A WORD OF CAUTION

[newscaster]

On Tuesday, we go to vote. Its an event we have been waiting for for a very long time. As of this moment, we really don't know who will win because there are still lots of unknowns to be considered but we do know who we hope wins.

Its a critical time for us and for those guys on the other side. We have countless dollars invested in this campaign. Our blood pressure is high, our emotions are in turmoil and after we return from voting, we will sit and wait fore the outcome to be announced. But while we wait, I suggest that we think about how this country has been torn apart.

Shortly after 9-11, the rupture began and it intensified to a point where we are as divided today politically as we were in 1860. We vilify each other, we call each other traitor or Nazi or Commie or any of a number of other epithets. We rip down campaign signs, disrupt rallies and the world looks on in amazement. This is the country that was always the model for the rest of the world. This is where all immigrants wanted to end up, this was the land where all dreams come true. But the world is getting a different picture these days. If we cant agree with each other, why the hell should anyone else agree with us?

The values we held that were admired around the globe, have been trashed. We stand on soapboxes and decry how the other side has acted without stepping back to see if we too are guilty of the same acts.

We will vote on Tuesday. One Wednesday, as Sen John McCain (R-Ariz) said on Meet The Press this morning.....we should stop and try to figure out how to repair the split we created. Half the country pulling in one direction and the other half going in the opposite direction. That prevents us from moving in either direction, theirs or ours. Another four years of such division could be disastrous for us and for the world. If we don't fix the problem now, then regardless of who wins the election, we will all be losers.

Think back to the times when America was totally united and see what we gained but also look at what we lost during times of division.
Partisanship must be put aside on Wednesday.

[chicagojoe]

1. The smartest words I've read here in weeks.

[TahitiNut]

44. Thank you, Charlie Brown.

[jfk2004]

71. After what the republicans have done to John Kerry's Vietnam service

What they've done with Kerry's Vietnam service makes me wanna beat the sh*t outta these mfers

[Sara Beverley]

97. Except for one thing, we are right and they are wrong.

Wrong on social services
Wrong on taxes,
Wrong on the Iraq invasion
Wrong about how to fight terrorism
Wrong about our ME foreign policy
Wrong about the environment
Wrong about the Constitution
Wrong about corporate welfare
Wrong about Medicare
Wrong about Social Security
Wrong about healthcare
Wrong about veteren's benefits
Wrong about religion

I think I am concise and I know I am not wrong!

[charlyvi]

2. Tell that to the Free Republic.

And the repub lawyers that are probably going to dispute the vote in Ohio and Florida. And the Justice Department under Ashcroft who are disputing the right of anyone but the JD to bring a voter fraud complaint to court. Etc.....You know how it goes. We've been living with it for four years.

[chicagojoe]

5. They won't want to get along, but I think a lot of people would like

to work together.

[Coventina]

9. Oh yeah, there's been LOTS of evidence of Repubs

wanting to work with the Dems the last several years.....NOT!!!

What color is the sky in your world?!?!

[charlyvi]

12. Righto.

I dream of the day when people can agree to disagree, but it seems that the modern repub party, with its wierd fusion of politics and religion, think their God given mission in life is to rule this country--for our own good. The repub politicians and special interests exploit this idea and their public, against their own best interest, fall in line. It's one thing to disagree with a political party, it's quite another to label them as Satan itself.

[CosmicVortex21]

80. yeah! they started it! and they wont quit touching me!

Calm down children...

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. tell that to

the House and Senate. If they remain in repub control, we're going to see eight years of a good man battling against a bunch of nasty, obstructionist shitheads.

Otherwise, things will be grand! :)

[grannybgood]

4. The only way I'll put partisanship aside is if Kerry wins.

If he doesn't win I expect every Democrat in office to fight this group with all they've got.

[karlrschneider]

8. I'm with you, granny! And welcome to DU!

:toast: :D

[classof56]

13. Welcome to DU, grannybgood.

I'm with you. If Kerry doesn't win, knowing Bush's agenda as I do, I cannot for the life of me comprehend how I can put partisanship aside and work with any of the Republicans. Bush's agenda is to strip me of my social security and who knows what other paltry "benefits" I have as a senior citizen, engage in wars that will shortly require my grandchildren to be a part of, dismantle environmental laws and personal rights we've worked for years and years to attain, destroy hard-fought-and-won social programs that care for the less-fortunate among us, and reduce public education to rubble. And we would be expected to "work together" with these people? Sorry...all I can think to do is work against them and their evil plans as long as I have the energy to do so.

DEFEAT BUSH!! It's not too late!

[aquart]

15. I think we're assuming a Kerry win here.

Bush does not want a united nation and would never allow one.

