Boy, am I glad I'm a registered Independent. I am utterly astonished to see the

[Redstone]

bitterness and ugliness and bitching and venom being spewed on this, a purportedly Democratic (party) website.

The Democratic party voters of one state have spoken, and Christ, you'd think they had voted for the Devil himself, judging from what I've seen here tonight.

But what do I know? Maybe it's good Party Politics to express such hatred toward a candidate from your own party.

Anyway, you guys can continue calling one another, and the candidates you don't favor, all kinds of horrible names...I'll wait and vote for whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being, next November.

Redstone

[KitchenWitch]

1. K&R

:thumbsup:

[BenDavid]

2. I do not belong to any organized political party.I'm a democrat;-)

[XOKCowboy]

13. Will Rogers I believe...

A good Oklahoma boy and distant cousin. I'd like to hear his view on the current state of things.

[Liberal In Texas]

16. Will Rogers. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm with you, my dear Redstone!

K&R

:patriot:

[Radio_Lady]

17. Redstone, you've said it beautifully. K & R if it's not too late.

Luv U Guy....

Radio Lady Ellen

:hi:

[MADem]

4. If another candidate wins NH, stand by for more of the same shit.

This is a message board of interested, active, and very vocal left leaning Democrats. It is not representative of the party as a whole, it is more left/liberal than the overall party.

Get used to this--it'll go on until a candidate is chosen, and even afterward, there will be snark. There always is.

Come! on, you've been here long enough to have seen this before!

Don't skip your primary because of a few assholes. I intend to make up my mind in the booth--I'll probably flip a coin the way things are going.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. I'll do you one better: if the same candidate wins, stand by for louder shit

:-)

[MADem]

14. I think the pundits will commence the Inevitability Theme, in that case.

And people will gripe, but others will start to wonder. It will mitigate if he runs away with two--if it's close, you'll see the same carping.

The final hammer in that case would be Super Tuesday. I honestly think Feb 5 is the date to watch, but that's just me.

[Radio_Lady]

23. MADem, you're probably right. It will all be sewed up on Feb. 5th.

We will bearly have time to swallow our cake before we have to watch the results on TV.

I'm glad I didn't plan that rededication ceremony -- nobody in our family wanted to join us in the election frenzy!

Explanation: We got married on February 4, 1973 and will be celebrating our 35th Anniversary. Here is the only picture which has made it from that day to this one:

[MADem]

60. What a BRILLIANT picture!

You should get some artistic genius to make that into a mural or something--it's wonderful!

[Redstone]

26. Ain't you got THAT just right. It'll be blather at an unbearable level.

Redstone

[Redstone]

10. "Skipping my primary" is NOT my choice. My state does not have open primaries.

And I'm pretty comfortable with all the Democratic candidates, so whoever gets nominated, I'll vote for in the national election.

Redstone

[MADem]

15. Ah! Pity, that...but those closed primaries do stop that nefarious shit...nt

[americanstranger]

5. K & R. I'm right with you.

It seems like you can't even mention a candidate's name on this board now without someone taking offense or supporters of opposing candidates getting snarky and nasty about it.

Primaries are by nature contentious. I'd characterize this one (so far) as 'acrimonious.'

- as

[Swamp Rat]

6. LOL!

:D

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. Independent here too

High five.

[Redstone]

18. Ah, we find a common ground. Bound to happen eventually.

Redstone

[skipos]

Aw c'mon! Give the circular firing squad a try! nt

[Redstone]

11. The "circular firing squad?" Great turn of phrase, indeed.

Redstone

[Radio_Lady]

45. Skipos, did you come up with the idea of a "circular firing squad"?

Honestly, that is the best description of the political primary season I've ever heard!

If it's original, you're a genius.

If not, it's still pretty funny.

Good night and good luck.

Radio Lady Ellen

[Nikki Stone1]

9. I'm with you too, Redstone.

Venom is a good word for it.

[Pushed To The Left]

12. K&R! In one way, you're more of a Democrat than some registered Democrats

You're willing to vote for the Democratic nominee in November. I'm a very strong Obama supporter, but I will proudly vote for and volunteer for the Democratic nominee no matter who it is. Any of our candidates are 1000 times better than any on the Republican side.

