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ZOT: Let's All Vote November 2! (Proposal for WORLD election)
07 September 2004 | Tahar Ben Jelloun

Posted on 09/08/2004 1:13:51 PM PDT by awesomechick

And what if, this coming November 2, at the same time as millions of Americans, all the world's peoples went to the ballot box to vote? There would be legitimacy in their participation in the election of the president of the world's greatest power. Simply because their lives, their future, depend on it in one way or another. It would be a symbolic gesture, a universal speech in observation of a fact and a direct and unambiguous way of saying that the fate of the world depends in large part on the American presidency. The Vietnamese and the Chileans at one time, the Iraqis today, know something about that.

According to whether the present president is beaten or reelected, the fate of hundreds of thousands of families in Iraq, in Palestine, in Israel, in the whole Middle East, in the Maghreb and in Africa, in Latin America, and in many other countries as well, will find itself changed. This is the only presidential election that concerns so many people outside of the country where it takes place. Far from being a matter that concerns Americans only, [the election result] comes into play in many domains, the most obvious and spectacular of which is the economy.

Let's not even talk about what's happening daily in Iraq. The Iraqis have begun a civil war that all observers had predicted before America and Great Britain's intervention in that country. The Iraqis as well as the Palestinians would have every legitimate reason to participate in the vote.

This does not mean that John Kerry, were he to be elected, will overturn the situation in Iraq, but I think that in any case, the evil has been done and it will be necessary for civilized countries to get together to repair the enormous damage caused by a power that based itself on lies and illegality to give some semblance of a justification for its policy.

Those who would rejoice in George W. Bush' reelection are Al-Qaeda's people- they've already said as much - because he's the one whose policies dovetail the best with their strategy. Hasn't the intervention in Iraq offered this movement's terrorists an opportunity to develop and to pass for resistance to a colonial occupation in the eyes of the Arab world?

If Bush is a misfortune for at least half of all Americans, he's a disaster for all those outside the United States who suffer the effects of his actions dictated by sketchy fundamentalist thinking.

As for the Palestinians, if they know that they will not receive justice at the end of a magic wand, even one held by Mr. Kerry, they now live the horrors of the Israeli occupation which is blessed and encouraged by Team Bush. Their fate has never been as dire as since Sharon and Bush's advent into power.

We are far from Jimmy Carter's will to peace, or even from Bill Clinton's late, but praiseworthy, attempts. However, the world knows now that without a negotiated solution between Palestinians and Israelis (the Geneva plan is still valid), the whole Middle East, whether large or small, will remain a place of murderous conflicts, blind violence, and a laboratory for all the terrorisms of despair or revenge, both individual and state terrorism.

A Pew Research Center study teaches that "foreign policy, for the first time since the Vietnam War, is ranked along with the economy as a top concern of Americans" (Le Monde, August 20). That's one more reason why the people whose fate depends on this policy should also get to choose the next United States' president. It would be the logical thing, even if itvseems strange and above all unrealizable. However, it could be a guideline vote, a sort of signal to the president elect.

If Bush wins, it won't do any good, since millions of Europeans took to the streets to demonstrate their opposition to the entry of American-British troops in Iraq, millions of voices were raised to warn Team Bush about the dangers of such a war, an illegitimate war in spite of all the horror of Saddam Hussein's system and of those like him in the region, but Bush and his team were contemptuous of this massive popular "vote" and overrode it. So it's useless to speak to a mulish man, a man under the worst of influences, those of ignorance and religion.

If his rival is elected, some hope is allowed, even if we know that a well-established tradition will give priority to American interests. And it would be right in this instance to favor those interests by withdrawing from Iraq, indemnifying this slaughtered people, by promoting a negotiated settlement in the Middle East as soon as possible, by acknowledging the mistakes and the digressions of a power that has abused its strength rather than respecting law and right.

Some Americans will never accept such interference in their political life. Why should a Bhopal Indian, an African from the former Zaire (Congo-Kinshasa), an Arab, or a European have anything to say about such an election? Simply because, when the United States of America decides to bring "democracy" into a dictatorship (as though democracy were a pill soluble in a country's water) they don't consult those who are principally involved; they don't listen to the message of millions of demonstrators,and they ignore the opinion of the United Nations. Because they must imagine that what is good for the United States can only benefit those whose destiny they manipulate. When they decide to intervene in a country, bringing their weapons and their baggage, they don't trouble themselves with learning what the population thinks of it.

