Nate Knows Nada

www.zogby.com

Zogby International Finds: Bush at 49.4%, Kerry at 49.1%

The nationwide telephone poll of 955 likely voters was conducted (November 1-2, 2004). The MOE is +/- 3.2

I’m watching returns at the house of a professor in the Harvard Government department.  It’s probably not much of a surprise that most of the people here are Kerry supporters.  This is Massachusetts and Boston, after all.

People here seem to be cautiously optimistic that Kerry will do well tonight, but much of that may be because of the information deficit.  I don’t think there’s too much concern right now, but since no one has any good information, we’re seesawing a bit back and forth right now.

Hopefully, more later.

AKMA puts in a few words on another recent Anglican controversy. 
I’ve often admired his theological thinking, because as a liberal,
orthodox Christian myself, it’s helpful to have intellectual comrades.

…Anglicans have always harbored oddball clergy. Anyone who’s
surprised that a couple of crypto-Druids turned up among Anglican
clergy hasn’t been paying enough attention to history.

I don’t
condone their muddle-headed theology; it’s wrong, and there’s an end on
it. I hope that Bishop Bennison deals more rigorously with clergy who
depart from Christian faith than he does those whose adherence to
traditional theology renders them intractable relative to the direction
of the rest of the diocese. On the other hand, I don’t see this as a
shocking novelty; it’s a perennial manifestation of the genius of
Anglican ecclesiology, that we endure crackpots in the interest of
avoiding inquisitions….

So far as I can tell, the strength of the Anglican Tradition lies
precisely in its willingness not to permit its decisions to be shaped
by panic over heterodoxy— in its confidence that the Truth
will always prevail in the long run, and in the humble awareness that
churches and councils err, not only in their living and manner of
Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith. In that confidence, and in
the privilege of serving a church that observes its own limitations, I
cling to the truth handed down to me by the saints, I repudiate those
teachings and practices that contradict that truth, and pray that all
people (Anglicans especially included) come to understand the truth in
its fullness — which full understanding none of us can with integrity yet claim.

Check out this story over at Crooked Timber:

Now, some interesting evidence as to how this happens in the NYT. The Times has a story
today about how the current race is too close to call. However, for a
few minutes this morning, they had the wrong version of the story up on
their website – they’d posted the raw version, with all the editors’
comments included. A good friend spotted it in time, and sent it to me
– I enclose it below the fold. The smoking gun (I’ve bolded the
editor’s comments):

Bush supporters were also out. The driver of a Greyhound
bus stopped his vehicle on a Philadelphia street, got out and ripped
down a campaign poster for John Kerry.we cant let this stand as emblematic of Bush supporters. either get some quotes from bush supporters or leave it out

Small compared to those of some.

The City of Somerville’s Elections Division screwed up and didn’t get
the reregistration that I sent in when I moved.  So I have to
schlep off to my old precinct to vote there.  Hopefully I won’t
have to stand in line for an hour again.

And contrary to the small and corrupted motivations of the preachers I
noted yesterday, who’d ask God to act as a Republican, here’s a better
contribution, via the BCP:

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:  Guide
the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives
that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be
protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.  Amen.

It’s your minimum obligation as a citizen.  Write and think and talk about it too.

And from The Revealer:

If you haven’t watched Eminem’s new video, watch it here. If you’re a
Kerry voter and think you already know all about it, ditch your party
colors and play it again. If you’re a Bush voter and think you can’t
take it, stick your politics in your hat and study it. Sure, it’s
partisan. More interestingly, it’s religion, that of sword-tongued
street preachers, liberation theologians, exorcists, apocalypse
ranchers, weather watchers, and all true snake handlers. John of Patmos
and Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Paranoid; terrifying; brilliant. Right or
wrong, Eminem has grabbed the prophetic mantle like no other musician
or writer in America right now (no living journalist need apply). But
he’s no messiah — he’s grabbed the mantle and turned it into black
hoodies for everyone.

Amen.