I could not sleep last night.

[Skidmore]

I lay flat on my back, staring at the ceiling fan making slow circles in the glow of the clock light. My thoughts were racing. Nails digging into my palms and shoulders tense, I listened to the soft snoring from the other side of the bed where my husband had fallen into the quick deep well of sleep in only the way a person who does physical labor can. I closed my eyes and tried slow deep breaths to bring relaxation, but it would not come. I wept. I wept the hot briny tears that scald salt trails down your cheeks. The kind that collect in a fisted ball in your throat and prevent the scream from escaping your lungs.

I opened my eyes again and I saw it looming in front of me--my fear,. Mishmash monster of both my living and imagined terrors. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat and clear my mind to make it go away. It hulked in front of me with new appendages dangling and fresh images and words tattood on its aged hide.
Yes, I realized; I am afraid.

Now what called this creature forth? As I thought through the events of the past week, I realized that the fear that threatens my peace of mind feeds on my apprehension of a world with no order or sanctuary for my family. The tears course again as it occurs to me that a woman has set loose the monster and it will feed.

I wish you could meet my son, a young man in his twenties born of my first marriage to a Middle Eastern man. I love my son. A tall, slender young man with a wonderful intellect and good heart, he doesn't really remember much about his father's homeland where we lived until he was five. He only recalls a few words from the language he prattled in as a toddler. His surname contains the name, Hussein, and his skin is olive and tans to very dark in the summer sun. He's a handsome fellow and carries himself with assurance. Now an engineer, he excels in his field and is well respected by his colleagues. Obama reminds me a lot of my son. Obama's life story is very similar to ours.

I wish you could meet my daughter of that marriage, a warm loving woman with a generous spirit and a cascade of ringlets whose gentle golden sloe-eyes peer out at me from the faces of her little ones. College educated and civic minded, she works to make the world a better place for her children.

I wish you could meet my current husband, a West Indies man with skin as dark as the night, bright eyes, a ready smile, calloused hands, and a heart as big as all outdoors. A man who would give a stranger the shirt off of his back if need be. In the fifteen years we have been together, I've seen this man be treated harshly and with severe prejudice by coworkers and out-of-control law enforcement because the color of his skin and watched him stand up for his rights and prevail.

I wish you could meet my brother-in-law who came to this nation as a young man. A wonderful man who worked hard in the steel mills until they closed. He lives in an urban area in a major city and over the years has finally come into our world a bit, stepping out of the sanctuary he finds in his neighborhood. He lived in the south during the Jim Crow years.

I fear for them now. I fear for us. I fear for the nation. Something ugly has been unleashed these past few weeks which should shame us all. The wink-wink, nod-nod of political gamesmanship cannot justify using discrimination as a tactic. Racism has been given quarter in "respectable" circles in political salons. Bigotry acceptable. The clock turned back --not to the 1990s. We're going straight to the 1950s and perhaps further back in time if this door is not closed. It shames me that a woman--no, a group of women-- would open this door and step through it. It is not acceptable. We either rise together as people or we will all fall.

As a woman, how can I move forward and leave my children and my husband behind? How many families are there in this nation like mine? Mixed and blended families. Not the cocoons of middle-class whiteness, but nest built of warm shades of brown and sepia.

How can I support a candidate that would sacrifice all for just one group in the nation? Why should anyone expect me to do so? How can I continue to support a party that will not condemn such thinking?

[FrenchieCat]

1. We won't let it happen,

don't you worry. Look at the vote count for Obama. Look at it and know that behind each one there is a face and a heart and a conscience. No, we won't let this happen, because progressives cannot regress into time and believe it to be the right thing to do. We are, after all, the ones that we have been waiting for. You and yours and me and mine and theirs are all in that number.

[Skidmore]

2. Thanks, Frenchiecat, for the encouragement.

I really am discouraged with the cynical use of hatred and fear by women, of all people. It is just not right. Especially at this point in history.

[fight4my3sons]

23. Frenchiecat said what I would

if I could write that eloquently :)

[NDambi]

111. Excellent reply and I agree

[democrank]

3. Peace to you and your family, Skidmore.

Take care.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. What a heartwarming post.

I grew up in a neighborhood where such diverse families resided and this was considered almost the "norm" to me - i.e., it didn't matter what your phenotype or genotype is. We have made alot of progress this year and I can only hope that trend continues.

[karmicglee]

138. Indeed

Although I agree that racism was horrible during the early 20th century, traces of it still linger; but if we all fight united, we will have a better world sooner than later.

[mahina]

5. Aloha sister,

the greatest page was made for those rare posts that wake us up and call us to be better, as yours did.

Tonight we watched a movie at home (netflix but hopefully blockbuster too) called "encounter point" http://www.encounterpoint.com/about/index.php about Palestinian and Israeli bereaved families building peace together.

I hope you check out the amazing work of the albert einstein institution, with free books to download that are so valuable in building peace: http://www.aeinstein.org/ (a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world.)

Be of good cheer, the world is evolving toward peace. This dark night will be followed by day, but it seems impenatrable sometimes. God bless and light and love to you and those you love, and to those who hate. Aloha.

[Skidmore]

16. Thank you for that link and the movie tip. I will explore both further.

Hoping for peace and enlightenment for all in a world where some seek to impose darkness.

Aloha, my sister.

[mahina]

88. A Force More Powerful - nonviolent resistance WORKS!

While we're at it, this will lift your heart...people around the world have thrown off the opressors, and we can too. India, Chile, South Africa, The Netherlands, Poland...USA!

http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/order.php

:grouphug:

[99th_Monkey]

6. Thank you for speaking up, and doing it so elequently.

I see the same handwriting on the wall, the same challenge to all of us.

enough is enough. I'm already supporting Obama in Oregon, so I'll re-double
my efforts in light of your post. thank you.

[Guava Jelly]

7. Your family sounds beautiful

Thank you for sharing this.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

8. There is an extremely ugly undercurrent

that slimes its way beneath the tired, trite "concerns" of those in opposition to Barack Obama.

We, as a nation, will rise above it this year and relegate it to the proverbial scrap heap. The generations emerging, that will be our future stewards, have rejected the evil of which you speak. There will be unity as we come together to cure the afflictions cast upon us by this mal-administration... and the hatred and greed that fuel their small minds will be contained.


You have written a beautiful piece of prose, and I wish you warmth and security as we work to dispel the negative agents sowing dissension. We will triumph.

[marions ghost]

9. No the clock isn't turning back...

it's still moving forward, you may be sure. Obama's success is a testimonial to that. The momentum is with him and with the majority who abhor racial discrimination in any form.

But did you think it was going to be all over yet?

Of course you are right to call it shameful and unacceptable to see these tactics used now. Thank you for writing about your personal reaction to it so that others can grasp what it really feels like. I think we all are shocked at Ferraro's statements particularly, as well as the other slightly less blatant examples of racism used in this campaign. But maybe we needed to be shaken out of our cocoon to see that there is much still to be done before any of us can afford to be complacent.

Don't you worry-- many will see this as very negative and divisive behavior, and an opportunity to fight back. We can use it. These are desperation dirty tactics by Hillary supporters IMO. They will be the losers I believe.

[Usrename]

10. It's time to turn the page with a vengence.

I won't go back there. If we have to discard these dinosaurs by the brute force of our will, then we must.

[Skidmore]

11. I feel the same way.

It will take all of us standing with ethnic and African-Americans to keep these forces at bay. I'm concerned because Hillary appears to have embraced them and sold women on the idea that equality for only some and not all is just fine.

[SunsetDreams]

12. I didn't think I could cry anymore..

I have cried so many times over this, I feel your pain Skidmore. I am white, and married to a wonderful, caring black man. He has been there for me through thick and thin and would do anything for anyone. We have a beautiful 13 year old daughter who is absolutely the joy in our hearts.

