1/24/2005
dis·sent ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-snt)
intr.v. dis·sent·ed, dis·sent·ing, dis·sents1. To differ in opinion or feeling; disagree.
2. To withhold assent or approval.n.
1. Difference of opinion or feeling; disagreement.
Okay, I’ve heard many conservatives sound off regarding the group calling itself Sorry Everybody, which has a psuedo-blog at Sorryeverybody.com. I classify these folks, not as evil, unpatriotic, un-american, euro-lovers, or any other number of names which I’m sure have been applied, but as young and stupid.
Why young and stupid? Because, if you take the time to read their F.A.Q. page, you’ll see what I saw, that the thought process behind the whole concept is “philosophy-lite.” In other words, it seems more like a feel-good type of effort for peaceniks than any kind of serious effort to oppose anything. More than anything it seems, they are just devoted liberals who are dismayed that their candidate lost so clearly and decisively on November 2nd. And so, for them, Sorryeverybody.com is more of a cathartic exercise than a serious effort to apologize for the 48% of America they claim to represent.
The need for catharsis is understandable, especially considering the dramatic fashion in which Kerry lost. In October, the polls indicated anywhere from a dead heat to a 3% lead for President Bush, and the great Zogby took a huge leap of faith to call the election for Kerry just a few days before the election. Then, on the day of the election, the exit polls (now shown to have been invalid… duhhh!), initially showed Kerry possessing a decisive lead. Just as Kerry supporters thought they had it all wrapped up, the actual election results begin to appear, showing a decisive victory for President Bush.
Such dramatic events call for some kind of emotional release, and we’ve seen plenty of those, haven’t we? For some, it means trying to invent some conspiracy theory on how President Bush actually LOST in Ohio, despite winning by a whopping 115,000 votes. For others, it means blaming the “morality” vote, whatever the hell that means. And for those who established and maintain Sorryeverybody.com, it’s a weak attempt to apologize for the democratic process in America.
And it is truly a weak attempt. To illustrate my point, let’s take a look at the Sorryeverybody.com F.A.Q. page:
What’s this site about?
Most people who think carefully understand that Americans are not really any more jingoistic or xenophobic than people in other countries, but it never hurts to reinforce, especially considering what happened on November 2nd, 2004. What must it have looked like to the world outside our borders? America proudly re-appointed its reckless, incompetent and corrupt government. How much of America? Fifty-two percent. The rest of us are aghast and dismayed.
Lots of fuss is made about the “global village.” The Internet was supposed to make communication between cultures, countries and peoples painless and easy. It was supposed to build bridges. But it doesn’t do this automatically; somebody has to reach out. The Internet was supposed to lead to education and understanding. It doesn’t. Rarely do people on the internet apologize. I thought it was high time. The world needs to understand that there are people in America who don’t like what our government is doing. And from the mail we’re receiving, there are people in the international community who appreciate this.
Also, come on, it’s kind of amusing. [emphasis mine]
Actually, if you ask me, it is kind of amusing. Their reasoning behind the whole effort is amusing. As I said, philosophy-lite.
Now, impressed with their own efforts, they are going mainstream and publishing what looks to be almost a yearbook of photos from those who are “sorry” that we have a democracy in America. And who knows, perhaps the reason why Sorryeverybody.com went for the commercial “.com” rather than the non-profit “.org” internet extension was to make some money in the process.
Don’t you find that amusing? I think it’s hilarious.
More on this in my next post when I talk about whether or not the terrorists are as sorry for their behaviour as these folks seem to be over the outcome of a democratic election. Until we meet again…
David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com
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