69 million page views

Emotions are overtaking rational thought

Reader comment on item: 9/10 vs. 9/12 on [Election Day] 11/2

Submitted by Seyma (United States), Oct 26, 2004 at 15:28

It is clear to me from reading these comments and from reading the media's perception of the race is that most people have made up their minds based on what they want to believe.

Those who support Kerry, despite their understanding of the world-wide Islamist threat or their support of the democracy of the State of Israel, are voting with their hope that he will do the right thing because they can't imagine that we have to be in this war for the long haul. They often base their belief of the facts based on the news outlets' spin, and they all spin it their way. I was appalled for example, to read the New York Times web site interactive source on the candidates' positions on the issues. A reading of the description of Bush's positions demonstrates the author's clear favoring of Kerry, despite a purported effort to recite only the facts.

I find it interesting that most self-claimed leaders of American Muslim and Arab groups (at least the ones that get the most air time) believe that Kerry is better for their belief that the rights of their individual select group trump those of the common good. -- Groups that call "a bad look" a form of discrimination, that cry wolf whenever given the microphone, are not groups that should be trusted to speak for the majority.

The pathetic thing is that those who claim to be worried about human rights were oh-so-silent during the reign of Saddam and who never say boo about the mass murders and rapes in the Sudan.

Yes, both candidates are humans and no one is perfect. But we must look to the totality of the circumstances -- we are almost alone in this war on Islamic terrorism -- and we must stand firm and unflinching. To believe that Kerry will remain strong is not based on past behavior: hoping that Germany, Russia or France would go along with us is ridiculous -- even now, we don't have all the information about the scandal known as the "Food for Oil" program.

How can we effectively raise our children in this world when people deliberately turn a blind eye to reality, and in essence prefer to see things in black and white only?

The alternative is too frightening.

Thank you, Dr. Pipes, for continuing to keep the light on all of the facts so we may make our own decisions.
Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

<< Previous Comment      Next Comment >>

Reader comments (62) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Take away 9/11 and Bush becomes the least-liked President since Jimmy Carter. [74 words]KLAug 4, 2005 22:0924369
Balancing [342 words]Dan KatcherMar 1, 2005 14:3020578
Some disagreement -- Some agreement [356 words]GWNov 9, 2004 12:4818159
Results of election [72 words]Neil AbramsonNov 3, 2004 18:2718088
The real protagonists [88 words]Avram KaliskyNov 2, 2004 10:3318073
Who's the terrorist: -- Bin Ladin or Saddam? [216 words]SaharNov 1, 2004 15:0318061
The Issue of Responsibility [360 words]JohnOct 31, 2004 20:0518049
The problems with Bush's approach [176 words]GeepOct 31, 2004 10:5018046
No campaign rhetoric [140 words]M.N.Oct 31, 2004 04:4318041
bin Laden Seeks to Influence Election [134 words]JohnOct 30, 2004 13:5918038
Re: comment Misconstrued position [162 words]GabiOct 29, 2004 21:3118035
U.S.Elections [72 words]Marcos BerensteinOct 29, 2004 20:3018034
Kerry's strongest supporter is the CPUSA [28 words]Darwin BarrettOct 28, 2004 20:1618023
Hey Simon, allow me to interpret: [54 words]R.Oct 28, 2004 13:2418017
Who Is The One? [147 words]JohnOct 28, 2004 12:2218016
For the sake of our safety and survival [223 words]Mukesh GuptaOct 28, 2004 01:2518010
Bush or Kerry? [97 words]Paul WadeOct 27, 2004 23:5418008
Serious issues [47 words]Israel CohenOct 27, 2004 23:1118007
Who is Committed to Fighting Terrorism [244 words]JohnOct 27, 2004 21:3518005
Well done [15 words]Patti TaitanoOct 27, 2004 19:3218003
That's why I'm backing Bush [67 words]Ray LowOct 27, 2004 18:2318002
T.S. has convinced me. Kerry's our man. [204 words]SimonOct 27, 2004 16:4218001
Re: comment "Taking the fight to the terrorists" - David S [115 words]Sundar SOct 27, 2004 16:1418000
The naysayers, et al. [307 words]Pavel A.Oct 27, 2004 15:5317999
Most misunderstood Kerry point [432 words]Ron PollandOct 27, 2004 15:5217998
Kerry.....a cure-all? [111 words]Esther G. SchwartzOct 27, 2004 14:1217996
Re: comment "Taking the fight to the terrorists" [140 words]David SOct 27, 2004 12:5217994
A war, yes, but what kind of war is it? [401 words]T.S.Oct 27, 2004 12:0717993
Best yet about why this election is important [40 words]Dennis MurphyOct 27, 2004 10:4717991
It's War [70 words]David S. ReedOct 27, 2004 10:1817990
Taking the fight to the terrorists [215 words]ArunOct 27, 2004 09:5217989
Islam is to Blame & it is not a religion but a Cult instead. [361 words]John CerkezFeb 2, 2007 22:3917989
Confusion [95 words]Menahem DunskyOct 27, 2004 08:3217988
Offense vs. Defense [344 words]David SOct 27, 2004 02:2617987
Bush is way off the mark [152 words]Mukesh GuptaOct 27, 2004 01:5117986
Bush Botched It [64 words]Tim NevinsOct 26, 2004 23:3117983
Will they hear or listen? [86 words]Patricia TharpOct 26, 2004 19:3617964
Desperate times [122 words]Bernice GrahamOct 26, 2004 16:5117959
Let's get all the facts out [204 words]Dr. Edward J. MarguliesOct 26, 2004 16:2617957
War On Terror [115 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
RussellOct 26, 2004 15:3217956
Emotions are overtaking rational thought [401 words]SeymaOct 26, 2004 15:2817955
LilOleMissy@SBCglobal.net [47 words]Sheila and Orville PickerillOct 26, 2004 15:2617954
yesss [9 words]annaFeb 7, 2006 02:0217954
ELECTION 2004 [73 words]Carol FischerOct 26, 2004 15:1817953
Compliments to Daniel [160 words]James Hellwig, US Dept Commerce (Retired)Oct 26, 2004 15:1717952
Bush incapable of prosecuting effective war against Islamists [265 words]Jeffrey BaleOct 26, 2004 15:1717951
Kerry v Bush [164 words]Gene OkmanOct 26, 2004 15:0217950
Dr. Pipes, take your bow. [200 words]Anna SOct 26, 2004 14:3817949
Media Distortion [126 words]Kathy O'LearyOct 26, 2004 13:4217945
Misconstrued position [163 words]Eric WeitzmanOct 26, 2004 12:4817944
Well Stated [55 words]Rob JamesOct 26, 2004 12:4617943
Spreading Freedom and Liberty? [368 words]ArunOct 26, 2004 12:4517942
What changed on 9/11? [269 words]ArunOct 26, 2004 12:2417940
Misrepresentation [140 words]Lee CharendoffOct 26, 2004 12:1717939
War on Terror - questions [255 words]David NittskoffOct 26, 2004 11:4917938
Out of context [111 words]George MarcantonioOct 26, 2004 11:3517937
Well... [22 words]Ashley MarcantonioJan 31, 2006 16:5617937
Bravo [76 words]Rachelle SternOct 26, 2004 11:3417936
A Canadian Who Understands the War on Terror [163 words]David GOct 26, 2004 11:3117935
Clear & Concise [50 words]Lee D CaryOct 26, 2004 11:2717934
I disagree [76 words]Sam SelberOct 26, 2004 11:2517933
You have swayed me off the fence [100 words]Bernard ArkulesOct 26, 2004 11:1317932

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)