Logic says that no one who voted for Gore last time would vote for Bush this time -- giving Kerry an instant plurality.
Logic says that hundreds of thousands of military families , traditionally a conservative block, would feel cheated and deceived by the phantom WMDs and de facto draft of Guard and Reserve units.
Logic says Vietnam was over three decades ago , the economy, health care access, the deficit and mass export of jobs are the issues that matter today.
But logic has nothing to do with the Rove-opted American electioneering process.
It doesn't surprise me that there is a waiting list for "Unfit for Comand" at the book store on this scarlet island in a very red state. The place specializes in coffee-table pictures books, diet tomes and beach reads.
It does surprise me that there are so many people nationally buying this crap.
And it scares me that there is not a damn thing I can do about it. We gave what we could afford. We made sure our daughter is registered to vote in her first presdential election.
The majority of our friends see things as we do, the others have made reasoned decisions to the contrary. On a national basis it appears the sides are in equal numbers.
It's those who respond enthusiastically and without question to the Swift Boat Progandists or the Trojan Horse "safety" of the current administration who scare me.
The future of our land is likely to be decided by the least informed.
When Bush and the boys came to our little island in June for the G-8, much was done "for our own good." We voluntarily deserted our homes to a police state, surrendered our civil liberties and local businesses lost aggregated millions.
But we were supporting our president.
For "security reasons" the thick tropical foliage on our causeway was trimmed to skeletal proportions.
The denuded causeway to me was a daiily reminder of Bush's environmental policy, but others commented on how clean and landscaped it looked. They thought it was so much better.
Somehow the message was spun and accepted that something that was beautiful and strong was unwieldy. Clipped conformity would be so much better for all.
The edges of Frances gave the new look the first test. While unpruned foliage on the island held strong, the causeway prunings are bent and broken at the first weak challenge.
As Americans surrender to perfectly potted platitudes, we're giving up the strength of our ideas, our differences and our diversity.
As much as I fear what will happen in November, the idea of the next strong wind afterwards petrifies me.



Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs