If there’s one thing I have learned from the most recent Presidential election, it’s that there are many perspectives out there that are different from mine. That doesn’t mean they’re better, it doesn’t mean they are worse, just different. I have tried really hard to keep politics out of my blog, primarily because I am the underdog here and I didn’t want to lose knitting friends because of my vote. I <gasp> am one of those stupid people who voted for George W. Bush. It is not my intention to debate the merits of the candidates or why I voted the way I did with you, it’s a little late for that, don’t you think? Instead, I just wanted to share my disappointment in going from blog to blog and reading about how stupid I am. Many of you are making excellent points, if you’re expressing your viewpoints rationally and in a way that does not demean others, this post is not about you. This post is directed to others that instead want to talk negatively about the voters who disagreed with them rather than the issues they disagreed on. I have great respect for those of you who voted for Kerry, especially if it was a well-informed and contemplated decision. I also have respect for those of you who voted for Bush, given it was also a well-informed and contemplated decision. I am having a hard time respecting those of you who have resorted to bashing people who have a different perspective. I understand that you are worried about the state of our country, so am I. That concern is a reason for us to improve the things we can control and strive to reach out and help others. I just felt the need to give a voice to the minority in the blog world and let you know that we’re out here, we’re reading, and we just don’t want to be called stupid anymore.
PS. I’m well aware of free speech and that if I don’t like it I don’t have to read it, but that also protects my right to give my perspective, too.
Back to knitting…
onestitchshort 
Ah, another voice in the darkness! I am with you woman, I also had the same response to the blog world. I think you stated it so well in your opening, I just wish others would take it to heart.
I think the great irony is some individuals or groups purport to be those whom are open to new ideas and diversity, yet lack that understanding when it comes to values that are contrary to their own. When the blame game, eventually, ends and introspection begins we will hopefully see values that are more attuned to most folks in the country.
My prediction is that all the “chatter” will cease as soon as the holiday season is upon us.
I completely agree – I actually voted for Kerry, but my husband voted for Bush, and I am getting really tired of seeing all these insults everywhere about how moronic everyone is who voted for W! Well, you said it better than I can, so I’ll just say “ditto” and move on. 🙂
Thank goodness! A blog I can read without being told I’m an idiot every other paragraph! It’s been dismal reading in the blog world with all of the political bashing. I like YOUR attitude!
You go girl!
Although I’m Canadian, my American hubby voted for Bush via absentee ballot. I’ve noticed quite a bit of anti-Bush sentiment as well in the blog world and reading yours these past few weeks was a refreshing change. I actually added your blog to my reading list because of it. I’m glad you spoke out.
Well said.
sarah – hooray for your post. i am a lonely red dot in the big blue city of nyc, and last week was terrible. i can’t tell you how awful it was to sit and hear all the vicious things people said about our president. i’m all for dissent and democracy, but i’m also for respect. 🙂 so thanks.
I know I am repeating what the other commentors have said, but thank you yet again for your breath of fresh air among all the hate-spewing. The odd thing is, if those who spew would really get to know those they spew about on a personal level, they most likely would no longer spew. It’s easy to spew at the unknown “they”. It’s harder to hurt someone you have gotten to know.
Really. I mean really. I think that as long as voters in this country decide that anyone who doesn’t agree with them are irredeemable idiots, the conversation that is our great democracy stands not a chance.
Thank you! I am so tired of the acidic “you Republican morons” I keep finding on blogs. Half the country hating the other half is not good for America. I’m English so I can’t vote here anyway, but it hurts to see the hate flying around.
My take is that if you only talk to those who agree with you, you never have to think again, your viewpoint is never challenged and you could become narrow-minded.
Hi there,
Thanks for leaving a comment over on my post about people who supported George Bush. I felt exactly the same as you do in this post, and it meant a lot to me to see other Bush supporters come out of the closet and leave such nice comments. I remember sitting there the first week of the election thinking, am I out of my mind? Am I the Only One??
Anyway, I’m also glad you commented because I’ve really enjoyed reading through your blog, and I probably wouldn’t have found it otherwise, and now I’ve added you to my bloglines. 🙂
Jackie