How Do You Feel?

[Sugar Smack]

I have spent the past week or so delving into conservative sites. I've seen dissent against Bush by republicans that's almost unbelieveable. These are people who blindly followed him through his illegal war, economic fuck-ups, countless other atrocities, Katrina and his thorough, utter lack of response, etc ad nauseum.

So THIS is what it took to get them to open their eyes/ get mad/ switch parties. Sale of the ports to the UAE. This is the thing that woke them up. How does this make you feel?

I have a total mixed bag of my own reactions to lay on the table.

1) HOPE: Finally, finally, people are realizing he's been lying all along. More for us, less for him. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. The curtains are open for all to see.

2) Why'd it take THIS to do it?

3) Join us and we'll fight together to get this monster out of office, no matter how different we are.

4) EAT IT! EAT IT! TASTE it, you idiots!!!! Thanks for nothing! The world's a horrible place thanks to your contribution. What do you think NOW?!? LOL! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The rest of us woke up on a daily basis, embarrassed and angry that this is what you chose! ROFL! Suckers! YOU feel slapped in the face? Take your freaking medicine! How does it taste? Remember crowing at us while we did the SLOW BURN? How does it FEEL? LOL! Some of you dropped your OWN FREINDS and FAMILIES to support BUSH. What are you going to say to them? "Sorry"? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SUCKERS. *spits in the dust*



So. How do you feel?

[hermetic]

1. I feel pretty good

Moving on you know. HI! :hi: Nice to see you again. Yeah, these people are really mucking things up here now, in plain sight. Gives one a bit of hope in these dark times.

[Sugar Smack]

8. Hey! Nice to see you again, too!

I'll tell ya, I am feeling pretty good right now too. :toast: :hi: :pals:

[liberal N proud]

2. You ask why did it take this to start the wake up of America?

First, the jury is still out on the people of the United States and if everyone is finally realizing the bu$h is a crook.

But if they are finally waking up, it is because the people in this country are just plain fickle. You don't know what is going to piss people off until they are. It can be the dumbest things that will piss people off or maybe just the way they are told something.

If they are waking up, I am thankful and hopeful that we can turn this around and save America from the neo-cons and the corporations.

[Sugar Smack]

10. They are REALLY worried about their security.

From the letters I've read at Congress.org, I'm noticing a phenomenon- a bunch of terrified people saying "How COULD you?" Finally, stamping their little feet & saying, "That's it. I've had it. I'm a republican no longer!"

Heh. What does Bush care?

[Burried News]

3. Like a mosquito at a nude beach ... in every direction ...bare flesh.

[Sugar Smack]

9. LOL!!!! GREAT analogy!

:rofl:


I'm guessing you picked number 4, right? :)

[no name no slogan]

4. THIS. KICKS. ASS.

This is EXACTLY what I've been thinking/saying for the last couple years. It's nice to finally feel vindicated!

Nominated!

[Sugar Smack]

11. Thank you so much.

I'm thinking #4 is right now the most prevalent of my attitudes. :pals: :hug: :rofl: :patriot:

[RufusEarl]

5. He used fear

against Arabs for doing all the things he's done in the MS since 9-11, and the meek minded followed along. Now all of a sudden he wants to do business as usual with arabs, and it's confused the meek minded.

[Sugar Smack]

12. To me, their confusion is both touching and apalling.

After all, under the weight of Bush's atrocities and bumbling ineptness, his TOTAL DISREGARD for ANYONE...we felt ourselves ensconced in a daily nightmare. We were horrified that his being in office TWICE was not possible. We were the confused & angry ones. And NOW they're feeling it. Well, brava to them. Amazing.

[ananda]

6. spit and sputter

Every month I read about or see an issue that should wake people up.

But then it just kinda fizzles out and disappears.

Everything is a nine-minute wonder... just a soundbyte.

People simply don't want to stay awake, that's all.

Sue

[Sugar Smack]

13. -that SHOULD wake people up-

I'm still shaking my head in wonder that this is it. Now, something "worse" may happen tomorrow, of course, that'll distract them or keep them cowering.

[Nay]

7. Oh, I'd say I'm definitely a number 4. I want these idiots to truly suffer

even if it means I suffer, too. And believe me, I'm not going to suffer anything like these dumbasses around me, because I can always leave to their ruins if need be.

[Sugar Smack]

22. I feel #4 when I think of the friends who dumped me.

I had two I felt close to until election time. They were going to vote for Bush, and I was confounded. They told me I was becoming too obssessed with politics and, finally, CRAZY. Hmm. And I felt so betrayed. My face was burning. I felt like I'd KNOWN these people too.

And the families that DISOWNED their children over Bush? Unforgivable.

