July 13, 2004
Delay This, Jackass
Since I generally avoid watching or reading the news lately because I seem to be experiencing the same kind of outrage fatigue as other American liberals, I didn't know about all the election-delay garbage that was going on over the weekend until I got to work yesterday and Jessica sent me a link. It made me so mad in so many ways that I could barely see straight for a couple minutes. Once I regained my composure, I quickly wrote three carefully worded but clearly indignant letters: one to the White House (as if that ever does any good), one to Diane Feinstein, and one to Barbara Boxer. I wish I kept a copy, but all I really said was I was disgusted by the mere idea of delaying the Presidential election and that it was obviously just a political ploy to taint the election with fear whether or not an "attack" actually took place that would end up hurting our democratic process more in the long run than any "attack" could. Anyway, usually when I get all mad and write to my representatives, I get back a form letter vaguely addressing my issue but obviously not crafted toward someone with my particular stance on the issue. For example, when I wrote my representatives about the whole "under God"-Pledge of Allegiance thing, I got back letters talking about how we should keep the words although I had written a 300 word rant about the separation of church and state, and respecting the rights of atheists. So, I was nicely surprised when I got the following form-email from Boxer... it's clearly a form letter, but I do appreciate that she finally seems to take my side on an issue. Girl (Senator) power!
Dear Ms. Almquist:
Thank you for contacting me regarding recent reports about the possibility of
postponing this year's federal elections.
To even consider postponing our elections, the most ardent symbol of American democracy, because of threats made by terrorists would be nothing short of allowing fear to rule our country. America is too great and too strong and too brave for that.
If this Administration is so concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks
disrupting U.S. elections, the priority should be how to best defend against those attacks, not how to close polling places.
We need to pass the Rail Security and Port Security bills, both of which passed unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee in April. We need to pass my Homeland Defense Act, legislation authorizing grants for our local
first responders so they can purchase interoperable communications systems that will allow them to talk to one another in the event of a terrorist attack. And we need to put more federal dollars toward funding these Homeland Security initiatives, including our local first responders.
We are focusing far too many of our resources abroad trying to bring democracy to others while this Administration seems completely at a loss on how to protect us here at home. All we hear about is fear from them and no plan. It is time to stop the fear-mongering and start protecting our people, our homeland, and our democracy here at home.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other issue that is of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer, United States Senator
Check out this cartoon, it's all about the Administration of fear:
http://www.markfiore.com/animation/fear.html