The arrogance and the contempt they demonstrate towards others would be taught a good lesson if the world's leaders agreed to organize this symbolic vote this coming November 2. It would be like a will to independence and resistance in the face of an advancing hegemony wrapped up in some religious values, certain prejudices, and a few pretexts.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: a5minuteargument; agoodspanking; ahole; airhead; albatross; allyourduthreads; allyourvoters; allyourvotes; amooseoncebither; anarchosyndicalism; arebelongtous; areyouapoofter; armedwithabanana; awesomekucinich; awfulchick; bannedaccount; beensackedagain; begalabanana; bettergetabucket; biggusdickus; biteyourownheadoff; blitheringidiocy; bloodypeasant; boltonisnotlob; bonghitter; braindonor; bravelyranaway; bravesirrobin; breachbirthanoxia; bringoutyourdead; bubbasgotathong4u; buhbye; buildabridgeoutaher; callmeloretta; cameere4anargument; camelotssillyplace; carville; catchafridge; cheese; cheesealert; cheeseandspam; comeagain; confuseitsomemore; crybaby; dajooz; davidjonesfanclub; deadnewbieposting; deadseatrolls; deadtrollposting; deadtrollsketch; deadtrollwalkin; departmentofpeace; disrupter; dontbesuchababy; dontpostonschoolnite; drugaddledstupidity; dummy; dusrupter; dutroll; everyspermissacred; evilnaughtyzoot; freewynona; friedanisahottie; genderconfusion; hairylegs; hebuggeredoff; here2daygone2day; hidesbehindaskirt; hidinginaskirt; highwankingofficer; hisbrainhurts; hisnamesnotbruce; hitonheadlessons; hownottobeseen; iamwomanithink; idontlikespam; imbeingrepressed; incontinentiabuttox; ineedprozac; internationalidiot; isyourwifeagoer; iwanttobeawoman; judeanpeoplesfront; kampusklown; kneepadlib; koffiischrist; ladyoftheevening; liberalmoron; libisamentaldisease; loonylib; lumberjacksong; maninadress; manindrag; mcgreeveyboy; mobydickless; mobyisthatyou; mobyistthatyou; mobysmarchingmorons; motherwasahamster; mumiacong; mustbefrench; needshermeds; newspeak; nothisisabuse; notlobisbolton; ohtobealumberjack; oneworldgovenment; ozonealert; potkillsbraincells; pufromdu; roadapples; ruapoofter; rule1nopoofters; rule3nopoofters; rule4alldrinking; rule5nopoofters; rule6isnorule6; rule7nopoofters; sandwichshyofpicnic; shehasgotawart; shesawitch; shesbeensacked; shesherstory; shesmadeofwood; shutuppleaseshutup; silliussoddus; somemoistenedbimp; strikeupthebanned; syphilliticdementia; takeyourmeds; toostupidforwords; troll; turnedmeintoanewt; urdressedasawitch; vikingkittens; vkpac; wasmuchrejoicing; wasteofhumanlife; wastingyourtime; weighsasmuchasduck; wevefoundawitch; whatasillybunt; whitetrash; wishhewasagirlie; wishidbeenagirly; worstopusever; yourealooney; zot; zuluoscartango
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To: awesomechick
Hey awefullsnit, sorry you got banned. So I will pave you!


121 posted on 09/08/2004 4:32:13 PM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (I'm Conspiracy Guy and I approve this message. "John Kerry is a liar!")
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To: awesomechick

This is what they want, control of the US. And if Kerry gets in, they'll be on their way. Funny, though, how US citizens aren't supposed to ask for the right to vote in their elections. Just bend over and get a boot up the rear. Why don't they fix their own countries and leave us alone.


122 posted on 09/08/2004 4:39:59 PM PDT by hershey
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To: awesomechick
If Bush is a misfortune for at least half of all Americans, he's a disaster for all those outside the United States who suffer the effects of his actions dictated by sketchy fundamentalist thinking.

Makes you grind your teeth, eh? Heheheheh! Too bad for you I'LL be voting for Bush AGAIN, while you watch, 'cos you can't vote. Neener-neener-neener! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Yep, there it is, folks. It's all about envy. They want to get behind the wheel of the most powerful nation on earth, the one WE built, and drive it right into the ground to serve THEIR purposes. Their own socio-political models are too puny, inefficient and can't get them where they want to go, because they don't keep them in good working order, so they want to carjack ours.

If they spent more time worrying about the problems in their OWN COUNTRIES, they wouldn't have time to worry about the one in which they have no say, no voice, no choice...

123 posted on 09/08/2004 4:40:07 PM PDT by wimpycat (John Kerry has a fevah, and the only prescription is "MORE COWBELL".)
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To: awesomechick; nicmarlo; cyborg
You're a long-winded little troll, aren't you? And amazingly literate for a troll. Bill, is that you? Did they get you a laptop for your hospital bed so you could surf the girlie sites and you thought you'd drop in at FR just to stir things up a little? Isn't that cute. Worldwide voting for a US president....that was your wet dream, wasn't it? Then you could have screwed the whole world at one time instead of just the US.

Hey y'all. Supper's on.

124 posted on 09/08/2004 4:51:53 PM PDT by sweetliberty ("A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left." (Eccl. 10:2))
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To: awesomechick
Comments?

