Now I Understand how the Iraqis feel.

[styersc]

I live in South Carolina where the Democratic Party had been a peaceful coalition of progressive folks, white, black, latino, gay, straight etc. We have long been struggling against the tide in this very conservative state but together we have occassionally been able to come together and bring enough moderates with us to win elections and seat strong representatives: Gilda Cobb-Hunter from Orangeburg, Seth Whipper from Charleston, we battled to keep a Dem Secretatry of Education and pushed back the right wing efforts to dismantle what little public education system we have. We had little power other then the strenght of the coalition that had potential so even the strongest right wing machine at least had to fear the occassions when we could and would come together- taking down the Confederate Battle flag, keeping environmental laws in tact, stopping voucher plans etc.

But then two giants, battling for the presidency swept into town fighting a filthy smear war, tearing friends and brothers apart. They will use our state for a battle field for a short period of time. They will tear us apart, not caring who they destroy or what damage they do. They will gut us of anything they can bleed from us for delegates and then, because they didn't give a damn about us to start with, they will move on.

One of them will win but in the end they will lose the general election because of the weakness and internal hatred that they have caused. The election will be over, a Right Wing Republican will be president, our chances for gains in legislative and local elections will be laughable and we will be left to live with the boody havoc the giants have caused. Brothers will no longer trust each other and the bonds that it took 50 years to build will be severed.

Then- on to the next state.

Another day in Karbala.

[ret5hd]

1. They killed your family, bombed your house, no sanitary water or electricity?

[NightWatcher]

2. except you dont get car bombs

I have to watch all those commericals, but I dont get to vote till next month. In Savannah, we are getting shitloads of campaign ads and the more I see, the more I wanna vote for this man....

[fenriswolf]

3. I'm sorry

but it is not right to equate our election with the horros about whats going on in iraq. Whats happeneing to you is an annyoance and inconvieniance. Whats happening their is a nightmare. I know you just wanted to draw some parrellels but they are not the same and untill some forigners takes away a loved one in the blink of an eye for no reason in front of you because of the race going on I dont think you will feel the same as someone in karbala.

[styersc]

7. Sure thing.

When will you be moving in?

Ever been completely disenfranchised? Ever live under one party rule?

[fenriswolf]

11. hay im right here with you

but their is a huge differance between what we are going through and what they are going through. I know I was their.

[Debi]

4. Yes, South Carolina primaries are EXACTLY like an illegal war and occupation in Iraq

x(

[styersc]

8. You're right.

Somewhere in this country someone gives a f##k about Iraq.

Those of us in deep red states have been getting our asses kicked and have been barely hanging on for decades. Now the right wing will be able to sweep our state and eliminate the tiny opposition that we have been able to muster.

Let me guess- when our public schools are decimated by vouchers and cuts, you are going to send your kids here. Didn't think so. CAn our very poor come to Iowa for health care as the little state support will be gone here.

Must be great to live in a totally blue state and lecture the people who you have crapped on.

[Debi]

10. Delete - this is a waste of time

[styersc]

12. You're not in Montana now are you.

I guess the folks in Montana got the same sort of help. You got what you wanted out of Montana and got out.

But you're compassionate. You wax eloqent about the devestated folks thousands of miles away while undermining the efforts and conditions of countrymen who have always stood with you.

For what- so you can say you won a primary, by any means, resulting in a weakened party that will mean the end for those of us in red states. Things will be far worse for us when the GOP takes the Whitehouse. But you live in a Blue State, what the hell do you care what happesn to Democrats under GOP regimes that you helped to put there.

[Debi]

13. Delete - this is a waste of time

[quinnox]

5. No you don't

How absurd can we get...

[Catch22Dem]

6. Wow! I'm sure bombings, beheadings, separation of your family

And all those things are soon to follow.

I'm sorry, but the comparison is an insult to the Iraqis trapped in the middle of their hell.

[redqueen]

9. I can't even read that OP, with a subject line like that.

:nuke: