"You didn't get mad when"... The mirror version.

[walldude]

As many of you know I wrote a piece on DU last August called "You Didn't Get Mad When" about the Tea Baggers protesting Health Care reform. The piece went viral as an e-mail and was seen all over the internet and read on many Liberal Talk Radio shows. Somehow I get the feeling this isn't going to go over quite as well…

We didn't get mad when DADT wasn't repealed.

We didn't get mad when full equal rights for our GLBT brothers and sisters were again put on the back burner.

We didn't get mad when Guantanamo wasn't closed.

We didn't get mad when the war in Afghanistan was stepped up.

We didn't get mad when the Patriot act was renewed.

We didn't get mad when a crappy HCR bill was shoved down our throats.

We didn't get mad when, in one of the brashest violations of Freedom and the Constitution, the Obama administration legalized the assassination of a US citizen without a trial or the right to face his accusers. American Death Squads. Woo Hoo!

We didn't get mad when the Obama Administration announced increases in funding for more Nuclear Power.

We didn't get mad when the Obama administration announced increases in offshore drilling. (yeah that one worked out well didn't it)

We didn't get mad when the Obama administration announced the deadline for troop pullouts in Iraq was going to be missed.

Today the Obama administration announced that because things are going so well, because we have so much spare time and money, we are going to start putting troops at the border to stem the illegal flow of housekeepers and gardeners into America.

So ya pissed off yet?

You know, I have wanted to post this for awhile as I know I and many DU'ers have been railing against the Democrats hard move to the right. I believe the "last straw" for me was the "Death Squads". The right not to be killed on the word of the government alone, the right to face your accuser and be judged by a jury of your peers was one of the basic reasons for the "creation" of America. The blatant violation of these basic human rights was and is disgusting. And had the Bush administration pulled this shit DU would have been up in fucking arms about it. But since it was the nice well spoken Democrat who did it, well… not a peep.

I have spoken out on each of the issues I listed here. And many more that I didn't bother to address in this thread. And for my trouble I have been labeled a "racist", a "hater", a "whiner", a person who "didn't get their pony", a Sarah Palin enabler, and many other wonderful things. I have been told that it will be MY FAULT when the Republicans take back control of the government.

If the government falls back into the hands of the Republicans, it will not be my fault, or the fault of liberals who didn't support the Obama administration. It will be the fault of the Obama administration for not supporting the Liberals who made this all possible for them.

[BulletproofLandshark]

1. K & R n/t

[Ardent15]

2. K and R

nt

[Tansy_Gold]

3. SOME of us got mad at all of these.

Of course as a result, we were called names here in DU, but SOME of us persisted.


And we persist to this day.



Tansy Gold

[dgibby]

6. Tansy,

get out of my head! I was just about to post the same thing!

[laughingliberal]

9. +1000 nt

[laughingliberal]

12. Oops. Wrong place.

[MissDeeds]

68. +1001

:hi:

[walldude]

13. I did mention that many of us have been railing the whole time...

but after seeing an almost 100% majority on DU railing against today's moronic announcement that we were going to start sending troops to the border, I thought it might pop that bubble some people have been living in.

We "fucking retards" on the "far left" have been proven right way too often. It's time we took the lead. The country has taken a turn to the far right for the last 30 years, and it's going to take more than some wishy washy bullshit right wing centrist to get us back to some semblance of sanity. It's going to take a serious liberal, who doesn't give a shit about politics or money or power or corporations. It's going to take serious campaign finance reform, and serious lobbying reform.

:toast: Keep up the fight!

[glitch]

23. It's going to take serious election systems reform

As long as one private corporation counts 80% of the votes in this country we aren't changing trajectories.

[CrispyQ]

50. So true. And yet, what do we hear from our dem majority on this issue?

Crickets.

[glitch]

52. It is truly surreal. nt

[Sebastian Doyle]

124. Remember the New Hampshire primaries of 2004 and 2008?

There were serious "irregularities" in both.

Could be that the DLC isn't concerned with electro-fraud "voting" because they have the same access to the cheat codes that the Repukes do.

(also remember all the DLC bitching about caucuses in 2008, probably for the same reason. You can't electro-fraud a caucus. Though you can rig one. Just ask Tom VilSuck about that....)

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[reggie the dog]

88. John Mellencamp said it best

"you got to stand right up for something or you gonna fall......for anything...." in the same song he says about the earth "we gotta start respecting this place or she's gonna stand up and bite off our face"....;

the song is called "stand" on the "scarecrow" album, there is also small town, and the great plight of the family farmer song "blood onthe scarecrow" as well as "justice and independence".... one of the best rock/county albums of all time. I blast that in my car or at home and make sure that my little girl listens to it. We are so lucky to have had mellencamp and springsteen in the 80s

[backtomn]

187. I think Alexander Hamilton said that first. : )

[reggie the dog]

206. indeed!

[green917]

138. +1000

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[CrispyQ]

49. Yes. We are called purists, radicals, referred to as the equivalent of the wacko right,

& told we want a pony. :eyes: Then they pull out their list of Good Things Obama Has Done & tell us that we aren't being patient enough with our new president. That to get along, you have to go along & that the president's bipartisan capitulation is simply another brilliant chess move.

Let's face it - the president can't play chess worth a shit. Maybe he should go back to rock-paper-scissors.

[proudohioan]

54. Quit whining. He signed the Lily Ledbetter act......

what more could you possibly want?
:sarcasm:

[ChadwickHenryWard]

59. +1

Name-calling does not hinder those who take this sort of thing seriously.

[reggie the dog]

86. me too, + a million friend

[bvar22]

158. Solidarity!

It is the Policy and Direction that matters,
NOT the Political Personality or Party Politics.

--bvar22
Issues Oriented Liberal Activist

I absolutely OPPOSE:
*Increasing the Power and Wealth of For Profit Corporations.

*Increasing Military Spending (Decrease by 50% immediately)

*Continuing the phony WAR in the Middle East (Out Now)

*A Free Pass for War Criminals and Torturers


I absolutely SUPPORT:
*Medicare for anyone who wants it

*The immediate break-up (Trust Busting) of everything "Too Big to Fail".

*Fair Competition Legislation that lets Mom&Pop (small locally owned businesses and farms) compete with Big Box and Factory Farms on a level playing field.

*An end to "Free Trade" (Race to the Bottom)

*Organized LABOR and local co-ops.

*An end to the two-tiered Judicial System

*Prosecution of rich American War Criminals and War Profiteers. (Oh yes they did!)

*An END to "Corporate Personhood"

*Strictly Enforced Publicly Financed Elections (severe penalties for criminals)

*Transparent and Verifiable elections (Why isn't this a front burner issue with the Democratic Party?)

*Re-Regulation with strict oversight of Banking/Investment, Transportation, Communications, Trade, Energy, Utilities, Insurance.

*NO Public Money for private Prisons, armed Private Police, armed Defense Contractors, private intelligence agencies. Or For Profit Health Insurance Corporations.

*Immediate Civil Rights and Equal Protection for ALL. (No Exceptions)

*Free Quality Universal Education to everyone who wants it.

*Strong Social Safety Net and Consumer Protections.

*An end to The Patriot Act and a return to The Constitution.(especially Habeas and privacy protections)

*A refutation of the "Unitary Executive", and legislation to ensure it NEVER happens again.

*An END to Republican/Corporate influence INSIDE The Democratic Party !
(NO! They DON"T deserve a seat at the table!)

These are values I strongly believe in. I have fought for these values long before I ever heard the name "Obama", "triangulation", or "Centrist" Democrats. I will keep fighting for these values no matter who is in the White House.

It is an "Issues" thing, not a matter of Political Personalities.
When politicians move toward the above, I will support them.
When they move away, I will oppose them.
I don't expect to get everything, but I DO expect some respect for these values, and a voice in the Party that is asking for my money and support.
If a Political Party does not at least acknowledge these values and give them a seat at the table, I will find another Party that will.

I have been deeply disappointed over the last year as the White House made concession after concession to Republicans, but when the Progressive Democrats held out for the Public Option or opposed increased WAR funding, Obama sent the Winged Monkeys after them....Chicago Style.

I find that my FDR/LBJ values are increasingly unwelcome in the Democratic Party.
FDR Democrats have been branded "Fucking Retards" by the White House, and the Progressive Caucus has been effectively neutered by the "Centrist" Obama Administration in pursuit of Republican/Corporate/ Policy.

