Yesterday as I pulled into the local school to vote, I noticed a heavy thrumming bass coming out of the car behind me. This car parks next to me and as the doors on it open gawd-awful rap music bursts out.
Naturally, the listener was a white kid, possibly twenty. Wearing a sweatshirt, baseball cap, a pants that were too large, in accord with current sub-culture fashions.
This was a bit unusuaul here in Bethel Park, Pa, because most of the minorities in this town, and there aren't many, are of the foreign variety.
But I digress...
With this young fellow was a cute young lady, who would prove to be his little sister. As they approached the polls, she inquired about his preferences...
"Who are you going to vote for?"
"Gore. Bush is an asshole."
"Why's Bush an asshole?"
"'Cause he is."
etc...
I found myself waiting behind them in the registration line. The debate continued...
"Bush sucks."
"What so great about Gore?"
"I dunno. I know Bush sucks."
"Why?"
"If my boss likes him, I don't."
As the discourse continued, the young fellow pulled out several (at least four) scratch-and-win lottery tickets. He would scratch merrily, look at the results, mutter expletives, and rip the tickets in half.
I reasoned to myself that, of course, someone who thinks that lottery tickets are a wise investment would vote for Gore.
More debate...
"I think that if I could vote this year, I'd take the time to find out what the candidates are all about."
"Bush is a Republican. Republicans are for rich people."
All this guy needed was a block of government cheese tucked under one arm and he would have been a picture-perfect Democrat.
I was taken aback. I had approached the polls intending to vote for Harry Browne, but suddenly I felt the urge to counter this inarticulate, african-american wannabee who was hell-bent on voting for Gore. I would vote for Bush!
The elderly gentleman who was working the booths let the "rapster" in, and came back. He went to the girl.
"Do you have your stub, miss?"
"No. I'm not voting this year. I missed the voting age by two months. I'm really upset."
"Awww. Sounds like your brother is a Gore man!"
"My brother is an idiot."
"It stands to reason that if a majority of students enjoy homecoming activities, including the election of the court, then the school should sponsor and allow these activities. If the majority want a Quake tourney instead, then that is what the school should do. The minority, who do not agree with the Homecoming idea, or do not want to play in the tourney, should stay home and not be a buzzkill. If a student goes out of his/her way to disrupt the homecoming OR the tourney, punitive measures must take place. This kid gets exactly what he asked for, that's all."
So you agree that if an individual disrespects Konsensual Amerikan Kulture then they should be put down for it?
That's what I though you said, but I wasn't certain.
I now stand corrected.
Challenging another's belief system is a bad thing. It is unnecessarily stimulating for the members of a herd.
So much for Thomas Paine. So much for Hakim Bey. So much for Nietzsche. If anonymous coward believes that Konformance to the majority is what really counts, then I agree with anonymous coward.
I intend on voting for Harry Browne this year, but after reading these response I feel compelled to
make the following statement:
I would much rather vote for Hagelin than Bush or Gore!
The thought of a group of yogins levitating their way about Washington DC and making decisions based upon the I Ching doesn't bother me half as much as the thought that we are expected to decide between two insincere, pandering, patrician, business-as-usual, hereditary politician/lawyers!
IMHO, people who want to be pandered to comprise about 80% of the Democratic Party's voting block, which is just slightly less than the Green Party's, yet more than the Republican's 70%
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Bush: Though I have personally indulged in recreational drugs, a large part of my voting block feels that certain drugs are bad. Since I don't wish to alienate them, I shall lead this country into a more aggressive role in the War on Drugs, sparing no expense or human life to make it look as though I care.
Gore: (See above)
2) Minority Religions...
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Bush: Freedom of Religion is basic right of all Americans, as laid out in the Declaration of Independence.
Gore: I remember growing up in rural Tennessee... My family was a strict Episcopalian family while our neighbors across the road were devout Anglicans. You'd think that this might have caused a problem, but myself and our neighbors son, Herbert, got along just fine... (etc., ad nauseum)
3) Why give a tax cut?
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically.
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Bush: The tax money that the government keeps still finds its way into the economy (you moron!) The American people should decide what happens with a larger percentage of it.
Gore: Hunter S. Thompson, a well-known and respected journalist, has conducted a study indicating that BUSH's tax cut would only benefit the TOP ONE PERCENT of U.S. citizens.