I am so frightened at the ugly door that's been opened. I imagined all kinds of horrible scenarios that were living nightmares. It brings up America's ugly past, and shines a light on the undercurrent of racism that has never healed. I ached for the people in Mississippi, that these heartless gutwrenching comments were made, on the anniversary of something so horrid in Mississippi's past. I ached for all the times people have been cruely treated because of the color of their skin. I want to wake up from this nightmare that could be. What of my husband? What of my daughter? What of our family? I am deeply hurt that people of my race could be so arrogant and heartless in this day and age.

What of Martin Luther King's Dream?

I do know that August 28th 2008, the Denver Convention will be a moving moment for our nation and the world, when Barack Obama is declared our nominee for President of the United States Of America.

What an event and a sight to be held. The anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. WE SHALL OVER COME!

President Barack Obama can heal this nation of the deep wounds, of yesteryear, today and the ones to come. We rise and fall together!

AMERICA IS COMING BACK, WORLD!

[Skidmore]

18. Dreaming with you of a world with no shadows or fear

for all of our families. I am so saddened by the current state of affairs, and I am angry that women, of all groups, should be asked to literally throw their loved ones under the bus for one person. Our families do not look the way families did in the 1950s. This is a new world and it is time for women of my generation and white males to join it and for our political leaders to quit playing the political strategies of the old South. A new century and generation demands it of us.

[MagsDem]

30. If Obama gains this nomination it will be on the back of rank sexism

... please don't pretend it is anything else. Your change candidate has watched the sexism run rampant and rode it all the way to his advantage. "it is time for women of my generation and white males to join it" and join it you have. You stood by and silently watched a woman be demonized for being a woman. Please stop making it sound noble. It is anything but.

[LaurenG]

39. Your needs are not the only needs and IF you don't consider the needs of ALL people

women will only end up taking the places of the "ugly white men" who have ruled us for generations. After all, the woman who wants to lead this country is already using tactics like those she says she's running to replace.

This is not just about women, this is about all people.

[Skidmore]

62. I've seen a woman being criticized for catering to the basest of human behaviors

and call it "fun." She could have chosen a different way. Apparently the civil disobedience of Gandhi was not enough for her, nor the dreams of Abraham, Martin, and John. She has turned her back on progressive civil rights.

[Turn CO Blue]

66. Here is what it boils down to...

Your candidate is a terrible campaigner. She has hired the worst campaign staff EVER. She doesn't have the sense to ignore all their terrible advice. She was up by 40% a year ago and lost it all one vote at a time. Every time she opened her mouth, she lost a vote.

See...it's simple math. The reason she is losing is because she gets fewer votes - far fewer in some states! Obama gets more votes and more delegates. More people turn out to vote for him - you know, almost every demographic out there prefers Obama - including women under 50.

Fewer people want to VOTE for her. That's why it's called a CONTEST. And she is losing. She loses because people prefer someone else, ANYONE else to her.

And now she is looking for someone to BLAME.

If Clinton wants to find out who is to blame for LOSING, then she only has to look in the mirror.

[Skidmore]

67. Not only that, but she hired a firm of Republican operatives to manage her campaign, and

that firm also manages McCain's campaign. Mark Penn is Charlie Black's boss. The Republicans are gaming the Democratic Party primary process.

[donheld]

159. OMG you are so so so totally right in every single word!!1!!

If only more people would read and really listen to what you have said here.
She's making it harder and harder for me to ever vote for her. It's not the media,
it's not what's said here at DU, it's her all by her little self.

[Kaleko]

81. It's not about sexism or racism. Those are just two of the ingredients in this crockpot

The real underlying issue boils down to integrity.

People with functioning bullshit detectors can smell the stench of corruption even if it is masked by highly polished rhetoric.

[IsItJustMe]

99. You said it exactly the way it needed to be said.

[cameozalaznick]

95. I wondered how long it would be...

before Mags Dem showed up to piss over everything and tell us it's raining.

[sniffa]

97. So that's who it was

[Voice for Peace]

13. Thanks for a really moving post.

I can't add much more to what others have written here.
Except a reminder to say NO to fear.

Fear will come in the night and try to convince you of scary things
in the darkness. It is a false god, a liar.

If it acts like Fear and talks like Fear, look it in the eye, even when
it seems to make sense, and say: beat it, Fear. "get thee behind me."

[mmonk]

14. I decided the best way to fight this is by getting involved.

So I went to a precinct meeting last night. Now I'm off to my county convention. I'm going to look for like minded people who want to make this country better.

[think4yourself]

15. Thank you

What a moving post. You are a talented writer. Peace to you and your family.

[depakid]

17. "Something ugly has been unleashed these past few weeks."

I hate to say, but this is just the beginning. We ain't seen nothin' yet.

[Skidmore]

19. And do plan to face it or participate in it?

[depakid]

84. I've been fighting the far right for 25+ years

many of those in the trenches in political or initiative campaigns- or working with progressive groups to get bills passed (or defeated).

I know 1st hand who these people are and what they do- and they're not going to up and change their stripes.

So I (like others, I'm sure) find the insinuation insulting.

As far as supporting Obama -I may cast an absentee ballot for him- or I may not. Depends on how he advocates policy, and how much he panders to the very sorts that have so many ashamed to be an American (and made me thankful that my Northwest accent is often mistaken for Canadian).

[scheming daemons]

20. Bill Clinton spoke just 1 mile from my house yesterday..... and....

I had no desire to go hear him talk.

I'll tell you why this is amazing, and saddening, to me.

I worked HARD on his campaigns in 92 and 96. I defended him HARD during the impeachment mess. I damned the 25th amendment for not letting him run again.

I longed for another Democrat of his skill and appeal to come along.



....and now..... I can't look at the man.


Any other time in the past 16 years, if Bill Clinton was coming to my town, I would have called in sick and made sure I was there.... right down in front.


Yesterday.... I went to work. Everything the Clintons (seemingly) tried to do for race relations in the 90s has been pissed away, all for their own personal gain.


I didn't want to believe it. I was disgusted with what they did in SC, but I had hoped the backlash had caused them to learn their lesson.


They've come to the conclusion that they can't get this nomination fairly, so they are going to burn down the Democratic party in the process.

We had an opportunity for a golden year for the Democrats.


But Bill and Hillary, and the disgusting and incompetent leadership in their campaign, have decided that THEY are more important than the country or the party.


The most painful words I have written are those coming next....


Bill and Hillary.... Fuck you.

[MagsDem]

29. You have bought in to the media and rethug talking points

I'm about done with the dem party after 30 yrs because of people like you who would trash the legacy of the greatest dem president in our time because you don't have the sense not to be swayed by the media. If people like you represent democrats then democrats no longer represent me. Period. But as you say, foolishly enough, you don't need us. You can win elections while losing half of your base. I say prove it. Prove it today and prove it 4 and 8 yrs from now while I and millions like me are still sick to death of your arrogant ilk.

[scheming daemons]

50. "you can win elections while losing half your base"

Hillary and her campaign are single-handedly causing a realignment in the allegiance of the most dedicated and loyal voting block the Democrats have had for half a century - African Americans.


In 2000 and 2004, Gore and Kerry each got more than 80% of the AA vote in the country.


Hillary's campaign is creating a mass realignment.

You can't argue with the language their surrogates are using. If a Republican would have said the things that Ferraro said, we'd be blasting them to high heaven.

...and you know it.


The Clinton campaign has begun to use the language of the GOP. And it is disgusting.

[Skidmore]

63. Hopefully, the party will not follow her.

If it does, it does it without us.

[Cherchez la Femme]

134. That'll show 'em!

Let John W. McBush win because your candidate doesn't win the primary!
That's much more important than everything else going on in this world, caused by the crazies who have inhabited the White House these past years.

And that goes for both factions.

Wow. This is insane.

[cameozalaznick]

96. If MagsDem is the base...

then I'm clearly in the wrong party

[Moochy]

155. Amen

Good to see that they are on a forced time out.

