know any "security" moms?

[pstokely]

nt?

[ixion]

1. unfortunately, I know many by aquaintance...

I don't really consider them 'friends', but I know them.

Typically, they take Prosac or Xanax or some other pharmaceutical to mask depression and disable their critical thinking functions, then hop in their SUV and drive poorly while the talk on the cell phone.

They live is a world of Santa Claus, Pearly Gates and the Boogey Man. They are more reptillian than mammailian, as are most rethugs.

More than anything, I pity them, because they spend their lives living in fear of what they do not understand, and fear of retribution at the hands of their angry god.

[dove2]

3. why aren't these moms

worried that a future draft will effect their precious children's security even more directly?

[ixion]

13. because they don't do math

if they did the math, they would be horrified at what it being done in their name, but the thought processes that are required to get there have been disabled, or are absent, IMO.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi dove2!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AussieDave]

2. There's plenty here in Australia too.....

we're also in the middle of an election campaign (October 9) and many middle-class women and families "feel safer" knowing John Howard is Prime Minister. He's Bush's "good friend" and one of the Axis of Drivel (the others of course being Tony Blair and Jose Maria Aznar).

It astounds me that people can be so brittle and so shallow that they would actually believe that one of the two major parties in a country would make that country "less safe" - what the hell are they think is going to happen if the other side gets in - start issuing visas to Osama bin Laden and al-Zarqawi and the gang to rape, loot and pillage ??

What a pretty pass we've all come to........

[wildeyed]

5. What are Howard's chances at reelection?

My sis is in Australia, so I guess I should ask her, but she is in the middle of a move, so we haven't engaged in political discussion for a while. She is always horrified at how well Bush is doing in the polls. But I guess if you guys are getting ready to re-elect Howard, it must be catching.

[AussieDave]

6. It's neck-and-neck....

the polls keep bouncing around all over the place - not unlike in the U.S. However the press here isn't the conga line of subservient prostitutes that seems to be the case in the U.S. Howard lied his way through the election in 2001 but he's getting away with nothing this time.

I'm pessimistic enough to think he'll fall over the line this time, but it only needs one big "gotcha" story and he's toast.

[crispini]

7. "conga line of subservient prostitutes"

SNORK! very good! :D

[wildeyed]

9. I hope he loses.

I visited Australia once and loved it. I alway think, well if * is re-selected and I end up on some kind of 'enemies' list here in the US, I can always go be with my sis in Oz. But if Howard is re-elected, I might have to reconsider.

You have a beautiful country. Don't let it become an subsidiary corporation of the US. That would be too sad.

[AussieDave]

12. I fervently hope he loses too......

but unfortunately we have compulsory voting here, and it's difficult to know exactly how the "swinging" voter will vote. He/she won't decide until he/she walks into the booth and picks up the pencil, thinks for about ten seconds, says "stuff it" and starts numbering all the squares (or not - to give an informal, and thus wasted, vote).

There is generally a very healthy skepticism of the state of the current U.S.-Australia alliance - Americans are liked here (except by the Loony Left, but they hate everybody) but Dubya is pilloried as a moron with Howard as his handmaiden. The economy is the key - if the Opposition convinces people that they can be trusted with it, Howard is out on his ear - but there's still two weeks to go and anything can happen.

[Spiffarino]

16. Compulsory voting, eh...

How does that work? And what happens if you have religious objections to voting (Jehovah's Witness, for example)? Is there a fine if you don't show up?

It's certainly an interesting concept. I like the idea of voting as civic responsibility, but I would think in a free society exceptions would be in order.

BTW, I also loved the "conga line" line. :headbang:

[AussieDave]

17. Yes there IS a fine if you don't vote....

but it's relatively minor - up to $50. Elections are held on Saturdays, but anyone with religious objections, etc. can apply for a postal vote and use it before polling day.

People have tried the "conscientious objector" route but the courts have basically told them to grow up and just do it - how long does it take to write " a pox on all your houses" on a ballot paper ??? I think the rationale is "a helluva lot of people fought and died so you could exercise your democratic right to vote - and vote is what you're gonna damn well do whether you like it or not".

And I'm glad you liked the "conga line" - it's the first original thought I've had in years........

[wildeyed]

4. nope.

But I hang out with a very liberal and intelligent group. We are planning a combination playdate/volunteer morning to address voter guides to send to newly registered democratic voters.

I hate it when people are so scared of bullshit that it disables their critical thinking skills. It is hard when you are a parent because you love those little ones beyond any sense or reason and your whole being is dedicated to making sure they are safe and well. But you have to use commonsense, too.

I am not afraid of mosquito bites, mysterious abductors, terrorists, airplane trips or any of the unlikely stuff that people choose to be afraid of 'cause their TV's told them to be.

What does scare me in regards to my children's health and future is bad air quality, cars trips and the policies of George W. Bush.

[Cocoa]

8. no, but I think they're real

ever see Oprah? Look at the women in the audience...

[wildeyed]

10. not fair

I am stay-at-home mom. I drive a mini-van. I live in a semi-suburban neighborhood in a mid-sized conservative southern city. Even been known to watch Oprah. Please don't stereotype me. I am deeply committed to electing Kerry, as are most of the other moms I know. Actually, we do allot b/c we are used to doing all the volunteer work that runs our schools and local communities anyway.

[Demi_Babe]

15. me too and you could not pay me to vote for Bush

I am doing everything I can to get Kerry elected. We're not all crazy!

[atommom]

11. I know OF them, but we don't hang out. My friends are

angry, minivan-driving Kerry moms!