My Message to Americans on Election Day

[Pangloss]

There was once a kingdom where most people could not see. Citizens coped with this cheerfully, for it was a gentle land where familiar chores changed little from day to day.

 

Furthermore, about one person in a hundred did have eyesight! These specialists took care of jobs like policing, shouting directions, or reporting when something new was going on. The sighted ones weren't superior. They acquired vision by eating a certain type of extremely bitter fruit. Everyone else thanked them for undergoing this sacrifice, and so left the task of seeing to professionals. They went on with their routines, confident in a popular old saying:

 

"A sighted person never lies."

 

One day a rumor spread across the kingdom. It suggested that some of the sighted were no longer faithfully telling the complete truth. Shouted directions sometimes sent normal blind people into ditches. Occasional harsh laughter was heard.

 

Several of the sighted came forward and confessed that things were worse than anyone feared. "Some of us appear to have been lying for quite a while. A few even think it's funny to lead normal blind people astray!

 

"This power is a terrible temptation. You will never be able to tell which of us is lying or telling the truth. Even the best of the sighted can no longer be trusted completely."

 

This news worried all the blind subjects of the kingdom. Some kept to their homes. Others banded together in groups, waving sticks and threatening the sighted, in hopes of ensuring correct information. But those who could see just started disguising their voices.

 

One faction suggested blinding everybody, permanently, in order to be sure of true equality -- or else setting fires to shroud the land in a smoky haze. "No one can bully anybody else, if we're all in the dark," these enthusiasts urged.

 

As time passed, more people tripped over unexpected objects, or slipped into gullies, or took a wrong path because some anonymous voice shouted "left!" instead of right.

 

Then, one day, a little blind girl had an idea. She called together everybody in the kingdom and made an announcement.

 

"I know what to do!" she said.

 

"Here," said the little girl, pushing a bitter fruit under the noses of her parents and friends, who squirmed and made sour faces.

 

"Eat it," she insisted. "Stop whining about liars and go see for yourselves."

 

 

 

(An excerpt from David Brin's "The Transparent Society.")

 

 

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GO OUT AND VOTE TODAY!

[atinymonkey]

Why was eating fruit a good idea?

[Sayonara]

Second paragraph.

[atinymonkey]

Oh. Yes. What's the symbolism then?

[blike]

I just voted. People were saying they've never seen a line that long as long as they've lived in the state. It moved quick though, I got in and out in an hour. They were very organized and efficient.

[atinymonkey]

I keep telling you, you can't vote in communism. It doesn't work like that.

[YT2095]

anyone know when the result is likely to be known?

 

not that I`m all THAT interested, but it`s hard to escape on TV, Bush this, Kerry That ad nausium

 

I`de just like to know when TV goes back to "Normal" again

[Douglas]

anyone know when the result is likely to be known?

 

not that I`m all THAT interested' date=' but it`s hard to escape on TV, Bush this, Kerry That ad nausium

 

I`de just like to know when TV goes back to "Normal" again [/quote']

YT, if it's a close race (as predicted), we may not know till late Wednesday or later.

If it's a runaway, you may know by 3:00 am GMT (Wednesday)

[YT2095]

Thanx

 

I know they`ll be showing most all of it from 11pm onwards on Sky News GMT tonight.

and last I heard Bush had 48.8% and Kerry a little less but not by much, I also heard a bit of something (didn`t quite catch all of it) that he can`t win if he gets just 50% or something?

 

I could be wrong or misheard, but that thought is worrysome, I want My TV back to Normal again! )

[Douglas]

Thanx

 

I know they`ll be showing most all of it from 11pm onwards on Sky News GMT tonight.

and last I heard Bush had 48.8% and Kerry a little less but not by much' date=' I also heard a bit of something (didn`t quite catch all of it) that he can`t win if he gets just 50% or something?

 

I could be wrong or misheard, but that thought is worrysome, I want My TV back to Normal again! )[/quote']

They may have said that he (Kerry or Bush) can win the election with less than 50% of the vote, which is what happened in 2000.

[Lance]

The actual votes should be tallied tonight. But if its anything like it was four years ago then we may not know who the president is for weeks.

[YT2095]

But if its anything like it was four years ago then we may not know who the president is for weeks.

Oh Please. don`t say that ((

[Pangloss]

I just voted, and there was no wait at all. Two minutes, easy as pie.

[Ophiolite]

Delighted to see all you good citizens voting. Once this is all over (and YT I predict we will know the result at 3:47:15 GMT tomorrow Nov 3.) I'd like to discuss what we should do with people who don't vote. I'm in favour of a 10% income tax surcharge and a ban on discussing any political issue until the next voting opportunity. The latter would be enforced by six months in prison, except in Texas where, for traditional reasons, the death penalty would apply.

[5614]

... or we could just reffer them to the torture thread

 

as it is, if someone hasnt made up there mind then i cant see why they MUST vote. that is said taking into account that most americans (and people in general) have decided one way or another, there will always be those who cant decide. but so long as they are a minority then i spose its ok.

[Pangloss]

It’s hard to believe, just one more day until the Vietnam War is over.