[libhill]

39. It's ironic, in a way -

that these dumb asses are now going through the same conflicted emotions that I did, (and I'm sure many other Dem's did too) when the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke on Clinton's watch. I was so dismayed and angered - things were going so well under Clinton, our country was on the right track, by and large respected in the world community. And then a stupid, ignorant, and yes, petty mistake handed more fodder and ammunition to the Repukes and conservatives. And now Shrub and the Repubs have done the same thing with this U.A.E. boner, only this is infinitely more serious. By comparison, what Clinton did looks like a schoolboy prank. Damn, I sound like a Rethug now. Oh well, you get my drift.

[PassingThrough]

14. Number 4 will only continue to polarize.

Such attitudes will make republicans reluctant to switch sides or admit they are wrong. This help no one and hurts us.

I understand the sentiment though.


Peace Out

[Sugar Smack]

15. Oh, I know.

That's why my main point was that it's a mixed bag. It's one of several reactions I am having. Since this is a Democratic forum, I imagine a lot of people are having mixed feelings we can voice on these threads. Number 4 is a healthy vent.

Peace out! :hi:

[CrazyOrangeCat]

18. Certainly a lot of mixed emotions.

Sadness that it took this long for people to wake up. Sadness for the planet--just look at what they've done with their unbridled greed in the last five years.

Hope. Because I really think the NeoCons are about spent. They are officially twisting in the wind.

Anger. "I told you so, you silly-ass kool-aid-drinkin' dumbfucks!"

;)

[Sugar Smack]

23. I'd forgot "sadness".

Reading what you wrote reminds me of my sadness. So many people having died. SO MANY. I am perplexed that the repubs had NO EMPATHY or HUMANITY in any of this until it came to their own skins. It makes me sad- this is humanity? This is civilization?

And then: "I told you so, you silly-ass kool-aid-drinkin' dumbfucks!" LOL!

Imagine. Voting against a guitar-playing wind-surfer with kindness and a big vocabulary for...for...God help me, there are no words.

:pals:

[libhill]

41. But but but

that thar geetar playin' wind surfer hippeye, was gonna git my guns, let tham thar funny folks git married, and I bet he don't rally believe in Jaysus, neither. I'm sure them thar A-rabs what they sold them ports to is good 'uns. I bet that Kerry feller would ha' made my woman git an a-bortion, too -

[Sugar Smack]

45. "He's so..snooty" said one of my ex-friends.

SNOOTY. SNOOTY! That's why she didn't vote for him! "Snootyism" and "Elitism" (yeah, riiiight) go a long way with me verses the joke we have in office now. Can you imagine what life would be like for us if Kerry was in office instead of monkeyboy? Sometimes I do, and it almost drives me to the brink of insanity.

I took a course once called The Philosophy of History, and we talked about the unwritten turns of tide, the points of no return in History that made our world what it is today. This last election was certainly one for the books. What if it had gone the other way? A maddening question.

:hi:

[libhill]

83. Yuppers -

Makes you wish for and long for alternative futures / realities. I sure as hell don't like this one, it's a nightmare.

[Sugar Smack]

92. A toast:

Here's to tomorrow, when people wake up-

:toast:

[titoresque]

17. Too bad!

If it's going to take ALL this AND nice pats on the back and welcome wagons and the red carpet treatment for Repukes to get over themselves, I say BAAAAAAAAA-BAAAAAAAAAA! Keep truck'n. It should be enough to finally just come to a realization about the current HORRIBLE steamroller we're all fighting against....I'm not about to hold a ticker tape parade for all these people who are just finally "getting it" YES, I'm glad, I'm happy that *they* as human beings just might have a chance to come out on the other side....ALIVE, but their will be no thanks from me. As an American Citizen and human being with feelings for others it disgusts me that so many people have CHOSEN to keep the blinders on for so long!

[Sugar Smack]

26. I've gotta say, that's my most prevalent reaction, because I never

enjoyed the crowing of dirty fighters even one little bit. Blind to their leader. Gawd, if I feel a little smug and do the end-zone dance, that's because I've been, like you and all other Dems, THROUGH THE WRINGER.

[NuttyFluffers]

118. it's always OK to feel, it's the act part that's more worrisome.

since the question is about feelings, as correct as this statement you made may be, it isn't truly important in discussion of feelings, i think.

