American Midterm Elections, Reuters, the AP, and Me

Remember "Dewey Defeats Truman?" It's that famous photo that the Associated Press doesn't want folks to use. Understandably: as pieces of intellectual property go, it's still pretty hot stuff. Valuable.

Which is why you won't see a copy of it here.

If you know what the Lemming is writing about, fine. If not: well, see if you can find a copy that AP doesn't have a conniption about. There's common-sense copyright concerns, and there's the publication whose 'intellectual property rights' statement made it - if folks took it seriously - illegal to read. That's another topic.

Then, there's this Reuters article:

"Republicans poised for big gains"
Reuters (November 2, 2010)

"After a long and bitter campaign, Americans cast their votes on Tuesday in elections that could sweep Democrats from power in Congress and slam the brakes on President Barack Obama's legislative agenda.

"Anxiety over the stumbling economy and discontent with Obama have propelled Republicans to the threshold of huge gains that could give them a majority in the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate.

" 'The Democrats' economic plan is not working,' said Peter Ruiz, a Miami retiree who voted for Republicans on Tuesday despite backing Obama two years ago. 'We need to try something else.'..."

The Lemming is going out to vote, even though that may lead to some of the candidates winning. I've gotten my research done, have my results ready, and will see how long it takes for the post-election lawsuits to die down.

Considering Minnesota and Florida fiascoes in the none-too-distant past, there might still be wrangling in the courts about this election, when the next one comes along.

The Lemming isn't 'partisan' in the sense that I think one party is full of doo-doo-heads and the other can do no wrong. Which isn't the same as not having standards. Like I've explained before, I'm 'apathetic' only in a particular cultural sense. ("About the Lemming")

As for who I predict who will win? Remember "Dewey Defeats Truman?" I don't intend to repeat that mistake.

What am I, Crazy?

Actually, yes, sort of: "Original Sin, Free Will, ADD, and There Goes the Air Conditioner," A Catholic Citizen in America (October 15, 2010).

Which brings up an interesting point. Interesting to The Lemming, anyway.

Conventional wisdom is that it's okay to discuss - even rant - online about Big Oil, the food riots (oh, wait: those didn't happen), and how we're all gonna die in the current cataclysmic catastrophe. That's being open and forthright.

Religion? Unless it's a rehash of Shirley MacLaine's views, or something equally groovy: that's taboo. Considering some of the weird radio preachers I've heard, over the decades: I can sort of understand that cluster of cultural mores.

But 'understanding' isn't the same as 'agreeing.' I've got some counter-cultural ideas: and am not particularly inclined to stay diffidently behind closed doors about them. Even if that's not what the establishment likes.

Which is not the same as 'forcing' anyone to agree with me. How I could possibly do that is beyond me, but it's something that 'those religious people' are accused of doing.

I'm not. Trying to force anyone to agree with me, that is. Like I wrote, I don't think it's possible. And I wouldn't, if I could. It has to to with free will and respect, and I'll leave it at that.

What's this got to do with a post about America's midterm elections?

'One of Those People'

I'm one of 'those religious people' you hear about. Sort of. I'm a practicing Catholic, which makes me part of a counter-culture here in America. Not one of the groovy ones, so we're - well, that's yet another topic.

Since I take what I think is true about reality seriously: what I believe makes a difference in how I vote. And live.

And that difference may not be what the folks at the local Starbucks think it is.

More, about my views. Remember: you don't have to read any of it; and even if you do, I'm not trying to control your brain. Which I couldn't, anyway.

Related posts:

• "Natural Moral Law, Catholicism, Karma, and the Tea Party"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (October 16, 2010)
• "Public Officials with Ethical Standards: A Radical Idea For Today's America"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (June 29, 2010)
• " 'I Take No Interest in Politics' isn't an Option"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (March 29, 2010)
• "Commie Plots, Cholesterol, Frank Burns, Hugo Chavez, and 2012"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (November 15, 2009)
• "Conservative? Liberal? Democrat? Republican? No, I'm Catholic"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (November 3, 2008)