Today's the day! What's your prediction - Bush or Kerry?

[tex111]

Unfortunately I think Bush will win again. I think the latest Bin Laden tape will actually help him and make the difference. What do you guys think?

I'm perfectly relaxed, Donnie. Now where are your facts?

There are corruption charges. Do you recall who uncovered that bit of news? Halliburton did. But, then it's reported like Halliburton got caught red handed.

HAlliburton found out throught it's usual auditing procedure that employees were corrupt, thos employees were terminated immediately, and Halliburton blew the whistle to alert the authorities.

What else could Halliburton do?

And yes, the Guardian is liberally biased. That's probably why you read it.

And, who else should perform the construction? There are no construction companies in Iraq (thanks to years of suppression). And, the foreign companies who are down there, hire local labour in an effort to support and train them to take over the role?

What would you do?

oh, and Sophable, I'm not suggesting that we are poor victims of a pr campaign, I'm flat out stating it. It's all because our last CEO went to the white house. So now we are a very visible target.

this is REALLY interesting. one of the things that worries ME about America is their Gung-Ho attitude to war. It's straight in all guns blazing, ask questions later - whereas us Brits prefer the softly, softly approach and are a bit more stealthy - all that experience in Northern Ireland I suppose - Kerry strikes as someone with a similar approach to us.

anyone know when the results are out - early hours?

No, nothing yet. Still too early. Although If Bush doesn't win, I will be very, very surprised.

Well, the networks aren't supposed to publish result until all states have closed the polls.... but they always do. NOthing has reported in yet on CNN (been glued to it all day).

However, in this particular election, when Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Florida release their results the election is in effect over. These are the crucial swing states, and the rest can pretty much be guessed from there on. So, in effect, the election is over before California finishes voting (California will go to Kerry).

Agree with Uwila on that one. Usually the networks start their projections about 5:00 my time (which is when the polls close on the east coast.) And I'm 8 hours behind site time.

NO! [gasping emoticon] You agree with me? Don't tell enyone!

I stand corrected. Was just watching the news, and Ohio closes at 7:30 pm my time. That's when the networks will really kick into high gear. It was funny, because one of the political pundits was saying the American people are going into this election looking at Bush vs. Kerry as the incompetent against the incoherent.

You can get all of the poll closing time on www.cnn.com.

Some polls close at 7pm (midnight UK time, 4pm Colin's Mommy time). But I think everyone's going to be very cautious about declaring a winner after the mess they all got into last time. I'd be surprised if we know by the time I go to sleep. (Admittedly that could be early having spent most of last night trying to sleep between two restless girls.)

Another thing that I find interesting about Americans is their attitude towards socialised medicine. They recoil in horror at the mere suggestion. Kerry is not proposing anything like socialised medicine, but that's what people are trying to suggest. Now I know the NHS has it's faults, but is it all that bad?

Just yesterday I had to take my 2 year old to the doctors because she got eaten alive by mosquitoes while we were trick or treating, and the bites were all swollen and pussy. Now I have health insurance, but I still had to pay $10 for the dcotor's appointment, and another $30 for antibiotics and prescription anti-itch cream. It just so happens that I can spare the $40, but a lot of people can't. And as I said, I have health insurance.

Mh. I think I had better pipe up (again) as another midwesterner (born and raised Chicago)... And as someone who moved to NYC in 1998. I was livig in Manhattan during 9/11. I stood in the middle f 5th Ave w other people, in silence watching black smoke fill the sky. I thought the world was ending, or the world as we knew it. And it did. We could smell the fires and the "hospital smell" for more than a month. You know what that was? Bio-hazard antiseptic, bc of all the bodies (and their parts). Shortly thereafter, more than half of our friends were out of work. Economy was geting v bad. My hubby is Irish, and thankfully ad a UK client who offered him a position in London. Here we are.

