Hi, I am the one who got a little heated in our discussion. I am usually a quiet person, but something needed to get out I guess. I had done so much research on the two cnadidates that I honestly did not even know who i felt comfortable with. It was ironic that I felt that way becuase when I was watching during the elections that was said to be a common problem in this years election. What a country?

It's a darn good thing that we freed those Afghanis from the oppressive rule of the religious fundamentalists who very successfully eliminated the growth of opium poppies for the sake of a brighter future. Plus, now thanks to our fundamentalist propaganda machine, dirt poor Afghanis (who are not effectively any better off than they had been before) are free to grow the number one cash crop--Opium. And it's a good thing too, we Americans need more heroin/ AIDS/ mandatory minimum sentencing to keep the people down.
PS--let's try to look further than the ends of our noses, huh?

Kelly, i very much agreet with you that Bush's fear tactics have grown old and i am angered at the fact that we are NO LONGER in Iraq because of terrorism, may i state that it was afghanistan that attacked and not iraq? but certain things i feel he has done has been misinterpreted. as i stated in class, i did not vote and i have bits of things about both candidates that i did not agree with. but, being a capitalistic nation, our occupation of iraq at this current time is, in my opinion, to head off a future economic crisis in the US in the future for oil. but i also think that iraq should have the space to figure out things on their own and not have democracy forced onto them for our sake. i would continue this, but i may be late for my bus. i hope this is in accordance with not offending anyone.

First of all, I'd like to thank you for allowing us to take time away from class to discuss the election. You are the only teacher that was considerate enough to ask our thoughts and concerns regarding the recent events. I was very moved by the openness of many people who spoke on Thursday. I personally am completely frustrated with politics in general and the election specifically. I feel that there is no right answer to any of the problems that we have in our country. I saw a bumper sticker the other day which stated,"I love my country, but I think it's time we start seeing other people." This sums up my feelings about foreign policy, in that I would really like the US to recognize that other places are capable of governing themselves and relating to and trading with us in a civil manner. I also am very much concerned for local domestic issues such as healthcare and education. It's a scary thought that I will be a certified teacher in less than a year, and I don't know what to expect from Bush. I am also afraid for what will happen in the next four years with him as a president. I agree that he did a good job in the aftermath of September 11th, but on the whole am concerned about what he will choose to do with his heightened power in the near future. I am glad that I have the right and ability to vote in this country, but it is extremely frustrating when I know that my vote for Kerry probably won't be (and wasn't) the popular vote. Bush has used fear tactics and "morality" to try to coerce us into re-electing him, and unfortunately the less-informed people voted for him. (I, of course, am writing with respect that some people that are reading this support Bush, and I apologize if I offend anyone). I just wish there was a simple solution to all problems in our nation, and that we didn't have to be so divided. We need to figure out a way to find a common ground and really work together so that when the next election comes around, hopefully the majority of voters will have an opinion that meshes with those around him/ her.