The Storm - For Karstar
|
|
| Also listed in: "Build the Party" | Cruel and Illogical Twits: |
Less than 24 hours ago the polls weren't open yet, and we hoped our party would unify.
Less than 6 hours ago the states were called, and we saw that the party is not only not unified, but it's splitting deeper than we had imagined.
In the past 24 minutes I have seen homophobic attacks, racist rebuttals, and have been called a liar for citing a post from Jan 11th.
And it's only the beginning.
I used to believe that each side in this fight was only fighting out of a passionate belief that their candidate was the best hope to lead our country in a new direction.
We NEED a new direction.
Fossil fuels are running out, and the byproducts of burning them are damaging our ecosystem.
The Republicans plug their ears and refuse to listen.
Education in this country is not up to the standards in other countries, and it is not accessible to everyone who is capable.
The Republicans want to dismantle education and see that only the richest and the whitest receive higher education.
Healthcare is not available to all who need it.
The Republicans think that the weakest, oldest, sickest, and poorest among us don't deserve to have medical care.
The United States military forces are stretched so thin as to be near the breaking point, and we are already vulnerable to domestic attacks. The Russians have newly developed the "father of all bombs". We are spread too thin and generating enemies who want to attack and kill us by the minute.
The Republicans will continue to spread our military out, overuse it, abuse it, and leave us unable to defend ourselves when the time comes for someone to challenge us.
AIDS/HIV hasn't gone away.
The Republicans think it's God's punishment to sexually promiscuous people.
Homelessness is on the rise. Already 3 million Americans are living on streets with no shelter this winter, and more are losing their homes and their jobs everyday.
The Republicans see the homeless as "bums" and answer their requests for assistance and mercy with "get a job and then you won't need to ask me for my money."
Our economy is teetering on the brink of a recession that will see MORE people losing homes, losing jobs, losing retirement investments, losing their college tuition money, and losing their dreams for the future.
The Republicans believe that George Bush is right when he says not to worry about it.
There IS A STORM that we are going to face in this country if we let the Republicans take this one away from us while we are busy hating each other.
It is a storm like none of us have ever seen.
Less than 6 hours ago the states were called, and we saw that the party is not only not unified, but it's splitting deeper than we had imagined.
In the past 24 minutes I have seen homophobic attacks, racist rebuttals, and have been called a liar for citing a post from Jan 11th.
And it's only the beginning.
I used to believe that each side in this fight was only fighting out of a passionate belief that their candidate was the best hope to lead our country in a new direction.
We NEED a new direction.
Fossil fuels are running out, and the byproducts of burning them are damaging our ecosystem.
The Republicans plug their ears and refuse to listen.
Education in this country is not up to the standards in other countries, and it is not accessible to everyone who is capable.
The Republicans want to dismantle education and see that only the richest and the whitest receive higher education.
Healthcare is not available to all who need it.
The Republicans think that the weakest, oldest, sickest, and poorest among us don't deserve to have medical care.
The United States military forces are stretched so thin as to be near the breaking point, and we are already vulnerable to domestic attacks. The Russians have newly developed the "father of all bombs". We are spread too thin and generating enemies who want to attack and kill us by the minute.
The Republicans will continue to spread our military out, overuse it, abuse it, and leave us unable to defend ourselves when the time comes for someone to challenge us.
AIDS/HIV hasn't gone away.
The Republicans think it's God's punishment to sexually promiscuous people.
Homelessness is on the rise. Already 3 million Americans are living on streets with no shelter this winter, and more are losing their homes and their jobs everyday.
The Republicans see the homeless as "bums" and answer their requests for assistance and mercy with "get a job and then you won't need to ask me for my money."
Our economy is teetering on the brink of a recession that will see MORE people losing homes, losing jobs, losing retirement investments, losing their college tuition money, and losing their dreams for the future.
The Republicans believe that George Bush is right when he says not to worry about it.
There IS A STORM that we are going to face in this country if we let the Republicans take this one away from us while we are busy hating each other.
It is a storm like none of us have ever seen.
How do we get these two on the same side? How do we get EVERYONE on the same side?
Once the nominee is chosen, we cannot afford to lose either one of these two - or the millions like them - to McCain, or to Nader, or to anger and apathy....
The consequences of losing in November are FAR TOO SERIOUS for this kind of hatred to be nurtured and growing withing the beating heart of the Democratic Party.
Consider all that there is at stake.
My only, only, worry with Hillary is well to honest, I feel that she just might hit below the belt if she thinks it will help her. I have my observations to support that statement, but it would not be progressive to bring that into the arguement.
Keep the faith, either candidate will unify the party in the end.
It does not affect you getting a job or going to a store. It does not get you into a great school or a mediocre one.
One cannot - it is out there for all to see, every day, every hour, no matter what your heart feels.
It does affect you getting a job or going to a store. It does get you into a great school or a mediocre one.
It's hard to understand unless you live it. But, if you do, then it is hard to turn away from the hatred built up inside of you.