:) and you said you understand the sentiment, too. so you know we can all feel -- the issue is that we don't become churlish about it in our daily interactions. (but isn't it tempting, though. i wanna ride the 'i told you so' bus sooo baaaad. i got my megaphone and blowtickler and everything!) :+

[Minnesota Libra]

16. Number 4 pretty much says it for me nt

[CrazyOrangeCat]

19. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Minnesota Libra]

21. Thank You so much.....

.....for the nice welcome. :grouphug:

[Sugar Smack]

28. Welcome!!! Thanks for your response too.

:toast: :bounce: :hi: :grouphug:

[madokie]

20. Yea the little blivet used fear on me and when I'm scared, I get Mad

I've driven a few wedges in my own family and circle of friends concerning the bastard but so be it. I also didn't cut and run either. Ain't gonna start now. But thanks, you put in in a context that is easy to understand. And I know you feel much better now.

[Sugar Smack]

25. Thank you, madokie!

I DO feel much better now. I think of having fought so hard, protesting, feeling the rage and pressure building. And now? Getting summoned to empathise with regretful Bush-voters is not easy. The Repubs fought dirty & crowed about it. Their administration is handing them their own asses on a platter because they can do whatever they want.

So I can feel free to vent and do the end-zone dance if I want. ;-)

[madokie]

90. if I could dance I'd join in, if only I could dance, then I would be a

dancer too.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

24. Vindicated.

It took these people 6 years to figure out what most of us knew in 30 seconds (moveon pun intentional)

This man is a walking sham.

[Sugar Smack]

27. You know what I'd REALLY love? if they could start a "Sorry Dems"

website. But you & I both know that'll never happen. ;-)

[bridgit]

29. how do i feel? i feel fine, it wasn't me he was playing like a rube...

some busted up old see-saw fiddle; i seen the ass coming from all the way down the pike. reading some of those responses you've researched, i just felt i needed to reach i there like some 40's flat-foot detective yarn when some character or other goes all bug-shit and you have to SLAP'em, bring them back around, to where the real world might be...

seeing them carry on so as though bush really cared for them is the real eye opener, and redefined the p.t. barnum axiom that now reads:

"there's a sucker born every 30 seconds in bushland"

[Sugar Smack]

30. LOL!! I know, it's like, "Whaaa...? But, but.. I thought you CARED!!

I supported you? Are you going to read this? Please read this! Wait, I find I am really mad at you at this point. How could you?"

:rofl: :pals: :hug: :loveya:

"i just felt i needed to reach i there like some 40's flat-foot detective yarn when some character or other goes all bug-shit and you have to SLAP'em, bring them back around, to where the real world might be..."

"Now calm down. Here's a shot of whisky and a hankie. Teel me your sad, sad story again. This time, make sense."





:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[hermetic]

32. Oh my SS, your reply there

made me :rofl: tanks

To Hunter!! (still laffin)

edit: for spacing

[Sugar Smack]

34. Thank you, friend!! You KNOW I admire the heck out of you-

so making you laugh makes me do this --> :7

[Sugar Smack]

46. To Hunter, RIP!

:toast:

Find what you've been looking for.

[windy252]

31. I'm a mix

I feel sort of like 1, but a lot of the time I lean towards 4.

[Sugar Smack]

33. Welcome to DU, windy252!

:hi:

Me too, because those are the most visceral of reactions:

"There IS hope for this country. We all CAN survive this. Our reality has been realized by those we thought incurable"

VERSUS:

"You SHOULD have seen it coming, ASSHATS. Thanks for helping the world hate us. Boy, were YOU played. LOL!!!! You want some "Goo Gone" for those W bumperstickers, SUCKERS?? HAHAHAHAHA! Lift your heads, assholes. Sorry for all your regret, and thanks again."

[windy252]

42. Thanks n/t

[libhill]

35. Relieved

sort of. At least I know now that some Republicans and conservatives are finally able to see through the hypocrisy of this Administration. Their whole agenda has been predicated on "protecting us from terrorism". And then they turn around and put our ports in the hands of the U.A.E.? WTF? I mean, as a DUer put it to us in another thread, this is comparable to if F.D.R. had sold armaments to Japan after Pearl Harbor. If this does not serve as a wake up call to the public at large, regardless of political affiliation, then I am seriously going to consider relocating to Canada.

[Sugar Smack]

37. May I join you?

I'm probably going to have to chloroform my best friend & her family, my dad, and tuck the cat under my arm. Build us all a house on the lake. E-GAD.

[libhill]

38. We'd better get going

while we can. I'm still not sure that the Repubs won't somehow defend Shrub even on this one, somehow blame it all on Clinton - :) P.S. - Can I bring my own cat, and my old hound dog? Couldn't bear it to leave my pets behind.

[Sugar Smack]

47. I'm bringing my cat Sophie.

I've a job waiting for me there if I ever want to go. My boyfriend can do his over the computer. We'll build a house and if we have to eat bean sandwiches, we will.