[lonestarnot]

207. Yes we did and yes we still are!

[RandomThoughts]

4. I don't think of it as mad more like focused.

anger does not do any good.

[Luminous Animal]

8. Focused anger, strategically directed, is a powerful weapon.

[walldude]

17. True but he has a point, anger often unbalances peoples thinking...

The right is great at doing that when they know they have nothing, they make up something really stupid to throw you off and get you down to their pathetic level.

[Luminous Animal]

31. Unions had unbalanced thinking? Suffragettes? Civil rights protesters?

Anti-war protesters? Free speech activists? Anti-slavery agitators? The greatest leaps in social and economic justice have been (and hopefully will be) propelled by focusing people's anger.

[walldude]

39. You are generalizing what I said

What you said is true which I stated, but the poster does have a point, anger can cause people to not think clearly. It's not black and white, just because you are angry doesn't mean you are effective but it doesn't mean you can't be effective either. Like you said it depends on the focus.

[G_j]

33. for sure

perhaps indignation, or grave concern, still, anger like any emotion, has a function, motivation being one.

[bvar22]

166. You're thinking of uncontrolled RAGE.

Anger is a totally natural response when you are getting screwed over.
It lets you know Something is WRONG.

Martin Luther King was an Angry Man, and used HIS anger to change the World.

[tavalon]

36. It's part of the grieving process

and I think we need to get through it so that we can figure out what our next steps are.

[ChiciB1]

74. Any Suggestions Then?? What Should Be Done?? I KNOW I've Done All

the USUAL "run-of-the-mill" things and here I sit!! I worked hard in the hot Florida sun, pounding the pavement, making calls... you know the drill and now I have ANGER!

I've signed petitions, made phone calls, written letters, signed up with different groups... and here I sit!!

I "FEEL" like frozen block of ice unable to move!!! My head constantly spins because WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT "We The People" can do anymore!!

There is a four letter word that runs through my head more and more and more! ROME!!

There are probably better analogies than ROME, but it's just one that I use to define my FEAR!
:mad: :mad: :mad: :grr: :grr: :grr:

BUT MOSTLY :scared: :scared: :scared:

[RandomThoughts]

125. You do what you can within what you are willing to accept from your own thoughts and behavior.

There are many things that can be done. I can only speak from my own experiences, but to correct issues that try and get me angry required actions I did not want to do.

So instead I do what I can within what I choose to do.

Find first what you are willing to do, then do those things, but also find happiness in what you choose to do. And even find happiness in what other people choose to do knowing it is not about any individual person, many times what people think of as opponents can give you much happiness if you look for it, and share happiness with them also. Part of realizing most people are on the same side, since most people are more good then bad, and if people find the best in each other, they find they really are not against each other, and can find areas they are able to improve in.

In the material stuff like effect, I am not that proficient, because the systems they are built on those results required things I disagree with, so instead find something you do enjoy, and matches what you think is best, and just do those things.

It is not about what you can do, it is about what you choose to do, and in that it is more about intent then effect in my view, since your intent is what you are, and the effect includes the cumulative actions of many people.

Although do not accept effects that you disagree with, know also that by good intents, the intents that are better will have some influence on effect.


:shrug:

In your comment about Rome, I think of it as Ancient Rome and it has many issues, but so do many people, and Rome structures fail if they move to less just systems and corruption. So systems like that are already defeated by their own intents.

There is more then one component to a dream, and the source of dream fulfilment also comes from the source of the concepts within a set of intents. You can fulfill a nightmare or a dream, by your intent or your source that moves your intents into action. So you choose what you think is best, and don't do what you think is not best, and try to enjoy life, and in my belief, also try to find joy and share it also.

Although not sure if that answers your question.

[ChiciB1]

211. Late Reply... Read It Yesterday & Thought I Would Reply, But Then I Decided

that I'm NOT really looking for "spiritual guidance" per se. I DO appreciate your input as an aside to my mental state, however, as an activist and one who is seeing an apple cart going upside down... SPIRITUALITY isn't what is going to float my boat.

The premise is ALWAYS there, and something I have done and practiced, but this thread wasn't essentially about "finding my path to peace" if that is what you are suggesting. And please don't get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate your kindness and fully understand finding an inner self tactic!

However, what I am asking is HOW, we as a people can affect REAL CHANGE, in the political realm as a GROUP or FORCE to be reckoned with. Because for me, this thing of sitting here at my PC griping and whining is getting very old and out dated as a tactic for me!

So my asking for suggestions is basically about what we can do as REAL effort to bring about some of that CHANGE so many of us bought into!

Do I want Obama to play GOD and walk on water? CERTAINLY NOT, that's impossible! Having said that, I DIDN'T expect what HAS transpired and this RIGHTWARD lurch! I'm NO DLC'er, and I also knew that Obama was to the RIGHT me, but NEVER EVER thought he was so much to the right of me!!

So much water under the bridge for now. I'm not completely closing the book on him, but IMPRESSED?? I AM NOT!!

Thanks again for you concern, didn't mean to be harsh! I just need a CHANNEL to vent rather than sitting with my "special mantra" to "get me through the night."

[green917]

144. I was just talking about a similar analogy

We, the United States, are at almost the same crossroads that Britain was at approximately 200 years ago. They made a wise decision and sacrificed their empire to save their republic. Sadly, I believe that we have made the converse decision and decided to sacrifice our republic for our empire. I hope that I'm wrong but I haven't seen much over the last 30 years to dissuade me from this belief. The real rub is that we're, collectively, too stupid to realize that we are headed the way of every other, now defunct, empire be it China, Byzantium or Rome. Empires have a tendency to ending badly with lots of bloodshed, hardship, poverty and death...something I desperately hope we can avoid by waking up in time. I'm not going to hold my breath though.

[RandomThoughts]

184. To be fair I should say I do know what anger is like.

I am not saying I do not also know those feelings, and can feel them at times, also sadness. Being a person it would be silly to not say I do not know or experiance those things also.

But some people say anger is a grieving stage, but put into a social context that is to try and say something can not change and accept it, that is to get people to stop trying to make things better.

For instance, in my personal life, my lack of financial security and stability, and some aspects of my living environment do not make me happy, and I even get angry about them at times. And I am not better or worse then people, nor do I have some control of things outside my thoughts and actions. So it is not like I can change those things if they are caused by other peoples free will choices.

Heh, ace can be either high or low, that is funny.


But anyway, so I know those things will change, and anything stopping those situations from improving will turn or something else will happen. Not because I will do it, that would be a silly thought and is a delusion to make people think they effect more then their thoughts and actions. It will happen because it has to for that situation to be corrected. How? don't know, when? don't know, what method? don't know, but effect does not matter, what ever is blocking those things from occurring will be corrected. And if it was me blocking that, then I would learn, but I am fairly sure it is not me blocking those items that need correcting.

So although I get much comfort and happiness in spiritual things, that does not mean I give up on material happiness either, and there are things that can fix that situation.

So I understand feeling anger, but don't let it lead you to despair, which is part of apathy or giving up, since that does not do good, if you can find a way to make things better as you see them, or learn to see things better, then use that feeling for that purpose.

That might be another way to phrase it.

I did have opportunities to have many things if I would give up free will, I chose not to give up free will, as do many other people I see with many good stories and songs, in each case for me the ideas was to give up what you believe is best to get something material, like doing something you think is wrong, or being mean, or even following something that does not treat people with a equal return from how they treat people. Many people can get material things while staying with what they think is best, their are many cases of that, another reason I know things will work out for me. You can see many people finding a way without having to hurt people or do what they disagree with. Although all people make mistakes and do that at times, there are many people that do not agree to actually do that for some benefit, a subtle difference but a difference. It is not saying a person is perfect, just not agreeing to agree with what a person disagrees with, even if they still do it sometimes.

So it is not always easy, and their are many paths to be avoided, but I do know I will get there, even if the exact method or effect I do not think on or contemplate.


So I do understand that smiley also. But not fear.

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[reggie the dog]

92. sure it does, anger is a gift

Malcom X is a great example of how an angry person can organize a social movement, as is martin luther king. one was just violent, both were angry....

[JeffersonChick]

5. Where can I find the first one you wrote?

[Electric Monk]

14. Here you go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6296630

[JeffersonChick]

56. Thank you!!!

[jotsy]

15. Check the original poster's journal, it's the second entry down.

and...Welcome to DU

[readmoreoften]

7. Wow. Big K&R.

And as the partner of a transman (7 years of bliss, woo hoo!) I thank you.

