Hope Slipping Away

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The vote has still not been decided conclusively as of this morning, but not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine my American cousins would validate the past three years of violence by re-electing George W. Bush for a second term.

This puts me in a very uneasy situation. My being here for four years was somewhat contingent upon a democratic win in this election. I'm now questioning my future here. The choice is to leave a good situation, where all of my basic needs are met (ie a three minute walk to school, a good education,  and plenty of new friends), or move home, back to Toronto and Southern Ontario to continue my education? At least my government does not kill indiscriminately.

I try to talk the whole thing out with my housemates, but the conversation degrades into emotional outbursts from both sides. There is agreeance on the violent nature of this administration's operations, but somehow, 3000 American deaths on 9/11 justify the 100 000 deaths of innocent Iraqis in the "war on terror." America is under attack, apparently through no fault of her own. Well folks, Alert Status: Red, because the terrorists will be marching again if Bush and his band of merry invaders are officially sworn into office for a second term. You've sealed your fate, despite having another path to follow which would have been a small step in the right direction. Many still still feel there is a link between Al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, and feel justified in being the only country with absolute veto power on global issues - ruler and protector of the global domain. After all, Americans know what's best for the world, right? The links between the war in Iraq and key members of the Republican party lining their pockets through lucrative war and rebuilding contracts (which are not externally competed for) is viewed as being wrong, yet nobody had the balls to stand up and vote against this administration who strong-armed the American people by using fear as a platform. And you know what? It's very difficult to feel sorry for these people who had the opportunity to usher in change and then let it slide by. Now the rest of the world will suffer as a result of gross indifference from the people of the United States.

My plans to return home, to a place where peace is valued above prosperity, are in the works. Only the coming days will tell if this will be the path to follow. If I do decide to return home, I feel like I will view my experience here as a sort of exchange program. A valuable learning tool on the state of mass public acceptance of violence and the ease with which a calculated strategy based on fear can manipulate an entire nation. Thanks also goes out to the hardcore right-wing religious fundamentalists who turned out in record numbers to vote their lord and saviour, George W. Bush, into office. After all, the killing of innocent people is one of the most Christian of notions, isn't it? This is a messed-up country.

I'm on very shaky ground this morning - not feeling too good about the prospects. I keep asking myself what my education here has to do with Bush killing innocent Iraqis (and Afghanis for that matter) indiscriminately? I'm beginning to feel that any association with this country is a validation of global atrocities. My tuition goes to an independent academic institution and education is a universal right, yet to be a part of the next four years means having to be surrounded by the public acceptance of violence and the corporate ambitions of the current administration. I feel like I need to run.

Comments

[Marty Hughes]

Kevin, thanks so much for your comment. In the post I neglected to mention the tremendous effort on the behalf of many Americans to secure an outright victory for Kerry, and with it, the hope for change. Thank you for being informed, caring and not intimidated by fear-mongering Republicans. Certainly, it looks like any Kerry victory yesterday is of monumental importance, and your effort to swing the vote in your respective states was no doubt influential in its own way.

Best,

Marty Hughes

[Kevin Hughes]

A co-worker of mine, who commutes from Pennsylvania, also voted for Bush yesterday. When I asked her why she voted that way she told me she believes that terrorist will bomb Washington D.C., possibly with nuclear weapons, and since we work so close in Baltimore we would be killed in the attack also. Fear works on some people. I'm just glad I did all I could to swing it towards Kerry. He won Maryland and Pennsylvania. It's a small meaningless victory but it's all I have to go on this morning.