"I'm still not sure that the Repubs won't somehow defend Shrub even on this one"

Some will, but many won't. Now it's their very own asses. Wow.

[libhill]

84. Well

at least you'll have the benefit of socialized medicine, bean sandwiches or not.

[fooj]

70. Goo-gone for those W bumper stickers...

:toast: That's one of the best I've heard in a while. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Peace.

[Sugar Smack]

73. Toast, fooj-

:toast:

Thank you so much! We can do the end-zone dance together. Free Goo-Gone.

[jean]

101. !!! Call the Goo-Gone company! We need single-use wipes in packets

Staple one to a short note instructing how to remove those * b-stickers.

[eppur_se_muova]

109. The "Remorseful Republican" face-saving kit.

At least they can avoid *further* shame.

[Sugar Smack]

116. LOL-I'm lucky to be living in a blue town

so I am still seeing SO MANY Kerry Stickers! It makes me feel great, even if some of those contained in the cars are driving like bats out of hell. :)

[leftofthedial]

36. *spits in the dust*

sums it up pretty well

[Sugar Smack]

48. Hi, honey!!!

:hi:

Yeah, that goes for me too, amid the relief and rejoicing---> there's still room for contempt, my sweetie!

:hug:

[Raffi Ella]

40. All of the above is how I feel.

But I know how it feels to be duped by this administration;I hate to admit this but... I wasn't into politics before 9/11.I accepted that Bush had 'won' over Gore in '00 and moved on.
After 9/11 and up until the late Fall/Winter of 2003/04 I was swept up in the drumbeat of "Patriotism" and all that that implies...
Suffice it to say that it was a hard lesson to learn about myself.I try not to beat myself up too much over it but still-It's a hard thing to live with.

So I have empathy for Bush supporters if they are feeling anything like I did when I finally realized the truth.
I don't like to kick people when they're down or say I told you so-especially when we are dealing with such serious issues but knowing how 'they' talk about me(liberals/Dems in general)I do feel a little vindicated and I told you so-ish.
Although I find it wishful thinking at best to believe this will change much of anything except that maybe our Ports won't get sold to Dubai.

Here's to hoping though!:toast:

[Sugar Smack]

51. DemEtienne, you have a lot of courage to post what you

posted. A lot. Right after 9/11 I was believing Bush too, as he stood on that pile of rubble (people) and spoke through a megaphone. But that changed.

I don't like to kick people when they're down, either, but the kicking we recieved after Kerry conceded was one I'll never forget. I FELT IT.

Welcome to DU. Proste. :toast:

[rucky]

43. All of the above, and two more...

5) So how's the White House going to win 'em back?

6) So how are the Democrats going to squander this opportunity?

I'm so used to having the rug pulled from under us, it's just instinct now.

[Sugar Smack]

52. rucky, you are definitely one of my favorite posters.

So thanks for your attention to this thread.

"So how are the Democrats going to squander this opportunity?" is a question I'm afraid to ask.




:hug:

[rucky]

79. Thanks, sugar!

:)

[deutsey]

44. Like I'm on my own, with no direction home...(apologies to Bob Dylan)

That line from his song came to mind when I read your question, and it fits.

[Sugar Smack]

53. "Once upon a time you dressed so fine

You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?"

[Sugar Smack]

54. You understand that was for them, not you, right?

:pals:

[zeemike]

85. It is amazing how those lyrics can fit this topic

But Bob Dylan was all about feelings, so it makes sense.
Myself I feel only more hopeless knowing that nothing will come of it. We forget they have drunk the cool Aid and all they need is a simple explanation to justify anything.

[Sugar Smack]

107. Maybe, but you can call me a pollyanna.

;-) I DO have a little bit of hope that this'll sink through some of those thick skulls!

[hyphenate]

49. For many years now

my ability to "see the future" has gotten me nowhere. Despite the overwhelming evidence that I know what will happen in a given situation, people just don't want to listen to a naysayer. It's been like that through history, where people have tried to show others the preposterous nature of their actions, and the person who tries to warn them look like complete idiots in their warnings.

I used to laughingly call myself "Cassandra" after the heroine from the Trojan War. It was appropriate to have my entreaties ignored, I figured--people just want "proof" of their own--hunches don't mean anything without physical proof to most.

Right now, there is a part of me that is reassured that perhaps some of these people have finally seen what most of us have seen for years. It took a lot for them to get there; no one said they were too bright, did they?? But the fact remains that some people have thicker skulls than others, and that despite repeated thumping over said head, dawn comes slowly to many.

