September 9, 2005

Dear Mr. Schwarzenegger,

On the night of September 6 after the California Assembly approved AB849, (the bill making marriage gender-neutral), I suddenly felt like I was really a part of society. I was surprised how great that felt. It was like a dark veil was lifted, I was no longer officially deemed to be subversive, and California was asking me to contribute to my community in every way. That feeling lasted one night.

The next day you trotted out your press secretary to say you would veto my status as an equal and worthwhile Californian. You've told me that I am not equal and that my contributions are worth less than those of straight people. That feeling sucks.

The nightly comedy will only get better. Check out W's "concession speech" courtesy of whitehouse.org. Lots of good substance there too!

America is a sicker patient that we thought. Four more years of W is, surprisingly, the right prescription. The only way our enemies will learn the right lessons is through the shock therapy of disaster. Then those lessons will really be learned and people will really change. If we had as a nation been ready for Kerry, Kerry would have won. Since we aren't there yet and apparently want Bush instead, it's crucial we get Bush and live with the consequences. Either way we evolve.

Being part of the Resistance has its upside. Aside from being on the right side of history, I'm all about the cache of being part of a minority Resistance. The Enlightenment had setbacks as well, but you know they partied way better than establishment. Being ahead of your time is sexy.

1. Admit his mistakes. Claim the errors in Iraq. He can now credibly claim that this is America's war, not just Bush's war. He must make efforts for everyone to feel committed to it's success. The left won't feel as much partisan satisfaction by hearing about Iraq failures as it did. This is an opportunity to unite.

2. Appoint a democrat to cabinet. Or even a Hagel or McCain. "If you're unsatisfied with how things are going, help fix them." For a second Bush term to be successful, he needs to start leading the entire nation, not just his extremist base.

Will he do this? I seriously doubt it. Slash and burn partisanship has served him well. Why change success strategies. The only hope is that the reality of his failed policies will force him to embrace the left for the sake of his legacy.

(ahem)

"I want to say something to both democrats and republicans. The war in Iraq is no longer Bush's war. It's America's war. We must all unite to keep the promises we as a nation have made in Iraq.

"And to the world I would like to say, the war on terror is not just America's war. It's the world's struggle to bring the guilty to justice and to bring justice to the hopeless. I will lead our nation and our allies to hunt down Osama bin Laden and destroy his terrorist network, whether he's making videos or not..."

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