How Did You Feel About Democrats Five Years Ago?

[DrFunkenstein]

Five years ago, I was fairly sickened by the state of the party. After months and months of growing dread - I don't use that word lightly, either - I felt completely powerless to stop the horrible machinations in place as the first bombs were dropped. I knew the horror that would never be shown on the television sets.

In fact, since 9/11, the televisions and media showed nothing but hawkishness and more hawkishness, slobbering over how sexy Donald Rumsfeld was in his uniform, pissing on themselves about their fabulous "embed" spot. Even freakin' Phil Donahue couldn't keep on the air with the lamest of criticisms.

I was pissed off, deeply disappointed, frustrated and confused about the milky, spineless performance of national Democrats. Gephardt's betrayal in the rose garden will never be forgiven. And although most Democrats were craven scoundrels, to me the worst were the Democrats like Lieberman who decided to use the invasion as a chance to pump up their "tough" image.

Like Rev. Wright, I looked to America's foreign policy as a source of the 9/11 attacks - though anything but a justification. That said, anyone vaguely paying attention KNEW that there was no connection between the attacks and the Iraq invasion, but it seemed all but useless to point it out since the media - and even some Democrats like one of our candidates - kept conflating the two for their own personal reasons.

I protested on the streets of NYC, I nearly got trampled by police horses, and it was one of the few outlets of all my pent up emotions. The years that followed 9/11 and continued well past the "Mission Accomplished" banner put a lasting dent in my emotional life.

I became more and more political, unable to bear the weight of knowing my country so easily slipped into an unnecessary war that has cost humanity, so many families both here and there, so much.

As I write this, I realize that I have never fully come to terms with these haunting years, especially as we still have to fight just to insist that torture is un-American. I still look back at 9/11 and the unity we shared, and I think about what could have been if we were able to summon up all that common emotion for the good of the world, rather than letting politics take the cheap way out.

I still am burned by the failure of Democrats to take a stand when it mattered, before the Pandora's box was opened, spilling out so much needless blood.

But today I have hope. It is a fragile hope, given the events we have lived through. But it is still there. There is still hope.

[Solon]

1. Same way I felt since I was old enough to vote summed up in two words:

"We're fucked"

ON EDIT: For clarification, the "we" I'm referring to are Americans, not Democrats in particular.

[JeffR]

2. "There is still hope."

Thank you for stating that, because in my many dark hours I don't really believe that much anymore.

[DrFunkenstein]

3. As I Started Writing This, I Understood How Unspoken These Feelings Remained

Strange, considering I am constantly talking about politics. But i guess we have all had these dark hours.

[JeffR]

4. Yes, I think many of us have for many years

and I wish to hell I didn't have to be going through another one, but at least I'm used to it, as many others are, I guess.

[bhikkhu]

5. Like there was no bottom...

Like democracy and hope were dead, like Naomi Klein says you are supposed to feel when you are rendered powerless, subservient to a power that cares not a whit about you, nor of your opinions. Torture, war, suppression of speech and thought....a subtle depression relieved only by commiseration and information mining with like-minded individuals here.

I can dramatize it now with a smile - it is not so anymore. Thank you, Barack.

edited to add: and thank you, everyone else here.

[saracat]

6. Not as ashamed as I am by today's sexism and racism.

[zalinda]

7. Five years ago I felt hope

today, I don't. Today, what I fear most is that Nader is right, and has been right all along. We have been left with 2 corporate candidates, who will change nothing for the vast majority of Americans. The dems, as usual seem to be able to shoot themselves in the foot, and did it again this time. They were so sure that this year the dems would have a slam dunk at the Presidency, so they made sure it was "historic". But, McCain is leading in the polls, he is coming out looking like the sane one. Thanks, dem leadership.

zalinda

[Lilith Velkor]

8. A wan moon of contempt to the white-hot sun of my hatred for the Republicans

Sometimes, there's an eclipse.

I have no hope. Can't afford it. Justice is off the table, and now revenge also looks to be a no-show.

Sigh.