OK, I surrender ...

[sjdnb]

Gore's not going to run and I just can't get behind any of the rest of the 'announced' candidates. I've worked almost every local, state, and Presidential campaign since McGovern, but, I'm done.

The truth is, our form of media-money driven democracy will never result in the best choice being elected to serve and/or better the lives of the majority of the people.

Just read the posts on these boards - impeachment, although if ever there were grounds for impeachment, will never happen; avg folks foreclosed upon, while banks are bailed out; war is wage, based upon lies, and NO ONE is held accountable; the bottom line is ... the only people who ever pay are the hard-working, middle and lower income Americans -- with their blood and tax dollars; and, while they are squeezed and provided with less and less, they are asked to sacrifice more and more so that the few can get richer and richer.

The upper 10% of the wealthy and influential control our country, the economy, the political process, and our lives. And, it has only gotten worse over the last 30 years. And, there is nothing we can do to change it, I see that now.

So, I'm going to toss any idealism or faith in the political process I had aside and go grow my vegetables, sew some clothes, do some needlework, crafts, art, volunteer at my kid's school and the local pantry -- and no longer will I waste my passion, emotion, time, or limited funds trying to make the world a better place through political action.

[MUAD_DIB]

1. Do you know that you just made a GOPig smile?

[sjdnb]

4. Not my problem

I've dragged my kids to fund raisers and candidate appearances, I've donated time, money and supplies, to a party I believed really represented and cared about the people. Unfortunately, time and time again they have proven me wrong.

One of the most egregious acts was the game playing with the Kucinich impeachment vote. That was one of the last straws for me. In my opinion, November 6th, 2007 is a day that will live in infamy.

[zonmoy]

28. perhaps instead of giving up on politics altogether

you should try to find a third party to build up. start a movement to replace the democrats with a real progressive movement.

[saltpoint]

2. "While admitting to the worst of all possible worlds, we must behave as if

we could be the best of all possible people," says one of the true voices of the American Great Plains, Paul Horgan.

And from Joan Didion, arguably our best living writer, "You play the hand you're dealt and you stay in the action."

Almost none of us will ever get his or her way in politics. By nature, politics is about subtraction of what an individual prefers, instituting instead a vague stream of satisfactions and disappointments onto which we launch our ilttle wooden skiffs.

One hopes for the best.

Science, art, and literature are the things that survive, and they rise out of the ashes of setbacks from day-to-day human existence.

Poet Adrienne Rich described it as a "faithfulness," "a weed flowering in tar/ a blue energy piercing the massed atoms of a bedrock disbelief."

[Clovis Sangrail]

3. good for you

idealism and faith are kinda silly in our political system.

You will probably be far more effective and fulfilled growing vegetables, working in your community, and just being a good person.

I sometimes wonder if all the political activists would have more of an affect on society if they gave up politics and channeled all of that energy into their community.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Even if we had clean elections, "best choice" would always be open to argument.

I think Chris Dodd is our best choice. I suspect that I'm in a minority on that opinion.

[KingOfLostSouls]

6. I wanted Gore too

but have chosen to endorse biden instead.

granted, Gore would be the best but he's not running. he's citizen gore and we should all respect his decision. he's not quit the good fight, just this week Google announced it was investing heavily in alternative energy. Gore is one of their directors.

take that as a hint: even though Gore isn't running, he's not given up the good fight. neither should you. Even if he's still a private citizen, he's still showing us how to lead and he's still supporting and fighting the good fight, and undoubtedly he'll weigh in soon enough and cast his vote as well.

you don't have to support a candidate 100%, but they need our support. any one of our candidates is head and shoulders above what the republican party would unleash onto us and this world. its not about simply supporting a candidate, its about beating them. that in itself is motivation enough and should be remembered we stand strongest when we stand together.


From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother

[Cobalt-60]

7. How about a little revenge?

We owe the Republican Party a beat down of legendary proportions.
Self respect calls for retaliation against the Republican party.
They have irreparably damaged the country. They have to suffer for it.
Let's stow that surrender stuff.
Surrender to Republicans and they'll sell your organs on the open market.
They've never displayed their fascist *sses more prominently.
They've never officially sanctioned torture or murder before.
And once more they've brought us economic ruin.
We might be able to score a solid kill on the Republican party if enough of them
are run out next year.
They all love the "end days" stuff.
So I'll use a Babylon 5 quote I never thought I'd need.
"If they want Armageddon, then let's give it to them!"

[sjdnb]

10. Sorry, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend logic

is, in part, what got us here in the first place.

[Cobalt-60]

16. I'm considering it a final strike

I can see a certain Democrat being presented as if they had already won the primary just the same was that Texas nose picker was in '99.
I'm for Kucinich. The rest are Republican light or in thrall to a a predatory industry.
I don't have any illusions about how the primary will go, but I'll fire my shot like always.
If Dennis wins I'll do what I can for him.
If another wins I'll shift my efforts entirely to Get Out the Vote.
But those fascist bastards have to be fought.
If you really are that tired sit it out.
I've been deprived of everything I had worked for by these swine and I intend to shed
some Republican political blood for it.

