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November 26, 2004
Reality-based election fraud?
One problem with holding Thanksgiving so close to the elections is that people who disagree with each other are forced to gather together and do things like eat turkey, or at the very least call distant relatives on the phone -- in a process that inevitably seems to invite the creeping in of political discussions. Which means I have to hear heated abuses of logic, and yesterday it was coming from Kerry supporters. Right now there is a BIG abuse of logic going on, and for some reason it's being kept out of MSM (and even off the editorial pages of most newspapers). For the most part, in reponsible circles this is limited to an aroma of innuendo, but the hardcore are already starting to scream. They are pissed because there's a big stink about the Ukrainian election, but for some reason, the "BIG MEDIA" are ignoring the OBVIOUS parallel to our own recent election. In their minds, evidence of election fraud and chicanery in the Ukraine points to election fraud here. In logic, of course, Ukrainian election fraud no more equals American election fraud than would election fraud in Uganda, but the human love of mythology (which drives most unfounded conspiracy claims) has very little to do with logic. Human nature being what it is, if people dislike a set of facts, they'll look for a way to deny them. Even the most scanty evidence will do. As I pointed out previously, I think the Kerry supporters are grieving, and and in such a state it is as natural to cling to any form of denial available -- in much the same way that the family of someone who is dying grasps at the slimmest hopes, while death itself can often cause the most hardened (and reality-based?) atheists to develop heretical ideas about spirituality. The obvious problem with the Ukrainian situation is that it's too close to our own election, and it invites denial-based speculation. While the conspiracy sites I listed here are desperately soliciting funds, so far, the biggest reality-based sites aren't directly stoking this connection, but their surrogates [I guess "Hecate" is that] are already dangling hints like this: Sounds as if they take election fraud seriously in Ukraine.Actually, that was Wednesday. As of today, things are heating up! Election fraud is such a bad thing that even if it can't be proven, well, it's time for a reality-based Christmas shopping boycott: All I Want for Xmas Is Fair and Verifiable ElectionsSo it's boycott, boycott, boycott! Till what? Till Kerry wins? Till Atrios advertisers get enough Christmas money for a recount? Not quite. The stated purpose is something else: until this country has a system in place that ensures fair and verifiable elections.That ought to bring the heartless capitalist pigs and of course, Mr. "Lame Duckie" to their knees! I'm looking for reality, but I'm just not seeing it in Atrios's call for a boycott. I hope the American boycott isn't based on Ukrainian reality, because that would undermine Ukrainian freedom. And cheapen reality.
posted by Eric on 11.26.04 at 10:25 AM
Comments
I have had it. The election is over. Bush won. Kerry conceded. Steven Malcolm Anderson (Cato theElder) the Lesbian-worshipping man's-man-admiring myth-based egoist · November 26, 2004 05:31 PM Back to the anti-reality-based anti-community: The latest controversy: Did Wanda scientifically prove that Nietzsche was right -- or did Dawn theologically prove that Nietzsche is a God? Steven Malcolm Anderson (Cato theElder) the Lesbian-worshipping man's-man-admiring myth-based egoist · November 26, 2004 05:37 PM Bink, I guess that was a strange way of doing it, but I meant what I said as a compliment of Daily Kos -- and I should have made clear that they were covering the Ukrainian situation WITHOUT analogizing to our election. (Good coverage too!) Steven, I prefer your mythology to "reality!" Eric Scheie · November 26, 2004 09:16 PM Steve, I have proven to my complete satisfaction that Nietzsche is STILL dead. Eric, thank you for the post. P. Portia · November 27, 2004 12:10 AM |
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Eric, I don't know about the tie-in issue that you are mentioning, but do check out the latest in the series of Daily Kos diaries by a contributor there who has been tracking developments very closely. Election maps, blow-by-blow accounts of demonstrations and Ukrainian media watch, etc. Click my name.