[Redstone]

20. You betcha. For once, the Dems have a strong field, while the Repubs have no more

than a whole gallery of clowns and assorted blowhards. I'm optimistic about this November.

Redstone

[UTUSN]

19. Thank you for voting Democratic, sincerely. Why you want to label yourself as Independent

is your own thing.


I haven't said much about the results, but will say something now because I share your concerns.



I will vote for ANY Dem as I always have. I love the Lib-Left wing for its idealism, I love the nuts-&-bolts LBJ wing and everything in between.


OBAMA has raised my concern because of his theme of wanting to "reach out" to Rethugs. Yes, we are all 'muricans, but on a political level, the Rethugs have NO interest in working with us, and any Dem who wants to do it is doomed.


I love him as a Dem, as I do ALL Dems. I want a Dem president and a Dem Congress. If OBAMA can win, I'll be out there all the way (as I will be anyway).

[Redstone]

22. Well I did register Republican for one day in 2000, so I could vote against bushyboy

in the primary back then. But only for one day, and I washed my hands a lot during that day.

Redstone

[CTyankee]

82. You know, I almost did that, I forget which year. It was when Pat Buchanen was

running in the primaries. I thought I would change parties for a day and vote forhim, on the theory that if he won the nomination he could be easily beaten by the Democrat. Hubby thought my logic was off the wall...(I didn't do it cuz I came to my senses).

[Dawggie]

21. LOL... Although we might disagree on a topic or two, I gotta K&R this one!

Well said! :toast:

[XOKCowboy]

24. So you're an Independent?

Would you vote for Cheney if he miraculously got nominated?

Would you vote for Huckabee?

Did you vote for Bush1 or Reagan?

Just wondering. Most people I know who tout their being a "registered independent" are people who think that they are above the fray but always either vote Repub or Dem in the major races. It just gives them an out if their candidate turns out to be a GWB clone.

No offense meant. Just an observation.

[Redstone]

27. Oh, horseshit. Have you ever heard of a "straw man fallacy?" If not, just look

at your post, and you'll see the definition in one neat package.

Redstone

[Dawggie]

31. Damn, boy!

You need a bag of Ready Pop? :)

[Redstone]

32. Nah, I'm just on a roll tonight. Thanks for the offer anyway.

Redstone

[Dawggie]

35. Hell, then Roll on, my friend!

[Radio_Lady]

43. Redstone, when your roll is gone... try a bagel...

Good night and good luck.

Radio Lady Ellen

[Redstone]

48. Had one for breakfast this morning. G'night to you as well.

Redstone

[XOKCowboy]

41. Hey I'm going to vote for the Dem candidate in November. Never any doubt about that...

I was just wondering about why the "registered Independent" thing. Hey if that's what you want to call yourself, go for it.

Peace?

[Redstone]

46. I'm not a "joiner." Like many native New Englanders, I prefer to make up my own mind.

It's kind of a tradition around here.

Or sometimes we just act cussed, like the Vermonters who register Republican as the majority percentage, and then go ahead and vote for whoever they feel like voting for, rather than who the Party tells them to vote for.

Example: Senator Bernie.

Peace? Yes, of course.

Redstone

[Radio_Lady]

52. Whew! Cowboy! I was holding my breath! Peace at least with me tonight.

Tomorrow, you may be on your own.

Watch out! I'm sending this little guy after you....

[Toots]

65. There are Democrats and there are "yellow dog" Democrats and there are Independents

"Yellow Dog" Democrats bring us people like Zell Miller or Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman. As an Independent myself I would never vote for such people. I vote for the person, no matter what Party they belong, if they have more Liberal viewpoints than who they are running against. Just because a person has a D after their name does not make them the right person for America...There are some states where Independent is an actual registered Party as are Green and Libertarian...

[TwilightZone]

25. DU is not representative of the Democratic Party.

Additionally, many members (like you) are not Democrats. We have a lot of independents and third-party members. DU and Democratic Party are definitely not interchangeable.

[Redstone]

28. I never said they were interchangeable, did I?

Redstone

[TwilightZone]

70. No, I didn't mean to imply that you did.

I'm just saying that everything is not always as it appears. A lot of DUers aren't Democrats - and many of the ones who are certainly aren't "average" Democrats, so we have to resist the urge to think that DU represents Democrats in some way. I would guess that most Democrats are interested in getting Democrats elected and not bashing our candidates and their supporters.

[Radio_Lady]

34. With a black man and a white woman running for the presidency, I think that there has been more

"impersonal hostility" running in this and other groups than I can ever remember in all my years interacting on media. That includes debating, radio call-in shows, and even some television appearances.

It's dehumanizing. Maybe that's the thing that we have to accept with the Internet. It wouldn't happen if people were sitting in a room together.

But this way, you can just have at somebody and it's OK. Even with moderators trying to keep on top of it, this foible is around all the time, and on virtually any subject, including many seemingly innocuous subjects. (Think chicken -- Olive Garden -- breast feeding -- etc.)

It's like saying that "I can lash out at you and you won't know who is doing it."

[TwilightZone]

71. I definitely agree with that.

The relative anonymity of the internet certainly does seem to "embolden" people.

Or, at the very least, it allows their inner obnoxious jerk to run free.

[Radio_Lady]

75. Great quote! If you don't mind, I'm going to use it as my footnote for awhile.

Thanks for posting, Twilight Zone.

[TwilightZone]

76. Feel free.

:)

[Elidor]

29. It's rich to see someone with your temper bemoaning ugliness and venom

Apparently you like to dish it out, but can't take it. Your concern is duly noted.

[Redstone]

36. Thank you for your contribution.

Redstone

[johnnie]

30. You know better than this Redstone

It happened last time and it will probably happen again on here. That's one thing about Democrats, they aren't a bunch of sheep and they have their own opinions on who they support and they have their own opinions on issues.

Since you are giddy that you are registered "Independent" then why are you so concerned on what Democrats say on a Democratic site? Maybe a place like Independent Underground would be more your speed. Democrats are more of a diverse crowd and they are passionate about their different beliefs, but as in the past..when it comes down to the actual nominee, they rally behind them and do their job. This has happened many times and it will happen again. When it comes down to it we will come together, as an "Independent" we hope you join in at that time.

[Redstone]

39. Well, yes, it is good that Democrats aren't sheep like Republicans are. You may have noticed

that I've described Republicans as sheeplike myself, many times, because they are.

And thanks for your ruling about what Internet discussion board I should or should not belong to. I'm sure that if the admins and moderators here agree with your restriction of my participation to specific places, they'll tell me so.

Redstone

[johnnie]

56. It's not about me saying what board you should post on

It's about politics. What has been going on here is typical politics and the discussion thereof. This is a political website that is mainly based on the Democrat side of that debate. Political debate has been going on in this country for over 200 years and it continues today in arenas such as this website.

You claim in your OP that you are registered "independent" on a Democratic site and expect people here to kiss your ass (which many have done), but when you claim yourself as an Independent and whine about the debate between Democrats and their supportive efforts of their Democratic potential nominees on this site, you make no sense.

There are many here that support the people running for the Democratic nomination and all the candidates have different views. Being that they are all running for the Democrat ticket and they are all different just supports the view that we are all different in our party and we each get to choose independently in regards to our individual choices.

This is called "politics" Redstone and it is one of the great things about this country. If you are registered as an "independent" as you say, then that's fine, but please let us who aren't discuss the potential nominees as we see fit (as registered Democrats) and you can vote independently as you see fit.

[Hekate]

33. Amen. I just about had to take a shower after that one thread I participated in.

Gods help us all. Snark I can deal with -- venom, vituperation, and sheer unwillingness to look at all the facts are simply destructive.

Hekate

[Radio_Lady]

40. Tell me about it. It's almost impossible to even start a conversation without

somebody heading for your jugular.

It took me hours to get over what started as an apology this morning for my stupidity.

But civility is gone. My husband came up with this phrase today.

He called it "anonymous hostility" which emboldens people to just take a potshot -- or two -- or twenty -- at others here. Those flames can come from any source, without warning, and you have to swallow hard or shoot back.