[ClayZ]

8. The Weight of Nothing

Along the way, "Each One, Teach One"...



The Weight of Nothing

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coalmouse asked a wild dove.

"Nothing more than nothing," the dove answered.

"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the coalmouse said. "I sat on a fir branch close to the trunk when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard. No, just like in a dream, without any violence at all. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,471,952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch--nothing more than nothing -- as you say -- the branch broke off."

Having said that, the coalmouse ran away.

The dove, since Noah's time an authority on peace, thought about the story for a while. Finally, she said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come to the world." - Source unknown

[MADem]

12. BINGO. That's a home run, right there. NT

[sjdnb]

15. Beautiful poetic, esoteric, idealistic prose, but ....

it has little to do with the way the world or American politics works today. I wish it were. But, it's not.

[ClayZ]

20. Your sig line...

"The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart. Robert G. Ingersoll"

Is a reminder to us all...

I sometimes wish I could quit looking, quit learning, and quit caring. But, with 5 grandkids, I have to do what I can for their future.

If it were not for people like you, who have worked very hard for what is BEST, we might be in even a bigger mess than this crock of crap we are in now.

Thanks for all your work. I hope your garden is beautiful. I am a gardener, too!

[brer cat]

9. good for you

and i agree...i leave a small footprint...grow my own veggies...shop locally.

[MADem]

11. Well, don't let the door hit you on your way out of the Political Process, now.

That's nothing to be terribly proud of, frankly, your attitude.

No one said it would be easy. But go ahead, and abrogate your duty to your children by doing what you can to secure for them a better society in the future, and take good care of those vegetables instead.

Don't vote, don't force yourself to make difficult, pragmatic, choices amongst less-than-perfect options, just water that garden...don't strain yourself.

Because of course, if it ain't PERFECT, why bother?

:eyes:

[sjdnb]

13. I've been doing this for darn near 40 years ... and you?

My guess is you're in your early to mid 30's with maybe a couple of half-a$$ed volunteer efforts during a couple of Presidential campaigns under your belt. Otherwise, you'd understand my frustration.

[MADem]

18. You guess wrong. I'm retired, and I've been at this for OVER forty years.

I spent a career in the military, too, having to keep my mouth shut while in uniform, and observing the regulations which restrained my comments and activities during the workday. I have been active in politics all my life, more when I am in the US, of course, and to this day, I am active and PRACTICALLY so. I've worked at all levels in major AND minor contests, I've raised money, GOTV, phone banked, precinct walked, you name it. I drive my fellow geezers to the polls by the hundreds, be it a local election, a statewide contest, primaries, and generals. I don't let anyone in my neighborhood go without a ride, if I have to do it all damned day and into the evening.

So that's what happens when you ASSume, see? You get it wrong.

And again, you got it wrong. You weren't even halfway close.

You have three choices, really--you can lead, you can follow, or you can get out of the way. No one needs the "Debbie Downer" lecture in the run up to 08, though.

If you wanted something other than pity or drama, you wouldn't have posted that GBCW* rant. People who are genuinely tired, and just have had enough, leave quietly without a big explanation, and don't look for people to "convince" them to stay. They don't get all didactic and explanatory.

But hey, you got some attention, that must be gratifying, I suppose. It's what you were fishing for, I believe.

*GBCW=Good Bye, Cruel World

[sjdnb]

22. YOU KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT and admonish me?

Don't even attempt to scold me for being frustrated by the political process when you allowed yourself to be controlled/manipulated, either by virtue of your own paranoia or outside pressures, while in the military -- the same military, by the way, that was organized to DEFEND and PROTECT our LIBERTIES.

[MADem]

23. Apparently, you're obtuse as well as defeatist.

It is against military regulations to tout candidates WHILE IN UNIFORM.

Did you like it when Bush ignored the reg and didn't discipline Boykin?

What I was saying, Rocket Scientist, is that when I participated in campaigns while on active duty, I would have to do so after working a full ten or twelve hour day. AFTER, capisce? In civilian clothing.

I didn't 'NOT' do it. I both followed the regulations AND I participated in politics.

It's not a question of paranoia, pressures, or whatever. It's a little thing called U. S. LAW. Law of the land, see? It's part of the SACRIFICE that those of us who defend your ass and the Constitution make while serving. But I suppose you find that sacrifice unimportant.

See, we don't have a choice--we serve to defend all Americans, even the ones who ignorantly denigrate what we do, or have no understanding or clue of the restraints under which we operate.

Jesus, you're not the sharpest knife, are you? You might have looked up the regs real quick-like on Google before you made an ass of yourself like that...!

But see--I was right about you. You posted your dramatic GBCW, and you're still here...now you're having fun getting in little tiffs here and there. I thought you were done? Apparently not. Attention deficit is a disorder, I guess.

[sjdnb]

24. Good luck with that line of logic

it just proves you were willing to surrender your principles because you were in uniform. Well, guess what, the uniform you were wearing was created to STAND for the principles you chose to cast aside.