It really doesn't matter, though, because they're all a year and a half too late. If these thick skulled people had been a little more receptive, a little less bullheaded, this country would now be under different leadership, and the BFEE would be gone, hopefully forever. If the more moderate pukes in congress had any guts as well, we would not be continually faced with the embarassment of this maladministration, and that perhaps now we would be able to face the world once again with our heads high and our souls intact.

It's a little too late to say "I told you so" and as we all deal with the next three years as best we can, we will likely see further erosion of the base that supports the reich wing. However, the fervent and fanatical fascism of this regime will continue to feed on our souls for years to come, and even after we have purged the country of the neocons and others like them, we will still feel their horrendous impact for a long time to come. We know we can never silence such as these--their influence, their tenacity and their near religious zealotry will always find a way to speak out and up.

I think it's safe to merely say that there is a small part of me that is satisfied that the tide is turning, but a larger part of me merely shakes my head and wonders exactly what it takes to convince some people, regardless of how flagrant the misdeeds are to others.

[Sugar Smack]

56. hyphenate-

I just :loveya: .

You and WillPitt and H20Man and Stephanie are the most brilliant sources of news for this site. Thank you for your input. I trust my gut, too.

I went to a DU meetup tonight. I had my father with me. He's learned so much through my dealings with DU. Please don't ever stop fighting; I will fight with you.

[hyphenate]

110. Thank, Sugar Smack!

I'm flattered to be placed in the same category as Will and the others. I don't know if I really belong there, but it's great to be considered!

[Nay]

96. Why, I walk around and call myself "Cassandra" for the very same

reason, Hyphenate. I also wonder why I can't get paid a couple hundred thou per year to state the fucking OBVIOUS. I knew the war was bogus, and was going to be a costly clusterfuck. I knew * was going to sell us ALL down the river.

I also predict that Cheney will resign as VP, and the * gang has a mild-mannered charismatic Repub to install as new VP -- someone all the dumb retards of *'s base will "feel good about voting for" -- forgetting yet again that it has all been arranged by * himself. The new VP will spend the next 3 years building name recognition, gathering $$$, and allaying the fears of the great unwashed. And will have a very good chance of winning the presidency in 2008, no matter who the Dems nominate. How? The next three years will be one long political commercial for the new VP.

[hyphenate]

111. Yes

I agree--much of this is obvious. but sometimes, people just don't have the trust in the opinions of others that they might place in someone at a higher power level, despite them being suspicious right from the beginning. I knew something was hinky when immediately after the election in 2000, GWB started planning out his cabinet without regard to the recall that Gore asked for. And I had heard from a reputable source that when Florida was "called" for Gore, the Bush family rushed out of a gathering and began to take some sort of "action." That alone clinched it for me. And when I heard that James Baker was down there and using the NG to threaten people who were doing recounts, I was certain that we'd never see the truth regardless of how much we knew we won. If it hadn't been Florida, that suspicion might have been squelched to some degree, but it was so strong that a skunk spraying me would not have smelled as badly.

But every one of us is different. Every one of us has our own natural fears, beliefs and tendencies, and I grew up with the axiom, "Question Authority" and the insight instilled in me from growing up in Boston, learning that if we are to gain our freedom, we much do everything possible to show that we are worthy of it. If we can't do this, we are not worthy of the rights, the liberties and the history that our founding fathers gave us. And it appears to me that too many people here in our country today don't deserve those things, because too many of them ARE willing to give up liberty for security, too many of them want to exchange the freedom of will with a tyrannical force to temper us, and too many of them are too intolerant to allow themselves to let others live the same lives as they do.

There are some who believe our country was founded on "Christian" principles, but fail to realize that even if that were true in 1609, by 1776, religion was not the reason our founding fathers chose to cite reasons for a revolution. The desire to have autonomy, to live as our own nation, to deal with Europe as an equal were far more relevant. Religion was kept out of the government so that people could enjoy their own beliefs and not be beholden to someone else's beliefs. It was as much freedom OF religion as freedom FROM religion. It meant that no one had to follow anything that they disagreed with, and ever since, that right has been mangled continuously by the radical religious right to their own ends. We no longer have the free expression of such as we once did, because since 9/11, those of us expressing dissent are only acutely aware that every time we say anything, someone is taking notes. And while those "notes" might not stand up in a court, many of us would rather be left alone instead of being harassed by a system that knows exactly how far they can push the legal limit of their power and tentacles.

Being able to see the forest as well as the trees is something that short-sighted people are not able to do. They live for the moment, without regard to historical context, and they are selfish and self-centered. They don't give a shit about the future only as it pertains to them, and they are just as eager to stab people in the back as they are to deny rights to those lower on the scale than themselves. And many of them, coming from lesser beginnings, will ignore their own humble beginnings because they don't want to be reminded of their past. It is sad, but too often humans are predictable in the wrong way, shoving all that is too dismal, too futile and too uncomfortable to them away, closing their eyes to it, believing (if only for a moment) that by denying its existence, it will go away. We know that isn't true, but to their way of thinking, it means they can disassociate themselves from it, and not feel the impact of it.