4) electoral reform
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Bush: This is bad. When I am president I shall gather a bi-partisan coalition to spend millions of dollars putting an end to the electorial college. The traditional electorial college system should be blasted out existence like the evil Satan-worshipping lapdogs that they are.
Gore: As one of the writers of the Constitution, I think that the Electorial College originally served an important purpose, but that purpose has now passed... (etc., ad nauseum)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Bush: I feel good about our system of patents. (Shrug?)
Gore: The ridiculous patents being issued are sandbagging the truth and beauty that is being spread by my creation, the Internet. Porno is bad.
6) Encryption....
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Bush: I am all in favor of privacy, but not where it threatens national security. Drugs are bad. Drug dealers use encryption. Thus: Encryption is bad.
Gore: I would like to argue this point with my opponent - TERRORISTS bad! Terrorists use encryption (and tobacco!) Thus: Encryption is bad!
7) Rising Political Protests
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Bush: I defend the right of Americans to be concerned with that which they please.
Gore: The environment. The economy. Children's safety. The environment. Tobacco. Unions. All of these subjects have been on the minds of a great many Americans... And as the next President, I will agree that Yes, Americans should deal with their concerns.
8) Asteroid Defenses
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Bush: I see no reason to defend asteroids. Let asteroids defend themselves.
Gore: As one of the founders of the space program, I believe that asteroid pose a serious risk to the environment... one as serious or possibly even more serious than automobiles. I talked about this in my book Earth in the Balance... (etc., ad nauseum)
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Bush: If I am elected President, I can guarantee every citizen of this country that there will, indeed, be a future.
Gore: As one of the founders of the Peace Corps, I noticed that the economic good times of the United States wasn't being shared by third world nation. Sergeant Shriver and I looked at African and Asian nation where despite the fact that people were using environment-friendly oxen to plow fields, rather that dangerous tractors, they simply weren't able to produce enough yams to feed their families (etc., ad nauseum)
Slashdot Mirror
Yesterday as I pulled into the local school to vote, I noticed a heavy thrumming bass coming out of the car behind me. This car parks next to me and as the doors on it open gawd-awful rap music bursts out.
Naturally, the listener was a white kid, possibly twenty. Wearing a sweatshirt, baseball cap, a pants that were too large, in accord with current sub-culture fashions.
This was a bit unusuaul here in Bethel Park, Pa, because most of the minorities in this town, and there aren't many, are of the foreign variety.
But I digress...
With this young fellow was a cute young lady, who would prove to be his little sister. As they approached the polls, she inquired about his preferences...
"Who are you going to vote for?"
"Gore. Bush is an asshole."
"Why's Bush an asshole?"
"'Cause he is."
etc...
I found myself waiting behind them in the registration line. The debate continued...
"Bush sucks."
"What so great about Gore?"
"I dunno. I know Bush sucks."
"Why?"
"If my boss likes him, I don't."
As the discourse continued, the young fellow pulled out several (at least four) scratch-and-win lottery tickets. He would scratch merrily, look at the results, mutter expletives, and rip the tickets in half.
I reasoned to myself that, of course, someone who thinks that lottery tickets are a wise investment would vote for Gore.
More debate...
"I think that if I could vote this year, I'd take the time to find out what the candidates are all about."
"Bush is a Republican. Republicans are for rich people."
All this guy needed was a block of government cheese tucked under one arm and he would have been a picture-perfect Democrat.
I was taken aback. I had approached the polls intending to vote for Harry Browne, but suddenly I felt the urge to counter this inarticulate, african-american wannabee who was hell-bent on voting for Gore. I would vote for Bush!
The elderly gentleman who was working the booths let the "rapster" in, and came back. He went to the girl.
"Do you have your stub, miss?"
"No. I'm not voting this year. I missed the voting age by two months. I'm really upset."
"Awww. Sounds like your brother is a Gore man!"
"My brother is an idiot."
And that just about says it all.
I've got a young 'un due in two days. Geeks must breed lest jocks and models take over everything, forming an unsustainable gene pool.
Barcodes were a little too obvious, after all.
"It stands to reason that if a majority of students enjoy homecoming activities, including the election of the court, then the school should sponsor and allow these activities. If the majority want a Quake tourney instead, then that is what the school should do. The minority, who do not agree with the Homecoming idea, or do not want to play in the tourney, should stay home and not be a buzzkill. If a student goes out of his/her way to disrupt the homecoming OR the tourney, punitive measures must take place. This kid gets exactly what he asked for, that's all."
