Resolution And Relief
In 1997, I *was* an "anarcho-marxist" (Yeah, it's been a long journey to my present political state). I hated the monarchy, loved Nine Inch Nails, and I rep'd Sinn Fein as much as possible. I read Nietzsche, (although I am fairly certain I still can't spell him), Prodhoun, and Marx.... and I could not understand why the revolution was not coming soon enough.

In the Canadian election that year, a union tough guy from the NDP called me up asking for support. My response, verbatim:

"I don't support any party-I'm an anarchist. I don't believe in our power structures."

His response?

"That's quite a stance. Good luck with that."

....He promptly hung up.

I went on to spoil my ballot on purpose, citing unreconcilible differences with our electoral system and the manipulation of parties by corporations and special interests...and I stated those objections where I could on the ballots. Okay, it went something like
"I vote for everyone!" (all the names were checked off) "This vote has been spoiled on purpose. Choose anarchism."

On election night, however, I watched intently...and I hoped deep down that the Western Regional hellraisers known as the Reform Party would sweep the west. And, again deep down, this was no surprise since I recall thinking the same thing in 1993. I rationalized this, in a way, because the Reformers, despite being 'old and crusty' were really giving it to the eastern establishment in Ottawa, like I was everyday.(haha...okay not everyday).

......So, why the long story?..ahhh....

I was thinking, rationalizing, attempting to convince myself that y'know, a Kerry win might not be that bad, or at least I would be indifferent to who would win. And with the same intensity I watch Canadian elections, I am watching this one. My head sort of, kinda, half-heartedly sides with Kerry on certain issues, but deep down, to my own surprise, I am genuinely relieved that Bush is winning. I am pulling for him. If Kerry wins, it would not be the end of the world, and I am not predicting like others that the mankind will be doomed. I mean, seriously: do you really think that? Deep down?

I may not come across as a big Bush supporter, because I am not, but my gut instinct is to go with him. That's what I am feeling, and I hope he wins. That's just me being real and honest.

Anyways, my main concern is that the US pulls it together somehow after this election and stops with the overheated rheotoric on both sides. This has been a rough campaign for both sides, and somehow I hope this battle brings both sides closer.

Does this sound improbable?

As a function of my job, I do 'battle' (I can't tell you how many times) in some extremely confrontational faceoffs. After a good fight you really do respect the other person and there is some comraderie of a sorts afterwards, or at least an understanding that only comes through conflict.

Er, then again... sometimes battle leads to grudges and threats of lawsuits which only result in low levels of simmering animosity. I guess I hope the former rather than the latter prevails in this US election.