The Silent Majority speaks

[Silent Majority]

Holy CHIT ! ! I go away for a few days and come back to what looks to be a completely anti-Bush forum! Not pro-Kerry, just anti-Bush. What the hell? Since I ski with a lot of you maggots I'm not using my real name. I enjoy your company as long as we're not talking politics or religion. Unfortunately I can't look at some of you now without thinking about how diametrically opposed are our beliefs. It puts a damper on the whole skiing-comradery thing.

What I'm very curious about is how the Springsteen's, Moores', Streisand's and Fonda's of the world will be spinning this tomorrow - by that I mean how will the high-profile liberal wackjobs be spinning their thwarted efforts tomorrow. I'm sure we'll all hear how this was the platform upon which to build for the next election, how they at least got more people involved in the process, stirred up some dialogue, etc., etc.
This election will go down in history for many reasons, not the least of which will be the breaking of the Redskins-incumbent connection and the ending of the theory that sons and grandsons of presidents cannot get re-elected to a second term. Bush will win by a million or so votes. Enough to get it done. Enough votes this time to set aside any serious recall effort. While certainly not a landslide, a million votes is respectable considering it has been too close to call for weeks.
Yet, as divided as we all are, I take comfort in the fact that the winning margin will be comprised of the individual efforts of hundreds of thousands of American people who feel strongly enough about our collective future that they are out there this afternoon casting the very ballots which will end up making the difference. Even if it comes down the electoral college ultimately deciding the election, a representative few from that silent majority will be the tie-breaker for the many.
I have been very.....not amused this past few weeks as the Bush-bashing on the forum just kept getting worse. Some very big noise from a very vocal minority. I'm glad I've been gone. A ski forum is the wrong place to come and try to change typically conservative views. It is well-known in the industry that approximately 60% of ski magazine readers vote republican [it's true, look it up. I've been in the industry and received the advertiser's packets that provide the demographics of the average reader].
Skiers tend to be college-edumacated, well-informed of political issues, make more money than the average Joe, and would typically rather hang onto it than give it to some new liberal-spending government program [OK, so maybe not the members of this particular forum but as a group that is the case].
What has been happening here is the screaming minority has been oblivious to the fact that this kind of ranting only serves to solidify the resolve of silent people like me.
It is the silent majority all across America that will get it done today without the annoying chest-pounding and viscious attacks.

[Cornholio]

Coward....

[joshbu]

Don't worry bro, after a few more years of bush enviromental policy, there really won't be much snow left, so you won't have to worry about skiing with people with differnet political views.

Golly, GWB has already solved that problem for ya too! What a pal!

[optics]

Coward....

""""""""""

[mr_gyptian]

Tricky Dick Nixon, is that you??

[DougW]

Wasn't there a lot of bashing in this election from both sides. But it must be hard on the right, issues notwithstanding, to take all of the Bush is a moron stuff. Assuming that you care if he is or could be a moron. I'm sure some people probably feel better about him that he isn't "too" smart.

[natty dread]

Coward....

^^Yes^^

Hmm, the grammar/syntax is too good and there are not enough spelling errors for this to be blurred. My guess: Mr. G

[The AD]

Skiers tend to be college-edumacated, well-informed

Yes, and as such I know there's an inherent problem when you lower taxes despite funding a $100+ billion war and rack up a deficit of more than $400 billion.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

I am one of the silent "minority". I detest Bush and everything he stands for, but I've generally avoided too much political discussion in this particular forum because I'd rather talk about skiing.

I think we all need to be careful to avoid the emotional manipulation that both parties are using in order to "get out the vote." Recently I realized that I've become so emotional over this stupid election that I can't possibly understand why anyone would cast a vote for Bush. This is really strange since I'm usually very interested in what the other side thinks, and I'm usually willing to at least concede that there is at least some basis in their reasoning (for example, I can understand why people would want to ban abortions even if I don't agree with them). However, over the past few moths, I seem to have lost all empathy with Bush supporters. Likewise, I've noticed that Bush supporters seem to think that I'm completely off my rocker (well, maybe I am, but that doesn't mean all Kerry supporters are).

This crazy polarization isn't due to such great differences between the candidates (they're both rich white guys who aren't going to make drastic changes), but rather due to the current approach to politcs. Instead of trying to appeal to the average voters, the Bush campaign has gone to the extreme end of the spectrum, with his constant "vote for me so I can turn the White House into an evangelical church." Kerry is doing the same thing.

We shouldn't let the Karl Roves of this world turn skier against skier. Vote for someone who will implement policies that you agree with and try to ignore all the extremist rhetoric flying around.

[grrrr]

Nah. Mr. G wouldn't hide it.

I will take offense at any description of Bush supporters as a silent majority. Silent they have not been; and unlikely to be a majority, although that, we have seen is not necessary to put GWB in office.

My offense is taken in that I believe the silent majority is the half of America that is neither Republican nor Democrat (hence the majority). Silent, though might better be described as silenced - the efforts put into controlling who gets on the ballot by radical elements of both parties leaves the rest of us with a bad taste and a bad choice. Indeed, even a bad tasters choice, but that is another thing.