[dana_b]

10. This one is just as important and pertinent as

the first one you wrote. K&R

[Jkid]

11. Now I finally know where that original copypasta from 4chan's /new/ came from.

As many of you know I wrote a piece on DU last August called "You Didn't Get Mad When" about the Tea Baggers protesting Health Care reform. The piece went viral as an e-mail and was seen all over the internet and read on many Liberal Talk Radio shows. Somehow I get the feeling this isn't going to go over quite as well…

Amazing...

[walldude]

20. Hehe.. if I had a nickel for every time I saw that thing in print...

or heard it on the radio... I was actually in my car with one of my kids when Thom Hartmann read it on the air... my kid thought I was a god... LOL

Funny, the first time I saw it reprinted on DU I got angry that it had been "plagiarized" and posted about it. Then some DU'ers smarter than I, told me that I should just be happy it had such legs, and they were right. I let my ego get in the way of seeing that I had really touched a nerve with what turned out to be millions of people. Skinner has contacted me twice with people who wanted to use it in books. It was on the front page of Rosie O'Donnell's website for a few days, Hartmann and someone subbing for Ed Shultz read it on the air. About two weeks ago I saw it again on DU, apparently it was making the rounds on Facebook.

And if you haven't seen the original post, check it out, there is a paragraph at the end that was wisely removed by the people who spread it around. The day I wrote it the tea baggers had had one of their little anti-Obama rallies, complete with racist, badly spelled signs and everything. I was seeing red that day, and you can tell by the way I let the damn tea baggers have it in the last paragraph...

:toast:

[Jkid]

29. I've finally saw the original thing and read the last piece.

It shows the Tea Taggers who they really are...

[tavalon]

37. Not a bad fifteen minutes of fame, Walldude

If we are adult enough, this will be just as popular. And necessary.

[reggie the dog]

94. so that was you who wrote that originally???

wow!

[laughingliberal]

16. Rec nt

[glitch]

18. We didn't get mad whe Obama appointed a bunch of Social Security demolishers to the "FIX" SS

Commission. And what about the alleged Finance Fix and equally alleged Climate Bill?

Actually we got mad at all of the above. Progressive protesting is ignored, we found that out with the War on Iraq protests.

Way past time to join in Solidarity with the Greeks.

[walldude]

24. I intentionally left out "appointments"

had I not the thing would have taken two days to write. Hell I wanted to open with the use of Rick Warren to give the Inaugural Invocation but I just went for the really big shit.

And yes I know we got mad, I mentioned that in the post, but many of us didn't and still aren't. And if can't let them drag us to the right, we have to start pulling back to the left or we're going off the damn cliff...

:toast:

[Individualist]

19. K&R

[jotsy]

21. I claim to have raised my kids to question authority when it behaves questionably.

I see much that I would question, So I'll rec your post.

[treestar]

22. Yes you did

And next week, you'll add another outrage, and the week after that, another.

[walldude]

25. Yeah, because I'm paying fucking attention. n/t

[icee]

73. And all will be true! But there are fewer and fewer of you, and

that is marvelous.

[reggie the dog]

95. well at least you realize that obama does things

to outrage the democratic base at least once a week

[chill_wind]

26. K & R

and well done, walldude. Thank you for putting it all in one place.

[Arctic Dave]

27. Sometimes the truth is tough to look at.

[hay rick]

83. The truth:

We've moved from the repulsive and reprehensible (Bushco) to the merely lousy Obama administration. So this is what "victory" looks like ca. 2008-2010?

[Lorien]

30. K&R. Many of us DID get mad about all of those things

along with Obama's very weak showing at Copenhagen, the refusal to go after BushCo or corporate crooks for any crime, the lack of support for a Fed audit, his refusal to stop the wolf slaughter or do damn near anything for endangered species, and this damned public school privatization! That and so much more. It's just been a continuation of the last eight years-only with far more eloquent and moving speeches.

[JDPriestly]

32. Who is we? Not me?

I got mad the minute I realized that Obama wasn't bringing criminal charges against the torturers. From then on I've been mad.

I do believe that Obama is now looking back a little and regretting how kind he was to those Republicans who did criminal acts. I hope so anyway. The Republicans did not respond with gratitude. Rather they responded by opposing Obama in every possible way.

[tbyg52]

110. >>they responded by opposing Obama in every possible way.

Which they would have done no matter what he did. I knew that, and I'm not a politician, as he theoretically is.

[walldude]

119. edited because I am an idiot...

Sorry, I misread the other two posts...

[tbyg52]

221. That's OK, I missed whatever it was anyway....!

I trust you know I am in complete agreement with you.

[walldude]

120. Well if the shoe doesn't fit it's not you...

But you can find a few posts in here where the shoe really fits. And I know there are tons of others.

edit: BTW I know you are one of the ones who has been mad. You and Bluebear and EFerrari and JGraz have been some of the people who keep me coming back here.. don't stop.. :toast:

[saorsa]

34. Been Mad So Long ....

thanks, so very much, to you and all of you out there who put principle where it belongs, right up front. Brave thing to do, 'cause it never fails to draw fire.



"And on some positions cowardice ask the question is it safe? Expediency asks the question is it politics? Vanity asks the question is it popular? The conscience asks the question is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politics nor popular but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right."
MLK JR.

[tavalon]

35. This one is easy for me to take because you aren't talking about me

I voted for Obama. I fell for the movement. But each of these things has infuriated me. I no longer believe we have a government of the people, for the people and by the people. I'm coming to the conclusion that for some reason, the PTB believe the facade of America being a Democracy is still useful. I expect, sooner, rather than later, the facade will be removed. Really, I no longer think it's about Republicans or Democrats. It's about class warfare and the working class and the middle class are being played against each other so that we don't unite to take down the elites.

As odious as I find the teabaggers, I think there is a distinct possibility that, if we can find a way to stop the infighting, we will be fighting side by side to stop the corporations and the elite. I think it may well be our only hope.

[CrispyQ]

53. ...

"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery..." — Zappa


I agree with your comment about the teabaggers - an alliance with them may be our only hope. I just don't know how we get through to them. With their authoritarian mindset, they think we are the enemy - because they're masters told them so. How do we open their eyes to the fact that the real enemy is their authoritarian leaders?

[icee]

93. One way would be to tell them we agree with many of their

complaints about Obama. This would be enough to get them to the table, I think. But, then, once at the table unreconciliable positions like gay marriage, immigration, and other stuff would come up. There would have to be some kind of agreeable compromises made. I don't know what they would be, but surely we have people here who could think of things. I have some ideas on gay marriage. We have to do something. Would you rather associate with a reasonable teabagger or unreasonable DLCer? Obama may well be forging a new political force: Progressive Teabaggers of America.

[CrispyQ]

210. The question is, do social issues trump economic issues for them?

And if they don't, how do we reach them on the economic front?

They've fallen for 30 years of right wing propaganda that tells them that trickle down economics benefits everyone, that tax cuts for big business is always good, but welfare for the poor is a handout to slackers. Even as their standard of living diminishes yearly, they blame the godless liberals & never question the motives of their authoritarian masters.

I would love to see a thread of it's own on this topic: How do we reach out to the teabaggers? But I fear it would turn into a flame fest, as there are so many on this board that view them as they view us -- the enemy. And I can understand that. I find their moral compass to be badly skewed & their sense of community to be exclusive, not inclusive. But are they any worse than the pseudo-dems, who promise us they'll fight for liberal laws & policies, & then turn their back on us once elected?

:banghead: This sums up perfectly how I feel about our current political climate.

[walldude]

122. You know I have been having those same thoughts... but..

we need to get those people mad at things that really exist. They are pissed off about higher taxes, which are the lowest in a long time, about Nazi's, socialists, birth certificates. They just make shit up to be mad about because Obama has made so many right leaning moves that they don't really have anything real to bitch about.

[tavalon]

186. I have no idea

but I think it's necessary.

[BR_Parkway]

38. Some of us got mad before this, with things like the slap in the face

of the LGBT community at the inauguration with Pastor Purposeful Homophobe.

We got told real quick to sit down, shut up and quit raining on everyone else's parade. Pouting for our ponies and all that.

Quite frankly, those who weren't outraged then have really got no room to bitch about it now - we were the canaries in the coal mine for just how far this administration would go to compromise what most of us held as progressive/Democratic beliefs. Some folks are only in an uproar now because it's finally come home to roost for them.

