Are any of you finding it hard to Care about this "stuff" anymore?

[KoKo]

Sort of like a "down time" in LaLa Land....?

If you agree, how are you coping? I read the DU Scrolls since only 25 Dems STOOD UP FOR US...and my eyes glaze over. I go to Buzzflash and read about the newest collusion between Blair/Bush with "Secret Memo Revealed in New Book" and I think: "But...but...so many of us here on DU already knew this."

I say...ho..hum to everything.. Libby/Fitz (although he might eventually come up with something important) and the latest "Scandal du jour" and I say...SO WHAT?

I find that I'm thinking that it's better to focus on MYSELF...and where I can BE SAFE than to think that any Bush Crime Family Member or their advocates will ever be called to account for trashing the US Constitution.

In my Darkest times...I figure the US Constitution and Bill of Rights is ready to be trashed...that a Gang of Thugs could have so easily over-ridden our "Checks and Balances" says to me...we are DEAD.

All that's left of America is "Every Woman and Man for Herself or Himself" needs to find a way to survive...and indeed some DU'ers are getting the Hell out of this Hell. :-(

[FlemingsGhost]

1. Not caring less, worrying less.

"I'm an old man, and have seen many troubles ... many of which never happened, in the end,"

--Mark Twain

[Ragrum]

19. Addicted to Debt

Addicted to Oil???? Jees Louise,,, these "Conservatives are Addicted to Debt"

Shake my head and it hurts.

Now they have all branches of our/err their USA government

Seems the only tipping point is one we have seen before:
RR bankrupt'd US and these Fiscal Conservatives will too.

Waiting and waiting... dang and more, till the next generation sees the debt shift

[SoCalDem]

43. Unfortunately, time makes the populace stupid.

Reagan did it to us, and now we're having it done again..and by the time the next generation is in place, they will
play with fire" too and elect some dumbass who will screw them..

Wherever there is a bottomless pit of money, there will be scammers of the first order, who will happily grab all they can get their grubby hands on

[newyawker99]

56. Hi Ragrum!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[radfringe]

76. overload and frustration

overload on the news stories, the latest outrage, "mis"speaks, lies and spin...

frustration because the media and people in general just shrug and let it go by

and anger when Dems stand up, then sit down and apologize for standing up

it gets to a burn-out point where I don't want to know anymore - just kick their asses out the door and leave me alone

I get numb..... for awhile

[mirrera]

2. Googling solar houses for sale...

Yeah I know what you mean. I used to read and sign everything, now I leave a little time for back door plans.



http://NoBullshiRt.com

[annabanana]

3. We all need some "downtime"

occasionally...... Take a couple of days off (if you can)..No TV, no newspaper, no (gulp) DU.. REad some fiction, do a jigsaw puzzle,

You'll be back and ticked off as ever in no time.

[savemefromdumbya]

4. quite the opposite

[katty]

5. always care but take more time out-the season in hell will

run its course, no matter what.

[blonndee]

6. Not harder to care, but HARDER to care, if that makes sense.

In other words, it's becoming harder on me and my ability to function. My work and my studying (grad school) has suffered immensely. I'm really no good to anyone at this point.

I'm having to scale WAY back on the attention and time I devote to "this stuff" until May when I'm hoping and praying (though I don't even pray) to graduate.

It has taken a toll on me, makes me feel like I've aged 10 years in 2. And it's tempting to just say "fuck it," and I sometimes wish I could, but I can't.

[Ladyhawk]

53. Same here. I know I need to keep trying, but like the OP, I'm thinking,

"What about me?" I don't have many prospects and lately this phrase keeps repeating in my mind: "I feel old and tired." If it gets any worse for me financially and family can't or won't help...well, I'll die. I'm too sick to do the homeless thing.

I feel I've never really had a chance to live and then these bozos waltz into power, forcing me to--gulp--get involved with politics. I really hate politics. Getting involved was not a choice I wanted to make. I just want to play my music, do my art, be one with nature and find a little peace of mind. I don't want to be a hero or give my life for my country or any of that crap. I just want to find a little niche where I can have a little bit of happiness for a change.

The last few months, dark circles and lines have appeared beneath my eyes. For awhile I fought them, but now I don't know what to do. I'd like to save us all, but the problem is so huge and we're all so unfocused. Sometimes I wish we'd find a master cat-herder we could all rally behind.

I've about come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what we do. I guess I'll keep "trying"--whatever that means. :shrug:

Yeah, this is a self-centered post, but damn it, I'm tired and I just want a little happiness for a change.