I've noticed, if nothing else, that most who are fervent conservatives don't have the same kind of conscience as the rest of us do. One conservative I know who likes to think he is a practicing Catholic, said that if it weren't for the belief in hell and its association with sinning, that he would not worry about criminal deeds. In other words, if he thought he could get away with something, he would do it. For the larger part of us all, we don't do something not because we don't think we can't get away with it, but because our morals know it is wrong, and whether we would be caught at it is not a concern. Killing is wrong, harming another is wrong, and even times when we could normally accept the consequences of our actions (like an accident or being at war), we are haunted by whatever we have done, and tend to dwell on that long after the circumstances have changed.

Anyway, I've simply come to the conclusion that we are not as far along the evolutionary scale as we could be without people like Jr., Cheney, Rove, Pat Robertson and their ilk messing up our karma. It makes it difficult to own compassion and empathy when our leaders don't even know what those words mean.

[Ksec]

50. I feel like this

The repubs are complaining about bush , but you try to criticise him . Theyll jump to his defense and make every excuse in the book for him.

How could anyone think whats happening today, is good for this country? Its not even a debatable topic. But like I said, theyll pick him over anyone with a D beside their name. You can bet on that.

That leaves us right where we started. Failure with no hope of change , until election day.

[Sugar Smack]

59. We will see.

We will see. ;)

[blue cat]

81. You are so right

unless they change who they are, they will be upset about Bush but figure Kerry would have been worse, then con't to vote repub. I have lost all respect for these people regarding their political views.

[EstimatedProphet]

55. I know what you mean

Of all things, it took this to wake these people up, and that's in large part due to the racism they have been force-fed for 25 years. So, have they actually woken up? They aren't happy with Bush now, but that doesn't mean that they are on our side by any means-how many of them want to get rid of Bush now so that they can put in someone more racist? I can't see winning people over to the side of "We need to get rid of Bush and put in a real man! One that will show them ragheads who's boss!" as a good thing for our side.

[Sugar Smack]

57. No! Listen!

They actually have their panties in a knot over the security issue; not over any xenophobia! Yes, sure, some will take it in that direction. The rest are worried because of Osama Bin Laden's ties to that organization! It's hard to resist the pull of that particular argument!

[EstimatedProphet]

58. Well, that IS good

and well they should be concerned. I see I misread what you were saying then. If they are paying attention to the non-sequitor of the Bush administration, then it's about time.

[Sugar Smack]

60. They finally are- but

that's what I got from gleaning their letters at congress.org. It's not racism at all, but an actual, educated look into this administration's doings with certain companies.

:toast:

[ThatsMyBarack]

61. Glad to see that!

Thanks for sharing, Sugar Smack! :pals:

[Sugar Smack]

63. Oh, you betcha, danagsk8 .

I may just pull up my "angry reps" thread just for you. :toast: :pals:

[BluePatriot]

62. Definitely feeling point 2

I mean, compared to Abu Ghraib, NSA spying, Plamegate, Iraq, Katrina, and the craptastic economy...a sale to a port company gets the guy? However, the other posts about how this port deal cuts through all the "terra terra terra" programming and brainwashing of average/apathetic folks really ring true. I guess their own propaganda is biting them in the ass! And I am happy to take what I can get to get Bush booted out of office...it's just an odd catalyst out of so many things. Maybe I am just so inured to bad things happening with this admin and no one caring that I assumed this event would fly under the radar too.

[Sugar Smack]

65. Hi, BluePatriot!

:hi: You're among friends here! You're right---->"it's just an odd catalyst out of so many things." That's my feeling. PLEASE stick with us and together we can make sense of it!!

:toast:

[Lochloosa]

64. I have had several calls this week asking my opinion on the port issue

And my answer to them. It's not a big deal. I think that UAE would do a good job running the ports. They do it all over the world.

It's about the money. I tell them to google the Carlyle Group +UAE and wait for them to see * father face appear on their screen.

Nothing pisses people off more to know you have been sold out for the all mighty dollar!

[Sugar Smack]

66. C'MON. Tell us how YOU really feel about it!

:)

[Lochloosa]

67. How do I really feel about it.

IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY. HAS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

[Sugar Smack]

77. I. agree.

:toast:

[Lochloosa]

68. Kick

[no name no slogan]

69. ...

