First, let me be clear that although I live in Florida, I am from Maine. However, that did not protect me from taunts and jokes about the 2000 election mess. Or the 2004 election mess. Or the more recent pre-emptive jokes about how voting will be screwed up once again in Florida.
Of course, the taunting hurts because there is truth behind it. But, while the other states point and laugh at Florida, they need to remember that they also have their share of voting problems. How many of these problems (like voting machines that seem intent on only allowing McCain votes) are the result of intentional corruption and how many are the results of incompetence or just the usual things that can go wrong in huge, complex events remains to be seen. I suspect that much of it will be just accidents and innocent foul ups. But, I’m sure corruption will play a role as well. That, like apple pie, is an American tradition.
I’m working on my witty replies to the taunts that will start on November 5th (or maybe even on the 4th). I do try to avoid resorting to violence, but it can be tempting. For example, in 2000 here is how my reply worked:
Taunter: “Hey, can you people in Florida count?”
Me: “Yes. That was one punch to the face right there. Amazingly, I can count quite high…perhaps to infinity. Would you care to see that?”
Taunter: “Ow, my face! No!”
Me: “Very wise, Mr. Gore. “