[MissWaverly]

60. Ladyhawk, please don't give up

"The Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, began screaming: Off with her head, Off with----

"Nonsense." said Alice, very loudly and decidedly and the Queen was silent.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: The Queen's Croquet Ground.

I included this because I feel that the open clapping of the Democrats during the SOTU when
the prez said that the Congress failed to pass his social security privatization plan,
and the critical reporting of the MSM is the result of us saying Nonsense, very loudly
and decidedly. We haven't gotten to the prez was silent part yet, but it will come.

[blonndee]

71. I'm sorry, Ladyhawk. You're not alone, not at all.

And it's understandable to "just want a little happiness for a change." I think we all want that for ourselves and everyone else, and it doesn't seem like it ought to be so goddamned much to ask for.

Taking a break for a while would probably do each of us some good.

((( )))

[FreedomAngel82]

7. I know how you feel

If you tell the truth about what's going on etc. you're on the "looney left." :cry:

[hopeisaplace]

8. You know what helps me - Cardio exercise - stationary bike for me

I exercise to clear my mind of all things- I like to get moving when I find
I am "stuck" on one thing for too long. Works for a lot of different stresses.

[SmokingJacket]

11. Hey, you're right about this.

I started running pretty hard and regularly (for me) on the first of the year, and just a few weeks later my anxiety level is way down. I'm feeling downright evangelical about the benefits of exercise...

[hopeisaplace]

12. "downright evangelical" HAHAHAHA!!!! Yep it's working alright.

:rofl: :rofl:

keep running, I'll keep biking and we can open our own church.



edit: spelling

[pschoeb]

64. I have to agree

I began to ride a bike as my main transportation, and I was amazed at how calming it is, I'm much less stressed and have a much clearer mental outlook.

[SmokingJacket]

9. I'm having a bit of an overload problem.

There is TOO MUCH that is bad. SO LITTLE seems to matter to anyone except here on this little website. I've been swinging back and forth between furious action and outrage, to dully sitting here wondering if I'll know whether to get out in time.

They now control everything except the internet and our souls. It's pretty clear they can do anything if they feel like it -- no one calls them on anything, at least not very effectively.

I'm resting now, between the ALito actions and the stuff I'll do for the '06 elections. I think when that's over, we'll have a much clearer idea where we stand.

[KoKo]

17. My worry is that they DO want our SOULS! And I refuse to give it to them.

but being tired of this fight, I know I'm inches away...and yet know that all we've worked for will SOME DAY bring them down...but it's not soon enough and many of us will have moved on before that day because of necessity or life span.

So...it's just I'm thinking of re-grouping at some later time...after we can think about all of this in the light of what happened with Alito.

[kohodog]

29. Hang in KoKo

No matter how bad it gets some of us will always figure out a way to poke the underbelly of the beast. They can take our money and our health, but not our allegiance.

[dicknbush]

10. I know what you mean...

I feel like I am on "WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS" overload. It seems that unless people are being affected directly by things such as gas prices jobs food costs etc they really don't care about the more complicated things. Really when you get down to it I think what is happening is this..Most people in AMerica who pay attention to the current events and are somewhat open minded know that Bush lied and basically broke the law about ...welll OK about everything but they are thinking OH WELL JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS LEFT so what the hell just let him finish and we can talk about all this latter. I think unless something dramatic happens like a depression or a major attack of some kind they really won't give a shit. If there is another attack I really think people would rally to Bush again. He already has it lined up as to how to make excuses for himself..IF THOSE WHO OPPOSED ME HADN'T"T OPPOSED ME NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPENED...or something to that effect and guess what..The SCHLUBBS will fall for it and Bush will go to 80% + again. I give up really I do. I find listening to classical music helps. I just turn off all the noise and listen. Try it with Beethoven's fifth. I heard it yesterday and it was really very therapeutic.

[KarenS]

13. I find myself attaching & detaching in cycles,,,,

I've been posting on DU more than ever but not listening to cable news or AAR,,,,
I've been making baby quilts for charity mostly,,,, it's creative and serves a good purpose.

but next weekend I am signed up for Civil Disobedience training,,,,

I am so tired of being angry ~ I seem to be waiting for something to happen,,,,

:shrug:

[FloridaPat]

14. I'm like the cancer patient who's been told it's terminal. The country

is going to collapse. The creeps in gov't have pushed the country to the brink and I don't think they can get it back before it collapses. I'm figuring out how to grow my own food and working on getting my mortgage paid off ASAP.

