The Last Debate

Now I've only read a little bit of what's around to read, but I did watch the debate last night, and let me tell you what.

First of all, Bush did not fucking answer the question about Roe V. Wade. He is such a little bitch, afraid of taking a stance or alienating any supporters that he can't bring his views out in the open. Even as recently as last week he made it very clear which side of the issue he supports idelogically, with that ridiculous Dred Scott reference (as if it's really important that he objects to slavery... i mean, if he didn't, that'd be one thing...). And, he didn't even skirt the question skillfully! He was just like, "Uh, you're actually asking me a different question..." and that was it. No, you stupid pussbag, he wants to know if you would support overturning Roe V. Wade! That's why he asked the question in such clear language that even you should've understood it.

Second of all, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I thought Bush did a lot better last night than in either of the other debates. Except for interrupting the moderator a few times to repeat himself, he didn't commit and huge social gaffes, and he pretty much kept up with Kerry as far as conversation is concerned. This doesn't mean that Kerry didn't kick his ass as far as rhetoric/fact and likeability are concerned. It is clear to me (and from the polls) that the voting public feels the same way as I do.

Third of all, Bush's stance on the massive job loss that has taken place in our country during his "at bat" is this: we will educate the children of this country through underfunded initiatives that take money away from where it is needed the most so that their parents can ... uh... have educated children. And no jobs. I think it's very telling that Kerry fact-checked Bush's higher education claims on the spot, and Bush retaliated, "Nu-uh!" What is true is that more students are getting Pell grants. What is not true is that more money is being spent on Pell grants, and according to several mainstream news sources (which you probably shouldn't trust, says Bushie)

Fact:
The Administration has frozen the maximum Pell Grant available to students at $4,050, despite the President's campaign pledge in 2000 to increase the award to $5,100. The program freeze comes at the same time "state colleges and universities in every region of the country are preparing to impose this fall their steepest tuition and fee increases in a decade." Because of the Administration's budget, "most students won't get any more help than they receive now" – at the same time the White House has proposed a rule change that would cut off 84,000 students from receiving college aid. - Wall Street Journal, 2/3/04; Washington Post, 7/22/03; Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/10/03

You're like -1 for 3 here, buddy.

Bush also, when asked about abortion, brought up my least favorite sex ed. topic ever, abstinence. I literally screamed "Fuck You" in the middle of the debate. The one table of Republicans watching in the Spa definitely hates me. Bush is a big proponent of the ABC method of sexual education, which basically means "Don't have sex. Don't have sex with more than one person. And, if you're having sex with a prostitute or drug user, you should use a condom. Don't even think about other forms of birth control, cause we're not gonna talk about them." That is outright fucking ridiculous. Young people should have the ability to make their own choices. They should also be forced to face the consequences. However, not talking about safe sex at all means that, if Bush has his way, a whole generation of children and teenagers will grow up both sexually repressed and in the dark about what their choices are when the time finally comes.

Once again, I think Bush did a better job than he has in the other debates, but Kerry still kicked his ass. I'm not entirely comfortable with all of Kerry's money spending, but I believe a hell of a lot more in his ability to run a country, period, than I do in Bush's.