Discouraging threads tonight

[WildEyedLiberal]

Usually I come here to get away from the "where's Kerry?" "Where are the DEMS?" threads... I'm don't mean to imply that people's opinions aren't legitimate, only that it's discouraging to see the same kind of stuff about Kerry as in GD. I mean, honestly, I thought the reason we were in this group is because we agreed that Kerry shows excellent leadership and courage. I see no need for Kerry to give an Iraq speech now. If he does, great; if he doesn't, I'm not going to question his leadership abilities. Very discouraging.

[Mass]

1. We do agree that he shows these qualities

Which is one of the reasons I would like him to show them "publicly" on one of the most important subject that exists these days, Iraq, as he is showing them on other very important subjects (Katrina, energy, poverty, healthcare, veterans, ...).

This is because I believe in Kerry that I am asking these questions. I could not care less that Lieberman says anything on Iraq. Note that I posted another thread about Dems speaking out as well.

Peace.

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. I think he'll say something, but who knows when

And I just don't think we should get impatient because he hasn't done it yet. Iraq is the 800 lb gorilla in the corner; he knows it's there. If he came out with a speech that coincided with Bush's, I think it'd get lost in the shuffle, or just relegated to a reaction. He can take the lead on this, and I think he will. But he needs to do it on his own time, like he does everything.

[TayTay]

3. I want it all, sigh!

On the one hand, it's obvious that the Rethugs have pulled a power play this week and are trying to get out of DC before they have to pass anything else on NOLA or the rest of the Gulf Area. The most rabidly anti-tax and anti-poor among them are trying to leave with making any changes to funding for FEMA and without any legislation that deals with the actual people who were hurt by Katrina. Sen. Kerry is, obviously, way on board with this and has been since the storm hit. His allegiances are probably torn, since he did promise a speech on Iraq (which is what I am waiting for) and his desire to actually help wictims of Katrina.

We are seeing a real united effort on the part of Senate Dems to embarrass the Rethugs into doing the right thing. Sometimes we forget that you really can't do everything at once. I agree with the united effort to help Mary Landreiu. I will wait on the Iraq speech, which might come next week during the recess.

Gawd, I hate Rethugs. And David Vitter is a traitor to his own constituents. I'm glad Kerry is trying to help because the REthugs sure won't.

[TayTay]

4. Don't be discouraged. This is a sign of health, not sickness

Sometimes people post things that are contentious or ask hard questions in here. It can be just too scary out in DU general threads to do so. It doesn't mean anyone has changed their minds, it means they feel safe enough and respect the other posters in here enough to voice a strong opinion.

It also indicates a level of strong support of Kerry. He has raised some expectations and has engendered respect from the folks in here. Well, it only makes sense then to go to the next conclusion: if you like and respect the guy and you think he's 'wicked smaht' about policy, then what does he think about this particular subject that has been on my mind. (And we should discuss other Dem. Politics is not really an individual sport, it is a team thing. I love contrast and compare threads. They can be highly entertaining and educational.)

I'm not afraid to ask hard questions, in fact, Mr. K asked people to ask hard questions of their elected Reps. That's the two-way street of democracy, or it's supposed to be anyway. (If anyone would enjoy a nice back-and-forth conversation that hits all the points of an argument and a counter-argument, I should think it be Kerry, the champion debater. Lol!) Dissent doesn't mean dislike or disloyal or a sudden switch in tactics. It means a person has a question and feels safe enough and respected enough to ask it. That's all.