You want to see me spit fire?

[Joe Fields]

Just try and tell me I have no right to criticize my own party! I've been a yellowdog Democrat since the day I was conceived.

Now, as a Democrat, I expect members of the opposition party to try and stab me any way they can. It has always hurt, but the pain is softened some by the fact that you see it coming. Yet, getting stabbed in the back and abandoned by leaders of my own party is worse than death by a thousand cuts. I could use a dozen or so metaphors and not come close to describing the hurt of betrayal that I actually feel.

I am sure that most, if not all of you would defend and promote our party vigorously to Republican counterparts. That is to be expected. But I will always try and hold the leadership of my party to account, when they go astray from the ideals that bind us together as Democrats. And if you are the type that can't stand criticism, because you feel it weakens the party, then I know of another party that's tailor made just for you.

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Thats why it's hard to be a Democrat, we profess Culpability over Cheer leading..

being an ' Enemy of the People ' as opposed to a ' Good German ' which also let's a person off the hook from making sure their informed more than imbued. http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/09/03_hard.html

[eleny]

2. I saw Ralph Nader speaking today at the Miami Book Fair covered on C-Span

And I couldn't work up an anger at him. He got asked the tough questions, too. And he handled them in such a way that I just couldn't be angry.

Apparently, Nader and his people even begged Gore for a meeting prior to the 2000 election to discuss a possible coalition and they never invited Nader for so much as a chat.

What keeps me hanging on these days is something Howard Zinn said on Air America in an interview with Janeane Garofolo before the 2004 election. He said that with Kerry we at least have a little ledge to stand on. Oh my god - a little ledge?
:cry:

[Bolo Boffin]

3. There is constructive criticism and there is destructive criticism.

Saying that there's no difference in the parties is destructive criticism because it corrodes the resolve to do good in the political arena. It lapses into a dark cynicism that ultimately keeps people from contributing to the good of society.

I know you aren't saying that, and we need to cuss the leaders when they need cussing. But some are spreading a poison here that is worse than the cure they profess to seek.

[Joe Fields]

5. I strongly disagree with those among us, who say there is no

difference between the two parties. For if I truly believed that, I'd go find a cave somewhere and make spears.

[babylonsister]

4. I agree with you 100%, Joe Fields!

:thumbsup:

[Joe Fields]

10. Thank you, babylonsister!

I believe it, historically, is part of what makes us unique from republicans, and I am proud of that fact.

[Wiley50]

6. Here's Mine

But, Yeah Joe, I hear you loud and clear

[achtung_circus]

9. Seen this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWrYogVmPzU

[Swamp Rat]

7. Yeah, eat this!:

:D

[Joe Fields]

8. Not only would that make me spit fire...

but I would also shit fire...:toast:

[Swamp Rat]

11. That's the idea

:D

This'll cool you off: :toast:

[BeHereNow]

12. HELL YES JOE FIELDS!!!!

If we DON'T insist the leader stand for the party
then WE stand for NOTHING.
When the so called "leadership" can not be discerned
from the opposition- there IS NO democracy.
I WANT my party BACK!
AND THAT MEANS I WILL FIGHT AND POINT OUT THE CORPORATE CORRUPTION
THAT HAS SOUGHT TO TAKE IT OVER!

BHN

[Breeze54]

13. Keep those fires burning!!

Never let them go out!

I recommended a few minutes ago but forgot to :kick: this post! :P

[Mabus]

14. It's my party I can cry if I want to

and when I cry, I cry "foul."

I'm also a Yellow Dog but that doesn't mean I'm blind. I don't always have to agree with what the party says so I tell them. If I think I see an injustice and share it with others, who may not know about it and would feel equally aggrieved if they knew, then I think I've done the right thing.

We've changed our party by speaking out. Why should we stop now? And if we stop speaking out what will the consequences for our future be? We have to criticize our party because we care about where our country is headed.

Right on Joe Fields!

K&R

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. In a word?

Yes.

[orleans]

16. yellowdog dem? here's blue dog shoe dog