Election Day, 2004

American Idol had qualified candidates (Ruben, Fantasia, and a few of the others are actually quite talented, believe it or not!).

That having been said, you make a good point and you do it in style. Nice going.

Nice one, I like it.

Word, Mr. Brill. Word.

Incidently, are we to expect/hope for any kind of information regarding the process of the creation of this beautiful picture, specifically that of the tape? ;)

Yeah, its awesomely beautiful. Nice one. If I could vote I would...

Although, Canadians could vote for American Idol... still, that's like... 1 million of 65 million.

Good way to put it, Ryan :)

I, too, have to say that I love the tape. I'd LOVE to know your processes in making a very realistic tape...

Nice Job Ryan. The whole thing looks great and the tape especially looks incredibly realistic. Another "Ryan Special." Good Work...

Ryan--
Just a little note for when you write up the tutorial: should there really be a shaddow between the top and paper on the top two pieces?

;)

Thank god the majority of you Americans voted for Bush! Bush already is bad for us Canadians(with the banning of everything...), but Kerry would have been even worse(can you say perma-ban?)!

BTW, I thought it was a picture of tape, not photoshop! :o

I am thoroughly shocked in reference to the outcome of this year's election. As a European, I feel the American masses have somehow managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory, and lower our estimations. A shame.

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

That's one of the reasons why I don't discuss them online.

I'm Canadian, but I'd just like to remind Europeans and other Canadians that you too suffer a significant media bias. Being outside the States doesn't instantly provide an all-seeing objectivity.

Mike: you're right. I wasn't pretending to be thoroughly objective: quite the opposite. My experiences with George Bushes tactics and decisions are making sure I can't make an objective view on him.

And also: we suffer some media bias, but not on the scale of the Americans. Take CNN for example. I don't know of anything else like it in the world. It's owned by a Republican, so its opinions are Republican. Joe American watches this, and is brainwashed (for lack of a better word). Am I not right in saying that several million dollars was spent on heavy Republican advertising in the media just days before the election?

But, at the end of the day, we Europeans can only criticize and analyse. You cast your vote.

Mike Purvis,
Exactly, the media favored Kerry! All I ever seen on the news was them talking to people on the streets and pretty much everyone they talk to said they supported Kerry, then what happens in the election? The majority supported Bush!

Though, I guess that could be cause highly populated places, where they would be asking people, seemed to lean to Kerry.

I really like the image you have. Did you make that? It's awesome!

Ryan, I'm just curious, who did you vote for? Wasn't Wisconsin called for Kerry?

James I think you got Fox and CNN confused. Fox is owned by Rupert Murdoch and just about everyone admits it is biased that way, however everything else seems to lean left. I recall Fox called Ohio for Bush way early, but every other channel seemed reluctant to accept another Bush victory.

I really wish the Dems had fielded a better candidate however. Though there are good things about his win. There are things like Social Security, etc. that are sticky issues that really need to have something done, and only a lame duck president with the backing of congress is going to get it done. Things that are pure domestic agenda and anyone outside of the country really could care less about, but are important to us Americans.

Jona:
Wisconsin was infact called for Kerry. I probably shouldn't do this but I will. Mostly the counties in Wisconsin that went Kerry were those around milwaukee, madison, and green bay (a.k.a. the cities). If I remember correctly, Ryan is from a smaller town in northern wisonsin. This means he's probably more likely to be republican though, it's not definate. I have friends from northern wisconsin who are big Bush supporters.

I'm from Milwaukee, myself, and will admit that I voted for Kerry. Saying that, I'm glad that Wisconsin went that way.

A problem with stats....they can lie. The voters on American Idol were able to vote as many times as they wanted. For an election you can only vote once, otherwise it is called voter fraud.

Ryan -- where are you from in WI? I'm a web designer / photographer from La Crosse... gotta represent!

James: I can't really speak for the US media, and I didn't follow CNN's election coverage, but I think of Fox as being the main rightwing outlet, with CNN and everyone else more or less left of center.

The most damaging thing in Canada I think is just this prevailing attitude toward Bush that he's stupid -- perpetrated in a large part by The Star and CBC's comedy shows. It's quite troubling to see a publicly funded media outlet using it's voice to express to discontent with a neighbouring nation's politics and leaders.

Ryan -- you anywhere near Hayward? We've a place up there and love it. Or are you Eastern-Northern WI?

Ryan, I was surprised to hear that your political leanings are similar to mine. You, me, and the other 2 like-minded guys on the internet are definitely in the minority among web designers and web developers. ;)

Since politics is one of those subjects best left unspoken among friends I generally don't discuss politics on the web. But the 2004 election was so important and captivating that it motivated me to set up a forum where a few of my friends who do enjoy political discourse could talk freely. The site tends to favor conservative and libertarian views but liberals are welcome and encouraged to participate as well. Anyone here is welcome to join in on the fun if you want:

www.FreeSquid.org - political discussion forum
(I don't intend for this to be a spammish type post. I just wanted to let you all know I have a site dedicated to political conversation and any of you are welcome.)