[KoKo]

15. I have mood swings where what ALL of YOU SAY...hit's home...THANKS!

Maybe we just need a "breather." (Some of us ...not all)

In the end...I'm thinking it's "survival" now that it's clear how the "deck is stacked."

But...I do try to retain some hope that "IN THE END" Truth will out...but it depends on how long one has or how much time one can devote to "stuff" anymore in the Bush Regime and still stay "whole."

I think sometimes it's what THEY WANT! To..have us so demoralized we capitualte. But on the other hand I say... a strong soldier for truth is better than a "tired one."

Some of us are just very "tired...beyond belief." So, it's time to focus on ONESELF when once if faced with "hapless/cluess help." (I'm speaking about the other Dems...not the 25.)

Time for "ReGROUPING" but some time out...to think about it and get one's house and self in order. :shrug:

[suziedemocrat]

16. Yes. I can't take anymore! I think I've lost hope.

I can't watch the news without them making people I admire look like idiots. (Dean, Cindy) And I don't think I'm THAT liberal. (Not that liberal is a bad thing at all!!) But it's been so terrible since the end of the 2000 campaign. I REALLY believed that Gore would be President. No question.

When Bush finally got in I figured with such a slim "win" he'd be on egg-shells and wouldn't be some huge bully. Wrong again!

Then when the Iraq war was going so badly and things falling apart I didn't think he stood a chance in 2004. I was sure DEAN would be the next President of the U.S. and I was happy.

OK - I figured - I can live with Kerry - that will be OK.

OK - the election was clearly rigged - I watched the Internet and News non-stop after the election waiting for the election to be overturned. I knew it was just around the corner and Kerry would be sworn in.

OK - Bush is sworn in. He can still get caught - if anyone would just seem to care. It's almost like a stolen election is not such a bad thing.

BUT - the Downing Street Memo - now Bush is FINALLY toast!!! I am so happy!!!

OK - The Plame outing - Bush breaking the law get back at a guy for telling the world about Bush's lies. Now Bush is REALLY going to get it!!!

And on, and on, and on. I feel like the people in "Cabaret" who keep dancing and drinking and they know Hitler's a bad guy, but so what, let's get on with OUR lives. So they learn to take the increasing injustices in stride. I am stunned the entire U.S. isn't completely fed-up with Bush. But I know so many who still think he is fine and much better than that horn-dog Clinton.

I blame the end of the US on those pseudo "News" commentators like O'Reilly, Limbaugh, and their recent converts like Matthews. They feed most of the U.S. their thoughts and people gobble them up without even chewing!!! Most of the time they don't even try to hide their lies because they know most people won't ever know they were lying. If they say it - that makes it true. It's going to be the end of us all.

[KoKo]

18. I know........it's really the Media in the end that's the "enabler" for

the Bushies.

So many of us have worked hard to take it back. I think in the end we will prove to be successful in laying groundwork.

It's just this interim for us out here in the "wilderness." Some of us put so much heart and soul into the fight...we need to replenish our souls with something else to have a perspective...and get our "LIVES BACK."

It's really hard when so much of our lives seems dependent on the latest Republican Legislation from the "Crooks & Liars" who care nothing about the Average American.

But, other civilizations have dealth with Dictators and some have managed to "survive." I want to be a "Survivor..but one who made a Difference."

But right now "Surviving" might be more important than Bush and his Dictatorship... It's finding the balance. I don't have it...but I'm searching for it.

[suziedemocrat]

25. It's erie now. Like watching a horror movie saying "Don't go in there!"

Just before another character gets slashed. I try not to be negative, but if you watch what is happening - it really seems to be a transition to a dictatorship or fascism or something.

But, I live in a Indiana, and most of my cousins, aunts, co-workers, etc. are Republican. Around the election I literally stopped associating with Republicans. But, at work that is not possible. So, I had to stop paying attention so much.

I know I am now part of the problem, but I was so ANGRY before. Not just angry at Bush - angry at Bush supporters. At a certain point this goes beyond Bush. Just like Hitler did not create the Holocaust alone. I worked in Germany for a while and there is so much defensiveness about how they let the whole Nazi thing happen. Will that be us in 50 years?

[1620rock]

27. ...sigh, I'm burned out too...

...ti's all been in vane. Nothing will ever bring these tyrants down, everything is fixed, rigged, bought off, and decided.
There is no justice, and what goes around does not necessarily come around...the chickens are NOT coming home to roost and the sun is setting. RIP America we never knew how much we loved you until we lost you. :cry:

[ladjf]

44. You pretty much summed up our very sad story. Thanks for your

clarity.

[marions ghost]

47. you put your finger on one of the main characteristics

of the downtrodden-- "they learn to take the increasing injustices in stride..."