I have to say that I did get a kick out of the idea of a "circular firing squad." Who came up with that? It would be very funny if it weren't so sad.

LOL!

[Hekate]

55. The phrase "circular firing squad" has been around for ages, but is so apropos at DU these days

Oh, yes, the anonymous hostility. I'm sorry you felt so crappy over your encounter with it.

Fortunately for me, and for whatever reason, the mud that got slung at me in the thread-that-shall-not-be-named didn't seem to do more than bemuse me. Maybe it was the sheer hysterical irrationality of the reactions to my comment.... but it didn't seem to bode well for the future of our Democratic candidate(s).

In the end I had a delayed reaction and actually thought about quitting DU, it was that ugly.

I'm still here, but there's now another topic I shall studiously avoid in the future.

Hekate

[Radio_Lady]

57. Thanks, Hekate. After years as a radio talk show host and other professional ventures,

I have a pretty thick skin. But I also have been blasted for things I've said that have definitely been taken 180 degrees from what I originally intended.

Some things I've posted I thought were humorous or even thoughtful, and they probably weren't. Once in a while, I'll just put up something that I want to discuss on my radio program. Or something that is being promoted in my area in the way of public entertainment (music, theater, film, and books) and people get offended.

But it seems that some of the same people will just cling to searching me out and then "shredding" me. Ouch! That was not my expression -- somebody else used it in one of the flamefests -- but that does bring up the right sensation. I was also called a "whipping BOY" today; if anybody literally whipped me with my pants down, they would find out quickly that I am a WOMAN! (The word "BOY" was much discussed today, but not by me.)

Some people will quote you chapter and verse from discussions that ensued months and possibly years ago that were probably locked because they got so contentious. So, things were not appropriately settled one way or another at the time. However, the half-truths, rumors, and innuendoes persist.

Being socked around is never nice. It even extended to my dear husband who has pretty much decided that engaging in a provocative discussion group really doesn't cut it for him. He was hassled when he started to post in September last year and never really liked what happened during those first weeks.

I've toyed with the idea of leaving. On balance, most of the conversation here is refreshing, invigorating, and thoughtful. I have learned a great deal from this site. Most of the people are quite civil and caring, at least, on the surface. I try to stay away from those who obviously don't care for me and that's OK. I have used the "ignore" feature and it has helped. With more than 100,000 people, I guess it's inevitable that some people just won't (or can't) accept another member's viewpoints. What is really aggravating is that people surmise from something you have written -- perhaps even hastily or thoughtlessly -- that you hold a certain position that you absolutely abhor.

Good night and good morning!

Radio Lady

[Hekate]

58. Good night -- and I shall be seeing you around!

:hug:

Hekate

[Hekate]

59. After not using my Ignore function all this time,I decided to put 7 DUers on Ignore rather than quit

Felt kind of weird and kind of satisfying at the same time. However, I expect it will assist my overall serenity.

Hekate

[ContraBass Black]

37. Welcome to DU.

Remember our deleted conversation during the San Diego firestorm?

[Redstone]

54. Listen to me right now: If you are ever contemplating having a fourth concussion,

don't do it. That punches BIG holes in your memory, especially when someone mentions a "deleted conversation" so I can't look it up.

Were we on the same side of that issue?

Redstone

[ContraBass Black]

77. Summary:

You posted a thread condemning the glee that some DU'ers expressed at seeing homes with high property values burn. A troll appeared, claiming to be poor, homeless, and posting from a public library (in the middle of the night from any US time zone) and decried you as an anti-populist yuppie enabler, and gave near-orgasmic expressions of joy at Californians suffering. I came into the thread to tell the story of my best friend, who is a student in San Diego and was in danger of losing her apartment, which was empty because she couldn't afford to furnish it, to the fire. You and I both argued with the troll at length. You posted that DU is generally populated by unusually kind people who are more decent than the troll. I responded in strenuous disagreement, citing the declarations that the murder of one thousandth of my university's population was (paraphrases) "rich yuppie kids getting what they deserve" "no serious tragedy" "Karl Rove's distraction from Alberto Gonzalez's testimony or some other moderately important event of the time" and many other examples of grave pissing, victim blaming, ethnocentrism, ethnocentrism, regionalism, name-calling, and general hatefulness that are ordinary on DU. You thanked me for my response. Moderators banned the troll and deleted his/her subthreads, wiping out our discussion.

[Marr]

38. I assume you're backing Obama then?

Forgive me for saying so, but these types of cries for civility are usually self-serving.

[Redstone]

42. Like I SAID, if you'd read my post, I'm backing whoever gets the Democratic nomination.

I like them all, especially Mike Gravel.

And, if you'd READ my post, you'd not find any "calls for civility" therein. You can continue to bite each other's faces off as long as you want to; I'm just not going to get involved.

Redstone

[redwitch]

90. Your post is self serving, disruptive, rude, hateful and damned annoying.

What the hell is wrong with people? Can't we have civil conversation at all anymore? Perhaps kitten threads are all we should start? Or don't you like cats either?

[Marr]

91. I don't know.

When you're finished calling names, maybe you can tell me why we can't have a civil discussion.

Here's the thing. Primary season is always like this. People are always at one another's throats, and in my experience, people asking for civility are usually the ones who'd most benefit from it. That's how it goes.

Acknowledging this may be cynical, sure-- but hateful? I'm afraid I don't see it.

I love cats, by the way.

[underpants]

44. RON PAUL!!!

no not really

[Radio_Lady]

53. ANOTHER REPUBLICAN!!!

really

:rofl:

[Mythsaje]

47. So, do you consider criticism to be the same as hatred?

I don't.

[Redstone]

50. I know the difference between the two, thank you very much.

Redstone

[Suich]

49. For the first time in years, I'm thrilled that there are so many qualified

candidates!

A few years ago, Demo Tex taught me the value of the "Ignore" feature...it has served me well lately!

:)

[Redstone]

51. I'd not be unhappy to have ANY of the Democratic candidates as our President.

Redstone

[JerseygirlCT]

67. Yes, I think we really suffer from an embarrassment of riches nt

[Naturyl]

61. Huh? I haven't seen anything all that nasty

Could this be another attempt to make Democrats look foolish on their home turf?

[Redstone]

78. Uh, no, it's not such an attempt. You don't know me very well, do you?

Redstone

[bklyncowgirl]

62. I'd be an Independent too if my state would allow Independents to vote in primaries.

And yes, you're right. The badmouthing of candidates, all of whom have only the tiniest shade of policy differences between them (with the possible exception of Dennis Kucinich) is beyond ridiculous.

Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson & Kucinich all favor:

Ending the Iraq War
Providing Affordable Health Insurance
Civil Unions for Gays & Lesbians
Affordable College Education
Stopping global warming
All would nominate pro civilrights, pro-choice, pro-consumer judges
All are better than anyone the Republicans would nominate.

I could go on but you get my point. From listening to some people here you'd think that Barack Obama and Bill Richardson had suggested that all gay people should go back in the closet instead of one having a supporter who claims to be a "former gay" and the other stumbling over a question as to whether the thought being gay was a choice. Both gentlemen have good positions on gay civil rights--and Richardson's record in New Mexico has been very strong for governor of a conservative western state--but you'd never know that from reading posts here.

[Voltaire99]

63. You're "utterly astonished"?

I swear, some of you tender souls must think politics is a synonym for Prozac.

Welcome to the rough and tumble, dear Redstone. Nobody promised you democracy would be pretty.

[lala_rawraw]

64. you and I both

amen!

[JerseygirlCT]

66. I agree, Redstone

We can certainly have differences about which candidate we prefer. I'd hope that at bottom, everyone can see that any of ours is far, far better than any of theirs.

I have preferences, too. My first is out of the race now. But more than any of that, we desperately need a Democrat in the WH and a strongly Democratic Congress. The country desperately needs that!

Why the extreme nastiness?

[Dorian Gray]

68. I also agree, Redstone...

Don't understand why people are so up in arms about this. It's really crazy to me. I like everyone and would vote for anyone from Hillary to Richardson. So.... the anger that is going on now is really perplexing to me.