I'm a Marine/Army brat -- my dad served in both - WWII and Korea. My aunt was a Marine - WWII, and my uncle was on the Indianapolis - do you know anything about the Indianapolis?

So, you see, I know a little bit about military duty. Including how the military treats their veterans. And, how those vets come home. So don't lecture me --- I could tell you a few stories about what I've seen and been through, but I respect those vets I've shared my life with too much to waste their stories trying to impress someone like you.

Trust me, were my dad, uncle, or aunt alive today they'd fight me tooth and nail were I to consider joining today's military. They knew what they went through and would not wish it on their worst enemy - especially, given the illegitimate reasons (lies) upon which this war was based.

Additionally, I have the anti-war diary my dad drew/wrote (a cartoon-like book) while in Korea ... so, you see, you don't HAVE to 'play along' -- unless you allow yourself to be intimidated into believing your rights have been suspended because you put on a uniform to fight for those same rights.

[MADem]

25. It's not a "line of logic." It's US LAW. How many times do I have to repeat it before it sinks in?

You really ARE obtuse.

And I thought you didn't give a shit about the political arena any more--why aren't you off with your vegetables, yet? Still basking in the attention?

I know all about the Indianapolis. Everyone who served in the USN does. That was a ghastly situation.

And what, pray tell, does the treatment by DOD of vets have to do with US LAW? Because some administrations treat their vets like shit, that makes it "OK" to ignore law? That seems to be your "logic" with that ramble you posted. If anyone's having a logic fart here, it's you.

And if you have been politically involved for forty years, as you claimed, you don't have to worry about joining the military. Unless you're a Grace Hopper or a cardiothoracic surgeon with incredible skills, they don't want your old ass. Your window of opportunity is well and truly slammed shut.

But all that is apropos of nothing. If you serve with honor, you OBEY US law. You stay true to the agreement you made with your government when you enter service. That's a principled stand, even if you're so dull of comprehension that you cannot see that. We send our Senators and Reps to Congress to make those laws, and we protect our country and our system of government while in uniform. One of the deals we make, and we agree to, is that we won't campaign in uniform, or push a political party in uniform. Only an ASSHOLE goes back on their word, in addition to violating a law they agreed to abide by.

People who can't manage to obey the laws that they made a PROMISE to obey, and support, protect and defend their Constitution need to get the fuck out of service, resign that commission, not re-enlist, and then go on their merry way, doing what they please, to where ever their "principles" might take them. You don't break the law because you "feel like it" or because some government entity was "mean to you."

:eyes:

[murielm99]

14. And what if

your vegetable crop fails, your kid's school board is run by nincompoops and the food pantry is a constant source of frustration? Are you going to hide in your house?

Our party will be perfect when we are all perfect. I think I will stay in the game.

[sjdnb]

17. My crops have failed more than once, but ...

I have far more potential to contribute to their success, and the success of my sewing, craft, food pantry, and the local shelter, etc. than I have in determining which 'bought and paid for' candidate wins the Presidential election ... nor, do you. Trust me, it's been determined already - it's only a matter of whether it is a Republican or a Democrat. And, given the current roster of candidates, it probably won't matter that much whether it's either.

Obama would get run over;
Hillary would go along;
Edwards would be Carter II (good intentions unrealized);
the rest don't have a chance in h*ll of getting the nominations ... so, I'm going back to printing off pamphlets to hand out to neighbors requesting donations for the pantry, OK???

[Old and In the Way]

19. "Our party will be perfect when we are all perfect. "

Truer words were never spoken. I'm far from perfect, why should I expect that in my choice for President? We ain't electing a bodhisattva here.

But I do know that any of our nominees will be light years better than the sad collection of panderers who are running for the Republican nomination. They are playing to their collectively worst, anti-socialist instincts.

[The Traveler]

21. Rest

We cannot expect the struggle to be easy. Really, humankind is still rising from savagery. These are dangerous times because we are so well armed with our technological toys, but their use does little to assist our rise. No. It is not easy. And the struggle's end is nowhere near. Sometimes, therefore, we must rest. Retreat until new strength and ideas are given us.

But your very words of protest tell me loud and clear your alleged surrender is nothing but a declaration of impending sabbatical. Rest well, friend. See ya down the road ...

[TreasonousBastard]

26. Surrender is for the weak while the battle rages on. I see..

here some marvelous and encouraging answers to your surrender and it's Old Crusoe, Madem, and the rest who fight on who will each bring a slight bit of change.

Just a slight bit, but they know that it's the combined weight of those "snowflakes" that bring real change.

Go off and give up, but all that fighting you claim to have been doing all these years has done something. Don't let those little bits of yours go to waste.

I know the battle will not be won in my lifetime, but it is selfish and useless for me to give up now.

[Prophet 451]

27. I understand

Really, I do. Burnout is inevitible eventually. Personally, I keep fighting just for revenge, we may not be able to win but we can fuck up the other guy.

I'd suggest you try pitching for Kucinich. He's not going to be allowed to win but he can at least make some noise about the worthwhile stuff but I can understand if you just can't get up the enthuasiasm.