[MoonRiver]

20. It's not that I don't care. I do, deeply.

I just feel that "resistance is futile" at this point. Even our Dem leaders, with a few very notable exceptions, seem to be going along to get along. Since there is no Democratic leadership to speak of, courageously guiding us out of the abyss, I am frankly uninspired to stick my lovely neck out any f'n more.

[starroute]

21. Through that and out the other side

I've never stopped caring -- but I have stopped believing that the system is going to work. That democracy is going to save our asses. That the Constitution and Bill of Rights are going to stand firm against whatever the bastards can do to them.

It's painful to give up faith in those things, but it's also liberating. It's like being cast away on a desert island and knowing that none of the things you're used to relying on are going to be available to you. You have to play the Robinson Crusoe game instead -- see what you can do with the materials at hand, what you can salvage from the shipwreck, what you can improvise or invent.

Among other things, instead of expecting the United States to heal itself, I've begun looking more to the rest of the world for signs of hope, or solutions to the ills of our time, or merely new cultural alternatives.

You can only care about what really matters. If you're having trouble caring, it's because you're focusing on stuff that doesn't matter any more -- only you can't quite admit it. But if it bores you, let go of it. There are better things to aim for.

[KoKo]

50. Robinson Crusoe....that about describes what I'm thinking. Finding

ways to cope on one's own deserted island. And, that's going to take some creative thinking. It's good to be here to toss ideas around.

[SillyGoose]

22. Hang in there - it will get better. But I know how you feel. When I start

to feel overwhelmed I usually take a break from the news altogether...no internet, no newspaper, no tv news. In the meantime, I usually end up doing something around the house instead....I've painted my kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and bedroom during my self-imposed news black-outs.

2006 is going to be one heck of a year. Lots of bumps along the way but I think we'll finally start to see the tide turning. Hang in there - it will get better.

:hug:

[burythehatchet]

23. I agree. And the sad part is

that this is the psychological effect that these fascists have expected and planed for. I don't have any optimistic thoughts remaining. This thing is over and all that's left to look forward to is the day that Freeperville is forced to confront the reality they have worked so hard to avoid.

[LisaLynne]

24. I was there ... but it's easing up.

I think we all need to take a break once in a while. Recharge your batteries, so to speak.

[panzerfaust]

26. Odds that W will step down

...when this term is up?

If you will recall, in the aftermath of 911 there was floated the idea of extending the mayor of New York's term because of the emergency.

I point out at the time that this was a trial balloon for the presidency. It did not fly then, but I bet it will in 2008. That he will actually leave office I give no more than a 60% chance.

Only the God Directed President Bush can protect us from the terraists.

Just need to get used to it. Most governments, for most of history, have been totalitarian – which is why they needed the endorsement of all powerful gods.

Totalitarianism is the natural form of a godly government - and Godly Government is upon us.

[ladjf]

45. He will step down if another Republican clone is appointed.

[cap]

28. i think it is time to look up some Desmond Tutu

speeches that talk about the need to speak truth to power, the need for forgiveness (but only after truth has been spoken and true healing is in place), and the need to find the power within each of us.

We need to change the tenor of the dialog here from wringing our hands over the latest injustice to each of us finding actions that we can work on together. We need to reach within ourselves to find the power to do good.

[suziedemocrat]

31. I REALLY think it's all about fair, transparent elections.

Elections are the foundations of democracy. However, it's my nature to want to work WITH the system. I'm not a protester at heart. I like changing things from the inside. But, with election reform, I'm not sure if people care that much. But, it appears some states are really starting to lose faith in some of these election systems and do something about them. Maybe the state level is where we should focus. But I'm in Indiana and this place defines apathy.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

30. It's Called Burnout. But It's Only Temporary. Fear Not, You'll Be Back!

:)

[Mikimouse]

32. I'm with you, but prefer to think...

ahead to the time when things will have to change. Nothing will change while the people (myself included) still have their everyday needs fulfilled. We are a nation of intellectually lazy and selfish people, who will only learn to be more mindful of current events and their obvious repercussions when we end up drinking fouled water, eating spoiling food and having no consistent place to sleep. As long as we have our creature comforts, nothing will change. Just my opinion, for what it is worth.

[Cleita]

37. There are a lot of Americans who are just where you described.

They are called homeless. They can't participate in society because the things they need to participate in, an address, a telephone number and a job are no longer accessible to them.