Oh, and to the folks with the inevitable "so you think Palin/McCain would have done any better?" comments - go piss up a rope.

THIS current administration has only responded when our side got mad and loud about it - and if more of that had been done early on (at Obama's request himself as I recall) with less of the cheerleading, we wouldn't have all these issues now to look back on and think "if only...."

[Teka]

75. And some got mad when a homophobe MC'd an Obama campaign event

But were boo'd.

Only a song...

[walldude]

121. Actually in my first draft of this post that was my opener..

The Rick Warren thing. But I figured DADT and Gay Rights would cover it. Didn't want to beat a dead horse.

[Teka]

76. And some got mad when a homophobe MC'd an Obama campaign event

But were boo'd.

Only a song...

[Echo In Light]

40. I voted Nader b/c the "lesser evil" choice was locked up in our state

[walldude]

41. I voted for Nader in 2000 and took shit for years on DU about it...

People blaming me for Al Gore losing. Started to believe it too till I met Gore and he agreed with me that he ran a shitty campaign, spent too much time listening to his advisors instead of talking to the people and being himself.

[Echo In Light]

43. Yes. Gore does disavow the cherished Nader Mythology...that if you notice is often beholden to..

... those with a very specific psychological make up. Meaning, usually people who I'd adamantly disagree with on numerous subjects

[Robb]

44. Whatever helps you two sleep at night.

[readmoreoften]

82. Oh, you've got to be kidding. I didn't vote for Nader and I think the "Nader Excuse" is pathetic.

You can't have it both ways. You can't say "fuck progressives" and "fuck you for not voting for us even though we're not progressive". You people fuck us over repeatedly and want our support? Fuck you. Although I voted Gore in 2000, I know understand Nader voters and will not vote for Mr. Charming Bush-Lite next time around. And if you want someone to blame, blame yourselves for appeasing Republicans and right-wing nuts for the last 30 years.

Whatever helps YOU sleep at night. I know too many soldiers with TBI and PSTD, too many LGBT people with no health insurance, too many LGBT soldiers who've lost their benefits when they return from war to give a shit about Mr. "Send 1200 troops to Arizona".

If you want my vote, you'll damn well earn it. Obama has done next to nothing to clean-up Bush's mess and has expanded the neoliberal assault into education and social services.

Now go back to making pathetic excuses for Obama while everyone else suffers and fights for their lives.

[leftstreet]

98. +10000

Righteous rant

:applause:

[walldude]

131. *Sniff*... I love you man...

:toast:

[walldude]

91. LOL.. I sleep just fine thanks...

And if the Dems don't get their shit together and I end up voting third party I'll sleep just fine then as well. Do I prefer Liberal Democrats? Hell Yes! But these days there aren't many left, and I am not going to move my ideology to the right just because some politicians think it's politically expedient or because some message board accuses me of paving the way for Sarah Palin. You want to blame me instead of the party that has all but abandoned the left? Be my guest, it's a good way to keep pushing the country to the right.

[liberation]

105. I don't think you fully realize the projection of you retort...

[tbyg52]

112. Nader did *not* cost Gore the election - it was stolen fair and square.

You wanna get mad at somebody, get mad at Jim Hightower for supporting Kinky Friedman.

[zipplewrath]

45. Unless you were in Florida

voting for Nader was a nonissue. Truth is, even in Florida, Buchannan was as much a problem, if not more (actually, just the whole butterfly ballot thingy). To Gores points, although I think he could have run a better campaign, I'm not sure which state that wins him. It is notable that he did not win his own state. I'm not sure that's so much a problem of the campaign or not. And the bottom line is that more folks voted for Gore than Bush. Even in Florida, it is inescapble that more people went to the polls with the INTENT of voting for Gore than Bush.

[JHB]

46. The (official) vote count in Florida was close enough that...

...you might as well complain about the Wobblies and other fringe-left parties (you know, the real "purist pony-wishers") as about Nader. It was the Republican voter- and vote-count-suppression tactics, and ultimately the Supremes, that carried it for Bush.

[zipplewrath]

47. Yup

The sad part is, not much has really changed here. Provisional ballots and early voting is about all that's really changed. It was a scandal as far as I was concerned how many "spoiled" ballots they tolerated year after year. And the truth is that Florida wasn't, and isn't, the only state with that problem.

[MyNameGoesHere]

42. I've seen people pissed about all those.

I guess the voices of real change are not being heard.

[proudohioan]

48. You'll get no argument here, walldude.

It's like living with a philanderer: they more you deny, make excuses for and stay silent, the more justified the philanderer feels in excusing his/her own actions as being acceptable, and thus continuing the same behavior.

Since when has it ever been constructive to continually cheer poor decisions and policy?

Do we really want to keep pulling for someone who we feel has betrayed our trust?

I resent that blackmail mentality of "not voting for Obama is a vote for Sarah.." President Obama, you want our support and votes? Then earn 'em!



*edit for spelling

[uponit7771]

51. I put my "mad" energy into getting more progressives elected...you?

[CrispyQ]

55. There are many ways to work at getting progressive candidates elected.

A good rant might inspire others to work to get more progressive candidates elected.

[walldude]

64. That's the plan at this point...

Hopefully there will be Democrats who fit the bill, but if not I'm no longer voting for the "lesser evil"...

[Lorien]

57. As predicted, the unrec trolls are hitting this one hard

so a :kick: for the truth!

[inna]

58. K&R

[freddie mertz]

60. K & R. And a thousand thanks.

If it is any comfort at all, at least you are not alone.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

61. But what can we do?

The last time I was in an argument about Anwar al-Alawki, and our right to not be murdered by the state based on rumors, I was pointedly asked, "What are you going to do about it?" I had no answer. This kind of thing is decided by the President and the Supreme Court. What can an ordinary citizen do secure these precious rights?

[walldude]

67. Frustrating isn't it...

Not much we can do as long as people are willing to look the other way. Vote for progressive candidates, get people in office who are willing to reform campaign financing and lobbying. Need to get the corporate interests out of the government. That is who they serve now.

[CrispyQ]

139. The corporations own the media, the politicians & the vote counting machines.

We're well past ordinary citizens being able to do anything. Oh sure, we can go to the polls every two years, but it's nothing more than a facade to lull us into believing that we have a voice.

And for those who advocate revolution, what's your plan for after wards? If you don't have a plan to put something in place after wards, we could easily end up with something much, much worse.

Chadwick, I have no answers, either.

[tpsbmam]

62. I absolutely did get mad about your list and more. I was beyond furious with the

"healthcare" wheeling & dealing with the corrupt insurance industry that landed us where we are now and the false posturing by Obama on the public option, his refusal to even sit down with single payer advocates, making speeches about how much the insurance companies suck while, at the same time, he was making deals with them & throwing us under the bus.....there are just too many actions to enumerate that have made me angry as hell. As much as I like not being alone in my pique, it's depressing to come here and read about so much discouragement and to talk to friends who I know worked their asses off to get him and other Democrats elected and hear their outrage & complete discouragement.

I can see a little bit of the anger here having some positive effect. While primary voting was, as usual, pathetically low Democrats did turn out in greater numbers than Republicans. And Health Shuler won his primary but he lost it BIG TIME in Buncombe county (Asheville & surrounding towns). Big message to him. We got rid of a more conservative NC House representative in favor of the more liberal Patsy Keever (who I hope runs against Shuler in a 2 or 4 years). She trounced him. These days I cling any tiny step toward REAL change to find some hope.

[diane in sf]

63. I'm mad

[KonaKane]

65. We didn't get mad when we decided it was open season on our own party."

.

[walldude]

87. I got mad when my party decided it was "open season" on me.

But please keep defending them. It's really helping.

[XtraProudDem]

66. See ya

It's posts like this that make it clear that I really don't belong here at DU. The guy (President Obama) is not going to do everything you want him to do right away. That's not how it works.

Later, folks.

[icee]

69. Outstanding. Obama is a DINO, imo. He got elected using

advanced marketing techniques. As soon as he was in office, he morphed into a republican. So, if he runs in 2012--and I don't believe he will--it will be a real Republican running against a quasi Republican. You know who will win that one.

[johnaries]

70. Well, let's see.

"We didn't get mad when DADT wasn't repealed.
We didn't get mad when full equal rights for our GLBT brothers and sisters were again put on the back burner."

