Donner Party Democrats

[Thickasabrick]

This is a really good opinion piece. He is filling in for Bob Herbert - I had never heard of this guy but after reading this, I'll be looking for him

Donner Party Democrats

By TIMOTHY EGAN
Published: March 22, 2008

(snip)
And then, as the snow piled high deep into March, the Dems turned on each other. One of their leaders had been hanging around the camp of another preacher man, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. — a nutball like Robertson, blaming America for bringing on the horrid attack. What is it with these men of God? Should have left them home.

The Dems grew raggedy, worn, desperate. Whereas the first Donner Party was bogged down in the snow of the high Sierra, these Dems could not get out of the Rockies. One faction wanted to declare it over, based on greater popular support. The other one wanted simply to stick around long enough, waiting for the rival to self-destruct.

Their former leader, Clinton the Elder, was kept on a leash — nothing but cards at night. He said he’d seen far worse in his time. “Will there be more animosity as this thing goes on? Yes.” That didn’t help.

Looking for leadership, they turned to a quiet man in the rear, a doctor from Vermont: Howard Dean. Do something, Doc! Scream! But he cowered, mumbling about do-overs and going back to Michigan or Florida.

At their lowest ebb, they looked back and again saw the straggler, McCain. He was stronger, walking with renewed vigor despite his age.

He was joined by a grizzled old cuss named Cheney. One strange hombre, Cheney had shot a man in the face. He’d forgotten that his country was a democracy. When he was told that two-thirds of the nation wanted to heed the founders’ advice and avoid prolonged foreign conflicts, he spit on the ground, and said, “So?”

His party was united. What had been hatred for McCain was now hatred for the other party’s preacher. They could direct all their historic resentments, their bound-up frustrations, against this preacher, the Rev. Wright. So long as they hissed and booed at his picture every night, they stayed together, saying the nastiest of things.

The original Donner Party made history for one reason: by eating their dead. Cannibalism — it was all they could do to stay alive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/opinion/22egan.html?em&ex=1206331200&en=15225258008f39d7&ei=5087%0A

[margotb822]

1. Well, thanks to global warming

spring comes earlier now. Unfortunately for the Republicans, the Democrats are actually practicing democracy and taking the opinions of their constituents into account. And once the snow melts, we'll come together...and we'll have plenty to be thankful for in November.

[Thickasabrick]

2. How does that saying go??? "from your mouth to God's ear?"

I really hope we don't screw this opportunity up.