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Jewish World Review Nov. 10, 2000 / 12 Mar-Cheshvan 5761
Greg Crosby
http://www.jewishworldreview.com -- As I write this, it is 10:42 Wednesday morning. What should have been a day of celebrating for some, a day of crying for others, is neither. The United States of America is in limbo. Bush carries a small margin of total Florida votes over Gore. Too close to call. The overseas absentee votes will need to be tallied. The Florida recount is underway. I have heard from some sources that we may know something by this evening -- other sources say it could take days. I check my home booze supply -- I have several bottles of various scotches, bourbons, vodkas and liqueurs in my bar --I'm okay, I think. I'll get through this mess. We'll all get through this mess, too. This is the United States of America and we can get through just about anything that's thrown out at us. We are a nation born out of messes. Internally we've had our share of revolution, civil war, corruption, assassinations, civil disobedience, protesters, mass murders, impeachment, liars, crooks, thieves, charlatans and big political machines. We have survived them all. Externally we have fought the mighty British at their zenith of world dominance and we prevailed. We have battled the Nazi regime and the Japanese empire and won. We went up against Communism, and a wide array of despots, dictators and terrorists. We are still here. Still strong. Still a proud, free people. Still one nation under God. Nothing is going to change that. We have shown the world in our short lifetime that we are a principled, ethical, freedom-loving nation that not only takes care of its own, but actually cares about people of other nations -- be they friends or foe. No other people on earth have reached out to help more citizens of other nations the way Americans have. We are a compassionate nation. We are a forgiving nation. This is the dream country. The country everyone wants to live in. The country of hope and prosperity. The country that welcomes all and says to the newcomer, "Come in, my friend, come in and make a better life for yourself. Bring your dreams and your inspiration with you. We not only welcome you, we need you -- your ideas and strength, your individual initiative and creativity -- your intelligence and innovative thinking. America was born from others like you who have come before. So come in, friend, roll up your sleeves and join us and please make yourself at home." So whether this election process finishes up by tonight, tomorrow, or goes on into next week, in the really big picture of the United States, it won't matter too much. Whether Bush wins or Gore wins, there is one thing I am sure of-- this country of ours will endure. No one person can ever change what America is all about. No one person will ever be able to destroy all the ideals and values that this beautiful country of ours continues to stand for. America is made of pretty strong stock. We may not get everything we want out of this election, we may feel frustrated and some of us might feel gypped, but this is still America after all, and we will get through this. One of our greatest attributes as a nation is our steadfast confidence. I have tremendous confidence in my country. America might get off track every once in awhile, but ultimately we, as a people, come around to what's right, what's just and what's honest. We are a good and great nation -- the best on earth -- and no one candidate or political party will alter that fact.
And remember this, if your not satisfied with the outcome of this election, we have a
chance to do it all over again in four years. And if your still not satisfied at that time,
well, come over to my place -- I'll have a pretty good booze supply on
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. You may contact him by clicking here.
11/03/00: Read this before you vote
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