[Politicalboi]

104. They (Bill & Hill)

Trashed their own legacy not Obama. What has Obama said about Hillary that is demeaning or sexist? He even said last night with Tweety that if she is the winner he would support her even after all the shit she has said about him. I supported Bill in the 90's and defended him during Monica and Whitewater. It's not Obama it's not the media it's the Clintons who are to blame.

[Adelante]

21. The whole nation is mixed and blended

It always has been to some extent, but it was not part of the national narrative, it was kept out, until reality set in over time and fairly recently. That is what has changed and that's why I think we can finally move forward as a people. You did that, you and your family, and families like yours, who aimed past the forces of power and tradition to embrace an open future.

This doesn't mean we deny the wisdom of the past, but that we are not limited to it. There are always reactionaries, and we see that sadly right here on DU in some instances, and often they are of my generation who should definitely know better, because we saw quite clearly back then how fear of the new and different retards human progress.

Gary Hart called it an "age change" - I took it to mean both personally and historically - and that's just what it is. The reaction shames me, too, and shames our party, but if we are fearful, the reactionaries will win. If we can be brave enough in our numbers, here on the right side of history, they will have to come around or be left behind in anxiety and bigotry. But it will hurt. Change always hurts.

[MagsDem]

33. Sorry, no change here

The sexism against a female candidate is as fierce as it ever was, here on DU and in the media. Hillary is shrill, Hillary is your mom yelling at you, Hillary, the most accomplished woman of our time would be nothing without Bill Clinton. Hillary has her claws out. Hillary's massive accomplishments overseas were just tea parties.

Don't add insult to sexual degradation by suggesting that nominating our 43rd consecutive male candidate is an awesome sea change. It's choosing the big swinging patriarchal dick like we always have. Nothing has changed.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

42. You are a piece of work.

The state from which you claim to hail (my state) has two women Senators and a female Governor. All of whom I voted for.

Yet that state voted for Obama. Twice. Me, too.

Maybe it's not sexism.

You are the one who can't get beyond your own sexism.

It's "No Dick Or Bust!" for you.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are utilizing other criteria.

[yellerpup]

92. This is my personal reason for not wanting Sen. Clinton as candidate

Even though I wrote Sen. Clinton (one of my senators, BTW) once a month after Bush's 2007 SOTU address appealing to her not to believe Bush/Cheney in this buildup to war with Iran and even though I wrote twice specifically begging her not to vote in favor for the Kyl amendment, she did, thereby enabling the Asshat-in-Chief to attack Iran unilaterally. Above that, I can't believe Bill Clinton went on Rush Limbaugh's show while Rush was out shilling for repukes to vote for Hillary in Texas and Ohio.

I like the way Sen. Obama handles himself and expresses himself.

I am a 50+ feminist and I hope America gets a chance to vote in November. If we do, I will be voting for Senator Obama.

[Politicalboi]

105. Most accomplished woman of our time

Riding the coattails of Bill.

[cyr330]

135. And there's more. . .

She's even been blamed for Bill's extracurricular activities and for the pardons he gave at the end of his term.

[bigtree]

22. sugar coating a lie about the Clintons

wrapped up in a nice portrait of an American family. I can't believe people are so gullible to believe the crap the Obama camp has accused the Clintons of. But, here is one fine example in your post. I guess it's no consequence to you that Obama and his campaign team have lied and smeared two fine Americans, Bill and Hillary Clinton. That willingness to accept the lies put out by seasoned political pros for the political ambition of ONE man may well make your fears a self-fulfilling prophesy. I think its telling that you didn't bother to include the rampant sexism which has been the hallmark of the opposition to Hillary Clinton throughout this campaign. Oh, well. To each their own.

[Skidmore]

64. I find it interesting that you, as a male, believe you can speak to my experience

as a female living in a family of mixed racial heritage. Those fine Americans expect me to choose the interests of my "group" over (white females) over those of my children and my husband's extended family. Hillary has chosen to play a very dangerous game, given that there are people all too willing to play this game in reality and not just rhetoric. It is a Solomonic choice...a choice that cannot be made. How many families do you think are like mine in this nation?

Either we all rise or we all go down together.

[anamandujano]

85. Exactly, there is ugliness afoot and it was started by Obama with

great calculation and malice aforethought.

[Blondiegrrl]

144. LOL! You're funny!

[cameozalaznick]

106. What lies?

What are the lies that Obama has put out about the Clintons?

[Hepburn]

24. Oh, what a beautiful OP!

You write so beautifully. Thank you for pointing out the truth that should be obvious to all, but from which some will run.

:hug:

[MagsDem]

27. Support of a sexist and anti-gay pandering candidate

.. in a bunch of sugar coating. What is it with women who hate themselves so much they will vote for a candidate that calls her 35 yrs of experience "tea parties."

Women who accept that crap are no different than Ann Coulter to me. It's the same kind of crap she spews.

[Usrename]

65. I hope you take the time to think about what folks here are telling you.

It's important, and it has nothing to do with this cult of personalities that you seem fixated on.

This is more and more about the party having unity and a message. It is becomming less and less about the candidates themselves.

[Voltaire99]

114. Why carry water for this war-mongering woman?

Although I accept much of what you say, I think you're putting too much weight on gender.

Hillary's complicity in Iraq bears comparison to that of Cheney or any neo-con, and yet you insist on the gender lens for viewing this race. That's morally impoverished.

Step back from your attachment to her as a woman: it doesn't matter who the candidate is if the policy is mass murder.

Put up a woman whom we can respect and she gets my vote. If it's an imperialist like Hillary and you want sympathy for the sexism thrown her way, sorry. Yes, it's reprehensible, but there are worse things in the world than sexism -- such as bombing civilians, torturing prisoners and destroying a civil society. Those are all things Hillary has abetted.

[MagsDem]

25. But blatant sexism suits you fine?

Yes, I know. Racism, real or imagined is awful. Sexism is okay. Listen, women are 50% of the population in this country, and yet they are demeaned daily by the press for a woman having the gall to run for president. You see the same thing on DU everyday. If you, as a woman, continue to condone it as you are by supporting Obama, who has played it non-stop, then you are supporting it.

Bigotry? You are supporting a candidate that gave an anti-gay bigot the national stage for half an hour to spew bigotry against a group of people that have fought against all forms of discrimination for decades. No dem candidate has slapped them in the face like that for over 40 yrs.

I hear what you are saying, but please understand that to some of us Obama represents that bigotry and discrimination we have fought against for decades. He is simply more of the patriarchal, pander to religious homophobe crap we have seen from rethugs since forever. And when you stand up to support him you are telling legions of us that bigotry and discrimination are okay with you.

[scheming daemons]

26. It's clear that this is STILL all about McClurkin to you... and ONLY about that.....

...so don't pretend it's anything else anymore.

[MagsDem]

28. My reasons for NEVER voting Obama are wide and varied

His lies about lobbyist money and PACs; his pandering to anti-gay bigots for the black religious vote; his sexist comments and attitudes; his hypocrisy about healthcare spending; his NAFTA wink and nod to Canada; his claims that he is against the war with dozens of votes to fund it; his abject lack of experience; his bullshit pledges to pander to rethugs by pledgeing to cave in to them; his promise to vote to repeal the patriot act, then voting to extend it; his Joe Lieberman is my mentor bullshit ... truly, there is nothing about him that strikes me as honest, or genuine, which is how I have always seen dem candidates.

In fact I think he is the biggest phony I have seen in 30 yrs as a democrat.

[FedoraLV]

103. Obama's "pandering to anti-gay bigots for the black religious vote"

You mean like at Ebenezer Baptist?

"He also told the mainly African-American audience, "And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community.

"If we are honest with ourselves, We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.""
<http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/01/sweet_obama_at_ebenerzer_bapti.html>

Why are you clinging to a single early campaign mistake (Obama didn't invite McClurkin back) rather than looking at the candidate's whole record on our community and his prominent speeches against homophobia to a series of unfriendly crowds?

"Barack Obama and Gay Rights in Illinois: Barack Obama supported gay rights during his Illinois Senate tenure. He sponsored legislation in Illinois that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Barack Obama in the United States Senate: Every two years the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay and lesbian organization, issues a scorecard for members of the Senate based on their sponsorship and voting on key issues of importance to gay and lesbian citizens. Barack Obama scored 89 out of 100% in the 2006 scorecard."
<http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbianactivism/p/BarackObama.htm>

Let go of your umbrage and take a second look at Sen. Obama: your outrage may be talking you out of a national officeholder who could do us all a lot of good. All forms of prejudice are interlinked, they support one group and demean all others. Sen. Obama's very candidacy has been a blow against bigotry: I would always rather stand in that corner rather than another.

I would lift all of us up, together, than insist that my group get the goods, first.

-FedoraLV

[UALRBSofL]

35. MagsDem Actually I don't see either candidate doing much for LGBT's

And quite frankly I don't see either candidate making a lot of changes in the next 4 years. If you look at the campaign cycle, it seems race has been an issue since the beginning of the election cycle. I don't believe Hillary is racist but the media has all of the sudden painted her as a racist, sadly. That said, I don't believe many people on GD-P really believe she is either. I think emotions is much more involved in the thinking then anything else. I saved an article that talks about how the media has slowly painted her in this way. I don't think it's right but that's the MSM way. That said, I don't see any issues going into the GE with concerns to race whether it's Clinton or Obama. Once the democrats get a chance to look at McCains platform of issues I don't see any democrat voting for him. If Obama is our candidate I have no doubt he will get the support of all democrats because we don't want McCain in office and we stay in Iraq. We don't want tax breaks for the rich, or for corporate america, this is just a few of the issues people don't agree with. The sad thing about GD-P, there will be people that flame the candidates in the hopes of getting a reaction. What they don't realize is it doesn't change a persons decision for whom they will vote for because most everyone here has already made up there mind or have already voted.

[MagsDem]

36. You're naive I think

Look, I have supported the dem party based on values rather than self interest for 30 yrs. I am a lesbian, but I have voted for pro-choice. I am a business owner, but I have voted pro-union. I am solidly upper middle class, but I have voted against tax breaks for the wealthy. I am white but have voted for black candidates over white candidates. The list goes on and on.

But when do democrats step up and vote for me? When do democrats demand their leaders support GLBT equality and hold them accountable when they pander to bigots? When do democrats step up and denounce daily sexist attacks? Never as far as I can tell.

The bottom line is that I have had it. I am way tired of supporting a party that will not support me. Fuck Obama and his anti-gay pandering and his wink and nod to the sexism that has elevated him. Kiss my 10K in donations a year goodbye. Kiss my 20 hrs a week of door knocking from Sept to Nov good bye. This party and its supporters do not deserve my support. And truth be told they never did.

[Umbram]

146. Think your lack of presence will be noticed?

Think again.

Toodles.

[Politicalboi]

109. Don't ask don't tell

I am a lesbian who is for Obama. I don't find anything discriminating about him. What has Hillary done for the gay community? I would think Obama would understand discrimination more than the first lady who her whole life was given everything she needed to succeed.Your basing your hatred on one mistake he made. I have no doubt that he will end the second class citizenship we have had to deal with our whole life. And as far as sexism look at his wife. She is an accomplished woman herself. If he was sexist I think he would have chosen someone with less confidence and self esteem.

[cyr330]

136. Amen

I'll vote for whichever candidate is nomimated, but I have to agree with you about Obama putting up with that awful anti-gay bigot. I did not appreciate it at all.

[1776Forever]

31. If you have the time please read my post on the Olbermann comment tonight - don't miss it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5034171&mesg_id=5036882

:hi:

I am with you sister! I am as white as snow but my heart is color blind! I love you for being there! ~Peace~

[Maraya1969]

32. What a wonderful post. Thank you.

[Vinca]

34. What a moving post. I only wish the younger among us could

truly appreciate your remark about the 1950's.

[AtomicKitten]

37. The Democratic Party is at a crossroads.

We have a candidate that invokes our better nature, the other bent on extinguishing that light with her increasingly crass race-baiting that is breathtaking in scope and insidious in nature.

Viewing this from the prism of Katrina, Darfur, and Rwanda, we know deep in our gut something is very, very wrong. We as a nation stand on the precipice. What are we prepared to do? Stand firm, like our lives depend on it, like the wellbeing of a nation depends on it. Because it does.

Yes, we can. :)

K&R

[K Gardner]

53. Absolutely. Well-said.

[Kaleko]

77. The whole world is looking to you, America!!!

Hoping that you will rise as a decisive majority *together* out of an enormous morass of self-righteous, blatantly bigoted corruption.

Really, the stakes could not be higher.
Clinton represents a slightly more palatable version of the status quo.

Obama represents the next step in socio-political evolution for all of humankind.

[kentuck]

38. Very touching post...

You speak of matters much more important than the politically generated racism and sexism that is used to defend one side or the other. Both candidates on the Democratic side have accomplished so much and have so much to offer in the future. Desperation has finally slipped into the campaigns because it is closing in on finality.

[Bluerthanblue]

40. Oh geez-

what can I say Skidmore?

:hug:

You aren't alone in your thinking. Please remember that. I think of Gandhi's struggle, hear his wise, profound words:

"When I despair...I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it ... always."

peace~
blu

[elixir]

41. I respectfully disagree that "this door has been opened by a woman." The media has introduced race

in this campaign season and we've taken the bait.

I have not passed judgement on you or your candidate, but, have carefully read your post and listened carefully to Obama.

I applaud your decision to support Barack Obama and will vote for him if he is our nominee. But I support Hillary Clinton because she is an accomplished, experienced and compassionate candidate.

[uponit7771]

55. Ferraro has & she did it before!! I was willing to give HC the benefit of the doubt but the number..

...statements they've made and actions they've taking doesn't point the needle AWAY from her implementing the "Southern Strategy"

[Jamastiene]

43. Racism is a two way street. n/t

[K Gardner]

44. It looks like many of us were up last night, many of us composing our fears

into words to try to express them. I came here today and found that you'd expressed mine perfectly. I do believe in the universal consciousness, that to those who are open, it flows through us all as one stream. We are all disturbed, those of us who can be. We see sad examples on this very thread of the nastiness and ugliness still present in some in our society.

But I think the vast majority of us are ready to open the door to a new age, a new world where all people are accepted and have equal opportunity, despite race or ethnicity. A world without so much fear and loathing. I also think that at any time, when people or countries move into a new enlightenment, there is a subconscious backward tug toward the Ugliness that we Knew. It happens because that is what we know. Moving forward is toward the unknown and it is human nature to resist that. We stay with the Old because it is comfortable, it is what we are used to. That is what Hillary's campaign is playing on: the basest fear, the old fears, the old nasty spectre ingrained into this society through generations.

It is a hiccup, a small hitch in the march through a door to a better, more open and accepting society. Perhaps it is good this happened, to remind us of the Ugliness from which we want to escape, the society we want to leave behind. Millions of us will march forward and we WILL take America into the future. The door has been opened and it will not be shut again.

Some will stay behind. Unfortunately, it is one of the leaders of our own party driving the fear and ugliness, encouraging people to embrace it. There is no way, in a universe striving toward the Best in us, that this tactic will succeed. I believe that, truly.

My fervent hope is that in the next few days, the leaders in our party will put a stop to this. They will find their backbone and stand up for an end to the divisive politics that drive fear into the hearts of Americans. More and more people will come to reject this and reject the candidate that represents the ugliness, the divisiveness and the rancor in our society. I truly believe her days are numbered in our party and this bitter campaign war she is waging in America will soon be over.

God bless you and your beautiful family. We are all here with you, in spirit.

[Kaleko]

78. Thank you. We can help each other by strengthening the grooves

that carry us higher together.

It's so simple, actually. All we need is enough people insisting on a return to common sense... epitomized perhaps in the saying, treat others (including the environment) as you would like to be treated yourself.

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

45. For the first time in 21 years in this country,

I began to feel intense despair too, last night -- and I did not sleep either, while my husband slept peacefully, I might add :-(

That such people occupy such prominent positions in the Democratic party is utterly devastating to discover -- I had reconciled myself to rethugs and their ignorant intransigence. But seeing Hillary and Bill do this to the country is unbelievably morale-sapping.

Sad.

[SeaLyons]

47. Hillary and Bill

have given more to this country as a whole and to the black community than any other couple I can think of. You are someone obviously easily swayed by the Media and this board, otherwise you could not make such a negative, nasty statement about the Clintons. That's what is sad.

[K Gardner]

49. Evidently, the majority of blacks in this country no longer feel that way. Look around.. THAT is

what is sad.

[uponit7771]

56. ...might be true, but it's being wiped away with Hillary's greed and stupidity. There's no excuse...

...for this

[Skidmore]

61. The very definition of power is being able to takes something away.

Yes, the Clintons added for a while, but power corrupts. Now they over and over again attempt to take away. What the Clinton campaign has been doing late is nasty and hurtful to many.

[stillcool]

46. I share your fear...

Intentionally fanning the flames of racism that still exist in this country, to scrounge up some votes is beyond deplorable, it is dangerous. While it may be a whole lot easier for me to do, I refuse to give in to that fear. There have been too many breath-taking moments of late, that depict a new spirit of the American people. I'm reminded of the phrase, fear knocked on the door but faith answered. Not faith in Jesus, but faith in ordinary human beings like myself, and you.

[Bonobo]

48. That was a great, great post. Thank you so much.

[Yurovsky]

51. Kick*

nm

[bigbrother05]

52. Great post

thanks for sharing, you have a lovely family.

[uponit7771]

54. I'm heartbroken by Hillary and the silence of the DNC while McCains not putting up with it...

...this is a shame and a dark moment for a party that calls itself progressive. Hillary has....sigh....

[doublethink]

57. Posts like this will galvanize us to do more ......

to get Obama elected President. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Peace. K&R.

[snappyturtle]

58. K&R Beautiful sentiments....be glad that many share the same.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have changed. I wonder why?

[Beacool]

59. Your post is very moving.

But let me give you a different perspective. A young man enters the IL state senate. He's bright, charming, of mixed race and he gives great speeches. This man is also very ambitious and has as a goal the ultimate prize: the presidency of the US.

How does he proceed to achieve his goal? He cozies up to the party's powerful and doesn't make too many waves because people who make waves also make enemies and he will need their support in the future. He also avoids casting too many controversial votes. The running joke between his colleagues is that whenever a tough vote would come to the floor, this senator would be in the men's room.

He gets the chance of a lifetime when a US senatorial candidate has to drop out of the race. He handily wins the seat since his opponent is very weak.

Once in the US senate, he models his first year after Hillary Clinton's. He had already befriended the powerful NY senator. She had campaigned and fundraised for him during his senate run. He also sought her advice and counsel on a regular basis.

Shortly after Sen. Clinton announces her decision to run for president, the very junior senator from IL follows suit. At the time he had been in the senate all of two years.

Now, tell me why should I vote for this man? I personally don't think that Obama is prepared to be president. I couldn't care less about his "inspirational" speeches or his race, I don't think that at this point in time he's qualified for the job.

It is not just about Hillary, it's about choosing the best qualified individual for the job and many of us think that Obama is not that person.

[Big Blue Marble]

68. How is a person who foments racism to win

qualified to lead? Hillary is shown over and over in this last two months that she is entirely unfit to lead.
She grasps for power regardless of the costs to party or country. Her character and emotional stability are
in question given her behaviors of late.

You are extremely disingenuous when you say your comments not about Hillary. That is exactly what your comments
are about. And the fact that you could participate in this moving thread and be motivated to trash Obama, tells me
it is about you as well.

You have in these comments taken the worst qualities of Clinton and projected them onto Obama. She is
in your words "very ambitious." She also in your words seeks "the ultimate prize" with a vengeance that is destructive
to our political process and our ability to govern and you brush that aside. How exactly does that qualify her
to be our leader?

As the OP expresses this is a dark and dangerous time for our country and Hillary Clinton and her surrogates are
the ones responsible for taking us to this place so that she might win at any cost. And you have the
audacity to claim that Obama is the one not qualified.

He is the one with character and stability. He is the only one running who can take our country to a better place
beyond racism and hatred. He is the best qualified candidate in decades to be our president.

[Beacool]

71. Maybe, but he's also the one who will not win in November

with Hillary and her supporters. This race is almost equally divided and there are too many Hillary supporters whoa re already saying that they will rather vote for McCain (25%) plus the other s who would vote for Nader or not at all.

As for the racism issue. I don't believe it for a minute. I saw how Bill and Hillary's words were taken out of context and used against them. Bill a racist? Please, give me a break. Obama has played the race card to his benefit. Ergo the 80% to 90% of blacks who have consistently been voting him. Last night he received 91% of their vote. So, who is really being racist? Racism flows both ways.........

[Big Blue Marble]

91. Argue your spin all you want.

You are clearly delusional in your thinking. Only those in the bottom of the Clinton tank can argue
that they are not using racism to win this nomination. I am more than sickened by your racist response
which by the ways acknowledges racism on the part of your candidate, whether you meant to or not.

How is it argued that women should vote for Clinton as the first serious candidate, but if black
voters support the first serious black candidate that is racism? I guess you do not know how weak
and pathetic your arguments sound.

[Politicalboi]

118. And your only voting

For Hillary because she is a woman. I was already to vote for her a few months ago. But now after what she has done to herself and the party I will not be voting for her. And she is losing so I don't see where she can win in November. If she's not able to beat this " Sexist, anti-gay,no experience man how the fuck is she going to win against McCain? I find nothing wrong with voting for Obama because he's black which I am not. Put yourself in someone else's shoes for a change.

[cameozalaznick]

113. I don't really know which of the three ...

remaining candidates has the most relevant experience. But I know what I like and I like Obama. I think I speak for the majority when I say that.

I also think he has a better chance to beat McCain. Because if this race boils down to "experience" then McCain will most likely win. That's the part of the equation that the Clinton camp has overlooked time and time again.

They're just tone deaf. And they haven't paid attention to the mood of the country. And I don't think it's just Dems that want change. I really think Independents and Republicans might consider voting for Obama. I just don't think Hillary can accomplish that.

[karynnj]

60. This is beautiful - and this is why the best man has to win

Obama will speak to all these people you lovingly describe and make them feel included. Many have spoken of how it will do that internationally, you show it works here.

Obama is running a campaign that is uplifting and his victory will remove so much ugliness and hate. He uniquely has the ability. HRC, whether she knows it or not, is at this point pandering to hate and division. I wish she could look at her own speech and see how she looks. This is not the half of the team that inspired hope in 2004 - this is an uglier version of Bush 1 calling his opponents - Bozo and Ozoneman - stemming from the same feeling of entitlement and the disbelieve that someone she things less worthy is winning.

We need to work as hard as we can - for ourselves, but also for what President Obama could mean to people like you.

[amborin]

69. ceiling fan?

where were you last night that was hot enough to use a fan?

[Skidmore]

70. We use ceiling fans set to reverse to circulate heat more evenly and efficiently

throughout the house in the wintertime.

[Maat]

72. Although, Amborin, I happen to be in California ...

and it WAS hot enough to use the fan last night (I looked at the thermostat last night, and it was 74 inside, and the heat hadn't been on for weeks).

I think that it is in the 80's outside today.

[amborin]

108. what part of California? Blythe? Indio?