Though I am kind of happy to sit back calmly, watch this play out, and vote for the best choice in the real election.

[October]

69. Agreed - but I'm a registered Democrat!

People are either completely committed to their ONE candidate (no questions asked - how dare you!), or they're damning another person's candidate.

This site has gotten meaner.

I don't want to register INDEPENDENT, however, because then I cannot vote in my state's primary at all.

I am a Democrat and will vote for the nominee, but I want the option of selecting a nominee I feel strongly about.

[fenriswolf]

72. k thanks for the comment

from the peanut gallery.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

73. if obama is the winner i will support him but the whole mcclurkin thing left a very bitter taste in

my mouth

[Beausoir]

74. That is exactly how I feel.

[Radio_Lady]

81. I didn't understand the McClurkin reference, but sorted it out. I agree with you, Lioness.

Maybe that's a good beginning. :hi:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15603674

Look like this happened during our Utah and Nevada trip, when we had little access to daily news.

Thanks for posting,

In peace,

Radio Lady

[alarimer]

79. I despise the primary system

Because I live in Texas, I have no say in who gets nominated. It will all be over by then. I am also frustrated at the apparent anointing of the official frontrunner by the asshole media and ignoring everyone else, including the guy who finished second! I cannot stand Obama- an empty suit full of platitudes and no details. I need something more than hope. We do not need any of the bipartisan bullshit. Bipartisan to Republicans and Republican-lite means that the Democrats roll over yet again. Fuck that shit. We cannot work with those assholes. If Obama or Clinton is elected, we will never have universal health care. Instead we will have some bs system that leaves the insurance companies in place to ruin our lives and make billions for their CEO's. And I am not too sure about anyone else's current plan for that matter.

But I might as well sit out anyway, since the right-wing pieces of shit that overwhelmingly populate this miserable excuse of a state will no doubt choose Huckleberry redneck for President. The system frustrates me endlessly. I never have a voice, never. The only place I can possibly have an impact is at the local level. Those of us who hated what the local city council was doing got rid of the assholes who were going to sell our beach to some asshole developer. And we voted overwhelmingly to ban smoking in restaurants. But I guess I am going to ignore national politics because nothing ever changes. And nothing will as long as we keep electing the same corporate Democrats. I hold out some small hope for Congress. If there are enough progressives elected, maybe they can cancel out a non-progressive President. And a President Obama would probably nominate non-right-wing-assholes to the courts (but actually, given his religious pandering, I am not altogether confident of this).

I know everyone is going to jump on me for giving up on the general election (if in fact I do- I'll change my mind nine times before then and I may not even live here by November) but keep in mind I live in a state populated mostly by Republican assholes. A state where no Democrat even bothers to campaign because they know it's useless and they can better spend their money elsewhere. For those of who would counsel me to move, believe me I am getting out of this festering hellhole as soon as I can. With my line of work, I may just end up in some other, equally repulsive hellhole, like FLORIDA. The list of places I could actually stand to live is one set; the list of places I could find work is a completely different set. And they do not intersect.

[Radio_Lady]

80. Alarimer, you sound very sad and living in a red state must be really awful.

But I do hope you change your mind and end up at least voicing your opinion in November.

I have no corollary living experience, at least as an adult. I've lived in Hendersonville, NC briefly in the 1970s, and was heard on their radio station WHKP, as I recall. I was too busy with my two babies to care about politics. I've also lived in New York City, Boston, and now Portland, Oregon, where we are now retired but on travel for several months of each year. Democrats abound here in Portland, and even some of our Republican friends are quietly admitting this government has made some big mistakes.

My husband serves as committee person in Washington County, Oregon -- largely ineffective on a national level due to the placement of our mail-in primary in May 2008. However, our goal this year is to install a Democrat to replace Sen. Gordon Smith (R). It may be an uphill fight, but I am sure it will heat up as we move to spring and summer 2008.

My memories of local and national politics as a child, student, and television personality in segregated Miami, Florida, have sealed my desire to NEVER live in a place dominated by Republican values, at least as I see them now. At age 18, I was part of a live children's show with my co-host, an announcer at the station. We were both from the north (I was born in Pennsylvania, and he was from Indiana). I admired how courageous he was to negotiate the first integrated show audience of children NOT divided by race.

