Mourning the death of humanity

[Max_Tab]

Sorry about posting the whole article, but you have to sign up to the site to be able to read the articles. This is the Rutgers University paper.




Students grieve over re-election

By Grace Sica / University Editor
Published: 11/5/2004

Article Tools: Page 1 of 2


Media Credit: Matt Moss/Acting Photography Editor
Students gather at Brower Commons Wednesday night to share stories of frustration and disbelief in response to the re-election of President George W. Bush at the ´Mourning the Death of Humanity´ rally.


When dealing with grief, our culture has generally accepted the five-step program: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance.

The 100 people who gathered Wednesday night at Brower Commons on the College Avenue campus seemed to represent all five stages in response to the re-election of President George W. Bush.

People flocked to the impromptu gathering - referred to in e-mails and fliers as "Mourning the Death of Humanity" - as members of the University and New Brunswick communities shared stories of their frustrations, disbelief, depression and plans.

The gathering was the result of word of mouth, with fliering and e-mailing aiding in the effort. The protesters lit candles and took control of the microphone - some yelling, others with quieter tones, some free-styling, and others short and brief.

Douglass College sophomore Lindsay Napolitano, the first to speak at the gathering, was among a small group of students who returned from a similar rally at Union Square Park in New York City. She said this was a place for those unsatisfied with the election to gather.

"If America is a Republican country, ... Brower Commons right now isn't a part of it," Napolitano said. "Don't lose faith. There are a lot of us out there. ... We know we are angry now. We need to figure out what to do."

Joe Smith, who is not affiliated with the University but is a self-described local organizer and activist, said this is the time to make a plan to change the way politics is currently working.

"We need to start focusing on things we can attain," he said. "How about let's win something." The unopposed council race in New Brunswick exemplified the corruption and limitation of politics, Smith said.

People taped white paper to the backs of their jackets with sayings like "Not my vote, this country does not represent me."

Attached to her vest, protester Stephanie Smith donned a sign that read, "49 percent is not a minority." The slogan was meant to represent that the country is not a democracy because of the two-party system, she said. "This country is driven by capitalism and individualism, leaving behind a large percentage - the poor, handicapped, minorities, women, [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community," she said. "The more the county is driven by greed, the harder it gets for these people to live the 'American dream.'"

Like many of the people out at Brower Commons that night, she was doubtful Democratic candidate John Kerry's win would have aroused the same response. "This country wouldn't have changed with Kerry" she said. "Bush's win has mobilized the people."

The day before the election, a new publication arrived on campus, a conservative paper called The Centurion. Editor in Chief James O'Keefe, a Rutgers College junior, was at the rally to hear the other point of view and hear arguments against Bush.

O'Keefe said he had one question left unanswered: "Where is the injustice?" He said it seemed people were picking the issues apart.

"Bush said we need people and support," O'Keefe said. "They have a responsibility to join the current administration, ... not to disassociate and move out of the country."

Standing across the street, Rutgers College junior Matt Peterson shook his head and said, "It's sad that this is going to tear us apart."

Peterson said he voted for Bush and recognizes some of Bush's initiatives have been unpopular, but this in itself can be the token of a good leader.

"Sometimes a leader has to go at it alone," he said. "If something needs to get done, it needs to get done." In hindsight, the idea to go into Iraq may not have been the best, Peterson said, but at the time, Bush believed it was.

[Roguish Lawyer]

I really feel for those poor kids.

[37F5V]

Sounds alot like the rhetoric being spewed over at the Democratiic underground site. If you are in the mood for a good laugh check out those loons.

[Max_Tab]

GRRRRRR going to vent for a sec.

The only new's channel (english speaking) we get here is CNNi and they just had this big interview with New Yorkers. Well all the people they interviewed were just shocked at how ignorant and close minded all the "red" states were. Basically southerners and midwesterners. One person they interviewed said he wasn't going to "drive through any red states, it's like we don't belong to the same country". One lady said she was going to move. Oh they did have one person who voted for Bush, but it was a crazy street person who said he had seen Jesus, and Jesus told him to vote for Bush.

I just hate the fu#$ing bias of the liberal media. But of course, winning is it's own justification.

[Doc]

I feel sorry for those poor people as well.

Life's really terrible here in the U.S. and it's all the POTUS's fault. He alone controls how each and every one of us feels.

I had a Dr tell me that it's better in other countries and that I needed to go overseas and check it out. I guess his comments stem from me being on the upbeat all of the time and he's not.

He doesn't spout that crap now after someone told him my background.

If you don't like it here, go where it will make you happy. Just leave all of the money you made from your fellow countrymen here, ie Robert Redford.

