Ok, I feel like I've gotten some of the snark out of my system, but I'm still trying to digest what's happened (and what's happening). I'm trying to take the long view, but am finding that difficult. I keep trying to remind myself that Nixon was re-elected and we eventually worked through that, and even Germany managed to get out from under the Nazis with a little nudging from its neighbors (ahem). So, whether America has become the short-bus country or not, I still have hope that we'll get things straightened out...somehow.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's going to get really rocky for a while. Looking at the NY Times site this morning, the first headline past the election coverage reads "Oil Jumps to Over $50 on Possible Bush Win." Inside, there's this:
Traders said a second Bush administration would continue filling U.S. emergency oil stockpiles and could stoke traders' nerves about U.S. policy in the oil-producing Middle East, particularly OPEC's second-biggest producer Iran.
Prices had tumbled from last week's record high at $55.67 on speculation that a win for Democratic challenger John Kerry would halt deliveries into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), and do more to encourage energy conservation.
So right away, bang-- bad news. Bush wins (or for the hopeful, "wins") and oil prices go up. Good for oil companies, bad for us. Hmmm...sound familiar? And you thought I was being alarmist. But on the bright side, at least you won't have to buy any shower gifts for those gay people, right? That should save you a couple bucks-- maybe even enough to get to church and back in that honkin' SUV you're driving.
(deep breath...musn't rant...musn't rant...)
Anyway, I'm still working through this. I may need to come back later.
Posted by Jason at November 3, 2004 10:10 AM