puzzledI've spent the day reading LJ comments from lots of folks I know and like and respect, full of what appears to me to be serious overreaction. They speak of literally shaking with terror, or sobbing helplessly, or simply being fatalistically depressed.
I don't get it.
They wonder aloud how anyone could possibly support that guy in the White House after all he's done and knowing what he plans to do.
They don't get me.
At this point, I'm not going to attempt to explain my side of the equation. Many folks have tried, only to be blown off by the other side (no, I'm not saying any of the folks in my friends list have done so; I speak in general terms). If you want to understand why I voted for President Bush, along with a majority of my fellow voting Americans, there are words aplenty to explain it.
I can understand
bronxelf_ag001's concern over the prospect of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I can understand jmthane's nervousness about the dim prospects of a reasonable definition of marriage (mine matches hers, FWIW). I can understand yakko's disappointment.I can't understand the level of emotion that goes with it. I don't know if I ever will. I do know that we must understand each other if we have any hope of overcoming the deep division we face now. I also know that electing Kerry would have done nothing to heal that division. It would have merely had the other side complaining and feeling badly treated. The problem goes much deeper than that.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to truly understand the problem. Some of it, I'm sure I won't, not a viscerally. I do, however, think we've got to try, and I will if those opposing Bush will. Fair enough?
