To Come of Age

[H2O Man]

"Can we resolve the past
Lurking jaws, joints of time?
The Base
To come of age in a dry place,
Holes and caves."
--James Douglas Morrison; To Come of Age

A closed mind is like a closed room -- both become stuffy in a short time. The evidence of that can be found in the rather thoughless attacks on those people who endorse Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I can laugh when I read posts by people I think are disrupted spirits, taking cheap shots at the two candidates. But I shake my head when I read posts by some of the people I have come to respect and admire over the years on DU, when they add to the negative energy.

We have unresolved issues as a nation. Few things provide a clearer view of that then the attention the nation pays to the endorsements of the Kennedy Clanna. Yet I see people questioning the honesty of Robert Kennedy Jr, who has endorsed Senator Clinton; and I read posts that question if his sister Rory, who endorsed Senator Obama, is qualified to express aan opinion on the issues confronting our nation.

Our party is stronger because we have a variety of people like Robert and Rory, who may be endorsing different candidates, but who are dedicated to improving this country. They give voice to the strongly held opinions of our base.

There is a strong democratic energy on the move in this country. I can say without any chance of being wrong that there are powerful anti-democratic forces at play, as well. There will be events in the summer and fall which are being designed to subvert the positive energy of the democratic movement. I say that to say this: Please do not close your mind, and make a decision that justifies not voting for either Clinton or Obama if they win the nomination.

Keep an open mind.

[DemReadingDU]

It is very important the the Democratic candidate prevail

Both are fine candidates. This country needs a Democrat for President in order to begin undoing the damage caused by the the Republican administration. That is why it is important to vote for the Democratic candidate in November, whoever it is.

[H2O Man]

1. Okay ......

These are the most recent candles that I made (on Friday). It is good to have a hobby that allows you to slow down, and think about politics and social issues at a relaxed pace.

[DemReadingDU]

2. Cool candles!

I made candles many years ago, and probably still have some wax around here somewhere. But I like Scrabble too and playing cards, too. I always encouraged my children to find something to enjoy doing for a hobby as well. We are never bored. It's good to have a variety of interests.

:)

[Me.]

8. Looks Good Enough To Drink

[K Gardner]

3. I'm so proud of the INSPIRED Obama supporters' posts this morning.. you guys rock ! K&R

[Coexist]

4. some people come here for the express purpose of being nasty

some people I respect seem to take the bait at odd times.

I try very hard not to.

I hope I am doing okay.

[H2O Man]

9. I believe that.

I've felt sad reading some of the ugly things that people I expect more from have posted. But I understand that the last seven years have injected a great deal of fear, anger, and hatred into our society. So it is no real surprise to find it here.

[Me.]

5. We Can Either Have A Woman Or An African American Man

When has that ever happened before? The never response to my rhetorical should have us jumping for joy.

Somehow I am not surprised by your candles.

[H2O Man]

10. We have two

highly qualified candidates. The republicans have damaged goods. we should be happy.

My younger son has a candle like this from the Old Sod. He has been suggesting I try making a few. It makes good use of some old glasses from my youth.

[TacticalPeek]

6. And keep your eyes on the prize.

Some of the scenario playing out here at DU and in the news could have been written and edited by Karl Rove and the ghost of Lee Atwater.

It's called the politics of division, where the only way to win is not to play.

Solidarity or sorry, Charlie.

:patriot:

[H2O Man]

11. "the politics

of division" -- Yep. Absolutely right.

[Garbo 2004]

7. K & R for H20 Man. I'm in a bit of a quandary myself on who to cast my vote for tomorrow.

With the CA primary moved up, there is actually a choice between two candidates who have not yet sewed up the nomination. Neither would be my first choice. I see sustantive reasons to vote for and against either one.

But it is what it is. And during the last few debates I could contrast the Dem candidates with the Republican candidates. In the Dem debates I was particularly interested when they actually stepped into the weeds for a bit to get into policy arguments, when they got away from facile sloganeering. Just a taste, perhaps, but even this jaded soul thought, these people have thought about the issues in a deeper way than mere sound bites and what's politically prudent to say. Yes, they're politicians and deal in the unsavory realm of money, politics and what's possible to achieve within the sausage factor.

As Obama once, perhaps somewhat sadly, observed in one discussion, "None of our hands are clean." A remarkable statement from a politician, I thought. Of cousre it's true but I found it remarkable for a politician to publically say so in any context.

Contrast those Dem debates with the Republican debates where the candidates took turns repeating of the same old facile shit we've heard for years. A serious look at those folks, IMO, should leave no question about who to vote for in the General Election and why.

As you note:

"There is a strong democratic energy on the move in this country. I can say without any chance of being wrong that there are powerful anti-democratic forces at play, as well. There will be events in the summer and fall which are being designed to subvert the positive energy of the democratic movement. I say that to say this: Please do not close your mind, and make a decision that justifies not voting for either Clinton or Obama if they win the nomination."

If the 2000 election taught us anything, IMO it put the lie to the assertion that there is no substantive difference between the Democrats and Republicans. The last 7 years I think are evidence of that. Come November I'll vote for the Dem candidate. whoever it may be.

[H2O Man]

12. I could have

voted for John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama. I am fine with both of the current two. I'll make my final decision on the ride to the poll.