[Maat]

121. Believe it or not .... Murrieta, Ca.

I'm about one hour north of San Diego - inland.

[amborin]

127. hot springs, ok, it can get hot there

[Maat]

142. Yep, that's why ..

we're going to put more solar panels up, as soon as we can afford it (although, it might be a good idea to wait; they're making technological breakthroughs by the minute). We already heat the pool with solar heat, and power it. We need to expand our solar (we both drive hybrids, now, and drive minimally. We're going green (but that's another story).

[FrenchieCat]

76. Fans work both ways......

[AntiFascist]

73. I once thought that Geraldine Ferraro would make a good presidential candidate...

now I know that racism knows no bounds, even within our own party and amongst so-called liberals.

[emilyg]

122. Her comment was racial - not racist.

Freedom of speech gives her the right to voice her opinion.

[Skidmore]

123. Funny, I just heard that consummate ole bigot,

Pat Buchanan, say just that on Hardball. Amazing.

[emilyg]

124. Funny - not watching Hardball.

[AntiFascist]

148. I would certainly not deny the Clinton campaign their right to free speech...

but it is unfortunate that they have to pander to the more unsavory elements of conservatism. You cannot deny that they benefit from racist voters who will not vote for a black man.

[melody]

74. Remember yesterday in light of the three men in Mississippi who were murdered 45 years ago

Things really ARE getting better.

45 years ago, three young men died for registering black people to vote. Yesterday, a black man won the primary.

The vast majority of Americans won't let that happen. We may be quiet, we may do things differently, but when we
dig in our heels, we do so with great force.

[SharonRB]

75. You are a very gifted writer

This is so beautifully written.

Indeed, how can so many not speak out against the words coming out of Hillary's campaign?

[futureliveshere]

79. Wow..

As an Asian I can totaly understand what you are saying and I was stunned when HRC recommended McCain (a proven war mongering Repub) and GF made the racist remarks which would have done someone from the KKK proud. But your post and the comments below make me believe in the future where many of us with hope in our hearts and a song on our lips come together to cleanse this country of the politics of division. Yes we can!!!:grouphug:

[grace0418]

80. Wonderful post Skidmore. I too am part of a multi-ethnic family.

And I too fear for our nation.

[nvme]

82. Beautiful post.

I am a gay man in a mixed relationship. I have enough on my plate to worry about geraldine ferraro, bill clinton, or even Hillary mean less than nothing. I don't worry because I am a white male. Being called a "Nigger Lover"is my lot. I can only empathize with my partner. I can not truly understand what it feels like to be him. I know every moment is not difficult. many times he is just george. He does not freak when women clutch their purses tighter or hears car doors lock as he walks. It is part of life. I know it does get him down when his heros like Bill Clinton try to minimalize a man using veiled racism to achieve their objective. I see Bill diminishing himself. I remember seeing bill and pappy bush raising hell to help the Tsunami survivors. I see Bill giving that pissant wallace on fox a beatdown. Everything Bill has accomplished good or bad is reduced to nothing. As shakespeare said,"the Evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with Ceasar". Any gains made by either campaign using negative tactic will serve only in the short run. Long term, it will divide us as a people. It is not necessary to "Go there to win" this election. I hope we as a party will heal after all this base nastiness is finished. November is too important.

[K-Check]

83. Racism is wrong. Sexism is wrong.

The silent (okay, sometimes not-so-silent) majority knows this.

Favoring one democratic candidate over another, however, does not per se make on racist or sexist. Let's remember that.

[KoKo]

89. Agree....and thanks for pointing that out. Even though Skidmore's post is from her heart

...and who could not agree with her that she feels Obama is a verification of her dreams for her Children to live in a world where they aren't part of some "white cocoon" I think that she loses sight that those who are "white" don't all live in a cocoon" and that that very statement is offensive to Democrats who don't have the benefit of having her experience.

I find this whole Primary so depressing. I wonder what "silent hand" decided that we needed to get into "race, gender and ageism" wars to "Heal" or "Heel" this country. When in fact holding Bush/Cheney and spineless members of Congress Accountable is getting lost in a biased Corporate Media Spin which likes nothing better than to "pit groups against each other" so that we Dems get bogged down in "social, race, gender and ageism issue.

We Dems are truly doing the "Shadow Government" favors in this election. I never thought I'd ever see this happen that our party would do this to us.

And...I understand what Skidmore is saying in her beautifully stated angst...but would hope she would please understand that I would hope she would understand that some of us don't like either candidate for various reasons...and wish we weren't forced into either. And, just because we can't support Obama doesn't mean we support Hillary. We are wandering in a Dem wilderness that now seems an "ALIEN PARTY" to us...because of the anger, bitterness, divisiveness and angst that's associated with this primary.

[TBF]

86. Beautiful post, Skidmore

I've been pretty lucky in my life. No, I was not born a rich white male, but next best thing I was born a white female. Despite lack of wealth I was able to get jobs, not only attend college but get a master's degree, and enjoy all the freedom we have in this country. I don't worry about whether a police officer will stop me due to the color of my skin, or whether an interviewer will nix me because of a "weird-sounding" name. Make no mistake there is definitely sexism out there, but is it really as prevalent as racism? How many female senators are there versus black? How many women lead companies as opposed to blacks or other minorities?

But going down the "is sexism or racism" worse path is not going to get us very far. We all face our battles. As you point out there are so many blended families and so many different stories out there. Our challenge is to unite, as Barack voices. It is not an easy task. For some of us I think we need to wake up and realize that there are a variety of people in this world and they are all different. Not everyone with brown skin is out to get us. Not everyone with white skin is our friend (evidence: George Bush).

I've never been a huge fan of the Clintons, but I did vote for Bill in both 1992 & 1996. When he blatantly used race in South Carolina to explain away Barack's victory I was taken aback. It was a new low for him. He and Hillary really need to evaluate the negativity that they have chosen to unleash. I fear this is going to get worse before it gets better, and there is no way I'd want to be in Denver if she comes out of the convention as the nominee without the popular vote. I don't just fear for your family, Skidmore, I fear for many others. I fear the protests that will come if this all goes sour, and most of all I fear what some may try to do to Barack himself.

Thank you for your eloquent post. I wish more people like you would speak up and tell your story. It is only through getting to know each other that these prejudices will subside.

[KoKo]

125. Well said..........!!! n/t

[Venceremos]

151. I haven't been so lucky....

So I'm speaking up to tell my story. I'm also a white female, and I DO worry about being stopped by a police officer. Since my teens, I've been repeatedly pulled over by male cops looking to get their jollies. I've spoken with numerous women who've had similar experiences -- such as being pulled over because a cop "wanted a better look at your titties". And it's damn frightening to get stopped on a dark road by a pervert with handcuffs and a gun.

I've often seen decrepit old men, such as Sean Connery, referred to as "sexy". Yet this year my son's high school had to hold a "nutritional seminar" because so many teenage girls were dieting themselves sick, trying to achieve the unattainable "ideal woman" image that's constantly forced on them. Last year, my friend's teenage daughter asked for breast implants for the same reason.

Like you, I also attended college and got a degree. Although my degree cost just as much as any man's, I've had more than one job where a man working the exact same position was making more money, and for no good reason. I've also experienced sexual harassment and discrimination in the work place.

So in my experience, being a woman is far from "the next best thing" to being a male and sexism is just as prevalent as racism.

And since we're talking about what frightens us -- let's not forget that women are, BY FAR, the most frequent victims of violent crime, including serial killings and rapes. So IMHO most women never "enjoy all the freedom we have in this country", at least not in comparison to the freedoms men take for granted every day.

As for this year's political campaign, when was the last time you heard somebody mocking any male candidate for the size of his butt, his "cankles", or his pantsuit? I've heard that sh*t about Hillary on a daily basis.