Kerry, however, does. It's very hard on me to hear that he is considering Republicans for his cabinet. But he may be right. Liberalism may be experiencing a renaissance, but the Kerry government won't be able to do much. It's going to be 4 years of mucking out the barn because the Bushit is piled so high we don't even know what's under it anymore.

Kerry is going to have to make a decision about prosecuting these thieves. (Although I'm sure Bush's pardon list will be miles long. Can't wait to see Ken Lay's name there, can you?) To do anything on that, he will need Republican cooperation.

We have a filthy, impoverished house to clean. We will need the help of all Americans to do it.

The work just begins November 3.

[President Kerry]

34. very true!

welcome to DU !! :hi:

[smirkymonkey]

36. My sentiments exactly!

Welcome to DU, grannybgood! :hi:

[Coventina]

6. FUCK THAT!!!!

If the FUCKING NEOCONS emerge with the power I sure as HELL am not going to roll over!!!!

There is a REASON half the country is moving in one way and half in the other! It is because our values are opposed!! I'm not sacrificing MY values!

FUCK THAT!!!!!

MCCAIN, MAYBE YOU ENJOY BEING FUCKED BY BUSH, BUT I DON'T, SO DON'T FUCKING TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!!!

[karlrschneider]

10. LOL! And Amen!

:D

[PatriotGames]

11. My thoughts exactly.

I'm not rolling over for them. If we win, I'm not making any effort to reach out to same people who hate our way of life. F them.

[readmylips]

21. AMEN!

McCain is dirt.

[George_S]

25. Say it again. This time with passion :)

Someone steals $100 from us and so we vote him out of office, and then he comes and says, "You're right. Let's compromise. Give me $50 and I'll give you the hundred back."

[ezekiel333]

43. Yes!

FUCK the right and all those who support the fascists.  And FUCK all of those who stand in the middle hoping for a reasonable resolution based upon the rules of a yesterday that no longer exists. The battle lines have been drawn. Either they are removed from power and prosecuted for their crimes or we are in the streets.

[rbnyc]

52. Thanks for not holding back.

:)

I'm with you.

[Neshanic]

67. I agree with that. When they ditch the Falwell wackos, then we will talk.

[nodehopper]

79. word!!!!!!!!

[giant_robot]

85. Exactly!

It was Grover Norquist who said bipartisanship is another word for date rape. This is the kind of attitude we're up against. When McCain says, "We need to reunite the nation," that translates to, "Whoops! Looks like our side is fucked. Let's talk." Don't hold your breath, John.

[wackywill]

87. Exactly right

They can express their "values" but I really believe their "values" are totally UN-AMERICAN!

It may not be 1860 but the sentiments are the same. It's time to split this country. It's coming, we may as well do it peacefully instead of waiting until we are counted as "evil" and attached by the neocons. I for one don't intend to spend any time in a neocon concentration camp being reeducated or exorcised.


Edited for spelling because I can't.

[Jose Diablo]

92. You got that right

The attitude of reason and calm got us into this BS. Bush should have never got the selection in 2000.

WHEN Kerry wins, the works just starts. I want to see the back of the GOP busted. That party tossed on the trash heap of history.

I don't want these turd hearses coming-up up for air in 10-15 years. Nope, they are done, they ain't going any further. It ends this time.

[Jade Fox]

7. You know what? They started it....

If that sounds like a school-yard taunt, then so be it.

They declared war on a legally elected President with the clear intent
to destroy him.

They made the choice (as documented by David Brock) to do whatever
it takes to seize power in this country, fully aware that they are in the
minority.

They usurped the Constitution to get their man in power.

They have more that demonstrated their willingness to lie, cheat, steal
kill, and destroy lives to get what they want.

I will continue to wage war against the Neo-cons. They are dangerous
and possibly evil people.

[newscaster]

14. Yes, they started it

But think of how WE will be regarded at home and around the world IF WE STOP IT.

Look, there are many times when I would love to push the face of a repug thru a brick wall just for the hell of it but what would that say about my abilities to get things done in a manner fair to everyone.

Yes, we got screwed by them four years ago. And you see the result. When Kerry wins, he has to win across the country. You have heard the old saying about being president for all the people. Bush has been president for just the CEOs and the repubs simply don't understand that. We have to change things not just in the White House but all across the country. Then the win becomes sweeter and more meaningful.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. You can turn the other cheek if you want to....

...but I'm fresh out of cheeks to turn. The day of coddling the NeoCons and trying to be nice are OVER. The only thing they respect is force and our willingness to use it.