So, what you're saying is that it's okay to be homophobic because all the GLBT people can just stay in the closet and "hide" and then they'll be fine?
First of all, why should we live in a society that makes people have to "hide" who they care for? Why is it okay to make them "hide" it?
Next, NO IT CANNOT be hidden. Oh - unless you mean they are never, as a couple, allowed to go out for dinner in a restaurant, go on dates, go to movies together, go on a vacation and get a hotel room together, cross an international border together (you have to declare a relationship when you cross a border with someone)
Your statement of "it can be hidden" assumes that a GLBT couple never be seen together in public.
Your statement insists that no lesbian couple ever go dancing. (Heather, wanna go dancing with me?)
Your statement insists that no gay couple EVER, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES raise a child together and go to school functions as concerned and involved parents.
Your statement is that if they stay in a cave away from society that no one will know they are gay.
Can you get a job being gay? Yes, no one knows unless you look some extreme dyke or come dressed in drag.
Does you skin color affect getting a job? Sometimes, and everyone knows it.
And yes, choosing to have PDA IS different. Race is not a choice. Gender is not a choice, unless you have a great amount of cash and go through the change.
Of course, I would love for there to be no intolerance. I am being realistic, not idealistic.
But slinging mud only gets mud slung back. Unless, this has happened to you, you'll never understand.
Which is why this is so sad...
I am NOT talking about making out in public. I am talking about going to the grocery store together.
If you are seen shopping in the grocery store picking up dinner MORE THAN TWICE with the same person, people begin to infer that you have a relationship with that person. Same goes for stopping for lunch at McDonald's .
My daughter has a gay teacher. He does NOT dress in drag or flame, but his partner has attended a couple of ceremonies where he was receiving an honor for this or that. Everyone knew. They didn't hold hands, they didn't kiss, they never touched each other, but unless you're BLIND, you can tell people who are in love when you see them together.
Perhaps if you tried to hide your sexual orientation in order to get a job, then you might succeed in sneaking past homophobic discrimination, but the FIRST time you and your partner are seen at the park together, or out for a walk, or at a party, then the buzz circulates back to your boss, and suddenly your work isn't up to standard....
It is completely intellectually dishonest for you to suggest that GLBT community members who are in relationships and live normal full lives can be any more successful at hiding their lifestyle than a person of any race can be at hiding their race.
The world IS watching us.
You are the solution. People speak of why this campaign is important? Why voters are turning out in record numbers? Why things are so tense?
This election calls out to the promise of America and not the actuality of America.
America in actuality has a misguided president that has made a fortune for his cronies off the misery of 9/11. The most important thing the current president has done is remind us how bad politics is.
In steps Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. They are outsiders to politics because of their race and gender. No matter what office they hold they can never sit at the table of the country club that sells chunks of the country down the river so those at the table can stay fat and lazy. They have always controlled the country and always relied on lying and stealing and murder to keep it.
The problem is, they, those that sit at the table, have convinced many Americans to buy into it. That it is better to decieve than be open and honest. That evil is good if it keeps you on top.
Obama and Clinton represent a difference. Make no mistake, they are politicians, but this is neither's campaign. It is ours and has always been so. Hillary has seen the table because her husband sat at it. Obama knows who goes in the room and what happens when they come out. They both know the table how it functions.
They also know people are tired of it. The promise of America is opportunity for all - the actuality of America is that opportunity is limited.
As a Black man I have often discussed reparations with other Blacks. If Barack Obama becomes president there will be no need. It would mean that Black people now have access to everything which is all reparations could hope to accomplish.
As a long time supporter of women's issues I have often talked about the lack of real opportunities for women. In college, I was the only male, and vice president of the university's women's organization.
I understand how women are thought of as sex objects first and a person second. That both racism and sexism are tied to keeping individuals in higher paying jobs without having to compete for them.
I have also noted the rise in violence against women and children. An attack on the innocents by male aggressors.
Should Hillary become president it would shatter many myths about a woman's ability to lead. Most importantly it would state to a world, a world that in many parts treat women as some type of third class individual, that people in the United States believe a woman has a much value as a man.
Likewise Obama's ascension would state to a world full of racial and ethnic problems, that you need to rethink your stance. The best amoung you, may be someone outside your sphere, that you've hated for the wrong reasons.
There are no losers here Anne. Only confused people who don't see the big picture. In 224 days we will elect a democrat for President. That person will change the world. Not because of who they are but because of who we are. A country trying to live up to the promise of America.
Would you want your children speaking in such a manner to opponents. I'm sure you both want to teach good sportsmanship.
It starts here. We are on the same side.
What you are doing could contribute to a republican victory this year. We can find better, more constructive ways to disagree.
No matter who wins, we want that person to absorb the good aspects of the others policies. Can we agree on what we want so that we have a candidate for ALL of us.
Please use your passions to promote straight ticket voting so we can achieve our goals. Repairing our county.
peace,
marsha
Sorry my posting wan't clear.
peace,
marsha