[TBF]

153. Different experiences...

Venceremos, I apologize if I made it sound like there is no sexism out there - I certainly didn't mean to imply that. I'm glad you told your story as well, and the situations you describe are horrific (especially about the police pulling you over). I think it's important to hear varying perspectives - because as you describe we have basic things in common but such different experiences. That undoubtedly rightly influences our opinions on things like the Ferraro issue.

My problem with Ferraro is that she had to bring race into her comments. Had she said he was just "too inexperienced" it wouldn't have been so offensive. Barack has never stood up and said that Hillary is lucky she's a woman or she wouldn't be where she is. Can people imagine what the reaction would be if he said that?

[jconner27]

87. I thought I would never say this

Hate is a strong word and I hold that word for right wingers, Republicans and conservative bloggers but Obama followers have climb up high on the list. If you prefer one over the other that's cool but doing what that human dog turd Randi Rhodes using recycle RNC talking points and shit that would make Rush proud don't prove Obama is better than Hillary. Matter of fact I listen to Randi Rhodes since Friday and she hasn't made one point to show why Obama would be a better president all she has done is sound like the memeber of the Obama cult whining the Clintons are being mean to St. Obama. As for racism, Obama flunkies were the ones running and screaming OMFG Bill Clinton is a racist when they knew what he meant when he said fairy tale, so who's using the race card here? And speaking to black Obama supporters isn't funny that he wants your vote but he avoids being seen at functions that talk about issues that are important to black Americans. Yet you obama supporters go out to vote for him 90 to 10 yet he doesn't bother showing up to black events to talk about his plans for the future. Going back to the human shit stain Randi Rhodes, I like her logic dig this she whines about one district in Ohio where Republicans switched over to vote for her, yet all I heard from her and other Obama followers is that he's getting Republican voters. So if Republicans vote for Hillary they're enacting their evil plan of her being the Democrat they will run against but if Obama not only has bragged about getting Republican votes let's not forget the 12 of the 14 states he "won" are Republican that doesn't mean only he got support. Randi stop sniffing coke before the show.


And I love this latest trend on "liberal" radio when Obama followers call in and say if Hillary gets the nod, I won't vote the host go yeah I understand yet if I call in any progressive show and say you know what if Obama gets it I won't vote for him that talk show host will accuse me of helping the Republicans or call me a big baby because te person I want didn't win. Aren't Obama supporters helping the Republicans if they don't show up for Hillary? Damn I love Obama follower logic.

[Skidmore]

107. Yes, I know you.

Met people like you before in my life.

[jconner27]

116. What kind?

Non cult followers or realist?

[Slagathor]

90. You have got to chill out

first. I support Obama.

second. you need to take some pills. no one has turned any clock back. it's just a hard fought primary.

really. people need a reality check.

[yellerpup]

93. Thank you for sharing your journey

I'm sorry you suffered last night, but I can tell that you are strong enough to come back and fight tomorrow. Your post was terrific. You put much power into just words.

[citizen snips]

94. I am sure Clinton will not turn this country backward to the 1950's

[BlackVelvet04]

98. Something ugly has been unleashed alright.....

and it's the Obama supporters. Seriously, where have Hillary Supporters made the kind of statements about Obama that the Obama supporters have about Hillary? Look at the GD: P page and just read the titles for God's sake.

What's shameful is the race baiting being done in the name of the Obama campaign....twisting and turning anything and everything into a racist remark. It's sad, it's pathetic and it's ridiculous.

[Politicalboi]

120. I am willing to bet

That others like me were all set to vote for Hillary before she started going negative against Obama. Are all of us wrong? What made us change our minds? None of us really knew who Obama was till the past few months. It was Hillary that changed our minds not the media, not Obama supposedly bashing Hillary. If it were the other way around and I felt Obama was so negative against her I would have voted for Hillary. But my eyes and ears don't fool me. The words came straight form her own mouth.

[oasis]

160. Obama's campaign strategy of painting him as "the victim" will fall flat in the general.

Why the hell would American voters elect a president who constantly runs crying to mommy?

[List left]

100. Thank you for your heartfelt post.

There is no monopoly on racism or sexism. I have met women who were as sexist as any man I have known and blacks as racist as any white i have known. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE IT IS WRONG and it is the responsibility of every individual to not only call it when it is seen but also to examine ones own views and actions.




Thank you for your heartfelt post.

[McCamy Taylor]

101. NIce rhetoric, way off the mark. The right wing and MSM is behind it all.

Back in 1972, McGovern supporters told themselves that Humphrey was worse than Nixon, so that they could work themselves into a frenzy during the primary.

Of course, we all know in retrospect that Humphrey was just a solid Democrat and Nixon was a criminal who was do dirty tricks and all of them, Humphrey, McGovern, Muskie.

Karl Rove is pulling your strings. But you will have to live through this election season to find out that I am right, because sometimes the only way to find out that fire is hot is to get burned.

[sybylla]

112. Yowsa

Some posts are just too insane to bother with.

[JackORoses]

117. you can't handle the truth, can you?

Your Candidate has revealed herself.
Don't look away.

You must witness the darkness before you can reject it for the Light.

[Grinchie]

102. Just as sweet as can be

Pay no attention to the Monster and the puppeteers behind the curtain and the DLC. The tactics of being "As Sweeeeeet As Can Be" when tactically maneuvering race or Religion into a conversation smells of Contextomy, which was used quite effectively against Al Gore in 2000, after he split off from the "Centrist" platform demanded by the DLC and moved toward the passion of the true Democrats.

Contextomy


Al Gore was hurt when no-one actually called out how insane these misstatements were, and the DLC certainly didn't do anything to defend him, even though they are purportedly so powerful.

Well, I hate to say it, Obama doesn't fit into the Corporate mold as well as Hilary does, especially with his lack of "Connections" to Corporate criminals and placement of Corporate friendly cronies in high level regulatory positions. As their corruption of our Government becomes more apparent by day, they will stop at nothing to win. It's a smokescreen.

Silly people will be initially swayed by the "Sweet as can be facade", but if they scrutinize the true motivations, they will be quite surprised.

We are not going to take it anymore. The Corporate message is so prevalent these days that we can see right through it into the real message, which is Fear, Racism and Pandering to the Right, which nearly defines the DLC to the letter.

It's the basic law of supply and demand -- They produced so much of this meaningless talk for the last 8 years that the supply has exceeded demand, and the message they try to present has lost effect or worth.

Mahini's photo of Barack in Hawaii is especially uplifting, as Hawaii is a very small state, and people tend to get to know people on a deeper level than they do on the mainland. It is this respect for all races that allows us to live in Harmony for the most part. It is lack of education, poverty, greed and drug abuse that pollutes the Ohana.

Hilary is a lawayer, and lawayer are taught to be perfectly clear. It's surprising to me how evasive Hilary is.

[grantcart]

110. Jan 20th 2009

[Voltaire99]

115. Nice post.

The racism being exposed is menacing, is frightening. No question.

But we always knew it was there. It's merely having its veil lifted, so its true face can be shown. And what a face, out of nightmares.

There's no comfort in that truth but there is less comfort in having it hidden. Courage, my friend!

[NYDem Observer]

119. What a beautiful, insightful and thought provoking post

[lumberjack_jeff]

126. The downside of nominating people into whom their supporters are so heavily invested.

I'm as disappointed by this primary as anyone. But the reason we've gotten where we are is because the candidates core supporters appear borderline rabid because they identify on a personal level with the candidate's struggle. The obstacles their candidate faces is a metaphor for all the struggles they've faced.

We're in a no-win situation. Either a significant number of feminists will feel alienated and excluded, or a significant number of the young and minorities will.

Those of us who chose our candidates on more impersonal basis are a minority.

[mzmolly]

128. Beautifully written, but I feel that a price was paid for the comments that caused you pain.

I hope that you take heart given the aftermath? You're family sounds beautiful in every way.

Peace

[yardwork]

129. Thank you for sharing this.

We can post right here for years and not really know anything about the people posting next to us. Thank you.