I remember a time when homeless people were called hobos and they preferred to live that way. When they got tired of the lifestyle they could drop back into society. Now it's an unfortunate circumstance that has been dumped on many people who weren't willing to live this way, but who fell through the cracks and found themselves a victim of Reagan's trickle down economy.

[Mikimouse]

40. You are absolutely correct, but the homeless are still...

considered to be a marginalized group. Many still perceive them as being homeless because of laziness, lack of motivation, drug and alcohol addiction, etc. They are stereotyped, and thus are easily dismissed as not being reflections of an unhealthy society. My argument is that things will not change until people in the 'mainstream' begin to experience life as do the homeless. I only hope that it does not have to come to that, but my hope fades with each passing day, especially when I constantly hear the RW diatribes and * apologists. I am sickened that we, the people, have allowed this to happen. And for what?

[Cleita]

41. No, try to understand what will happen.

The middle class are becoming lower class; the upper class are becoming richer. As people sink down in economic class they will become as marginalized as the homeless until there will be a small ruling elite and everyone else will have a hand to mouth existence that is their fault because they are lazy. There have been so many examples to draw from in third world countries that we should study. We should be very upset.

[Mikimouse]

42. I do understand what will happen, and...

MArx explained it very well. Marx observed that the proletariat were the special product of the bourgeoisie, and also its ultimate demise. What you suggest is probable, but it will bring everything to a crashing halt, or so it is reasonable to argue. There are many more members of the proletariat than there are bourgeoisie, and therein lies strength. Of course, it also depends on the proletariat becoming aware of what is taking place, and that could be the fly in the ointment.

[Cleita]

33. I think of leaving the US but not for the reasons others give.

What bothers me is that too many Americans think that everything is hunky-dory, Bush is a savior. We have to kill Iraqis before they kill us, and now it's going to be fabulous to nuke Iran before they nuke us.

My problem isn't that we have had a coup and that there is a rogue government running our country. If it were that simple, I could hunker down with a resistance to take back my country if the rest of Americans realized that what is going on is unAmerican and has to stop.

My problem is that more than half agree with this new order and quite frankly, I don't think I want to live among racist, homophobic, misogynists anymore.

[darkmaestro019]

49. I feel exactly the same way--

"My problem is that more than half agree with this new order and quite frankly, I don't think I want to live among racist, homophobic, misogynists anymore."

My problem is I'm in no position to leave and I don't see that changing anytime soon. And by the time some other country decides to give the broke-ass queers asylum it may be too late. So I'm here to swing until I can't lift my arms, I guess. Much good is it doing when I have no money to swing with, since that seems to be the only weapon They give a fk about.

[Journeyman]

34. You were here when we were the 10 percenters, KoKo. . .

now we're close to the majority in almost every aspect and we may yet claim a political majority this year. It is not the "snapshot in time" that matters, but the direction of the flow, and Shrub's been paddling against the current since well before the 2004 election. By fall, I expect the deluge of disapproval will sweep the Republicans from power and life will become -- how shall we phrase it? -- ah, mucky -- yes, life will become mucky for George W. as he gets moved by the swells and eddies of the current into the mud and muck of the miasma he's created for himself. Or we could see half the world obliterated in a nuclear holocaust . . . either way, it should be a memorable year.

[KoKo]

36. I hope so. I'm astounded at how the Liberal Blogs have Grown!

It's not just DU and Barcop plus a little Salon and Conason anymore.

I have to hope it will make a difference. And, then there's Gore, who seems to have finally realized what WE KNEW when we were the 10%

Yet, it gets more difficult to see how little help we have from our Legislators. Those radicals who have tried to stand up for the "clued in, Readers" on the Left have been marginalized by their own Dem Party.

That's what's hard to take. Our Dems in DC and in our own STATES who stand by an watch this Criminal Family and do nothing but attack their activists.

It's hard to watch or come to grips with. :-(

[Ripley]

35. Survival is relative.

Koko01.

We need to stop feeding the BEAST.

[ArmchairMeme]

65. Agree

Stop feeding the beast. I try to put my effort into something that I can change.

[Hotler]

38. I'm burned out. A lot of us are. I just can't understand.

why the average working people don't have a rail, a bag of feathers, a hot pot of tar banging on the door of the white house????

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

39. Well, at some point, I want to sense that the tide is turning

and that we are winning a battle or two. We need better spokespeople - an army or flotilla of them.

[ladjf]

48. I read many DU posts every day. The expressions of human

emotions herein presented often rise to the level of poignant literature. Thanks to all of my
DU friends for helping me keep the faith in mankind. My life would be more difficult without you.

