OK, try this on for size...

[RichardRay]

NB: I don't really expect the following diatribe to change anyone's thinking or behavior, but I'm feeling very grumpy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm male, white, straight and 'un orso'. I'm making enough money to maintain a life (as long as I can keep working, anyway); I guess that makes me not a member of an oppressed minority, just a fool.

I do not believe that real economic justice is achievable in the structure in this country or the rest of the modern world. I know that 'suffering' (dukha) is an inevitable and inescapable state for those who cling to the world, even if a just economic structure could be achieved. I did time in federal lockup for political work. When I got out I spent years living on park benches with newspapers stuck in my clothes to try to stay warm while I put my head back together. I've had reportable income in fewer years of my adult life than I have made it to that point.

I know that Senator Obama is just a politician, that he's got beau coup faults, that he has some unsavory friends, that he's probably told lies and probably will again. All those things are true or me, too, so I don't get too mad at him for them.


and...

I'm still supporting Barack Obama for the nomination and voting for him quite happily in the general election. Maybe it's the huge distance between what I know really needs to happen and the nature of the paragon of virtue we need to accomplish those things and what I see as possible in this election cycle, in this country, in this world, with the people in the game, that makes it easy for me to make that decision, but I don't find it hard at all.

Neither do I find it difficult to see virtue and value in Senator Clinton, if she pulls it out of the hat between now and the convention I'll vote quite happily for her, too

What I do find just about too screwed up to get my head around is the self-aggrandizing, pusillanimous, whiny attitude of both Obama supporters and Clinton supporters on this board!

I don't give a tinker's dam who you like or dislike, approve of or find despicable, who you worship or despise, what state you live in, what gender you are, whether you like good grammar and accurate numbers or just bang randomly on your keyboards, how old you are, how much schooling you've had, who you've supported in past elections, what your ethnic background may be or who you want to sleep with - if you can't see a bright line between both of our choices for the Democratic nominee and John McCain you need to look outside of yourself a bit.

I'm not saying you have to like your options, or even admit what you're doing, just don't shit where you sleep come November.


Grrrrrr...

:argh:

There, that's out of my system, now I'll go back to trying to be a reasonable, constructive sort of fellow.

[The Magistrate]

1. That Is One Helluva Rant, Sir!

"More Wars! Less Jobs! McCain '08"

[RichardRay]

4. Thanks, I feel better, now.... n/t

[The Magistrate]

5. Glad It Helped Your Head, Sir: It Is A Thing Of Beauty

And though you disclaimed any such expectation or intent, perhaps it may help some others sort things a bit....

[HCE SuiGeneris]

2. Gladly recommended.

[NatBurner]

3. after looking up "pusillanimous"

k&r

[mmonk]

6. "just don't shit where you sleep come November."

Good rant.

[rasputin1952]

7. Welcome to the fray my friend...I have been against this

scorched earth policy from the beginning.

FWIW, members on both sides seem to think that degrading the proponents of an opposing view/candidate, will somehow win them over. Never worked before, it won't work this time.

My vote will go to the D nominee; McCain and Nader will be rotting in hell long before I could even think of voting for them...:hi:


BTW...I honestly belive this is going to be a blow-out for the R's, they are going to lose big time in all areas...:)

[The Magistrate]

13. Glad You Found This, Brother

[99th_Monkey]

8. Beautifully said, and I mostly agree, except I'm not quite as cynical about what Obama is capable of

I posted this several days ago, which I'd like to share, which explains my relative optimism as to what Obama would bring to the Oval Office.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Impeachment_Monkey/3

In short, Obama's work doing community organizing and community-based development is the key to his unique insights as to how to get people working together for their own collective best interests. I know this from my own experience doing the same kinds of work, and when I watch how Obama has campaigned, how he's brought so many new faces and new energies to the Democratic Party fold, how he's stayed anchored to his principles in the face of fierce attacks, how he keeps winning new people over with a message of hope and constructive change, I can see clearly how it reflects on his earlier work to create positive change at the grass-roots of America. IMHO there could have been no better training ground for our next President to have under their belt, because it's all about bringing people together to find common purposes, where those purposes and actions had been diametrically opposed to one another. It requires mastery of a kind of psycho-spiritual alchemy that honors all the stake-holders interests and views, but rests ultimately on how intimately inter-connected we all really are underneath the egoistic illusion of "separation" and fear-based thinking.

Don't get me wrong: I take Obama at his word when he says he's "not the perfect candidate" ... he is fallible like all mortals are, and has his flaws and weaknesses. Yet, because he is self-aware enough to freely admit to having flaws, because he is capable of self-examination and self-reflection, somehow his character exudes a rare kind of wholeness and integrity.

So thanks for your post, as it challenged my thinking and helps me better understand why I support Barack Obama as our next President so fervently.

Peace out.

[RichardRay]

9. You're very welcome....

I guess I just like to maintain low expectations so I have more opportunities to be pleasantly suprised. In my heart I cherish the notion that Barack Obama might really be at least 75% as good as he seems to be - I'd actaully settle for anything better than 50%.

[Forkboy]

10. You just spoke for me.

A cynic is just prematurely disappointed in the future. ;)

Nice OP, too!

[Solomon]

12. Great post

[NightWatcher]

11. good rant. Excellent use of "beau coup". I use that phrase all the time

never knew how to spell it