DADT is about to be repealed. Equal rights for our GLBT brothers and sisters is going to be a long, difficult fight. Considering all the things on this administration's plate, this is good progress. I expect to see more progress in the future, but it will be slow progress regardless. I'm sorry it is that way, but any progress is still progress.

"We didn't get mad when Guantanamo wasn't closed."

I did! But not at Obama - he workedhard to try and keep his promise. I got mad at the people who blocked his efforts at every turn.

"We didn't get mad when the war in Afghanistan was stepped up."

No, because Obama promised it would. I support the war in Afghanistan: Iraq was the illegal war. And the strategy in Afghanistan has changed - for the better.

"We didn't get mad when the Patriot act was renewed."

Under Bush. But, there were major revisions to the Act that tempered or eliminated the worst provisions:
http://blogumentary.typepad.com/ets_pictures/2006/03/usa_patriot_act.html

"We didn't get mad when a crappy HCR bill was shoved down our throats."

Again, I did! I was very angry at.... Joe Lieberman! However, the bill we did get had many good provisions in it and it deserved passage. Not everything I wanted to see, but still substantial progress.

"We didn't get mad when, in one of the brashest violations of Freedom and the Constitution, the Obama administration legalized the assassination of a US citizen without a trial or the right to face his accusers. American Death Squads. Woo Hoo!"

You mean the traitor who performed espionage against the US, and fled the country and continues to plot to kill innocent American citizens? Laws against espionage are different.

"We didn't get mad when the Obama Administration announced increases in funding for more Nuclear Power.
We didn't get mad when the Obama administration announced increases in offshore drilling. (yeah that one worked out well didn't it)"

It will take a loooong time to implement enough renewable energy to fulfill our needs. It will take a while to even develop much of the technology needed. The administration is making progress, but in the interim we will need energy. I would prefer that we find that energy where we can here at home rather than in the Middle East. Sometimes you have to compromise now in order to have a better tomorrow.

"We didn't get mad when the Obama administration announced the deadline for troop pullouts in Iraq was going to be missed."

Obama said that the timeline would be conditional and consider the situation "on the ground". It's a much more complicated issue than most people eralize. Even if the order to completely withdraw was given today, it would at least 6 months to complete.

"Today the Obama administration announced that because things are going so well, because we have so much spare time and money, we are going to start putting troops at the border to stem the illegal flow of housekeepers and gardeners into America."

Give me a break - exagerate much? If the President is going to denounce the AZ law that can only lead to racial profiling, then he has to do something to answer the charge that the law is only because the Federal Government has done "nothing" about the problem of illegal immigration. Personally, I think the best thing to do would be to expedite the process of documentation, but that will take a long time to implement.

So, no, I'm not pissed off. Considering the amazing progress that this Administration has made, I am quite pleased. Some things I do disagree with, and I would like to see more progress in many areas (such as GLBT rights), but overall I am quite pleased.

[walldude]

102. LOL...those are some very nice right wing positions.

Too bad I'm on the left. And judging from the response here and the fact that this post made it to the home page despite the tons of unrecs I think I can safely say that you are in the minority. Seriously.

[liberation]

106. Indeed, why would center-right people complain about center-right policies?

[ChiciB1]

71. THANKS FOR THE LIST!! It's ONE So Many Of Us Know 'Oh So Well' As

far too many even here on DU have attacked us! Just watching DYLAN RATIGAN, who I find to be extremely informative (I have even been ATTACKED for supporting HIM) talking to my Senator Bill Nelson about THIS VOMITING from the Gulf!

MORE BAD NEWS it seems about THIS DISASTER, and I KNOW there are still those who PRAISE Obama as the REAL "Cool Hand Luke!"

Words CAN NOT describe what I feel right now! FEAR is at the TOP of my list, but multiple adjectives could easily SPEW from my MOUTH!!

WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE?? Isn't it PAST TIME for us to REVOLT?? But then, WILL WASHINGTON KEEP the BLINDERS ON, and the EAR PLUGS IN PLACE!!

I don't know how much more I can take! THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT WORKING and I'm SICK of getting ROLLED at every turn!

And to those of you who attack us, I really can't understand what it is you are trying to do!! I DON'T want to fight and argue, but WRONG IS WRONG and we are drowning IN WRONG!!!

I lived through Viet Nam and EVERYTHING that has hit since then, but this is ABSOLUTELY THE WORST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!!

So OBAMA, DEMOCRATS AND REPUKES... GYST!! This country is DYING!! I am but ONE VOICE, but ONE that is NOT BEING HEARD!

I've got to stop, I've gotten myself worked up to a frenzy and am thinking that perhaps if I'm LUCKY, a heart attack wouldn't be all that bad!! Unfortunately, those kinds of thoughts are about as STUPID as what is going on in THIS COUNTRY TODAY!!

[Dr.Phool]

72. Double K&R

You old hater, you!

[Dr.Phool]

77. We didn't get mad when they appointed the Deficit Reduction Panel.

And filled it with people who have an agenda to cut, privatize, or eliminate Social Security.

Every time they have the opportunity to reverse some of the worst Bush policies, they come down on the Bush side.

[hay rick]

81. Good addition to the list.

And there's been relatively little comment. I think progressives are shell-shocked at this point.

[walldude]

96. Yeah I left out appointments...

The list could have been much longer but I didn't want to beat a dead horse. The first draft actually started with the selection of Rick Warren to do the Inaugural Invocation, but I figured DADT trumped that.

[tbyg52]

107. But, but..... - it's just a two-minute speech.....! nt

[MissDeeds]

78. Thanks for your post, walldude

It's spot-on and much needed.

K&R :kick: and bookmarked

[saracat]

79. Wow .What a brave and truthful post. One of the best on DU ever.

Thank you.

[hay rick]

80. K&R

[Overseas]

84. I did get mad at those things, but my anger was brushed aside.

I was part of the loony left, apparently. Part of the 75% of Americans who want DADT repealed.

Part of the millions of Americans who voted for the Party of FDR, hoping we would diverge dramatically from the destructiveness of Republican mismanagement.

Part of the millions of Americans who wanted a time out from Modern Republican Values-- war profiteering and privatizing everything in sight.

Part of the millions of Americans who believe that government can be a force for good.

Part of the millions who were longing for Medicare for All or at the very least a public option to force cost controls on our privatized medical insurance system.

When I heard that "change is hard" I thought we were really going to do the hard stuff-- to stick up for the majority of people and not the precious privileged few who run the multinational corporations.

[walldude]

89. You and me both.. I thought "change" meant a hard move to the left

not a slight wiggle back towards the center right..

[reggie the dog]

85. I was mad about every one of those things on your list

plus when his education policy came out, plus when he admits to having used cannabis and cocaine yet will not legalize them for the rest of us...

but I am a liberal socialist green and I think the Democratic party is no longer for liberal or people who like the environment

[tbyg52]

90. Amen. nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

97. From the jubilation of Obama's Inaugural to the despair of these days in little over a year!

Thanks for the reminders that we can't give up, or rest just yet!

Keep Obama's feet to the fire.

Keep OUR feet to the fire.

[leftstreet]

99. K&R

[Mojeoux]

100. There's a part of the Political cycle where right wraps round to left and

the left curls round to touch the tip of the right.

I am Pissed.

But I'm not moving to the right, my fierce feelings are from the far, far left.

[walldude]

103. I'm not moving either.. but the damn line keeps moving..

What were once standard left wing positions are now considered far left loonyville. I used to be told I needed to wait, the Dems needed more time, well, I waited and they have made blunder after blunder with a few minor improvements on things. Yeah it's better than if we would have had McCain but not by very much, and I'm done lowering my standards...

:toast:

[Mojeoux]

126. I write to the White House and my Representatives.

Getting all spitting mad doesn't work for me, but I can be persistent.

