Slice of Life Challenge Tuesday: Chapter 9
Posted by blk1 on May 27, 2008
Where were you when the Recount was stopped?
Last night we watched the movie, Recount on HBO,returning us to a turning point in our history, when Al Gore was beaten to a pulp by James Baker and the Republican street fighters,while he, as the sitting Vice President, looked Presidential, concerned more about history.
Kevin Spacey, Tom Wilkinson, Laura Dern, Ed Begely Jr., John Hurt, and Denis Leary were all fantastic at bringing back this moment.
I have thought about that Saturday morning often.
I was packing up my apartment, getting ready to move to a new home. My friend Nancy was individually wrapping each piece of pottery, each painting. I handled the bulk items: pots, pans, dishese.
We had both tv’s on: the small black and white in the bedroom and the large SONY running in the living room. We luxuriated in stereo. We were giddy as we packed a bit, watched a bit, drank coffee a lot.
A democrat and fresh from 8 (almost) perfect years with Bill Clinton, and the long election night, watching the numbers roll in from Flordia bringing the count so close, we were juiced by the spontaneity of events until something happened as we watched, as everyone watched.
Everything stopped!
We banged both tv’s hoping it was just us.
No!
Recount brought it all back.
It’s a great movie, but it brought back my 8 years of frustration as I fight against the what if. mantra because no matter who is elected president in November it will be hard to make up for the last 8 years.
So even though it’s a gorgeous Memorial Day in the east, I’m saddled today with a return to sad memories and thoughts of what could have been with Al.
Where were you on the day the recounting stopped? What do you remember?
http://www.hbo.com/films/recount/video/spacey_klain.html(Sorry, I can’t find the link for this)
May 27th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I have no idea where I was when the recounting stopped but I remember being extremely pissed off at the whole thing. Now, I’ve concluded, as usual, that all things happen for a reason and that someday, the past 8 years will start to make sense in the larger context of history (past and future).
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May 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I don’t see it that way. I wish I could. I am just angry and a missed opportunity to move ahead in all areas. But then again, someone must have voted for Bush not one time but two.
So what do I know?
Bonnie
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May 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I don’t remember where I was, but I remember thinking surely they would work it out, because obviously Gore had won. Once it finally became clear that the election had been stolen I was flabbergasted. And I’ve been pissed off ever since. I have never felt such vitriole in regard to a politician/governmental entity as I have felt the last eight years. (Not even when the Governator took the reins in California. Then I was just mad at the short-sightedness of the voters.) I have been unable to look at Bush’s face or hear his voice ever without feeling sick and angry. When he was elected the second time I was appalled, disappointed and furious at the people of the United States who couldn’t see what was going on, and would vote to continue it. I can hardly wait for it to be over. And McCain sounds just like Bush to me.
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May 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Totally hear you Lynn,
It was so hard to return to that initial anger. I actually fought watching the movie carefully. And I am not feeing any better watching Bush crash and burn as he ends his presidency, I am just sick about the damage he has done to us and to the world. Amazing, what one man can do.
Bonnie
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May 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I’m ditto-ing everything Lynn said. I was so stunned that such a thing could be possible. I’m still shocked. And shocked that we let it happen again in 2004. Gaaaah! Don’t get me started!
–Stacie
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May 28th, 2008 at 6:37 am
I hear you Stacie,
I try not to talk about what life could have been without (you know who). For months I was holding out for Al for throw his hat into the race. I understand why he didn’t but I think it is the best person for the job, still. Oh well.
Bonnie
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May 28th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I was living in Canada
and feeling sure that had my absentee ballot arrived as it should have my vote may have been the one that won it for Gore. Though I would have counted for New Jersey, not Florida. But you never know. I made sure my absentee ballot is all set for this election though!
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May 28th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I watched the show last night and I thought that it was absolutely excellent. It was one of the greatest films that I have ever seen? Who do you think would have actually won if the finished the recount? I love the recount header. I love your writing. Check out my blog. politicalpiper.edublogs.org
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May 28th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Sad times for all of us. Hope good things happen this time around.
Bonnie
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