I guess my remarks are unsubstantial. They are gut reactions to hearing disgusting stories about legislating against gay people and inability to vote at all, let alone vote properly.

That thread you refer to is an example of me reacting to americans taking for granted that everybody has the same perception of the world as america. It’s not me coming out of nowhere attacking america, it’s me responding to an american who makes un-nuanced points directly related to him being american.

I’ll remind you of this thread http://www.rowthree.com/2008/07/04/today-we-celebrate-our-independence-day/

I don’t avoid criticising America. I object to a sniveling prick making unsubstantiated claims while glibly deflecting criticisms of his own country; like the fact that you retain a monarchy, pay a religious tax, and also support the occupation of Iraq.
If you actually wanted to discuss the ins and outs of US policy then I’d be interested in what you have to say. But your snotty remarks are unsubstantial.

You’re more nationalistic than the Canadians here (remember the time the Film Junk boys unanimously voted Cronenberg better than Lynch. there’s your rabid patriotism!)

The joke is the protest Henrik, He’d rather write a joke on the ballot than vote for president. Notice this person did bother to vote for other offices. So it’s not just apathy.

You know, I don’t really believe in the protest vote either. Like, I said it’s probably a waste of time. But voting is necessarily better, it doesnt automatically get you off the hook. Voting isn’t a virtue, responsible voting is a virtue. Dictators don’t just sneak into power when no one’s looking. Some of them are voted in.

If a guy wants to vote for senator but not president then I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

Protesting democracy is pathetic, and I read Lizard People as a joke more than a political protest. Maybe I’m not finetuned to the satire – probably because of the context of the other ballots – it could actually have been written by the next Paul Verhoeven.

Nothing is accomplished by not doing anything. If nobody voted, you’d get a dictatorship. But somebody once said, the people deserves the government it tolerates.

I didn’t take any offense to your remark about lizard people but I just vehemently disagree. The write-in option is there for a reason. It’s an opportunity to lodge a protest vote. I don’t know what would happen if everyone wrote in “lizard people” though many countries do have a “none of the above” option which can result in a do-over.

For the record, though I did support Obama, I do identify with those who are frustrated our political system. Protest voting is not for me, it’s probably pointless, but I can relate to the sentiment.
But it’s besides the point. The point of the recount is to determine the intent behind the ballots. Not relate to their results.
Personally I didn’t vote for any of the congress seats and many of them were close elections. I like Obama but I dont endorse handing over the gov wholesale to the democrats.

64% is not good. The american democracy is weak, and scarily so. Has anybody got the statistics of campaign money vs. victories in american elections? I’m pretty sure I read Obama was the candidate who spent the most money, but I would happily be proven wrong. Weak democracies are fragile and vulnerable to things far worse than a politically sanctioned monarchy.

Secondly, the lizard people ballot was perfectly legit. “Careless”? The person very concientiously wrote in lizard people in the appropriate write in area. That’s exactly what it’s there for. They did everything right, it was a perfectly legitimate ballot and anyone who disagrees doesn’t understand voting.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/

Example of a challenged *person.

I agree, it’s a dud. Throw it back.

I defend nothing, and all attacks may be just as valid as mine. That doesn’t change any facts though.

Yes. I’d rather have a monarchy with functioning democracy and tolerant legislation on sexuality, gender, religion etc. than any other sort of -archy og -blic without it.

I mean debating election results is something that’s done in 3rd world countries.

I think Bill Clinton would have made a fantastic First Lady!

http://www.rowthree.com/2008/11/13/shorts-program-the-shock-doctrine-short/

As for “W.”, I did see it and enjoyed it. I read a few reviews which basically stated that the reviewer was surprised that Stone went easy on Bush but I completely disagree – if anything, it shows the soon to be former president as even more unlikable and incompetent. I didn’t love it but will see it again at some point.