Jane, you ignorant slut!

125 posted on 09/08/2004 5:10:40 PM PDT by ABG(anybody but Gore) ("I'm just a gigolo, and everywhere I go, people know I'm lyin' about 'Nam".....)
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To: awesomechick; Spackidagoosh; RatherBiased.com; Arrowhead1952; trussell; cyborg; stockpirate; CSM
Hey, Awesome chick.

You're so friggin' AWESOME!

Like, fer sure, totally.

126 posted on 09/08/2004 5:12:44 PM PDT by The Scourge of Yazid (This tag-line paid for by "Friends of Paul Rodriguez.")
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To: awesomechick

It's an excellent idea, actually, but inasmuch as most of these people can't vote at all, we'll just have to bomb the crap out of them instead. It's cheaper.


127 posted on 09/08/2004 5:21:33 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: COEXERJ145
"This has to be one of the stupidest things I have seen in a long time."

Stay tuned. There's plenty more where that one came from. For people who are so proabortion and pro-homo, they sure do reproduce quicky.

128 posted on 09/08/2004 5:32:33 PM PDT by sweetliberty ("A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left." (Eccl. 10:2))
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To: awesomechick
Since you're so concerned,tell you what. I'LL VOTE FOR YOU! Isn't that awesome of me? I hereby dedicate my vote on November 2 to 'awesomechick' and when I pull the lever for George W. Bush I'll say, This is for you, 'awesomechick'! Now isn't that sweet?
129 posted on 09/08/2004 5:48:04 PM PDT by airborne (2/504 PIR - 'Devils In Baggy Pants')
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To: awesomechick

notverysmartchick


130 posted on 09/08/2004 6:06:14 PM PDT by Lady Heron
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To: MeekOneGOP

That is Clownville at his best


131 posted on 09/08/2004 6:09:35 PM PDT by stockpirate (Dick Morris; Before he spoke, supporting Bush was a duty one owed to the fallen. Now, it is an honor)
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To: stockpirate

132 posted on 09/08/2004 6:18:16 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: awesomechick

The probem I have awesomestick is that if the International Socialists take over they will have to march 100's of thousands of us in to the forests for re-education, and I don't like the forest.


133 posted on 09/08/2004 6:27:07 PM PDT by stockpirate (Dick Morris; Before he spoke, supporting Bush was a duty one owed to the fallen. Now, it is an honor)
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To: Americanwolf; AQGeiger; Beaker; BenLurkin; baltodog; big'ol_freeper; ChadGore; Chode; ...

Dangit, ah done missed anuther 'un!
134 posted on 09/08/2004 6:44:38 PM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: awesomechick
"Comments?"

OK... I'll comment. I live in central Florida. I've dug out from under Charley and helped my neighbors after Frances and now I'm watching Ivan. So, to relieve some stress from my sore, sunburned and mosquito bitten body, I'll pave, roll, paint and stune your beeber.


135 posted on 09/08/2004 6:55:04 PM PDT by DocRock (Why don't the RNC protesters come down here and help clean up after Charley and Frances?)
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To: awesomechick

"Chicks" that promote themselves as "awesome" are usually beached teenaged whales. Lost, stupid, fat, aimless, uneducated, undesirable, ugly. You've got a lot of growing up to do, awesomechick.


136 posted on 09/08/2004 7:01:44 PM PDT by Bars4Bill
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To: Old Sarge
She is...


137 posted on 09/08/2004 7:40:43 PM PDT by kenth
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To: awesomechick
And what if, this coming November 2, at the same time as millions of Americans, all the world's peoples went to the ballot box to vote?

Erm, NO. One Federal Election is about all the action I can take for this year. Australia goes to the polls about three weeks before you guys.

Voting for John Howard's boys and girls on October 9th, or simply screwing up the ballot paper in disgust? Ah, decisions, decisions...

All I know is I have an election in a month for the leader of MY country. I don't want or need to vote for YOUR leader three weeks later, as much as I want G.W. Bush to stay in office. That's America.

Where would I register, anyway? I have a bunch of stuff in storage in Connecticut... would that mean I could vote there?
138 posted on 09/08/2004 8:15:41 PM PDT by KangarooJacqui (What did John Kerry do on 9/11? He sat there like a stuned beeber.)
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To: awesomechick
Dear Not-So-Awesome Chick... if you really ARE a chick and not some balding hippie dude with a ponytail, posting from a Portland Starbucks on your laptop...

These flowers are for you! Don't let your girlfriends over at DU smoke them.


139 posted on 09/08/2004 8:21:19 PM PDT by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: awesomechick

You my dear, are not awesome, you are just nuts.


140 posted on 09/08/2004 8:24:20 PM PDT by ladyinred (John Kerry reporting for "SPITBALL" duty!)
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