[The2ndWheel]

46. It's not that I don't care

But it makes sense, to me, that the NSA would eventually turn inward(not that it just started in 2001). It makes sense, to me, that they would use data mining corporations to do so. It makes sense, to me, that they will only get better at doing it. It makes sense, to me, that as technology gets smaller, and agncies such as DARPA do nothing but come up with this crap, that there is only one place for that to end up.

It makes sense, to me, that whatever America is, must die. Nothing lasts forever, and America will be no different. You can write all the laws and regulations you want, eventually things become too complex, and too big to control. Yes, I know, humans are brilliant. But everything follows the same life cycle. Be it human, animal, insect, nation-state, empire, plant, planet, star, galaxy, whatever.

It's a comfort, to me, to think of civilization as a freak show. It's humanity's feable attempt to control our surroundings. Be it nature, other people, whatever. We're a part of nature, but we act as if we're apart from nature.

I don't really see that changing voluntarily. So it's not that I don't care, but there isn't much we can do to stop it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

51. You know what I think?

Each one of us knows at least one person who is ready to seek answers outside of the mainstream press. They know that our information is "ahead of its time." So, each one of us should send these people links to rawstory.com and crooksandliars.com so that more people can say, ho-hum, with us when the mainstream press finally gets it correct.

I highly recommend that you don't send them straight to personal or political blogs because they should be allowed to make up their own minds.

[Geek_Girl]

52. I've had a similar feeling since Katrina

Hearing my co-workers and people in my community callous comments about the people that were in desperate need of federal assistance made me feel that things are going to have to get a hell of allot worse before Americans get a clue. Canada looks better and better every day.

[suziedemocrat]

63. I heard co-workers complaining about the Katrina victims too.

I'm a contractor on a new job. I was eating lunch with the regular employees. That is until I couldn't take their comments anymore. Now I eat at my desk and I'm much happier. However, I am becoming a hermit. One manager wanted her son to join the army after high school. I couldn't understand that either???

54. We have come a long way

but the road ahead is very long. We are evolving socially. The greed mongers are not winning, they are controlling a lot now, but that is because the vast majority is not truly organized.

[Tigress DEM]

55. Balance is hard to find.

Doh! Spellcheck first!


I get on here and I sometimes feel like Atlas holding up the world. Like if I shut off the computer and quit watching then "they" win. I usually only get online on the weekends, though, because otherwise I'm useless without getting enough sleep.

I try to limit myself keeping informed and doing lots of small things and it seems if I send and email or go to a protest gathering the actual action helps release me so I can feel good about taking a break and taking care of me.

When I'm really down, I write a letter of thanks to a DEM that has shown courage, or even a Republican that has stepped across the isle and said "Stop The Madness!"

We at DU are lucky because we give each other comfort and encouragement, but I still feel like this uphill battle is a thankless job most of the time. Then I think, "Oh, boo hoo. It's your country, babe. You want its freedoms, get up off your ass and go do your job."

Freedom isn't free, but the cost isn't just paid by the blood on the ground.

It's also paid by the scores of hearts broken who are able to see their fellow patriots beaten down into the margins of life where they die of calculated neglect.

It's paid for by those who control their rage and channel it into activism and education so we can get this country put upright and update the lesson plan to include the lessons we have learned so others don't have to reinvent the wheel.

It's paid for by those who drop to their knees and say, "I can't go on. Now what?"

It's paid for by those who wander by and lend them a hand.


I gave my best friend an angel that had this inscription,

"A best friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and is able to sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Who is your best friend? Might be good to take some down time and just go play.


I personally see the threads coming together now in ways I didn't before. I was always SO frustrated with our helter skelter DEMS, but I realized it's all good. See we keep attacking these rethugs on all fronts. It IS the damndest battle strategy, but with them controlling everything the overall effect is taking it's toll.


I read the book, "The Impossible Will Take A Little While" by Paul Loeb and it really gave me this sense of every little thing helps. It goes over the stories of people who have been in these social upheavals and points out in a lot of instances how the momentum of so many people doing all these things the best they can really becomes unstoppable eventually and progress roars through.

They are running scared. Both Cheney and Jeb Bush have been caught destroying evidence.

In all areas of the DEM party I see progress and dedication. I'd like to see more Solidarity, less stringing up our own. But I look at US and we're acting like a Democracy. The rethugs can take the White House and the Senate and such, but they CAN NOT defeat the will of the people if we don't give up.

[xynthee]

57. This quote from Gandhi used to give me hope:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it - always."

Now, I think, well, there's a first time for everything. Maybe this time, the way of truth and love WON'T win, and maybe THIS time, the tyrants and murderers WON'T fall. They've been the first to "accomplish" a lot of other things, after all.