[Greyhound]

101. K&R for the utter predictability.

[theophilus]

104. Many of us even get mad when there is nothing to get mad at. We're way ahead of you. n/t

[happygoluckytoyou]

108. There is SADNESS but not ANGER here-----> ---> --> i disagree with you and here is why...

ANYONE WHO WATCHED THE NUMBERS KNEW THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A HUGE JUMP TO THE LEFT

where it is true that the PROGRESSIVES pushed obama into the presidency... the CONGRESS is centered ... NOT PROGRESSIVE... not even in the DEMS

there are BLUE DOGS.... which pushes a majority of the votes away from PROGRESSIVE ENDS

.... WE did have a shift to the left
.... WE do have health care, world communication and relationships, we have pulled back SOME from Iraq, we are getting DADT addressed

THIS ALL IS BEING DONE BY OBAMA AGAINST A CONGRESS WHICH IS NOT SOLD ON HIS AGENDA
THIS ALL IS BEING DONE AGAINST THE MONEY OF THE RIGHT, THE MEDIA THAT COVERS EVERY SARAH PALIN FART LIKE IT WERE BREAKING NEWS, NOT JUST BREAKING WIND
THIS ALL IS BEING DONE THE WAY I COUNTED ON.... BY INCHES.... AND BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT NEGOTIATION

THE HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN BELITTLED BY THE RIGHT.... AND SLAMMED BY THE LEFT.... BUT IT IS THERE NOW... IT IS IN... IT DOES NOT WORK RIGHT YET...
BUT...... AS A BASE WHICH TOOK A YEAR OF FOCUS AND PUSH.... IT NOW EXISTS to be corrected and perfected....

TWO SUPREME COURT JUDGES WITH GOOD LIBERAL BENTS....

BUT IF OBAMA WENT IN WITH A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA PRINTED ON HIS SLEEVE.... WE COULD KISS THIS ALL GOODBYE....
EVEN THE SMALL AMOUNT OF PUSH HE HAS SUCCEEDED AT HAS CREATED THE TEABIRTHERS

i agree that he could do more, and that he settles for a lot...... he has 8 years of money and corporate shit to reverse...
I AM PROUD TO BE A PROGRESSIVE... AND I AM PROUD TO SEE MY PRESIDENT FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE AGAINST A HUGE AND POWERFUL ENEMY
AND EVEN WHEN I HAVE TO SIT ON MY HANDS, EVEN WHEN I CRY AT SOME OF HIS DECISIONS......
...... I WILL NOT WAIVER IN MY 100% SUPPORT OF THIS MAN WHO NEEDS OUR EVERY VOTE....

LIKE THE PRO-LIFERS WHO COULD BETTER SPEND THEIR TIME SAVING ABORTIONS WITH SEX-EDUCATION.... BUT WHO PREFER TO KICK OUR PRO-CHOICE ASSES
I AM ATTACKING THE REAL ENEMY... THE BIG ENEMY... THE RUSH AND O'REILLY... THE BIRTHERS...
.............THE RIGHT WING LOVES TO SEE ME FIGHT SOMEONE WHO IS 63% ON MY SIDE.... NO WAY.... SORRY.... I GOT BIGGER OIL COVERED FISH TO FRY

[walldude]

114. WHAT? I CANT HEAR YOU....

No need to YELL.

I don't blame this all on Obama, and you are at least the 4th person to tell me that DADT is on it's way out. I'll believe it when I see it. You can't use thing that might happen in the future as facts to defend a position. Well you can but it won't work here.

More offshore drilling, more nuclear power, more Patriot Act, constitutional violations, troops at the border, discrimination against gays, this not moving to the left in inches. These things I have listed plus many others including some really awful appointments that have nothing to do with voting or voters, shows me that the party is for corporations and for political gain, not for me.

Obama once said that we need to make him do things. We need to hold his feet to the fire. Well his unwavering supporters seem to have forgotten that and they attack anyone who dares to do what Obama asked them. I felt it was time to push back a little. And judging from the response I think many people agree.

[Patriot 76]

109. Do you want me not to vote for Democrats?

I can't figure out what you're saying. Other then to be mad.

[defendandprotect]

116. Protest decisions like this and support/vote for the most liberal and

progressive Dems you can vote for !!

[walldude]

117. I don't want you do do anything but what you feel is right.

This post just explains my feelings at the moment, it was not meant as a demand to vote for someone else. Hopefully we will see some Democratic primaries that will help us remove the Blue Dogs and the right leaning Dems.

This country does not need anymore leading from the right. We had it for 30 years and it got us in this shit hole we are in right now. The Democrats have been inching to the right ever since Carter lost to Reagan and the time to move is now. We are at a point where if we don't start making the right decisions on the economy, the environment, human rights, and energy independence we are going to make it impossible for future generations to move forward.

We are already heading towards third world status, we produce nothing, We consume more than any other country, we borrow to pay for our wars and to bail out rich criminals, and when I see the current Administration making immigration a top priority I know that their priorities are Political Expedience not doing the right thing.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

111. K&R The hypocrisy of some here is mind-boggling.

If it was a RePuke Admin, we'd have had the torches and pitchforks out over these very issues.


There are many posters here I totally dismiss, just skim past their posts, because they have ZERO credibility left.

[Aleric]

113. Yeah, I got mad but...

I've been mad for so long and yelling for so long that the Dems tuned me out years ago. From what I can tell, they hate me more than the Republicans.

[walldude]

118. Thats the worst part of it.. being ignored.. or worse...

Being called "fucking retards" by the Administration.

Welcome to DU. :toast:

[Aleric]

173. Welcome *back* you mean

DU and I had a parting of ways a few years back. I recognized Joe Loserman for what he was long before DU could see that he had no clothes on. But, alas, DU was more concerned with protecting the DNC than American liberals.

[defendandprotect]

115. It's insane -- Mexico needs to invest in jobs for Mexicans and stop funding US debt --

and US needs to crack down on those who hire illegal aliens --

This is all BS --

[bobbolink]

123. You didn't even *mention*, let alone get mad, at homelessness being ignored.

Again.

And again.

And, again.

And yet again.

What makes me think it really doesn't matter to you?

[walldude]

128. Are you being serious?

I didn't list many things I could have. I thought I made my point quite well. I apologize if I didn't get to everything. I'm only one person.

And yes I have probably been lax on the homelessness front. Thanks for bringing it up, I will try to be more vigilant.

[bobbolink]

130. Thank you for your last two sentences... I will go with that.

Homelessness ALWAYS gets left out of these "priority lists", so yes, I am very serious.

I get attacked for reminding people, and will continue to get attacked, but it is either be a thorn in the side, or let it slide and let people just ignore us.

I would appreciate it if you would join me in reminding people.

[walldude]

133. I sure will my friend. Sometimes I get lost in the issues that are

more personal for me. You will never get attacked for reminding me I am forgetting someone elses life, health and welfare, what you will get is an apology. :toast:

[bobbolink]

135. mucho megalo mahalo! That means more than you know!

It hurts to be ignored, and when it is being constantly ignored, and knowing that there are MILLIONS of you being ignored, it gets depressing beyong words. People are writing about being so down about the oil volcano... that is how we homeless people have felt for YEARS now.



This could be the mother of any one of us, and she doesn't deserve to be left off priority lists!

[Atticus]

132. Umm---you also failed to mention the growing problem with zebra mussels invading

the Great Lakes. Just sayin'---

[walldude]

134. LOL... well I'm not into the black and white thing..

And Bobbo had a point. He usually does.

[bobbolink]

141. But, I comb my hair right, so it doesn't show.

(the point, that is).

(pssst... I'm a "she")

[walldude]

143. DOH!! Sorry...

I really need to read peoples information more...

[bobbolink]

146. No biggie.... I really do think its cool that we have no way of knowing exactly who is behind the

words.

...now, back to combing the hair over my point.... :hi:

[bobbolink]

136. Was that your sweet way of minimizing the pain of homeless people.. and the further

pain of being ignored?

Was that what it felt like... a verbal slap?

[Atticus]

157. Sorry it felt that way, Just reread what all three of us posted and can see

how you could feel "slapped".

My BAD! I apologize.

I actually just meant to "second" the sentiment of Walldude's reply. I thought his OP was great but, of course, did not deal with all the "wrongs" in our society. I, being the insensitive curmudgeon that I am, posted what certainly could be understood as minimizing the pain of homeless people.

That is NOT how I meant to be understood.

[bobbolink]

160. Thank you, Atticus.

I am trying to "sensitize" people to what it is like to be on the bottom rung in this society, and it's not easy....it's painful.

thank you for understanding. :yourock:

[Atticus]

172. You're welcome. It seems our concerns overlap. My "cause" is addicts and

how they can be salvaged. Many have been homeless off and on throughout their lives as users.

[Moochy]

149. "Just sayin'--"

translation "I'm not saying fuck you , but I am."

[bobbolink]

152. Excellent translation. Thank you. May I quote you in the future?

:yourock:

[Moochy]

156. Yes!

Thank you for not backing down and for standing up to those on my ignore list!

