who are they going to vote for and why? Nobody? Kerry? Nader?
I'm kinda curious as to their mindset against Bush.
Posted by: John at July 29, 2004 01:17 PMThere may still be "time to laugh at what a douche he is" but at least Kerry was there. I can certainly understand why those serving in the military would value that experience and might not support someone who avoided military service.
Please not that Clinton was, bluntly, a tool and this also applies to him. I can understand why soldiers disliked him and the contempt with which his administration treated them.
Posted by: John Bravenec at July 29, 2004 09:49 PMJust because you are from Oklahoma doesn't mean you are a "die-hard capitalist right-winger." Like most things, political views are hardly ever black and white. People have free will and defy sterotypes. I was born and raised in Oklahoma. And as an Oklahoman, I resent when people pigeon hole me or my home state.
Dubya has made his case for four years. Let the people decide if his leadership has lived up to his promises.
Rfidtag, I too was born in Oklahoma, and all of my mom's family still lives there. But I promise you I will never lump you in with us...
Posted by: Sarah at July 30, 2004 09:18 AMJohn Bravenec, and joining the National Guard is not avoiding military service...
Posted by: Sarah at July 30, 2004 09:19 AMSarah it is good to know you are a fellow Oklahoman. My family still lives scattered throughout Oklahoma, and Texas.
And no, I am not some black sheep who fled to NYC. I would have to say that my whole family is fairly independent and open minded. They are no sheep.