[Gregorian]

58. It's not just about us.

I learned early on (1980) that things were going to get bad. And I tuned out. Reagan was a JOKE. I stayed tuned out until I was more than just offended by this present APE. I knew he was so bad that it was time to get involved. But I am very quick to see what is going on. In fact, my sister said to me on the very morning of 911 that "Bush did it.". That's my family. My mom and dad are both about 80, and have been on the cutting edge of politics. They are the ecclectic politic sort. I mean, they know what is up. They know the truth. And in fact, having them as parents made me lazy. I never had to think. They just fed me the truth.

Right now, I'm unable to quit thinking about politics. I'm obsessed with real estate, but politics is a close second. And it's racing for first position, since a home is nothing in a land of idiots.

Right now, my parents are finally starting to drop out. My dad called his Senator about Alito. He warned me in 2000 that one of the damaging things from this administration would be the lifetime appointments. They expected so much more. They marched in Vietnam. He was in WW2. They just expected sanity and common sense, meaning a world that would improve. But finally, at 82, my father told me the other day that he can no longer tolerate the bullshit. He's tuning out for his last years. It's a shame.

Just one little thought that has me unable to stop fighting- My first girlfriend lives in Tehran. And her parents are in their 80's. I can only imagine what this man, who delivered the Shah's babies, must be doing and thinking right now. What a nightmare we are in. It's things like this, the people of the world whom will be affected by our maladministrations illegal policies, who we need to be fighting for. We are only part of the story. There are others who we must save from the evils that the Cheney's and Bush's have a mind to violate.

[Pachamama]

59. Outrage fatigue....

Yes, I think many of us are suffering from it. I know I am. However, having just gone through a flood and trying to clean up, cope, then getting hit by the flu on top of dealing with insurance etc., I'd say that yes, I am also in "every woman and man for her/himself" mode of survival....But I will say that I still try to hang out on the periphery and watch what is going on and keeping informed. I did though take the time to call Senators re. the filibuster of Alito. I considered that to be one of the most important things I could do.

I keep hoping things will get better in this country. When Sheehan was arrested for wearing a T-shirt, I will admit that it confirmed for me that our constitiution and rights have been trashed and hanging on by a thread. When I heard that Scooter Libby's trial has been pushed all the way out until January 2007 by Judge Reggie Walton, a Bush insider, then yes, I wonder if we will ever see justice done.

I will admit that I have started thinking about what we can do to take care of ourselves when the real shit hits the fan...because I think that we haven't even seen the worst....

[Miss Chybil]

70. Perfectly said - "Outrage fatigue."

Sorry about you getting flooded and sick. I like the way you have described the syndrome I surely am feeling, though: "Outrage Fatigue" is exactly it. NOTHING surprises me anymore. Sometimes I think I have given up, but I really think I'm just catching my breath for the final sprint to November. If we don't win then, it's done. We're all done. Our country will be so far down the slope it will be impossible to recover it. I will worry about how to cope with that when it comes. Until then, it's one day at a time.

Hope things get better for you.

[gordianot]

61. It is basically over, we will have to reestablish the rights we have lost.

Someday but it will be a long process. Don't count on 2006 or 2008 but try to vote anyway. The Democratic Party showed its determination to be an opposition party by allowing Alito to be sworn in without even complete debate. There is considerable hope by the thugs that there will be violent resistance to the trashing of the Constitution, which will not reestablish anything and is easily suppressed. Non violent Resistance is also under attack, protest will be dealt with a much harsher response (such as the war on T-Shirts) and I suspect any displays of Civil Disobedience will be crushed with limited comment outside of Internet bloggers. The tactics of Ghandi and Martin Luther King will be brutally suppressed by eliminating leadership very early wherever it appears. Witness Cindy Sheehan and the corporate media response. At least character assassination is replacing assassination with bullets for the time being.

What it will take is the sizable numbers of people who give an air of legitimacy to the Bushco BFEE to stop and realize they have destroyed the two party system and the GOP. The media will not help and the internet is a potential key. In their zeal to limit international communications I actually hope they try to suppress the internet, that will signal beginning of the end of this nightmare which may eventually bring together those who use the Internet for commerce and to express their opinions. The Internet is one Genie BFEE despises and will have trouble to get back in the bottle, it will be very hard to limit and is our last expression of freedom. I doubt we will ever be allowed to assemble again in person such as what occurred in the Vietnam era, as feeble as it is, the Internet is the last venue to assemble. Isaac Asimov may have been right in that Internet (like) technology would result in physical isolation. It is all we have left and will have to live with it. At least DU is still open. If they close DU down Free Republic will not be far behind.