[ampad]

130. Please don't cry

I think your post is beautiful but you must keep your head up. I am a black woman married to a white man. We have three beautiful children our son being the oldest. When I look at them I see the future and yes I see hope. I see and feel the ugliness coming out of some on this board as I have lurked for a while now. I have to say I am not surprised. I think the reason I am not surprised is because I am in the position to witness and deal with this type of nonsense quite often. In a way I think it is good that some people have crawled from under their rocks to show us what they really are. There are some ugly people out there and contrary to popular belief they all do not reside on this board. You have to keep hope alive that we can win this thing and move this country forward. My thoughts are with you and with all of you that are taking this whole mess so hard. The hurt feelings will pass with time and you will move forward with more drive than you ever thought possible.

[ChiciB1]

131. What You Have Written Here Happened To Me Several Months Ago...

I started crying and I didn't know why. I had just watched an older movie, not a an extraordinary sad movie, but one that TOUCHED me deeply. It was about a time in the past, in a town that looked like some Steel Mill town in Ohio Or PA, where 3 brothers worked an lived all their lives. The father left the one son his bar and they were struggling! But the FAMILY worked together and SUPPORTED each other through their struggles.

And I started crying and soon was racked with tears. I didn't know WHY at the time, my Chocolate Lab was going NUTS wondering why her MaMa was so emotionally distraught! My husband was out of town and I cried til I was completely worn out. The next day I LOOKED LIKE HELL! But it dawned on me WHY I was crying the night before.

I was CRYING FOR AMERICA!! An America I once knew and loved and an America that has become so SCREWED up and VICIOUS that I simply am unable to figure out WHY "we the people" have become SO APATHETIC and have LET our Government run rough-shod over us. I recently have had to dis-engage myself from all my local and National political ties because they aren't working. My family can't believe my disgust because I have BEEN the BEACON of Activism for so very many years!

But I do want to tell you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I know exactly what and how you feel... BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! We can blame those in power, but WE THE PEOPLE have stood by and let it happen too! I've called for REVOLUTION for several years now, but everyone just "pooh-pooh's" me... by I firmly believe that we will HAVE to rise up as ONE PEOPLE and say NO MORE! Will it happen? NEVER!! Too many people simply have blinders on and what will be will be. I know many people who are struggling and 2 others who actually are living in their cars!

WE have no voice anymore, but WE AREN'T YELLING LOUD ENOUGH EITHER!!

[ChiciB1]

132. One More Thing... I Don't Know How To Search For My Post... But I'm

sure it's out there somewhere and if you would read it you would see that I DO REALLY understand.

PEACE!!!

[rosesaylavee]

133. Not on my watch.

No. I won't let it go back. This is a very dark time but it won't go back that far. WE just won't let it.

Peace my friend.

[Chovexani]

137. Lovely sentiment.

Except I am a queer black woman, and your candidate and his supporters have told me repeatedly to go fuck myself.

[Barack_America]

141. I support Obama and I would never say that to you.

Unless, of course, you wanted to. We women have to take care of ourselves from time-to-time, you know. ;)

(I'm not trying to be suggestive here, just funny...lest anyone tell me that the content of this post is not appropriate for GDP. Thank you)

[Barack_America]

139. If the party does it, they do it without us.

If the superdelegates hand the nomination over to Hillary because they perceive race-baiting and fear-mongering as desirable traits in a Democrat. Then I am clearly no longer a Democrat.

There are, after all, things more important than victory.

[Infinite Hope]

140. Hopefully the people of Pennsylvania will wise up to this and knock her out. n/t

[NoBushSpokenHere]

143. Very well written OP

Many of us didn't sleep well last night for similar reasons. I am a Native American female who is proudly supporting Obama. When the Supreme Court sealed our fate 7 years ago, our country began going backward and it was accelerated by the right wing tactics after 9/11/01. I believe racism did exist prior to then but was hidden back in the day when people were paying some heed to being politically correct. The difference is now, because of the right wing, they believe it is okay to do everything that is UN politically correct. Look out how many right wing emails were circulated regarding people of faiths other than Christianity and how many were sent through the past seven years that were racially driven. The right wing told them it is okay and told them they were right in discriminating against anyone who didn't agree with their path. I will have to say I am not too shocked at the statements that have been made. I sure wish I could say otherwise, but above all, I wish this country had not been hijacked, for if we would have continued the path prior to then racism and sexism may have been a thing of the past by now. As much as I hate to say this, there are people who are supporting Hillary because they are prejudiced and I believe many of them are hiding their prejudices by hopping on the "I am female, hear me roar" bandwagon. I sure hope they will admit it at least to themselves prior to their votes and then they will be able to remove their rose colored glasses and see the real threat if Hillary were to gain nomination. And, no, I am not saying Hillary is racist. I believe she is too closely tied to the Bush cabal. But until others realize they hide their racism in their support of her, they won't wake up to the facts laid before them.

Standing in solidarity against racism and sexism and proudly supporting Barack Obama.

[CitizenLeft]

145. I wanted to give you a little hope, but the server is down...

Drunken Irishman posted a link to a group calling themselves "Barackappella." They're students who decided to give a fundraising show, singing in a cappella, and one of their songs is "Yes We Can." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l07COcgwmXU">here's the link to the video). I went to this groups website, attached to their college, and the wonderful things the young leader of this group says would gladden your heart. If you get a chance sometime - and their damn server is back up! -http://www.crisscrosshatch.com">visit their website and read what he says about Barack Obama and how much he's inspired by the diversity of his supporters. It will make you smile.

:hug:

[GeorgeGist]

147. Divide and Conquer, LLC

works for THEM ... not ME.

[NC_Nurse]

149. A moving post, Skidmore.

I am dismayed at the ugliness that is happening in this primary, but I believe that most
people are repelled by the low blows and racist comments being thrown out by the Clinton
campaign. I have supported Obama since before all of this nastiness started and I choose to ignore
the daily spin from the MSM and just focus and work for the Obama campaign here in my state - we
might actually make a difference this year. :-)

I am going to remain positive and work for change. All our families need to be loved, respected and valued
and I think we can get there. Hang in there!

[StevieM]

150. This is a fictional narative of who Hillary is. There has been no bigotry against Obama

just hate-monering by slimy people against a wonderful woman. Obama will say or do anything to win, including smearing the Clintons and falsely labeling them as racist.

Steve

[femrap]

152. As John Lennon said....

Woman is the Ni**er of the World. Look back in history to the days of Susan B. and Frederick Douglas and see who got the vote and who didn't for another 50 years.

The Divide and Conquer tactic has won....the Democratic Party is destroyed. Why do you insist on painting HRC as a racist...a woman who has worked for the poor, children, black, white, brown....the Children's Defense Fund? Why does Maxine Waters and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones endorse HRC?

"Men Only" Just like the fancy golf courses...."Men Only."

[John Q. Citizen]

154. I feel and share your anger, your dismay, your hurt and your fear. But we have seen this before.

And we know what we must do. We must love. We must not become divided, we must remain strong and we must reject division, fear and hate.

Take care.

[How to be positive]

157. I am new here had a question pls..

What does it mean when somebody types, "kick"?
TIA

[John Q. Citizen]

158. It means they are "kicking" the post to the top of the forum it's in. If you see the

post on the lastest page it doesn't do this, but if youi go to the forum it was posted in it put it to the top.

K&R is kick and recommend.

[How to be positive]

162. Ok that makes sense thank you

some of there seems to be, like they can get in 100's of posts to a thread.

[bhikkhu]

156. Wonderful post.

Campaigns breed hatred these days, it seems, but the days of any campaign are numbered. Regardless, heartfelt best wishes, and whatever comes you have a friend in Oregon.

Peace.

[better tomorrow]

161. interesting post but I think it is time for me to go to sleep....

the Hoverround commercial is getting to me and Lou Dobbs is on again....Night all...