How could Bush not win? When you have the leader of the most powerful country in the world (I am talking about Dick Cheney) actually scaring an already frightened American population with the prospect of a terrorist nuclear attack in big American cities? How could Bush not win when Democrats run the most whiney, the most cautious, the most wishy washy, and most lackluster campaigns, and when they feel that matching the dirty and nasty tricks of Republicans is unbecoming? How could Bush not win when the Democratic Party spent more energy on blocking Nader's registration than on voters' registration? How could Bush not win when the poor and minorities feel so left out by both parties that they do not bother to vote (I do not blame them)? How could Bush not win when this American public (as I often make that point on Middle East media) comprises good people who are unfortunately deeply afflicted with deep ignorance of world geography and world affairs, and can thus be easily manipulated by any devious leader (or any ignorant leader) who is bent on staying in office no matter what? How could Bush not win when the scenes of his bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan have galvanized many in the country, and inspired many American males who could identify with a "macho" foreign policy? How could Bush not win when the voting public likes and prefers simple minds and simplistic slogans, and easy categories of thought, and when it abhors sophisticated and nuanced analysis of public and international affairs? How could Bush not win when the anti-intellectual streak in the US population will always prevail in close elections? How could Bush not win when Kerry could only promise more of Bush "with a fresh start" as if people were looking for a fresh salad in their lives? How could Bush not win when Kerry was too afraid to oppose this cruel war, for fear of alienating a segment of the population that already disliked him? How could Bush not win when the country is equally afraid of Bin Laden and gays and lesbians? In this tight election, I am more convinced that the release of Bin Laden tape was a dirty trick coordinated with the client government in Qatar and the White House. I am sure the Amir of Qatar will be soon welcomed with open arms in the Oval Office. His wide smile will be telling a story. In the meanwhile, the people of Fallujah should brace themselves: the new returning team in the White House will be more reckless and more unrestrained than ever. The nation will undoubtedly cheer the scenes of carnage of Fallujah; all will be blamed on the nefarious international terrorist conspiracy. More pictures of Abu Mus`ab Az-Zarqawi will be released. Some of them will probably show him posing near the Grand Canyon. US foreign policy will be more pro-Israel than ever: Bush's victory in Florida is already being attributed to his success among Jewish voters in that state who were delighted with his pro-Sharon policies (of course, many other Jewish voters went against Bush). Don't be surprised if the next Democratic presidential candidate offers to exterminate the Palestinians in hope of winning Florida. And the battle against the "axis of evil" and the "evil people" will continue without pause. R.S. tells me that US government officials have asked NY Getty Archeology Center to "to find out precisely where all the major archeological sites in Iran" are. Is that to prepare the stage for another "war of liberation"? The nation will support it, I have no doubt. This "war on terrorism" seems to make the American public thirst for wars against Arabs/Muslims quite unquenchable. Who will console those Americans who lost their job and health insurance, and those Americans who saw their civil liberties reduced and undermined under Bush-Cheney? And who will console those relatives of thousands (tens of thousands) of innocent Afghans and Iraqis and others who were killed by Bush's wars? This election will send a really harmful message to the world: it will send a message that the American people are behind Bush's reckless wars. That is destined to increase foreign hostility and antipathy toward America and Americans. And this is not good for our safety and security. Go wave your flag.