[gits]

Something happened like this in downtown Portland, Oregon two days ago. I beleive there were 500 protesters that were blocking traffic and were complaining that Bush won, But they ended up getting pepper balled.

[Sigi]

Originally Posted by PSYRGR

Sounds alot like the rhetoric being spewed over at the Democratiic underground site. If you are in the mood for a good laugh check out those loons.

I am not one to gloat over an election. Just don't see the point. But these whacko's over at DU are really losing thier minds. I can't quote most of them because of the f' bombs, but lets just say they are both angry and in denial. Many are calling for voter fraud and voter intimidation investigations. They claim the exit polls had Kerry winning in a landslide and that Kerry and the DNC left them swinging in the wind. Plus the typical conspiracy theories and tin foil commentaries. These people really turned on Kerry and the DNC right quick.


These were right late Nov.2 and early Nov. 3 entries.

they must be cheating again. i can't believe ohio and florida are really going that way. that doesn't match the profile established by Florida's early voting.

Sorry for my lack of self control...but I feel
physically ill, frightened and so betrayed
by John Kerry.
HOW will he explain this to us?
HOW will he justify concession BEFORE the
investigation of BLATANT voting fraud?
He did not fight at ALL!
He promised, HE PROMISED

I gave my heart to you, and you promised you'd keep it from breaking. I gave you my money, and you promised to spend it well. I gave you my time, and you said you would use it wisely.

The election was stolen. The black boxes took my heart, my money, and my time, so I turned to you for help. You watched your opponent litigate his way to a stolen victory in 2000 - I expected you knew what would happen in 2004. I thought you were ready.

You gave me lip service, offering congratulations to a thief and a speech speaking of unity while your supporters scream for anger. Millions of us trusted you, and watched your back. All we have to show now are broken backs of our own.

Damn you

[NousDefionsDoc]

Anybody ever met a happy lib?

[lrd]

I gave my heart to you, and you promised you'd keep it from breaking. I gave you my money, and you promised to spend it well. I gave you my time, and you said you would use it wisely.

The election was stolen. The black boxes took my heart, my money, and my time, so I turned to you for help. You watched your opponent litigate his way to a stolen victory in 2000 - I expected you knew what would happen in 2004. I thought you were ready.

You gave me lip service, offering congratulations to a thief and a speech speaking of unity while your supporters scream for anger. Millions of us trusted you, and watched your back. All we have to show now are broken backs of our own.

Damn you

This one cracks me up...had to be a lit major...I expected the writer to segue into an analysis of Gregor Samsa in Kafka's Metamorphosis. lol I've read too many undergrad English papers.

[flyboy1]

Damn whiners.

Like 90% of them even know what they are "mourning" anyway.

[Max_Tab]

I was in a bad mood until i read all the whining. See liberals are good for something.

[ThinAir]

It has been amazing to see the visible reaction that people have had in my ultra-liberal AO.

I'll throw in a few exerpts from the local 'Alternative Voice' (re: so far left it's off the scope) newspaper, the Boulder Weekly...

http://www.boulderweekly.com/coverstory.html

As we write, the disappointment in Boulder is palpable. Although in Colorado, our General Assembly is now under the control of Democrats, the national election went decisively to conservative Republicans. But rather than dwelling on the lost election, we’re taking a look forward at the next four years of political activism and what needs to happen in order to transform the United States into the nation we believe it can be. As famed American orator Robert G. Ingersoll once said, "The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart."

For many of us, that test comes now. To that end, Boulder Weekly contacted a host of local politicos, scholars, activists and others to get their thoughts on where America can and should go from here. We asked each a set of questions:

1. Democrats and progressives have been working together for four years to (re)defeat George W. How do they maintain their momentum in the face of this deep disappointment to make the next four years the toughest years of his presidency and bring transformation nationwide?
2. What are the biggest threats posed to the United States and the world by another four years of George W?....

...And the drivel continues. The enthusiasm portrayed by the pro-Kerry crowd at the University of Colorado and surrounding Boulder area was admirable. Deep in the heart of liberal country it was difficult not to get fired up about various issues upon hearing the things that would come out of other students' mouths.

BUT....In a city where one cannot drive more than a mile without seeing a Kerry/Edwards sign, I hope the the left is constantly reminded that yes, the majority of the country does not agree with you.

[Max_Tab]

good riddance

some people just need to leave and never come back. AKA Alec Baldwin.

[ThinAir]

Article


I can think of a few ways to make the party more relevent, one would be disassociating yourselfves with that really fat guy in the Michigan State hat.

[lrd]

To balance all of the whining:

http://fromasadamerican.blogspot.com...d-my-vote.html

An open letter to the DNC from a Democrat who voted for President Bush.

Like the author, I believe we need two strong parties. I wonder if the DNC will take note?