:kick:

[NMMNG]

71. Exasperated. Furious.

That it took them so long to finally wake up,

while their dear leader demonized gays and lesbians as a means of balkanizing the nation and getting himself votes...

led us into an illegal war that has killed thousands and made us less safe...

gave tax cut after tax cut to the uber rich while robbing the needy...

failed to respond to Hurricane Katrina in anything resembling an appropriate manner...

sold our elderly down the river with "Medicare Part D"...


lied more times than can be counted...

led this country into trillions in debt...

and essentially has screwed this country up so badly that it will take decades to fix the damage he has wrought.

[Sugar Smack]

74. Exactly. Which is why #4 applies to me so heartily.

By the way, I am Hard Liberal with NO Neo-Con tendencies, and my Values are not mixed up or for sale. I get misunderstood, like everyone else. I am not the most beautiful with a turn of phrase.

But NO; I have no neo-con tendencies. You and your friend get that out of your heads- I really appreciate your reply.

Peace~

Stefania

[ClayZ]

72. 4 with a little 1....

[Sugar Smack]

75. YES! 4 with a little 1 is where I am.

:toast:

Cheers, Clay Z.

[Justice Is Comin]

76. lol lol

"spits in the dust" Also taps six gun in ornate rugged cowhide holster strapped tightly to thigh, squints and confidently pulls hat down.

[Sugar Smack]

78. Shifts boot, blows smoke from pistol,

saunters into western bar, nudges past Bugs Bunny, and orders a drink flambe. :rofl:

[magellan]

80. Skeptical

The only reason the ports deal got to them is because they've wallowed in Bush**'s culture of FEAR-FEAR-TERRA'-TERRA' since 9/11, and suddenly he pulled the rug out from under them. What motivates him in this seems so contrary to his Great Protector image that it's left them afraid, angry and confused. As well they should be. Because his motivations here, as in everything, lie in the corporate sector. It's just that this time there's no haphazard dovetailing of public concerns BushCo can spin out of the deal to make people think he had them and their security in mind all along.

But most of them will never understand that.

All this episode does is illustrate how monstrously effective Bush**'s program of manipulation through fear continues to be. And I'm betting that with some comforting words gurgled in the usual "I'll protect you" vein they'll settle down and put their faith in him again.

Dimwitted fools.

[Sugar Smack]

87. Hey, magellan

From what I've been reading, the selection of letters is only a microcosm of what the rest of the repubs are thinking! I'm skeptical, too. But when I look at the reactions of the repubs, I see that they are actually waking up!!!

I think his manipualation with, "be afraid/ don't be afraid" is finally wearing those suckers out.

[magellan]

112. I sure hope so, Sugar Smack.

There'd be nothing better for this country than if they finally started waking up. But I fear this is more like someone pinching them in their sleep, and them rousing just enough to bark at the person before pulling the pillow over their heads again.

We'll see....

[patricia92243]

82. Come election time, will they remember all this? I think not. n/t

[Sugar Smack]

88. I think they will.

Call me a pollyanna, butI have read these letters and I'm saying that these people are mad.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x490597

[XanaDUer]

86. Here is my take on why it took this to do it

this seems to be one thing the freeptards cannot explain away in their numerous defensive arguments that attempt to explain every rotten thing that * does.

When I go onto congress.org, their main annoyance/shock/nonplussedness against * is that, when confronted by "libs" on this newest outrage, they cannot explain it away. They are embarrassed and, I suspect, beginning to feel like they have been made fools out of by *.

Because, after all, * and his minions have spent four years screaming "9/11!!!!!" to excuse every fuckup. Terra, terra, terra and thus, by inference, arabs bad, bad, bad, etc.

So here he goes trying to push through them mean old A-rabs managing the ports, thus placing into extreme opposition the one area * got high marks:

pertecking us all from the terra and menace of them-there a-rabs.

So, IMO, * doing this is placing freepers into the uncomfortable position of having to do a flip-flop on this.

So this was the watershed event for them (but I will bet more is a-coming down the pike).

[Sugar Smack]

91. OK- If I could nominate a post for "best response ever"

yours would be it.

I can't say it better than you just did. That was marvelous. Thanks!! :D

[XanaDUer]

95. Thank you.

I love to visit congress.org and read the letters, esp. the I-voted-for-you-and-have-defended-your-every-action-but-libs-are-now-making-fun-of-me letters that end with a respectful offer to pray for * that he * makes the right choice for our nation.

[Sugar Smack]

106. OH, that's the WORK of this project.

Wading through those kind of letters! THAT is what gives me my mixed-bag reaction. The absolute & utter certainty that these people were dropped on their heads as children.