I know I m being dramatic. My point is this: there is a whole world out there. I see the states from afar and see that too many Americans (GW included) don't give a toss. It's v isolationist, but then the US doesn't enjoy th benefits of isolation anymore? Not after 9/11... so why not wake up?

That's my rant. As a midwesterner, chicagoan, new yorker, londoner, mother.

PS: Uwila, I don't mean to offend you, for sure... just putting in my two cents. Different ideas, always a good thing. No black and white, etc....

Incidentally, I agree that some Americans can't see beyond their borders and can be rather arrogant. But I truly believe that we are in Iraq to make the world a better place for everyone in the world. It is not for US financial gain. It is not for occupation. And it damned sure is not for the benefit of Halliburton.

and m2r, if there use thing I have learned on mumsnet, it is to put on my thick skin before I post.

Well, see there's a good opinion to have. I don't work for Halliburton, so I don't know if it's good for them or not. You provide an insider's view there. Seems like perhaps Halliburton just has an embaressing tie to Cheney then?

Can't say I agree with the idea that the US being in Iraq is 100% helpful to everyone. I don't really see the US government (or any government for that matter) to be in the business of "making the world a better place.

That's fair, and I certainly accept that there are many many people on this earth that don't think it's our place to be there. But, I support us being there because I believe we can and will help the iraqi's to a better life. Although, this does not come without an unfortunate cost of life on all sides. :-(

But I do believe to intent is to do good.

It's not my job to persuade you otherwise.

Hi gals, haven't caught up on all the posts yet but just had this from my sister in Austin. Maybe Kerry has a better chance than I thought!

So, it's election day and I'm really freaking nervous. We're going to a friends house so we can actually watch the results on TV. I really think this election will be resolved faster than people think and will be known for "the death of the polls". A) All the polls you see on TV about them being in a dead heat, well they oversample Republicans in those, so there's like 60% Republicans and 40% Dems that have been questioned. Plus, many African Americans typically aren't included in the polls as well, as the pollsters tend to call middle class suburbanites. B) All these people that only have a cell phone aren't being polled. The pollsters only call land lines. Who is more likely to have land lines? You got it, republicans, or families, which doesn't mean they're Republican but in the heartland of America, it's more likely. Who uses their cell phones as their main line? younger, more liberal people about my age. C) The record breaking number of newly registered voters AREN"T included in the polls. Only people that have been registered for awhile. Who are these newly registered voters? Younger people. And they are turning up to vote in record breaking numbers. In Austin, at the end of early voting, almost 26% of all registered voters had voted!! That's just for early voting. That's usually the amount that vote on an election year total. Carrie voted on campus and had to wait in line for 20 minutes. In Florida, during early voting, people were waiting in line for 3 HOURS!!!! Therefore, I truly believe our generation will decide this election and it will be resolved more quickly than people think.

mmm the US went into Iraq to remove weapons of mass destruction did they not??? Also the US has been bombing the no fly zone for years so really cannot see how they have ever been working to make Iraq a better place. What about making Rwanda a better place. Oh it does not have oil so I guess there are no bonuses to be freedom fighters

mh, Tex. That sounds downright positive.

Now, what do I do about an overtired, screechy (?!?.. not sure what that's all about) 12 month old...

Let me just point out the bleeding obvious. Life as you know it is dependant on the oil industry. If you think you could get by without oil, you are ignorant. As a result, oil runs this earth. This is a fact, even if you don't yet realise it. As s result of the overwhelming power of oil, it runs all politics. It doesn't matter what country yo live in. Oil is power. Sadaam knew it and used that fact agianst his people. So let's quit blaming America like the rest of world doesn't make political decisions based on the oil industry.

France, Germany, Russia, and all the other anti war campaigners of this earth are no exception. They are merely hypocrites for acting like they don't make decisions based on oil.

screechy? you could oil him with some handy petroleum jelly... just kidding.

We should all get out of Iraq as soon as possible, it is insulting to them to think that we know how to run their country better than they do. IMHO.