Fast forward: Driving across Florida's midsection last month from Sanibel Island, to Orlando, brought us in contact with one small town in the area of the orange groves where we had lunch.

It was like stepping into a time warp. The good thing was that they served grits and chicken. But I overheard conversations from people with Southern "cracker" accents, discussing local problems, including the "difficulties" with "hired help." I was tempted to turn and push myself into some conversations, but I thought better of that. I did not join in any of the talk, but I sat mute and very angry inside.

We go to these places (California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona and Texas) to follow the sun each winter. We also try to escape the extreme heat in August, and like to go to Alaska or Victoria, BC, Canada, even though we've lived to see the American dollar shrink in value against Canadian money, making everything more expensive, of course.

Next month we'll be on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii. We frequently run into Republicans who are members of the Hilton time share owners' community. Wherever we go, we try to change peoples' minds, but just gently.

Our perception is that in general, people are terribly unhappy with this administration, and that's been going on at least since we got into this group in 2001.

I wish you well with your career and hope you find some like minds who are able to be supportive of your feelings. Just know I do and so does my husband.

In peace,

Radio Lady Ellen

[sakabatou]

83. In-fighting will calm down late this year

So don your flame-proof suits.

[Radio_Lady]

85. Yes, you're probably right. But we're looking at months up ahead while our best choices

clamor to clobber each other over and over.

Perhaps this has always been "the American way" -- done in back rooms and reported later at the conventions. With the advent of 24-hour news brought to you by partisan stations, it's in our face almost daily.

Both hubby and I are "political junkies" -- we call this our "sport" since neither of us follow sports events. (I broke with tradition and watched the Patriots in their 16-0 win recently!)

While on vacation with our children and grandkids, as well as other friends in Florida, we could not receive MSNBC and we were too busy to care.

Our next vacation is just the two of us. I think it will be too hot in Hawaii for my flame proof suit! It will also be too expensive to access the Internet. Perhaps that's a GOOD thing!

In peace,

Radio Lady Ellen

[sakabatou]

87. That's why I suggest a flame-proof suit these days.

[Radio_Lady]

88. You must have missed my comment: "I think it will be too hot in Hawaii for my flame proof suit!"

But I can certainly wear it for the next couple of weeks in Oregon!

Thanks for the post, Sakabatou! :hi:

Radio Lady Ellen in OR

[sakabatou]

89. No prob

:hi:

[Lex]

84. Independent? Like Perot?

:rofl:

[Radio_Lady]

86. Lex, Redstone registered his opinion earlier in this message:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2597236&mesg_id=2597465

Here's another story from Massachusetts. We registered as independents because that allowed us to vote in either primary in our New England town. You could change party affiliation right after voting in the primary just by signing a small card.

This was during the 1972 - 1998 period. We voted Republican perhaps once or twice during that period, but I can't recall the details. Hubby says we voted for Reagan once, and we recall voting for Carter. Also, we voted for William Weld (R), as governor.

I'm not sure if it's the same in Connecticut which is where Redstone lives. Perhaps that explains it.

FYI, we never voted for Perot!!!!! Both of us are registered Democrats and we have a mail-in system for voting here in Oregon.

[Redstone]

92. William Weld. I'm insanely jealous of him. NOBODY who is a politician should also be such a talented

writer; his novel about the time leading up to the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir is one of the very best books I've ever read.

To this day, the people in that part of Massachusetts feel they're still being punished for Shays's Rebellion.

Read that book.

Redstone

[Radio_Lady]

93. Thanks for the plug. How old is that book? Did Weld move down to NYC or Washington?

I'll check it out myself. Appreciate your post.

On edit: Here's the Wikipedia info on WW: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Weld

Books

Weld has written three books for the mass market:

Stillwater ISBN 0-15-602723-2
Mackerel By Moonlight ISBN 0-671-03874-5
Big Ugly ISBN 0-7434-1037-8

Have a wonderful week, Redstone, and don't let the (bastards) get you down.
At the DU, you get to choose your own (bastards).