So you agree that if an individual disrespects Konsensual Amerikan Kulture then they should be put down for it?
That's what I though you said, but I wasn't certain.
I now stand corrected.
Challenging another's belief system is a bad thing. It is unnecessarily stimulating for the members of a herd.
So much for Thomas Paine. So much for Hakim Bey. So much for Nietzsche. If anonymous coward believes that Konformance to the majority is what really counts, then I agree with anonymous coward.
Although Patrick's actions may have no effect whatsoever on Konsensual Amerikan Kulture, my pocket-protector is off to him.
The American High School system is specifically engineered to produce jock-worshipping, money-grubbing, sophisticated servants
I intend on voting for Harry Browne this year, but after reading these response I feel compelled to make the following statement: I would much rather vote for Hagelin than Bush or Gore!
The thought of a group of yogins levitating their way about Washington DC and making decisions based upon the I Ching doesn't bother me half as much as the thought that we are expected to decide between two insincere, pandering, patrician, business-as-usual, hereditary politician/lawyers!
A-freakin'-men!
IMHO, people who want to be pandered to comprise about 80% of the Democratic Party's voting block, which is just slightly less than the Green Party's, yet more than the Republican's 70%
1) War on Drugs
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Bush: Though I have personally indulged in recreational drugs, a large part of my voting block feels that certain drugs are bad. Since I don't wish to alienate them, I shall lead this country into a more aggressive role in the War on Drugs, sparing no expense or human life to make it look as though I care.
Gore: (See above)
2) Minority Religions...
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Bush: Freedom of Religion is basic right of all Americans, as laid out in the Declaration of Independence.
Gore: I remember growing up in rural Tennessee... My family was a strict Episcopalian family while our neighbors across the road were devout Anglicans. You'd think that this might have caused a problem, but myself and our neighbors son, Herbert, got along just fine... (etc., ad nauseum)
3) Why give a tax cut?
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Bush: The tax money that the government keeps still finds its way into the economy (you moron!) The American people should decide what happens with a larger percentage of it.
Gore: Hunter S. Thompson, a well-known and respected journalist, has conducted a study indicating that BUSH's tax cut would only benefit the TOP ONE PERCENT of U.S. citizens.
4) electoral reform
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Bush: This is bad. When I am president I shall gather a bi-partisan coalition to spend millions of dollars putting an end to the electorial college. The traditional electorial college system should be blasted out existence like the evil Satan-worshipping lapdogs that they are.
Gore: As one of the writers of the Constitution, I think that the Electorial College originally served an important purpose, but that purpose has now passed... (etc., ad nauseum)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Bush: I feel good about our system of patents. (Shrug?)
Gore: The ridiculous patents being issued are sandbagging the truth and beauty that is being spread by my creation, the Internet. Porno is bad.
6) Encryption....
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Bush: I am all in favor of privacy, but not where it threatens national security. Drugs are bad. Drug dealers use encryption. Thus: Encryption is bad.
Gore: I would like to argue this point with my opponent - TERRORISTS bad! Terrorists use encryption (and tobacco!) Thus: Encryption is bad!
7) Rising Political Protests
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Bush: I defend the right of Americans to be concerned with that which they please.
Gore: The environment. The economy. Children's safety. The environment. Tobacco. Unions. All of these subjects have been on the minds of a great many Americans... And as the next President, I will agree that Yes, Americans should deal with their concerns.
8) Asteroid Defenses
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Bush: I see no reason to defend asteroids. Let asteroids defend themselves.
Gore: As one of the founders of the space program, I believe that asteroid pose a serious risk to the environment... one as serious or possibly even more serious than automobiles. I talked about this in my book Earth in the Balance... (etc., ad nauseum)
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission. I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Bush: If I am elected President, I can guarantee every citizen of this country that there will, indeed, be a future.
Gore: As one of the founders of the Peace Corps, I noticed that the economic good times of the United States wasn't being shared by third world nation. Sergeant Shriver and I looked at African and Asian nation where despite the fact that people were using environment-friendly oxen to plow fields, rather that dangerous tractors, they simply weren't able to produce enough yams to feed their families (etc., ad nauseum)