[mitchum]

62. "sometimes turning the other cheek can mean breaking....

the other guy's jaw" Malcolm X

I'm with you and Malcolm

[Jade Fox]

26. I'm not advocating adopting their tactics...

But we cannot let our guard down with these people. We must assume
they will continue to be the scum they are. They must be exposed and
destroyed by the truth, and stopped at every turn.

I don't believe Kerry should be or can be president for the Neo-cons,
because they do not want a president. They want a dicatator. If that
sounds melodramatic, how many times have we heard in the last few
years that criticizing Bush or the actions of the US is unpatriotic and
traitorous? The Bush campaign is out there TODAY saying that if you
are patriotic, you will vote for Bush.

The honorable Republicans in this country have a duty to take back their
party from the Brownshirts who have hijacked it. They are the only ones
who can. This civil war was instigated in their name. They must end it
in their own ranks, and we must make it clear that we will not tolerate
another debacle like the last four years.

[timtom]

16. I appreciate your good intentions

but I selected my DU handle for obvious reasons. If I owned a candy store in Brooklyn, and some protection thugs came into my neighborhood and demanded protection money, I would figure out a way to bring them down or severely cripple their efforts. And if the devil himself offered to pay me handsomely to bring down the neocon machine, I would say, "No! No! I will pay YOU for letting me participate in their fall.

[Lefty48197]

17. The Democrats share the same goals as the human race

The Republican goals are purely selfish, and work toward the common detriment of others.
I am in no mood to "unify" with the "Jack the Rippers" of politics. I look forward to the day when they all fry in hell.

[Casandra]

18. I agree

While your words are well spoken, make a lot of sense and present something that we should all heed...

The state of mind in this country is much too bitter, too angry and much too passionate to expect the 'other half' of the populace to simply sit down and begin smiling. I, in fact see a potentially serious aftermath from the losing party. Is that going to be us?

Can any of you really say, you'll accept the 'first' election of Bush, and try to help heal the divide? Im not so sure how many smiles I can produce, how much calm I can present and how diplomatic I can be. I've been waiting for 4 long years to see an end to this nightmare.

I look forward to Tuesday and dread it at the same time

[jpak]

19. The Bush Administration is the most criminal and corrupt regime

in the modern era.

Their crimes MUST be exposed - and I hope President Kerry spends a LOT of time exposing them and bringing them to justice.

The country will heal when these thugs are behind bars.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

20. Too late for "kiss and make up"....the goose-steppers need to be....

...made to understand that their behavior will no longer be tolerated.

You want to be their best friend? Fine, but don't tell ME how I should feel after losing a business and going heavily into debt thanks to four years of NeoCon policies.

[newscaster]

23. Each and every one of you

who responded to my original post, have presented very good arguments.
Yes they are a pack of scumbags, and have vile ideas about how America should deal with the rest of the world. But I would like to say that this is NOT the republican party that I grew up knowing. This is not even the republican part of Barry Goldwater or Robert Taft. This GOP is a mutation, a horrible mutation that has disgusted many within the GOP.
I believe that when we finally pry their fingers loose from the WH, they will be gone for good. It may not happen for a while but it will happen. As the nation comes to assess the damage caused by this administration, they will realize their mistake and will work to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Yeah, we are very angry now but once Kerry begins his administration we have just as tough a job ahead of us as does Kerry himself and if we walking around grousing and cussing, spitting and scratching, we will be of little use to him. But if we work to repair the damage and can draw into the effort those I call Thinking Republicans (yeah, there are quite a few of them around) we can make the job easier for OUR president.

[Coventina]

27. Mutation? Maybe, but the fact is, that "good" Republicans

have not just ENABLED these freaks, they have CAMPAIGNED for them, they are VOTING for them. SO FUCK THEM!!!!!
There are no "good" Republicans who are voting Republican this year...they are all EVIL!!!!!!

The only way to prove they are NOT evil is to vote for Kerry!!!!

The rest of them can kiss my sn@tch!!!! (figuratively of course, I don't actually want them anywhere near me).

[newscaster]

24. Each and every one of you

who responded to my original post, have presented very good arguments.
Yes they are a pack of scumbags, and have vile ideas about how America should deal with the rest of the world. But I would like to say that this is NOT the republican party that I grew up knowing. This is not even the republican part of Barry Goldwater or Robert Taft. This GOP is a mutation, a horrible mutation that has disgusted many within the GOP.
I believe that when we finally pry their fingers loose from the WH, they will be gone for good. It may not happen for a while but it will happen. As the nation comes to assess the damage caused by this administration, they will realize their mistake and will work to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Yeah, we are very angry now but once Kerry begins his administration we have just as tough a job ahead of us as does Kerry himself and if we walking around grousing and cussing, spitting and scratching, we will be of little use to him. But if we work to repair the damage and can draw into the effort those I call Thinking Republicans (yeah, there are quite a few of them around) we can make the job easier for OUR president.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

30. Before I lift a finger to help ANY Republican, I want to see them....

...get rid of the NeoCon stench in their own party. Once that's done, THEN we can talk about working together for the common good.

While I admire your idealism, the reality is that we are faced with an evil that MUST be eradicated by any means possible. We can NOT sit back and believe that the NeoCons will simply give up just because the election may cause them to lose what cost them so much to gain.

I'm sorry, but you're parrotting the captive media mantra of working WITH/FOR the NeoCons....and that simply can NEVER happen again.

[crispini]

28. I would like to agree.

I think we need to distinguish between old-time traditional GOP'ers and the neo-cons who have hijacked their party. And we need to build alliances with the sane Republicans who see that.

[WolverineDG]

29. Whaddya mean "we"???

did mccain have a mouse in his pocket? *I* sure as hell didn't create a split in this country, the neocons did. they made this mess, they can clean it up.

i don't have a problem with "bipartisanship," so long as that's what it truly is, not "republicans get everything they want, democrats get screwed & told to suck it up."

screw mccain. i used to respect him, but since the convention, he's attached himself to bush's ass in the vain hopes of scoring the 2008 nod. screw him screw him screw him. i'm done with mccain. he had his chance, but his ego got in the way & he blew it big time.

dg

[WolverineDG]

31. Whaddya mean "we"???

did mccain have a mouse in his pocket? *I* sure as hell didn't create a split in this country, the neocons did. they made this mess, they can clean it up.

i don't have a problem with "bipartisanship," so long as that's what it truly is, not "republicans get everything they want, democrats get screwed & told to suck it up."

screw mccain. i used to respect him, but since the convention, he's attached himself to bush's ass in the vain hopes of scoring the 2008 nod. screw him screw him screw him. i'm done with mccain. he had his chance, but his ego got in the way & he blew it big time.

dg

[WillyT]

32. If Kerry Wins, And The Republicans Actually Have Their Implosion...

then we'll talk.

If the rePukes are able to shed the yoke of the fundamental Xian right that wants to turn this country into a Theocracy, I'll be willing to play ball. But if Bush wins, and the Fundies become even more emboldened...

all bets are OFF!!!

In THAT event... we may have what some commentator said the other day. A non-shooting Civil War!

[fortyfeetunder]

46. Non-shooting Civil War?

I think if guns play a part in this matter, then thanks to the RWW and fanatically protecting their 2nd Amendment rights, we might have some Wild-West type stuff, guaranteed.

[WillyT]

50. Yeah... It Will Start Off Non-Shooting...

then...

:shrug:

[fortyfeetunder]

54. I fear of the violent repercussions

I don't think the Pugs realize that thanks to 2nd Amdt. gun ownership rights we have, not to mention the fecund black market, the "law and order" types are going to be outgunned/outweaponed.

Not to mention, which I believe some of those missing Iraqi explosives are probably in the US today.

It could get ugly quickly.

[Tesibria]

95. oh -- you've been visiting freeper land haven't you ...

... they're talking about that a LOT -- even including graphics of pistols -- the whole thing....

[Julien Sorel]

33. "Partisanship" needs defining.

To the extent that "partisanship" means opposing for the sake of opposition, then sure, put it aside. But when "partisanship" means sticking by principles that matter, then it can't be put aside, and if Kerry doesn't win, there will be a lot of principles being further encroached upon. Then, partisanship is the only way to go. These people want to change my country in ways I do not like and that run counter to my personal interests and moral beliefs. Under those circumstances, I'm prepared to be a raving partisan. There are times when partisanship is patriotism.

[ClevelandSportsCurse]

35. The media is what divides this country.

And they want it that way. It's sensational.

It is amazing how with so many things that have gone so badly for this nation, yet the people may be willing to keep the man responsible in power. How could they do this? To put simply, they are brainwashed by the media.

The media forcing beliefs on the people is not new to this country. There was a term called "yellow journalism" to label the sensationalist press in the late 1800's who brainwashed the people to pick a war with Spain.

See http://www.humboldt.edu/~jcb10/spanwar.shtml

[prairie populist]

37. Vote first, mend fences later

You're right, but lets not put the horse ahead of the cart.

We know how divisive this administration has been; a Kerry/Edwards White House will be better for the entire country, not just a chosen few.

But it's not over yet, not by a long shot. Let's make sure we GOTV, and have every vote counted before we start waving olive branches.

[ulysses]

38. "Partisanship must be put aside on Wednesday."

Nope. We need to turn it up on Wednesday.

[sr_pacifica]

40. Yep, that's what got us in trouble in 2000

How they silenced the challenges to Florida's vote. It's not going to happen this time.

[ulysses]

41. that, but not just that.

We have to turn it up and keep it there.

[mr blur]

39. I apperciate every thing you say, but...

please don't fall into the same old trap. "This is the country that was always the model for the rest of the world" - This simply is not true. The world IS watching in amazement as your country is divided by lies and political greed and theft of liberties and all the rest, but we are not waiting for America to take its place as some kind of beacon in dark times so that the rest of us know how to act and live our lives. Please remember that. We are waiting for your country to wake up and regain some respect from the rest of us.

[sr_pacifica]

42. We've never been "totally united."

And I don't see why that is considered an ideal worth pursuing. There will always be the divisions we see now in the country. The problem is not the division, it's who we have in power. "Partisanship must be put aside on Wednesday" is the WRONG message. That was the message in 2000 to the challengers of the Florida vote. We can't listen to that spiel this time.

[fortyfeetunder]

45. The change in the Pug Party starts from within

What is equally troubling about the Republican party is most of the neo-cons are under 50? I mean it's the young ones who I see with the vile and hate, but then I realize their coming of age was during Reagan's administration, the near-lynching of Clinton, and the 2000 election debacle.

I think the Republican elder statesmen/women who were moderate and not nearly as right wing fundy wacko as the pResident, need to grab a hold of this current leadership and start some serious reform from within.

They could have gone to *'s office before the convention and said, "Look President Bush, you made an absolute mess of our country, we are less respected around the world,do you realize how effed up it is as compared to when you were inaugurated? Maybe it's time you decided one term is enough. Let us nominate someone who is more moderate, and electible, and let our nation heal and get on with repairing our international alliances?" But no, they didn't, they let the Chimp continue with running a second term.

They have a second chance, win or lose. Fix this party or be prepared for the unpleasant consequences.

[peterh]

47. Maybe it’s just the cynical side of me…..

But regardless of who wins….hard-core, in-your-face partisanship ain’t going to go away for a long time. The neocons have tasted power and they like it. These critters have been honing their tactics for a long time and in 1994 (my belief) began to see the real results. If Kerry wins, he should literally put the Big Dog on the payroll as a “domestic terrorist advisor”….Kerry will need that wisdom….

Even if we were to win one of the houses along with the Presidency, the intensity of these people will be ruthless. The barrage of disinformation will be (even by today’s standards) unbelievable. With Faux, Clear Channel, Sinclair and others….you ain’t seen nuttin’ yet….

It’s almost as if this country really needs a harsh wakeup call to get the pendulum moving the other way….but it’s how far the pendulum needs to swing in it’s current direction that literally scares the shit out of me….

[AnnInLa]

83. I absolutely agree with your assessment

and your concise way of expressing it.

[MidwestMomma]

48. Republicans ALWAYS want Democrats to be 'reasonable'

I've lived through several administrations and what I've noticed consistently is that whenever the Democrats are in power, suddenly partisanship is a dirty word and shouldn't we all just get along.

But when the Republicans are in power, it's screw any compromise and full steam ahead with what they want.

I'm sick of it.

I hope we use every bit of power and partisanship we have to correct the mistaken policies forced on us by thie corrupt administration and Congress.

To do anything less is a betrayal to the American people.

Thanks for listening..

[rbnyc]

51. Yup.

Like I say in the intro to my old website that I haven't updated in ages:

What's outstanding about the partisan rift in American politics is the tendency among conservatives to characterize attacks against the left as having a pure basis in moral justice while any scrutiny of their own actions is characterized as groundless and entirely political.

When the left opposes the right, conservatives find that their strength is not in putting forth their own merits, but in selling the misrepresentation that the opposition is without merit. The front of moral certainty is best defended through disarming opponents by stigmatizing the entire process of opposition. Conservatives work hard at demonizing the political process itself for their own survival. Opposition is called obstructionism. Those who defend their views are said to be "playing politics."

Such characterizations have made some Democrats shy away from fervently defending Democratic principles, to avoid association with the stigma of partisan politics, a stigma which is unevenly applied.
...

The solution is to embrace the stigma of partisan competition and oppose the Republican agenda without inhibition. A stigma can only be as strong as the fear we invest in it.

[rbnyc]

49. Well, I think you mean well, but I'm reminded of the words...

...at the end of one of my favorite plays, Marat/Sade. "When will we learn to take sides?" I think that hatred must be put aside. I think that foul play must be put aside. But partisanship, I think, is actually important. It's important to take a stand.

Also, you say the rupture began shortly after 9/11. It began long before that, but when it really intensified was during the Clinton impeachment.

Anyway, I'm sure that I agree with part of what you are saying, that we are all people, and we are one nation, and there are wounds to be healed. But when it comes to human rights, social and economic justice, the environment, matters of war and peace...there really is an us and a them and it's important that we don't give up our side.

[Raenelle]

53. If we lose, you go ahead and cooperate with Republicans--not me.

Compromise is only possible when there are no fundamental principles at stake. Say we both agree we need funds to pay down the deficit--you want to cut spending, I want to raise taxes. We can compromise that.

But if you're talking about fundamentals--unilateralist imperialism, for example--if you compromise that, you're just another whore.

[pbg]

55. With all due respect, no.

The Democrats should not abandon partisanship.
We should embrace fairness, justice, and civility--but none of those are incompatible with partisanship.
When you have an opponent who looks to nothing but their advantage, and who will do absolutely anything to win, then not only their position but their party must be opposed.

This administration killed as many as 100,000 Iraqi people in its imperialist adventure. I refuse to sweep them into the background with a smile and a handshake. Those atrocities are for the Iraqi people to forgive, not me.

Likewise it's for the families of the tens of thousands of killed and seriously wounded americans to forgive this administration, not me.

And the people tortured in Gitmo and Abu Ghraib and who knows how many other secret locations will have to forgive them, not me.

These are real lives lost, not just a loss of bipartisan civility.

On Wednesday we have to start fixing the damage--and we should encourage help from all those who honestly want to help in that mission.

But we can't go back to normal. We can't let bygoes be bygones, because they're not gone.

The crimes were real, premeditated, with malice, and with a sneering disregard for law. And even now, the perpetrators don't think they did anything wrong.

If we fix up their bloody, shit-stained mess, apologize to the neighborhood for the carnage and the abuse, and hurry inside to suggest that we all just sit down and have a nice evening together and maybe go out and see a movie, what does that make us?

It makes us enablers.

[rbnyc]

59. Awesome post!

"We should embrace fairness, justice, and civility--but none of those are incompatible with partisanship."

Well said. You are so right. Thanks.

[Pathwalker]

56. "With All Due Respect", it's TWELVE YEARS TOO LATE

for such a request.

The time for non-partisanship was when THE HUNTING OF THE PRESIDENT began, and the Republicans had the chance to stop that hideous project in it's infancy.

The time for non-partisanship was when Ken Starr decided that a duly elected president could be impeached for a lie about a BJ.

The time for non-partisanship was when Gore clearly won the popular vote and the Republicans STOLE Florida instead.

Funny that not a single "Newscaster" has ever raised so much as an eyebrow about a twelve year pattern of ABUSE OF POWER that has divided this country greater than any other time since before the Civil War, yet NOW THAT IT APPEARS A DEMOCRAT WILL WIN - WE must be non-partisan.

What can I say?

NO!

[Maiden England]

57. I don't doubt we can play nice, but will the other side?

Nah, I reckon not.

[Bluebear]

58. John McCain is one of the biggest phonies on the scene.

His exhortations leave me cold, and while it's noble to call for nonpartisanship now, I fear we as a Nation will never unite again.

[newscaster]

60. McCain may indeed be a phony

but on Meet The Press this morning, even Joe Biden, one of our good guys, agreed with him.


Even a liar and a phony will tell the truth occasionally.

[Bluebear]

64. If they lie and are phony they have no credibility

I can't be bothered looking to see when he is telling the truth when yesterday he gleefully said the OBL tape "helped" Bush.

[wackywill]

93. Repugs pre-emptive strike

I couldn't believe Bob Barr on CNN and other shows, being reasonable and actually agreeing with the "liberal" the "fair and balanced" media put on with him.
I figured it out it's a neocon setup. They know they are going to lose so they are playing rope-a-dope. Well I'm NO DOPE.
I lost all respect for McCain after watching him suck up to Bush he has no shame.

[newscaster]

61. I am going to try something.

I am going to post my original post in the Hannity website.
I should be hilarious reading their freeperlike responses.

[AnnInLa]

63. One of the "mods" from this DU board had a great post

last week. The post began by telling us to be careful after election day, because, when Kerry wins, the FIRST thing the repugs will do is ask us to set aside our partisanship for the "good of the country." Historically, Dems have rolled over and played "good guy" for the good of this country for too long...you see where it has gotten us and where it has gotten America. "To heal the wounds" and "unite America" is a lofty but hypocritical goal. Does everyone not understand that when Kerry wins, the repugs RWers will REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO REGAIN THE POWER once again? Not until this country is 99% progressively liberal again would I ever think about non-partisanship and healing the wounds.

Would the mod who posted that well-thought out position please repost it? I should have saved it but didn't.

The "Word of Caution" in your headline should be about the repugs digging in and trying to regain their fascist regime. If we show willingness to roll over yet again, we will get what we deserve...we will lose America. It is a fight to the finish, baby.

[Zorra]

65. I can never recognize Bu$h as the legitimate POTUS.

He stole the 2000 election.

This is well documented and indisputable. He is not the President of the US.

Therefore, he has no legitimacy as an incumbent.

And a whole lot of people in this country think this way also.

Bu$h divided the country when he stole the election, and has been alienating the people of our nation and the world ever since with his corruption and lies.

Sorry, I'm not buying in. If John Kerry is elected, then I will put aside some of my partisanship - but I will never, ever forget that republicans tried to destroy our Democracy.

[ikojo]

66. When will people learn that to the pugs

bipartisanship means the Democrats roll over and play dead so the pugs can run roughshod over human rights.

NO, we fight for what is true and just because if we don't the pugs certainly are not going to do it. Pugs DO NOT care for working people. Every piece of legislation ever proposed that helped people who were not rich has been OPPOSED by the Republicans: social security, food stamps, Medicare, head start etc.

IF Kerry wins and if he begins by appointing a bunch of Republicans to positions in an effort to win them over, it WILL BE OVER for me. It will demolish what little faith I have in the Democratic party. Did BUSH appoint ANY moderates or DEMOCRATS to positions?NO he did not. He governed as if he had a mandate and so should Kerry. That's one reason so many like the pugs, they act as if they belong in power. Dems want to get all googly eyed and repair things. This is politics and it aint pretty nor is it for the weak. If someone screws ya, you don't come back and say, "thank you sir, may I have another?"

[Q]

68. "WE" didn't create this split...

...it was created by a small group of RWingers with the help of the 'religious' right and their purchased media. They simply couldn't accept that the Left's agenda was accepted by a majority of the people...so they circumvented the Constitution AND the majority by using divisive tactics much like Hitler used against the Jews and others.

- Don't blame this shit on 'we'. The country will never 'unite' until the Neocons and their propaganda/dirty tricks machine are pushed out of our government.

[charlie]

69. Wait until January

When our glorious Fourth Estate flips from "don't question the prez, WE'RE AT WAR" to giving Kerry a full-bore colonoscopy. The crimes and fuckups of the last 4 years will vanish while they chew on their new playtoy.

Oh, and Democrats will get the blame for the coming austerity and wretched choices necessary, and Repubs will once again be in high dudgeon over "liberals" wrecking the country. Same story, different year.

[realFedUp]

70. After we give pink slips to the newscasters....

[Redleg]

72. Rethugs only want to cooperate when they don't have the Whitehouse.

When they do, they say "fuck y'all."

[suegeo]

73. I don't see much hope in working with people like these

I cannot find common ground with people like the ones mentioned in the story below.

http://www.plainsman.com/main.php?story_id=3177&page=23

Truck with pro-life message visits Huron
BY ROGER LARSEN

A tight Senate race in South Dakota made it one of 22 states to be targeted with a graphic message by a pro-life organization.

For a few hours Friday, one of its box-body trucks displaying billboard-size color photos of aborted human embryos and early fetuses was driven up and down Dakota Avenue in Huron.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, based in Westerville, Ohio, has had its fleet of trucks on the 22-state tour since February.

“Graphic images of war and terrorist attacks appear often in the media, and the center won’t be held to a double standard,” spokeswoman Stephanie Gray said.

“This is just the beginning of what people are going to see a great deal of,” she said.

[demgrrrll]

74. This sounds good but I agree with Krugman. The time to be

magnanimous and conciliatory is after you have dismantled the right wing republican machine.

[juliagoolia]

77. Paul Krugman is right

This is not a time to be lay down and wait for power.

These GOP nuts will not sit idle while we wait four years. They will continue to divide the nation with issues that are should NOT be part of the national dialogue for politics. Social issues that people need to decide with their own conscience and family doctor. Science issues that belong in medical labs and universities are now being bandied about in churches as if they were doctinal and the GOP are pushing this ideology because it divides the nation. Arms regulation that protects citizens have allowed the anti-choice and the pro-gun lobby to join arms. Large corporations joined up with churches!? againt the betterment of the poor and the average joe and against the protection of the environment. We have to NOT SITE IDLE.. WE HAVE TO BREAK up this insanity and show these people they are being pandered to against their own betterment and to the detrement of the world.

No, this would NOT be a time to sit idle.

[Wols]

75. Sorry, but it's obvious that the "born agains" who've

taken over the Republican party have no desire to compromise. It is all or nothing with these loonies.

[Cyrix]

76. Bahahahahaha!

"If we cant agree with each other"

In case you haven't noticed this is called being "bipartisan". In case you ALSO haven't noticed - we've been doing this for the past 10 years at least and look at where we are.

[nodehopper]

78. sorry, if Bush steals the election again, I have no problem with

hating the other 50% of the country for the next four years.

[Walt Starr]

81. Republicans are my mortal enemies. They started this shit.

We'll finish it.

No quarter shall be given.

[Cat Atomic]

82. Not. A fucking. Chance.

Even if Kerry wins, it's not time to make peace. They've had complete control of government for four years, and they've fucked us all over royally. Pardon my language, but Nov. 3rd is the time to start fucking back.

And honestly, I hate to say this, because I think such forgiveness is admirable on a personal level, but that attitude is what's killing us politically. You don't make nice with people who hate everything you stand for. You don't compromise with fascists. You marginalize them, you mock them, and you keep them as far from away from power as possible.

[ibegurpard]

84. How do you compromise with people who are actively working to destroy you?

As for the sane Republicans, like people have mentioned, if they can prevail and bring sense back to their party then we can move forward. As it stands now, I see the "moderate" Republicans toeing the line and actively supporting the radical right wing. No compromise is possible.

[The Straight Story]

88. Which is what many have been asking with regards to ME and islam

We don't mind trying to find reasons why they hate us, and doing things to make them like us. Why is it different for the right?

[Mend]

94. Remember Paul Wellstone,

John Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr, Bobby Kennedy, Mel Carnahan, Martin Luther King, 100,000 dead Iraquis, our dead and injured soldiers. There is a vast right wing conspiracy out there and they are responsible for all the above
and I will believe that til hell freezes over. I don't want to make nicey with any of them. It is impossible for me to accept that the current political situation is just a difference of opinion on taxes and health care. Stay vigilant, these people are malignant.

[in_cog_ni_to]

86. The repukes should have thought about the divided country

before they spent 8 years trying to destroy Bill Clinton.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they stole the 2000 election.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they disenfranchised thousands of AA voters in FL.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they attacked Max Cleland, a war hero who lost his limbs in Vietnam.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they LIED about taking this country into a preemptive, unilateral war.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they enacted the Patriot Act which invades our civil liberties.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they illegally outed a CIA agent to seek revenge on her husband.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they created the biggest deficit this country has ever had.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they took overtime pay away from millions of workers.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they undid 30 damn years of environmental policies.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they took unemployment benefits away from millions of workers.

Maybe they should have thought about a divided country before they alienated all of our longtime allies that took GENERATIONS to build!

NO. I will NOT set partisanship aside on Wednesday. They have 12 years of it coming and I'll be damned if I will ever kowtow to those people ever again. Being "NICE" to them got us to where we are today. THAT place isn't so hot. JMCPO.

[AnnInLa]

89. hear, hear! We were warned that the repukes

would make a sudden call for the "uniting of the country" to "heal the wounds" when Kerry wins. Even tho Kerry has to say he will be a uniter, I sure hope he knows that the repugs will be after him (and us) from day one. This is a war to take back the country, and this election is just one battle in that war. No retreat, no surrender, no forgiveness, no rolling over. Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

[progressivebydesign]

90. The "rupture" began with the stolen election, and they're doing it again..

I know it's good to speak about healing the nation, but when we are seeing even MORE voter intimidation, suppression, and theivery, it's hard to turn the other cheek. The anger started during Clinton's impeachment nonsense, and was intensified during the stolen election. Which was not JUST stolen, but Gore was called horrid names, and the Democrats were attacked. You want to know why we have the divide, THAT is why.. this election is turning out to me more of the same. (check out the threads on the flyers circulated to black neighborhoods by GOP activitists now).

We're not all going to kiss and make up after this. We can't. The hijacking of our voting system NEEDS to be addressed and it needs to be fought. Until that happens, we are risking civil war amongst the parties.

[dansolo]

91. Only if the Republicans apologized for their behavior

If I hear a public statement from Dennic Hastert, Tom Delay, and Bill Frist apologizing for their behavior in Congress over the last four years, where they forced legislation through without any input from Democrats, even threateneing their own members who were going to vote against them. That is the only way that I would accept a reconciliation. Otherwise, fuck them all.

[JerseygirlCT]

96. I agree with your sentiments, but put simply

here's the problem: George Bush has already conclusively demonstrated that he is not capable or even interested in uniting this country. The nearly four years he's been in office have seen the country divided to a degree not seen in many, many years.

The only chance for healing is a Kerry presidency. Otherwise we're looking at four more years of division and ugliness.