Guardian (UK) launches Operation Clark County

[diabhal]

The Guardian has just written a major article on how non-Americans can get involved in the election:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1326033,00.html

The main thing they've got going is a letter writing scheme to undecided votes in Clark County, Ohio:

http://guardian.assets.digivault.co.uk/clark_county/

I was wondering how all of you guys feel about this? The Guardian is careful to point out that there's no way of knowing how an attempt at "foreign influence" will be received. Do you think Americans would generally be annoyed by the fact that the rest of the world is desperate for them to do the right thing and vote Kerry?

How would you feel if you got a letter from someone, say a Briton, asking you to vote for a particular candidate?

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. I'm amazed

that any of them are still speaking to us, considering how we're trashing the world. I think it would be pretty cool!

I can see how that could be used by the freepers, however.

[Mizmoon]

2. I understand their anxiety, really I do

but here is what I regard as the real issue for a lot of Bushies - the USA is taking her turn being the top nation. UK had her chance, Germany, Prussia, Netherlands, etc. Now it's "our turn". To these people, the idea of even listening to other nation's leaders is some sort of offense against our "rights" to do what we want with the world.

So, the short version is, the neopigs could get a lot of milage out of this. "Look," they'll say,"look at them eyroopeens tryin to thwart our will! We're the New Roman Empire, dammit!"

[diabhal]

5. Yes but...

Bush is continually trotting out this line: "How do you think our allies feel about Kerry saying 'Wrong war, wrong time, wrong place'?" Followed by some platitude about how he "knows" how the "world works". The implication is the he is the better diplomat and Kerry risks insulting the world.

This is, of course, laughable. Bush even talks about my fellow countrymen as "Brits". A pejorative term which would be the equivalent of Tony Blair saying "We've got the stand by the Yanks in Iraq. Those Yanks are our greatest ally".

So... I just wonder if a lot of Europeans said that we are insulted by Bush and we feel Kerry is a man we could work with, whether that would at least counter act Bush's propaganda about Kerry.

[Mizmoon]

11. I understand

I was just in Amsterdam and was surprised to be questioned by two Dutch men about American geography. Finally I realized that they were following the elections state-by-state. Amazing. Believe me, we know how important this election is not just for Americans, but for everyone.

But here's the deal - Americans are a prickly lot. Like the historical adolescents we are, we bristle when anyone tries to "tell us what to do". And the bad folks here use Europe and the UN as a tool to instill fear into their less intelligent minions. There are people here who actually believe that the UN is a "socialist plot" to take over the world. They actually believe that the adoption of the Euro is an example of the loss of nationality that the UN wants. I know, it's insane, but that's what happens when you are isolated by two oceans and public education is left underfunded.

BTW, I had no idea that the term "Brits" was insulting. I should know better. My husband is a first generation American. Both his parents are from the UK and moved here as adults. It might interest you to know that as a person who lives in New England, I have never felt insulted by the term "yanks". Even American Southerners try to use it as an insult against us, but they don't understand - being a yankee is an honor they could never understand. Of course, it sounds different coming from a British person because, well, you were the first ones to call us that and it feels like a throwback to 230 years ago.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks for posting this. It is deeply touching to see this. The most helpful thing out of Europe has been Germany's hint that they would participate in a summit "if conditions change". Even the thick neopigs must understand that this means "if Kerry is elected, we MIGHT consider helping you." It's subtle enough that the neos don't get any traction out of it, but clear enough to help.

Cheers.

[RafterMan]

15. Oh, stop

"Americans are a prickly lot...historical adolescents...more self-flagellation..."

Come on. When Bush tramples on Arab cultural sensitivities by saying "crusade" or "infinite justice" or whatever other stupid thing, everyone points out what a clod he is. Aren't Americans entitled to the same level of sensitivity for their cultural mores?

Further, it's hardly an American phenomenon. China, India and Iran -- three of the oldest cultures there are -- are constantly bristling over outsiders taking a position on their internal politics. Many Australians were seething over a comment some US official made on their elections. In fact, I would go so far as to call it a universal sentiment. Historical adolescents. It makes my teeth grate.

Sorry for the rant.

Also, to agree on your other comment, I had no idea I was supposed to take offense at the term "Yank". I've always been completely comfortable with it. "USian", on the other hand...grrrr.

[diabhal]

16. Brits is pejorative...

when used by non-Brits, just as Yanks is an insult when used by anyone who isn't American.

It always make me laugh when Bush uses it in a sentence which is intending to point out how worldy-wise he is. Idiot.

Good point about what Germany has done. Believe me ALL the countries of Europe would love to find a way of communicating that same feeling to you. And in fact Tony Blair, more than anyone, is probably secretly hoping for a Kerry win. If only to save his own skin come the next UK election.

[HFishbine]

3. I guess it depends on the demogrpahics of Clark County.

Are the people there wordly? Do they care about being good neighbors in the community of nations or are they nationalistic go-it-aloners? Could go either way, depending.

[Philostopher]

6. Are people in Clark County worldly?

Not any enormous number of them, not even all the Dems -- of whom there are plenty, I'll tell you that, at least a couple of whom post here, but you know however worldly our Clark County DUers are, they're not undecided if they're hanging out here.

Do they care about being world citizens? Probably some of them, but those people probably already fixed their gaze on Kerry after the midnight rally (which was in Clark County).

Will a bunch of 'furriners' writing to them have any effect? My guess is, no.

I'd like to be proven wrong, but I think anybody who's going to vote for Kerry in Springfield, Ohio probably already has his or her mind made up.

It's a nice gesture, but I don't know that it will make any difference, in other words.

[RafterMan]

4. It's dangerous

I think the Guardian is a little too narrow in its warning. The problem isn't really that someone will receive a letter and be outraged by it (thought that could happen), the problem is that spinners can hurl mock outrage about foreign influence to crowds of people who never got a letter.

Especially after seeing the damage Chirac did to the native war opposition here, I see this as a very dicy proposal. The spectator in me says this is a fascinating development, but the realist in me thinks the potential for backfire damage is greater than the good it is likely to do.

[crispini]

7. Wow.

I think it's kinda cool. Yes, it could cut both ways. But I can't even believe they're trying to do this. I'm quite simply amazed at this. It really touches my heart that they're reaching out to us in this way. And I do notice that the article at least tried to be nonpartisan. Wow, it's amazing.

[diabhal]

9. There are lots of us out here

Honestly, there's a tremendous amount of people - at least in the UK - sending you all the good wishes and positive vibes that we can.

I'm taking the day off on Nov 3rd to recover from the night before. And hopefully I won't be feeling as gutted and confused as I was in 2000 :)

[farmbo]

8. No French postmarks, please...

Clark County is only marginally open-minded and the local GOPers would pounce on it immediately.

[Mizmoon]

13. That's sick, retarded, and oh so true

The most helpful thing the French can do is stay out of it, even their postal system must have no comment.

God, that's so stupid I'm ashamed to even type it.

[SeanOhio]

10. I'm From Clark County

Lived here all my life. I would be pleased to hear from a Briton, especially since everyone around here loves Tony Blair.

[Mizmoon]

12. But are you worldly, dammit?

:P

[SeanOhio]

14. Yes

I am. :-)