[bobbolink]

163. Your words are balm for a miserable day.

I will keep standing up to them, as long as I have breath, as Sapphire Blue said, but it gets very painful and not a little depressing.

Kind words like yours give me more strength.

:yourock:

[Atticus]

165. I have to say I have NO WAY of understanding how in the hell you could

"translate" my post in that way.

Rush is famous for telling his audience "what this quote REALLY means" and he isn't very good at it either.

[Moochy]

169. oops

re-read your post above, and whenever I read "Just saying..." it always comes across as snarky and dismissive. no need for me to pay that forward.

[Atticus]

170. Mean spirited? You mean as compared to "Fuck you!"?

Maybe it's time for both of us to back off and cool it, OK?

[Moochy]

171. agreed

but whenever you see just sayin.... its way too ambiguous to be anything but a road bump. Just sayin... :evilgrin:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

199. That poster throws that into every thread.

Her constant attacks on people who don't mention the homeless in every single post are getting very tiresome.

[HillGal]

216. How would you feel if you were homeless and constantly being ignored? We need to have more sympathy

for Bobbolink and people like her. :(

[Starbucks Anarchist]

220. Where did I state we shouldn't focus on the problem?

But the fact is that Bobbolink constantly injects herself into every thread, particularly ones having nothing to do with homelessness, and verbally bludgeons people for not always talking about homelessness and accusing them of not caring because they're not talking about it that very minute.

[NorthCarolina]

127. K&R. Great post, thanks. n/t

[gleaner]

129. Very good post!

I have been called all of the same things as you have, except I was frequently called a liar as well. I have thought all of the things you listed and more. I did get mad and said so over and over again. I was attacked so often that I ceased to care and have even invited the attacks as a choreography for the same old hogwash from people who didn't want me to criticize Obama or express my views on his actions.

Thank you very much for putting this in words so well. All I can say is Go You!:yourock: You're cooking and the stew tastes pretty good. K&R.

[green917]

137. Some of us got very mad at all of these and others

We were resoundingly shouted down by the fervent supporters of President Obama though and told that we needed to give him more time, get better Congress critters, etc. etc. etc.

Regardless K & R!!!

[HughMoran]

140. blackmail bible thumping

doesn't work

[walldude]

142. LMAO... Bible Thumping? Blackmail?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: What are my demands? That we elect liberals who act like liberals? That we don't excuse things that we would hammer a Republican for just because they are done by Democrats? OMG THE HORROR!!!

[HughMoran]

145. thump

[walldude]

147. LOL... enjoy your stay thumpy.

I know I am... :rofl:

[bobbolink]

148. Cheap entertainment in these days of austerity.

[leftrightwingnut]

150. Allow me to add: We didn't get mad at the tepid response to the Gulf oil spill.

Or perhaps we did. I think that I may have reached my limit with the BP fiasco.

[tranche]

151. Who is this "we" that aren't getting mad?

I think everything on this list has gotten people mad around here. Also, there's ton of these that you didn't list which people should be getting mad at that you don't seem to have a problem with. Who are you directing this towards?

[walldude]

193. Gimme a break.. read the whole damn post.

I talked about the many other issues, appointments and other things I didn't get to on the list. You seem to think because I didn't list every shitty appointment and shitty bill that I don't have a problem with them. Not sure what ass you pulled that one out of. Also I talked about the many DU'ers who have been angry all this time. If you want to find some who haven't been and still aren't all you need to do is look through the responses. There are some in this very thread. Matter of fact there is one post where a guy attempts to refute every point I have made.

If you are one of the angry ones then this thread doesn't apply to you does it? So what is your problem besides not reading the entire post?

[ElboRuum]

153. I used to get mad at these things...

It's funny you should post this, because this very day, I have hit a bit of a crossroads with the whole anger concept.

Today was a shitty day at work. Remarkably shitty. One piece of bad news after another, each of which was due to a situation that was more avoidable than the last. Finally, on the verge of just letting loose, I hit a mental wall. Hard. I kind of slumped in my chair, overwhelmed by it. I must have stared into space for a good thirty seconds, in a futile exercise of calming the barking dogs in my brain.

I then got up, went downstairs, and had a smoke. In that 10 minutes, rather than taking a personal "time-out", I concentrated very hard on the feeling. The rage. Rather than allowing it to quiet, I encouraged it to grow louder. I kept replaying events, giving the rage power and speed, quietly allowing the pain to turn into a burning, then into a sear.

When I was finished the smoke, I looked up. I gazed around at the rather bucolic scenery that surrounds the place, and found myself surprised at how I simply could not enjoy it. Odd, I thought, because that's just the sort of thing that I would enjoy, even subtly, even briefly. On some level, I take solace in the fact that something IS good SOMEWHERE, regardless of all the other nastiness, but here, at this moment, I felt NOTHING for it. The rage was an impenetrable cloud of mental exhaustion to which even the smallest degree could not be cajoled into dissipating by even the most reliable pleasantness. And when I say exhaustion, I mean just that, like the feeling you get in your legs after you've run as far as they'll take you, only much more pure.

I must have stood there another five minutes, gazing blankly into the day, and when I finally turned around to go back inside, I realized that it wasn't just happiness I couldn't feel, but really anything at all that didn't stoke that painful mental fire.

As much as these things you've enumerated do anger me for the most part, I don't want them to anger me so much that I can't feel anything anymore. And when I look at your list, that's precisely where I am, stuck in a maelstrom of rage and exhausted from fighting the flow pushing me down into it.

I made a decision today, that I may want many things, many things I don't yet have, in all aspects of my life, but I will not become angry with slights, setbacks, or other impunities and injustices as I seek those things out. For me to be of any use to anyone, especially myself, I've got to be able to feel something positive, call it hope if you must, call it resolve for accuracy's sake. And I want nothing of blame. Our modern society has become so enamored of blame, so adept at its nuance, but it's just rage in another form, immobilizing and damaging to any other efforts.

So as to rage... I'm done with it.

[Moochy]

159. Thanks for posting this.

Have had similar experience with Rage in the past few days while focusing on work and the oil spill and the political kabuki theater of it all.

[Capitalocracy]

164. I'd rather get active than get mad nt

[donco6]

154. I've been pissed for a long time. But I'm told I should be grateful instead.

I'm told "I should have voted for McCain/Palin".

I'm told "You have to be patient. It's all incremental."

I'm told "STFU! He's the most progressive president EVAH!"

I'm told "The country isn't ready, even if the polls say otherwise."

[bobbolink]

167. Do I have a book for you!

On the "dedication" page is this message...

Complainers of the world, turn up the volume!"

It is called BRIGHT-SIDED, and is by Barbara Ehrenreich, one of my favorite journalists.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I am! :hi:

[Smarmie Doofus]

155. We didn't get mad when he started promoting school privatization....

.... and busting the teachers' unions.

[Capitalocracy]

161. WE are the base, WE have the right to make demands, NOT the laissez-fascists!

We're the ones who voted Barack Obama into office, and rather than being all delicate and trying not to hurt his feelings, we should be demanding he use our political capital to do what we all know is right! Unconditional support from us and negotiating with the other guys, who have shown that ANYTHING the progressives and even the Democratic Party as a whole accomplish will be by GOING IT ALONE, is a recipe for failure and moving the country closer and closer to fascism. They're the ones making all the demands, but we're the ones who have a RIGHT to make demands. He owes the right-wing nothing. Can somebody remind this guy that they're the minority opposition, not his boss?

[ShortnFiery]

162. Very well put.

:thumbsup:

[Loge23]

168. One more K&R...

I'll never vote for a Republican. But I can't hide or ignore my disappointment in this administration either.
I work in Miami most of the time. Many of my associates supported Obama, as did I (after DK & JE, yes I admit it).
Now several of these associates have begun to back off Obama. Like myself and many on this thread, they feel that he abandoned the solid African-American support base. This is a highly unscientific sampling admittedly, but it's real and I hear it frequently.
I agree that Obama has made some progress, but he wasted enormous popular momentum trying to appease Republicans and pure shit-bags like Lieberman. The HCR is the result - a mess created from a mess. For all the shit he took about that bill and still takes, the bill resembles something that one Richard M. Nixon once proposed. Go figure.
I read a column recently, forget who it was but it was a left-leaning writer, that described Obama as "dithering" with the Gulf disaster response. He also "dithered" with Health Care and he's "dithering" with Financial reform.
He seems to have little support among the Dems as a leader of policy. They appear to take his suggestions lightly as they ultimately craft their own pathetic versions of What Should Have Been.
I hate to admit it, but it seems highly unlikely that Obama will serve another term. It's still somewhat early, but he's setting a low bar for potential opponents. The racists, haters, and former Bush basers are not being marginalized by popular support for Obama - and they should been long ago by now. Palin should be a trivia question but she's getting significant air time still.
Along with the watered-down agenda and "centrist" direction of this administration, there's one more crucial element of success of a President that remains missing here in Year 2 and it's been exposed on the shores of the Gulf: leadership.