[SLSki]

Did you ever think that there might be a reason for all this "hatred?" You say that we are all educated...and educated minds make educated and rational decisions (most of the time, unless powder or alcohol is involved). I'd love to hammer out the countless issues I have with Bush, but theres no point anymore, most people are too polarized at this point. I ask you to look at Bushs' policies, how are they helping the common man?

[Telenater]

Yet, as divided as we all are, I take comfort in the fact that the winning margin will be comprised of the individual efforts of hundreds of thousands of American people who feel strongly enough about our collective future that they are out there this afternoon casting the very ballots which will end up making the difference.

Yes, the votes for a change in administration are a clear indication that we choose to make a difference and that we feel strongly enough that we collectively choose to elect new leadership in the midst of a conflict.

Do you honestly believe that the members of this community fit the same demographic as the "average" skier that resorts are trying to attract?

[mr_gyptian]

^^Yes^^

Hmm, the grammar/syntax is too good and there are not enough spelling errors for this to be blurred. My guess: Mr. G

I resent that. My attendance, much to people's dismay, has been exemplary.

Mr. Dread on the other hand. Where have you been lately?

[natty dread]

Nah. Mr. G wouldn't hide it.

True, he prolly wouldn't.

[DougW]

The thing I don't understand is how the republican supporters can be so emotional about Kerry. On anti Bush there is starting a war so you can be emotional about that. But I can't see how you can so bent out of shape about Kerry.

edit. What does a "radical" democrat stand for. Compared to the rest of the world Democrats are center right.

[natty dread]

I resent that. My attendance, much to people's dismay, has been exemplary.

True dat. Sorry for the insult, you have always been quite open about your beliefs.

Mr. Dread on the other hand. Where have you been lately?

I needed a break. But I'm posting like a madman today.

[joshbu]

The thing I don't understand is how the republican supporters can be so emotional about Kerry.

It's a political tactic (maybe coming to an election near you soon!)

Essentially, you always paint all issues in black and white, all the time. It's a great technique for low voter turnout: as long as you can whip enough true belivers into shape, you can take the election.

I'm not sure it works so well in a high turnout election because I don't believe that Americans are that stupid. But, I suppose we'll find out in a few hours.

[mrw]

Pro Bush and proud

[Buster Highmen]

Driving in this morning in a freaking deluge, lugubrious traffic and cold wet napkins of wind, there was the epitome of a rabid politico:

Sopping wet, receding hair pasted onto his pate, a sheeny, soaked cheesy coat on. Squishy, streaked double knit trousers.

A Bush-Cheney sign was strapped to his chest, and he manically waved a floppy, soaked black and white sign at the lumbering traffic that said:

The Communist Party Supports Kerry! WHY????

[Ubersheist]

..cowardly tripe...

Come on... are you that close minded that you won't engage in an activity that has little to do with politicall affiliation? I know that my main hiking, camping and skiing buddy for the last few years before I moved was diametrically opposed to my beliefs, as I was to his. We'd bicker from time to time, get all huffy in our debates, but still enjoyed each other's company, and understood that someone's politics only comprises part of thier personality.

The U.S. is purportedly to be based on a freedom of choice. Are you that un-American that you don't want to ski with some Kerry supporters? I can understand it if you don't want to hang out with a blatant racist or a member of some backwoods militia group, but be realistic! Every one has different opinions. Don't coddle yourself around like-minded people. It harbors banality and breaks down respect for different views.

mrw - give me a holler if you're ever out in the Tahoe area. I'd love to show you our stashes over here, even though you're polically amoral.

Joshbu- this thing is way to close to get an outcome tonight. I'll bet we'll be waiting at least a week or two, if not longer.

Buster - I think that guy was probably a Kerry supporter trying using reverse psychology on the passerbys.

[Buster Highmen]

Buster - I think that guy was probably a Kerry supporter trying using reverse psychology on the passerbys.

Just because everybody thinks you're paranoid doesn't mean you're not.

[splat]

Yo!

Get over it.

[mrw]

The Communist Party Supports Kerry! WHY????

Funny enough, the Comunist Chinese have come out in support of Kerry.So has Comunist Vietnam.

[Buster Highmen]

Funny enough, the Comunist Chinese have come out in support of Kerry.So has Comunist Vietnam.

Well, clearly since I disagree with the Chinese Policy of eating dog, I will not consider having my laundry done by any Chinese. Ever!

Now, can someone please tell me where I can sign up with the electric giraffes for the harmonica lessons?

[watersnowdirt]

I make a point of it to not talk politics on the chair lift. Otherwise, someone may end up getting tossed off to their death.

Seriously, I'm sure I've had some of my funnest days on snow with people whose politics are entirely different than mine. The only reason i would choose not to spend time with some one from this board is if they've been personally hurtful to me or someone I love, but not because of who they voted for. Hell, I'm glad to see people voting even if it's for the bad guys.