Posted on 11/13/2004 8:23:19 AM PST by johnny7
John F. Kerry returns to the U.S. Senate. But what about his die-hard supporters - or the voters who chose Kerry but would have settled for anyone but Bush?
They stray between anger and outrage, frustration and despair. What's happened to their country, they wonder? How could George W. Bush - a man they consider remarkably unreflective, an intellectual lightweight and someone they believe deliberately misled the country into war - have won? Ralph Wahlstrom, a Buffalo State College English professor, said he still has trouble accepting Bush's re-election a week and a half later. "I've never felt like this before, and I've voted in every election since I was 18," said Wahlstrom, a 51-year-old, Vietnam-era Navy veteran. Some Kerry voters are angry and upset. Others are slowly recommitting to future battles. And a few, like Charlene Angle of Buffalo, are looking longingly to Canada. Angle's family owns two cottages in Minden, north of Toronto, and she's thought about moving there permanently some day. "It's very scary what's going on here. Being a woman, I expect my rights to be taken away left and right," said Angle, a medical secretary.
Moving van to Canada
Angle isn't alone in imagining a moving van hauling her possessions north of the border. On the day after the election, the number of U.S. visitors to Canada's main immigration Web site jumped from an average of 20,000 to 115,016 - a nearly sixfold increase that practically doubled the previous record. Canada is laying out the welcome mat to new residents. Unlike most large countries, the nation of 32 million has a permanent immigration program. Recently, the minister of citizenship and immigration announced a goal of 220,000 to 240,000 new immigrants and refugees for 2005. In recent years, 2 to 3 percent of immigrants to Canada have been from the United States - the same percentage that made the move following the closely contested 2000 presidential race. If this country becomes more conservative, Angle said, she may move to more socially liberal Canada.
So might Buffalo piano teacher Tim Socha, who has dealt with his post-election blues by recently looking at property in Canada with his roommate. "We toyed with the idea for the weekend, at least. It was nice to imagine, although right now it's more of a fantasy," Socha said.
Easy transition,p>It's relatively easy to make a new life in English-speaking Canada: Potential immigrants can apply to become a permanent resident, a process that takes about a year. Or someone can choose to live in the country on a long-term basis by getting a work permit and finding a job. Colin Eager, executive director of the Western New York Peace Center, won't be one of them. He's committed to working for change at home - especially when he thinks about the prospect of new U.S. Supreme Court judges voting to overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling or the prospect of more "pre-emptive" wars. "The first thing those in progressive movements need to do is get over the shock of the moment and realize there is a huge body of people out there that agree with us," Eager said. "Then we have to start doing what we can to mobilize them, and take other actions besides voting every four years."
Distress over the election results even showed up in many therapy sessions at the University at Buffalo, according to Christine Calmes, assistant director of the Psychological Services Center. "This has been a topic at many sessions that therapists have had with existing clients," Calmes said. Colin O'Malley, a student activist and junior at the University at Buffalo, said he was disappointed by Bush's victory, but is trying to look ahead. With Democrats and independents in the minority of a Republican-controlled White House and Congress, he is focusing on trying to shape public opinion outside electoral politics. Canisius College political scientist Michael Haselswerdt said a number of people distraught by Bush's victory can be expected to disengage from politics. "A professional (politician) looks at long-term gain - you're going to win some and lose some," Haselswerdt said. "The amateur is attracted to politics usually by some passionate issue or personality, and they think everything is riding on this one election. Those are the people who will have a very hard time with a loss, and typically leave politics after that experience."
Two acts of vandalism in the Buffalo area were linked to the election results. On Nov. 4, rocks were thrown through the windows of the Republican Party's downtown headquarters in the Statler Towers and also at a Town of Tonawanda military recruitment center. A letter reportedly claimed the actions were in reaction to the Republican agenda and the Iraq war. Jennifer Gold, a speech-language pathologist who lives in Buffalo, admitted feeling "despondent, hopeless and helpless" ever since Ohio's declaration as a red state sealed Bush's victory. "We're in danger of losing everything we've ever worked for, from the environment to Social Security," said Gold. "People are talking about leaving the country - that's how depressed they feel. And the people who voted Bush in will say, "Good. Leave.' "They should be asking why. What has happened that has made their fellow citizens so desolate about the democratic system?"
e-mail: msommer@buffnews.com
If they stay together, every primary will be a bloodbath. If they split... both parties will be weaker than we.
What a delicious dilemma!
Bush won Grand Island!
But the same people voted in the same incumbents.
I will change that, I am running for Assembly.
Hoyt and Brown will be running for mayor of Buffalo.
God help us all!
Oh I agree!
I'm envious.........I want my county RED! If we made Buffalo it's own county.............
It shows just how Right this state is, we are not alone..
have you read my latest article?
It is published at isledegrande.com and in the Grand Island Record and supposedly in the Tonawanda News..
Because they are stupid schmoes who believe everything the MSM peddles.
Frankly we are better off without them. Their whine is as irritating as that of a mosquito
Angle better get the job done. My construction co. has already bid on a few Federal RFP's to build internment camps for the Left. These camps will be complete in 2Q05. Folks like Angle will be put to work digging latrines.
Thanks for the link!
I must tell you, I do enjoy reading articles like these. Their paranoia running wild, and their inability to grasp reality are a constant source of amusement and laughs.
***Are they planning to keep their US citizenship?***
You bet your bippy, they are planning to keep their US citizenship. That way they can sit up there in Canada and VOTE in our elections. And they'll probably come back here to vote again.
This thread has me humming Little Feat's "Tripe Face Boogie." It starts out:
Buffaloed in Buffalo
Entertained in Houston...
Women in general..no. But for you. Yes, we will take away all your rights, immediately!
Gunther!! Arrest this women! Have her interrogated! Take away all her rights, then place her in one of the laundry camps that wash and press dress shirts for men. NOW, Gunther!!"
"Tripe Face Boogie."
I never heard of it, but given those opening lines, it sets one's mind to work.
PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU PACK!!
Your friend and others say that it is morally wrong to go to war in Iraq then why was it that Congress agreed and signed the declaration to go to war. I think there were only one or two senators that didn't sign and Kerry and Edwards were not them. It's not just for oil, however, the Kerry believers have been lead to believe this. Notice I didn't say democrat believers. It wasn't the Republicans that flew into the twin towers. It wasn't Pres. Bush and the Republicans that gave aid and comfort to the terrorist. It wasn't Pres. Bush's fault that Iraq didn't want to reform itself as they said they would in 1991 to be a peaceful country and abide by the resolutions handed down by the U.N. and remember it was the U.N. security council that voted 13 to 0 to go to war with Iraq the only fall out was as to When. And that was when France came into the picture and now we know why France didn't want to was because of the Oil for Food money. Tell your friend this the next time you have contact, if they listen, find, if not, then the friendship wasn't a very strong one and maybe it would be better to end it and find new freinds such as those here on FreeRepublic. As for your son I wish him well and a safe journey there and back to Iraq. He and others like him may not believe or like what people say but he and the others like him will defend your right to say it. That includes you friend.
To The Mayor: Good luck to you, sir! As one who lives in the southern-most part of the county with some rabid Dems for neighbors, I was surprised to see as many BC04 signs along our north-south corridor as I did. However, until the unions are curbed (I'd like to see them crushed), unfortunately things are not going to change! I wish I could be more optimistic, but after living here 20+ years, I don't see a way out. Albany is locked with the unions and pork barrel politics. I think Buffalo will have to go through bancruptcy before anything happens. I can't take any more taxes, and if the 'green' budget goes through, we're done.
Air Force Mom: God Bless your son and keep him safe. Thank him for me for protecting our country!
Thank you, I will tell him. He'll be here tomorrow night!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.