We are on our own, I am getting ready. Find out what it may take to survive.

[canichelouis]

62. Outrage fatigue is right

Anyone paying attention is feeling it.

I wish that I had some words of hope and encouragement, but I too am spent.

All I can say is that I intuitively know that if I'm not part of the solution, then I'm part of the problem.

[davekriss]

66. KoKo01, I'd take these prescriptive words to heart...

Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humor, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking brings us close to the actual existing world and its wholeness.
-- Gary Snyder

That's something I can do even in Bushland. And that "unstinting work"? Continued resistance to the erosion of human dignity. Speaking truth to power incessantly. Promoting justice and equality. But don't ever forget the "play" side of the equation, too, or the blackness that is the Bush Regime will overwhelm your psyche and you'll give up, and that is a victory for them.

I just don't see me living anywhere else but here.

I also hold dear in dark times these words, from a Unicef poster I saw as a kid several decades OK (and still remember):

Ahh!
that's why the birds can sing
on the darkest day
they believe in Spring!

[KoKo]

69. Thanks! Good thoughts to take to heart in this indeed very dark time..

check out my signature line about birds.. :-)'s

[buddhamama]

67. i have experienced apathy

for various reasons and short periods of time, now is not one those of times, however.

[leeroysphitz]

68. Well I for one am ready to welcome our new republican

overlords and pledge my undying allegiance to the christian principles upon which this Holy nation was founded. Please forgive all of my previous criticisms of our glorious and godly masters, I promise to be a good little consumer-bot from now until such time as god tells his anointed corporate missionaries that I no longer require employment, retirement benefits and/ or health insurance. I only hope that my two young sons will serve and die well in god's holy army as we continue our divine quest to "remove" the infidels currently living on top of our oil. :sarcasm:

[stickdog]

72. I'm thinking that's exactly how BushCo wants us to feel.

So I'm planning on staying loudly pissed off instead:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2439522&mesg_id=2439522

[tinfoilinfor2005]

73. Yes, I feel like we've been pushing a very large boulder uphill

day and night for six years, and they keep making the hill higher and the boulder heavier.

So many of the people who represent us, who are supposed to inspire and ignite us seem to have deserted us. And if they don't have the will to fight, now when everything this country stands for is being threatened, where does that leave us?

Who was it that said the world will end with a whimper and not with a bang?

[chefgirl]

74. If I had a nickel for every time I've felt that way....

The first time I experienced it, it really caught me off guard, scared me, and forced me to take a good long time to think a lot of things through. How deeply I feel about being politically active, how strongly I believe in the things I believe in, how much I can do to help turn the giant wheels of justice, and how to keep a balance between the fight I feel inside, and the need to keep finding ways to nurture myself.

Each time I've gone through a wave of burnout (for lack of a better term), I walk away for a few days. I read some good trashy fiction, watch movies, eat ice cream and lick my emotional wounds.

Every time it's happened, its been preceeded by some particularly unimaginably evil thing the Republicans have done. The last 'wave' of it I suffered was immediately after the 2004 election.

I had to fight with myself to get out of bed for about a week. I was beginning to think I was never going to come out of that one, but, I did.
And you know what? Every time I've managed to come out of a 'wave' of depression about the state of our country, I've come out more pissed off, and more committed to bringing an end to the nightmare.

Finally, I'm at a point now where I've realized that nothing can last forever and what goes around really does come around. I've come to accept that its possible we may not see the pendulum swing in our lifetime, but I believe in my child's lifetime it will swing if we keep up the pressure. THAT is what keeps me coming back for more and fighting harder every time.

Walk away, forget politics, immerse yourself in what makes you smile, for as long as it takes. When you're ready, you'll be back. You're one of the tough ones, Koko. And when you do come back, you'll be stronger than ever before. :hug:

-chef-

[grace0418]

75. I think that's been the Right's plan all along

Just keep beating down thinking Americans with such corruption, widespread abuse of power, and willful ignorance of all our laws and our Constitution that we just go numb. Five years ago, just ONE of the things Bu$hCo is doing right now would've sent me into a rage. Now it's like trying to keep 200 corks underwater. Oh shit, the illegal war! Fuck, the arctic reserve! Goddamnit, the Gulf Coast! Tax cuts for the wealthy...Halliburton...Downing Street Memo...spying...torture...global warming...education...health care...no jobs...insurance...social security...

And then your brain shuts off before it explodes.

:hug: