I can feel it in this forum...

[toymachines]

"I mentioned that along with cause for concern, there is reason for hope. As I stand here today, I am filled with optimism that America is on the eve of a golden age in which the vitality of our democracy will be re-established and will flourish more vibrantly than ever. Indeed I can feel it in this hall." -Gore

You guys ready for this? Can you feel it? Could the last six years of hell, and decades of republican crap be worth it in the end? Could there really be a new golden age of democracy, something the likes of which we haven't seen since 1776? If there is a great hope and light at the end of the darkness then it starts with us, and comes together in places like this. I am twenty years old, a lot of people I talk with about politics feel that our generation could do such a thing. I a have hope that has been renewed by Gore's speech, I can feel it in this forum...

[MrModerate]

1. Shit, I hope you're right . . .

But I'm old and cynical, and I see the forces of evil gathering . . .

[sui generis]

2. evil ain't nothin' without the people who put up with it

that's what I see - lots and lots of people willing to look the other way, even this late in the game.

People love their status quo.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

12. Yes they are

and so are the armies of justice.

Should be very interesting.

[SteppingRazor]

3. As a fellow 20-something, I hope you're right...

But, although I hate it when our entire generation gets brushed aside as "uncaring" or "apathetic," there is a kernel of truth in the stereotype. I hope we step up, but I think that even if we do, by the time we come to power, we'll have a whole new set of problems -- hell, just taking care of the elderly Baby Boomers is gonna be a serious pain in the ass. (note to Baby Boomers: Love you guys! :hi: )

[Carla in Ca]

8. Well, as a fellow 50-something, I appreciate

that you know you DO need to step up. It is important. Your participation is important, and those of us who are still protesting welcome you to the fight. Join a Code Pink protest in your area. More and more young people are joining us every week...we love it!

And thanks for the 'Love you guys' at the end. But no, you can't have my albums and you can't drive my street rod!:hi:

[SteppingRazor]

13. I already have your entire album collection on my iPod...

And as for your street rod, my buddy's tuner import has a 500hp turbo engine in a car that probably weighs about half what yours does. (personally, I've got a civic. Love the mpg).

But thanks for not offering :evilgrin:

[patrice]

Nobody's going away . . . .

We'll see what "the People" do given the chance.

It can happen.

I'm more than a few decades old and I can honestly say that some things do "change". "We" really are a Verb.

[Sparkman]

4. Worth it in the end...ask the 100,000 Afghan and Iraqi people who died?

Not to mention the kids who lost college opportunities and the medical tradjedies left in the wake?
The good news is that there just may be a heaven and hell...and the 100 years we spend here on earth helps some.

[patrice]

5. Heaven and Hell are right here in the way we are to one another.

No, none of that is worth it. That's the point of genuine Pro-Life.

[toymachines]

6. Don't get me wrong

of course many many tragedies have occurred as a result of the bush regime, everyone would have been better off without them in power. Nothing good has happened in the last six years, unless your a buddy of Bush or any member of the military-industrial complex. But, what if it took all of this to create a new golden era? I know I am being very optimistic, but it is a nice deviation from my usually cynical attitude, bear with me. Ah hell, the pessimism is creeping back in... gonna have to listen to that speech again. :popcorn:

[mirandapriestly]

7. Sometimes I think The Bush Administration

has been good because they have done such preposterously horrible things and lied so much that it has forced even the most complacent and brain washed among us to "wake up" and realize that it DOES matter who is president and that our democracy is fragile and can't be taken for granted. I hope people will respond by "throwing the bums out" and insisting on accountable, honest elected leaders who work for us not the corporations and their own wealth. (I hope!)

[Tuesday_Morning]

9. I think you're right

Everyone I talk to is pissed off.

I know accountants, grocery store clerks, journalists, lawyers, repairman, neighbors, Republicans, teenagers, bank tellers, neighbors - everyone I talk to is spitting nails over the criminals in the White House.

[Zodiak]

10. It is up to us

We are the "informed citizenry".....WE are the ones charged with making that dream a reality. If not us (DUers and our cohorts), who else?

Scary thought, if you ask me.

[toymachines]

11. It is scary

It puts a heavy weight on the shoulders of the informed citizenry to spread that information and destroy apathy in others. Its strange, no one else really understands that such a weight is on us, I suppose that is the idea of being informed. - oh and I didn't mean to make it sound like it is all up to my generation or something, it is up to all of us. Much thanks to those who came before us, and are still continuing the fight, I wouldn't know where to begin without you guys!

[The Stranger]

14. No.

Every 4-6 months there is a light, but it is snuffed out and buried by the media accomplice. Look back on the scandals, the wars, the totalitarian power grabs, the lies, the hate, the torture, the mass murder . . .

All of it -- gone.