10-04-2004, 06:14 AM
I suppose this is just as good a spot as any to put the following observation:
I had a long in-depth conversation with someone I respect very much who is pro-Bush. We didnât debate at all, but rather had a very fulfilling conversation about politics. I got to hear his point of view and I think it may be one many Bush supporters share. Iâd like to share my observation here.
His point of view is that our country (America) is so deep in s**t in regards to Iraq and our relationship with other countries, that he thinks someone with some real âballsâ needs to be in office to make sure things get done right. He thinks Kerry will form alliances and sign peace treaties instead of doing what needs to be done, and that in the long-run, Iraq *will* turn into a real threat if its not taken care of properly. He believes Bush is the right person because he is just arrogant enough to keep the other countries at bay that disagree with our tactics and can still resolve our problems.
I found myself agreeing with him on many points. The main point we agreed upon is that Iraq needs to be taken care of before it returns to bite us back in a big way. With all the warlords moving in, terrorism is obviously in the future without some kind of major intervention. I do disagree that condescension towards other countries in regards to their opinions on our actions is appropriate. I think Kerry is stronger in this area and will repair and amend our broken continental relationships, however I do worry about Iraq.
Our conversation did not change my pro-Kerry stance, but gave me more respect and understanding for those who are pro-Bush. I think before our conversation, I pictured pro-Bush supporters as Republican to the core, hardcore Christians, or just plain ignorant. I now realize that it is I who was ignorant of their opinions. Iâm not sure if I had this point of view because I didnât agree with Bushâs policies of the environment, or what I perceived as his deliberate âlyingâ to the American public, but in any case my head was in the sand. I think its important to remember that there are two sides to every argument, and two sides to every opinion.
I had a long in-depth conversation with someone I respect very much who is pro-Bush. We didnât debate at all, but rather had a very fulfilling conversation about politics. I got to hear his point of view and I think it may be one many Bush supporters share. Iâd like to share my observation here.
His point of view is that our country (America) is so deep in s**t in regards to Iraq and our relationship with other countries, that he thinks someone with some real âballsâ needs to be in office to make sure things get done right. He thinks Kerry will form alliances and sign peace treaties instead of doing what needs to be done, and that in the long-run, Iraq *will* turn into a real threat if its not taken care of properly. He believes Bush is the right person because he is just arrogant enough to keep the other countries at bay that disagree with our tactics and can still resolve our problems.
I found myself agreeing with him on many points. The main point we agreed upon is that Iraq needs to be taken care of before it returns to bite us back in a big way. With all the warlords moving in, terrorism is obviously in the future without some kind of major intervention. I do disagree that condescension towards other countries in regards to their opinions on our actions is appropriate. I think Kerry is stronger in this area and will repair and amend our broken continental relationships, however I do worry about Iraq.
Our conversation did not change my pro-Kerry stance, but gave me more respect and understanding for those who are pro-Bush. I think before our conversation, I pictured pro-Bush supporters as Republican to the core, hardcore Christians, or just plain ignorant. I now realize that it is I who was ignorant of their opinions. Iâm not sure if I had this point of view because I didnât agree with Bushâs policies of the environment, or what I perceived as his deliberate âlyingâ to the American public, but in any case my head was in the sand. I think its important to remember that there are two sides to every argument, and two sides to every opinion.
"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self." -Albert Einsetin