[CrispyQ]

212. I couldn't agree more with your post.

This president has squandered an opportunity that we may never have again. He has let the right control the message while he plays nice with them. He's like one of those people who would rather be liked than respected. Problem is, the right will never like or respect him. But by pursuing a bipartisan approach at the cost of trying to turn this country back to the left, he has lost the respect of a significant number of his base.

I won't support this president in the primary. I'm not sure I'll vote for him in the general. What I've seen, is that when you vote for republican-lite dems, it sends the message to the party that we're ok with them continuing to shift to the right. Well, I'm not!

I'm perfectly fine leaving the office of the president blank on my ballot. Or maybe I'll write in Alan Grayson or Bernie Sanders. But this pansy president has lost my vote.

[bvar22]

174. K&R

Righteous!
:patriot:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

175. What would be the alternative to Obama?

Do you think Hillary would have done anything different? Edwards?

I think people are too fond of saying what if?

[FreeState]

182. We have to deal with reality - and that is who is, not who might have been n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

188. better to pick another congress?

Obama really has limited powers as we have observed

[walldude]

194. Not interested in speculation. Just interested in dealing with the problem

at hand. And from my perspective the problem is we worked to elect Democrats who turned around and legislated like Republicans-Lite.

[KansasVoter]

176. I cannot believe this post is popular! Finally someone has the guys to say it!!! +1000

[walldude]

196. You and me both...

I figured I'd get hammered.. But people are coming around, and the more that do the more that will. I know the troops at the border thing really pissed people off. I have found exactly 2 DU'ers so far who support it. 2.

[obxhead]

177. It won't be your fault when the republicans retake the throne.

It will be the Obama administration for doing everything just like a Republican would. Only better imo.

[amborin]

178. K&R

[sce56]

179. I'm with you there!

At this moment I see not much change no where near the change we were promised even more so since we own both houses of congress!

[bertman]

180. PROUDLY RECOMMENDED. Thank you, Walldude. nt

[katandmoon]

181. K&R

[Dinger]

183. Kick & Rec # 178

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[whatacountry09]

185. I did and I am!

[Jim Lane]

189. My main motivation now is from the nuttiness of the right wing, not from the hopey-changey thing.

Everything Obama has changed has been a change for the better, but he's following Bush's example far too often.

[bobbolink]

190. I can't understand what was so hard to "get"... to win by a large margin because people are soooo

angry about the way things were being run..... but then to keep running most of it the same way.

What a fuckin' waste!

[varelse]

191. The crushing sense of despair is drowning my anger

I'm not so much mad, as I am depressed.

[walldude]

197. I know the feeling.. sometimes I have to just unplug for a few days..

or I'll go insane.. But I have to admit the response to this thread is encouraging.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

192. Oh, but we *ARE* mad indeed!! However, we also understand that these are contentious

times. The president cannot do everything himself.

There are 3 separate, co-equal branches of the federal government, not to mention members of his own party who are obstructing progress.

[CrispyQ]

213. That is certainly true, but the President is the icon of the democratic party.

IMO, he hasn't used the power of the presidency to influence Congress in the least. He's more concerned with being liked & playing nice. We're looking at the survival of our fucking democracy here! Twist a few arms, Mr. President! Quit playing nice with the blue-dogs & repubs! Holy fuck! Show some spine!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

215. Now *that* I agree with you on! Too nice with Blue Dogs and Republicans.

He wasted his entire first year kissing their butt, and where did it get him? Well, probably only 3 years rather than 7 as president.

Such a shame.

[Ardent15]

195. K and R

nt

[OnyxCollie]

198. K&R. nt

[Turk 182]

200. K&R

Anyone who thinks someone else is right all the time and rejects legitimate criticism of that person is a member of a cult. Ignore them because they can't think for themselves, therefore rendering their opinion worthless and not worth wasting time on. Carry On- Excelsior:yourock:

[KansasVoter]

201. Where are all the people defending Obama? kick!

[Mithreal]

202. Well done.

[Are_grits_groceries]

203. I am out of mad now and into some other level.

I have been pissed at about everything on that list and more. Every time there is a post calling out the administration for anything, people have descended on them from day one trying to discredit them in any way possible.

I have posted about my problems with certain policies, but this event was the one that finally sent me into a fury. That this disaster had the potential to cause damage on a catastrophic scale was evident early on.

When I posted my thoughts and assessments, I was called every name that could be thought of such as RW enabler, etc. No matter what I posted or what I cited, I was told to stop following right wing memes as if I did nothing but watch Faux and copy their talking points. If I listed every source I checked and every step I took before I reached a conclusion, I would still be considered a stooge.

I know I am probably not right on every jot and tittle I posted. I don't claim that my posts are invioble and not to be touched. However, everything is dismissed in one fell swoop. Everything that is remotely critical is completely attacked as a whole.

I'll bet you cash money that after the 2010 elections and the 2012 elections, anybody who voiced any criticism will be blamed for any Democratic defeat or even any showing that was more negative than thn before.

Newsflash:
The great majority of American people wouldn't know me or DU from a hole in the ground. They get their information from the messages they are fed or begin to see. A lot of things that have happened aren't as visible and understandable as they should be. You better have a good message to push hard if you want people to understand.

They don't need me or DU to see this mishegas in the Gulf as it grows and more and more pictures and articles appear. The images of the oilcam along with those of the animals and people that are affected will hit many Americans right in the heart. That will only increase. BP was always going to take a huge hit, but the fallout for the administration now could be huge.

Those images would be hard to overcome, but at least there could be some with people from the government actually on the ground and helping in some way. The people who are out front are the BP people or government people with BP.
Pictures are worth a thousand words. These pictures and the information coming out now is creating a huge wave of anger that is not even near the top right now. This has now captured the attention of the American people and they don't like what they see or hear.

Try to explain to them why BP defied the EPA when it wouldn't stop using Corexit and nothing was done to them.

I am harping once again because I believe this may be a real turning point for the administration among a majority of the public. I don't think it is going to turn the way we would want. That won't just affect the administration, but the whole party as well.

So blaming those of us on DU for any failure in an election because of our criticism won't wash. Very few have been listening to what we are saying, and many who do are dismissive and belittling towards us. I never wanted to be any kind of prophet without honor in my own party. I wanted to be listened to and have my ideas at least given some consideration without vituperation descending.

[Starry Messenger]

204. kick.

[Agony]

205. 27th hour recommend nt

[KansasVoter]

208. Kick

[bread_and_roses]

209. Too late to R - but at least a K and a ++++++++++++

I read something recently that used the phrase "grotesque transactionalism" in reference to what's happened to so-called "progressive" forces since the inauguration. I think it says it sums it up well. Who'd a thunk it - we "win" and allow ourselves to be neutered.

I'll add to the list: we didn't get mad when the Employee Free Choice Act was dropped like a hot potato the instant the Pres took office.

As far as I'm concerned electoral politics has become an utter dead zone for change. I'm not sure where to put my energies these days, being a peaceful sort, but it sure won't be in electoral politics.

[area51]

214. Too late for a rec,

but not too late for a kick.

[TheKentuckian]

217. A kick from the late For me it was the hands off Wall St/hands off big business combined

with killing drug re-importation, not at least fighting to salvage a national exchange which would at least lay the groundwork for a real public option or Medicare for all, and failure to impose anti-trust which to me says the government has no inclination to actually regulate the health insurance industry in a serious fashion.

Every time he says "stakeholders" it truly makes my blood boil over and tells me who he considers first.

[IndianaGreen]

218. LMAO!

Oh man, this one is a classic!

K&R (figuratively speaking).

:kick:

[ClassWarrior]

219. As Thom Hartmann said last week, Prez Obama has done much good on many small things...

But on the big things, not so much.

K&R.

NGU.