[mmonk]

89. Through massive fear propaganda,

he made his followers think all "arabs" were out to kill all Americans. Now when he and his cronies need to make another sweet heart deal at the expense of the country, it backfires simply because their deal buddies are of middle eastern origin (and home to some real people that attacked Americans unlike Iraq).

[spanone]

93. It has waken up NO ONE. They are compromising as we speak

Once 'their' leaders say what they think they should say, they will be fine.

[Sugar Smack]

94. Read this----->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x490597

:)

[Deja Q]

97. I give up.

Sorry.

[Sugar Smack]

98. C'mon, baby! Don't give up!

;)

Tell us how you really feel. I was at a DU gathering last night, incidentally, and all my local DU buds squealed when your name was mentioned.

They wanted to know what you were like in person. I told them you were super.

[Deja Q]

99. blush

Thanks. :)

I've just been in a depressive funk the last few days; what with health and work and all... :crazy: Things will work out. They always do. :)

It is okay to say "funk" on television, I hope! :7

As for politics, I'm still... confused. But we shouldn't be afraid of the future. I hope!

[Sugar Smack]

104. In a funk? Did you know that you have a lot of groupies?

A LOT of groupies. What's that do to your brain-pan? Anyway, what were you thinking posting a link to rense? Are you MAD?

:spank: :spank: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[Generator]

100. Maybe I'm no better than these conservatives but

I don't like being lied to. SO when I saw that the Iraq war was built on lies, I asked myself, as an avid Court TV watcher-don't they tell you if the defendant lies about one thing it's far to start assuming they are lying about everything?

So they lied about Iraq. So I started investigating 9/11. Actually what got my fury up to the nth degree was when Bush didn't want an independent 9/11 investigation. It was kinda obvious back then.

YES I care about dying. YES I care about my life and my children. YES I don't want to die. No I don't give a shit if you call me racist-my first priority is my life. But DAMN IT it looks like my own govermnent is the one that is putting my life in danger. The conservatives basic premise (after it's all for me-which is why I could never be a conservative-I feel guilty having too much) is they are scared to death. But indeed, after 9/11, after Katrina, after Iraq, how stupid do you have to be to trust this government? They care more about money than your life. That's what the Dubai deal tells them. But the uber rich never have to worry about their lives-they have enough money to go anywhere on earth (or the next planet-spaceports anyone?) when this one is bombed to bits.

[Sugar Smack]

102. Can I get a witness? : )

:applause:

Amid my mixed bag there is FEAR. I'd not mentioned that till now, cause I wear my kicking-boots on my sleeve. But yeah. I'm scared too. This is such a major turning point, and we're here to witness it. One man, no better than you or me, has the power to do this? I'm sick about it too. And I want to hear more about your findings about 9/11.

Me? I'm sick of being called "crazy".

[marions ghost]

103. Payback Time

is how I feel.

We (progressives and our representatives) have been abused and even criminally abused by the Neo-cons and their supporters. Everything we care about has suffered untold damage.

We MAY be able to forgive relatives and friends who have repented for their complicity...they were weak and were fed a steady diet of lies.

But we should NEVER forgive those at the helms of power--the war profiteers, the corrupt and criminal politicians, the fundie preachers of hate, the corporate robber barons, the media whores, the election fixers...ie. the evil masterminds that have conspired in recent years to undermine every Democratic principle this country stands on. A big correction is needed. WE DO NOT FORGIVE. WE WANT JUSTICE.

[Sugar Smack]

105. How do we do it?

Yours is the second post I would nominate if I could. That was absolutely a joy to read, because for me at least, you've caught my mood dead on.

But what do we say to those people who acually say, "I was wrong"? I suppose it depends on how close we were to them. If mine comes back, I may be a little chilly at first; that much I know.

Thank you for your excellent post. :pals:

[In_The_Wind]

108. I feel like somebody better wake up!

Or I'm going to be driving the long way around New Jersey to visit you.

[Sugar Smack]

113. LOL! The long way around New Jesrey-

and hey----> *Pollyannas unite!* :D :toast: :pals:

[LWolf]

114. I feel fine.

The ports? Hoist on his own petard, as they say. Pander to the narrow bigotry of classicism, nationalism, religious fundamentalism, and yes, racism, and it comes back to bite you on the ass when you try to turn things over to a different nation with different bigotries.

Am I glad that the right is finally beginning to question this national embarrassment we call a president? Yes. Am I celebrating? No. What is there to celebrate? A nation of narrow minded bigots who will do anything as long as it stays within the boundary of their own bigotry?

[Sugar Smack]

115. *KICK*

How do you feel today?

[no name no slogan]

119. A little under the weather

but loved :loveya:

[obxhead]

117. My debate: Why are you $#@*&%$#...

so scared now....

You #%@# have followed him this far, whats the big deal?