I can't stand what I've been turned into..

[MsKandice01]

I am, by nature, a pretty laid-back person. I used to be able to accept other people's differences, political or otherwise, and was very much a "live and let live" type of person. If you wanna believe whatever you want to believe, that's fine, just don't push your beliefs on me.

However, after seeing what Bush and his cronies have done to our country and to the world, I find myself becoming increasingly angry. This morning, while at the gas station, a huge minivan backed up in front of me with a "W 04" sticker, American flags, Jesus fish, and some smaller bumper stickers that I didn't even bother to read. The guy got out of his car and, lo and behold, a huge American flag on his t-shirt. He started filling up his tank and I found myself getting unbelievably angry with a man I don't even know. And then I got angry with myself because this is NOT me. I'm not an angry person. I'm not an emotional person, yet I've shed so many tears just thinking about what this asshole is doing to our country and to the world. I'm not a cynical person but yet I find myself questioning EVERYTHING these days. My husband has said he even noticed a significant change in me as a person over the past few years.

I want ME back.

[Taverner]

1. Don't become me

I've let my anger get the best of me several times, at one time spitting at a parked Wingnutmobile and flipping many off on the highways.

Again, I'm not a very good role model - I'm a very angry person who has been in his share of fights.

Anger is not always a gift...

[BOSSHOG]

2. I'm with you

They certainly have changed the tone in America. I never thought I'd be whipping out my military retiree ID Card to make a point. I hate that I have done that; but after having my patriotism questioned by a pissant who never served?!? I'll continue to play the vet card to every chickenhawk who gets in my way. They have no concept of constitutional liberties. They are ignorant and easily manipulated. They are not patriotic but are extremely proud, and they have no reason to be.

[malmapus]

13. I'm with you Chief, I hate every time I have to play the "vet card" myself

Before this dipshit came to office, I had put my military service behind me. I'm proud of what I did, but that young soldier is not who I have grown to today. I moved on after I ETS'd back in 95. But these past few years, I've had to go back so to speak. I hate these pieces of shit who never even served a day for making me have to do that when my own patriotism gets questioned because I chose to think for myself and not drink the damned kool aid.

[BOSSHOG]

16. Roger that Teammate

I'll whip that card out in a heartbeat and stick my CPO coin in their chickenhawk faces. Our service gives us gravitas when it comes to Iraq. Every American has a right to an opinion but one should listen to those who have been there (or to similar places.) I'd never argue with a brain surgeon about procedure. God, they are an incredible ugly heavy burden for our country.

[pooja]

3. Don't be angry... it turns positive vibes into negative vibes...

Meditate. Peacefully demonstrate. Elect good officials. Educate as many as you can. Cry to release the tension and then move forward. Don't fear. Fear leads to hate and wars that we already have. The only fear is fear itself. Love is the antonym of fear. Love harder.

[Arazi]

4. From this perspective, it's time more Yanks were angry.

Sounds like getting outraged means you're on the right track.

[redqueen]

5. That's what I say! Use that anger in constructive ways...

that's the only caveat... don't let it become destructive.

Anger can be a very powerful motivator... we whould harness that energy and use it to act for change.

[NewJeffCT]

6. I'm pretty laid back, too

but, since my daughter was born 3 1/2 years ago, I've renewed my interest in politics - writing letters to the editor, donating what small amounts I can afford, etc, in my small effort to make the world a little bit better place for her.

I'm usually not a very emotional person, either. But, sometimes I find my eyes welling up with tears over what has happened to my country.

[treestar]

7. Sometimes anger can be transferred into energy!

To campaign against those freeper morans!

[wake.up.america]

8. Have to agree with you. And I don't live in America. I lived there for

a few years in Hawaii and California, so I know it fairly well. I still have friends there.
I become disgusted when Clinton, whom I admire, was brutally attacked by the RWers.
Reading about that and tracing the history of GWB made me even angrier that the country I once admired has sunk so low.

I wanted to travel through the country with my family, but I put a stop on it because of the poisoned atmosphere. 9/11 was just part of the problem. Bush and the Neocons had plans long before that heinous crime.


Not becoming like them is important, but is difficult. Sticking to the facts does no good because the other side does not care about right or wrong, only power. Personal attacks ensue after a bout of hair pulling while trying to use reason.

[valerief]

9. People I work with tell me that

SUVs make them angry, religious fundies make them angry, warhawks make them angry. It's a national epidemic.

[Benhurst]

10. I with you on this.

I'd elaborate, but I've got to finish knitting Barbara Bush's name and start on Condoleezza Rice's.

[dkofos]

15. Are you knitting death shrouds??

[Benhurst]

17. See Charles Dickens'

A Tale of Two Cities.

[marions ghost]

11. to be angry

in this country is not to be brain-dead.

Who wants to live in a place you feel so bad about?
Who wants to lose everything you care about and have worked for?
Who wants to be ashamed and embarrassed to go to other countries?
Who wants to try to save Democracy when it's hard enough just to survive in this "democracy?"
Who wants to put up with a system that clearly is not working?
Who wants to lose hope in a better future?

We did not choose this situation. To be angry about all this is to be sane. But it's not a fun way to live. Still, it's good to acknowledge the anger. You are not alone. Many are disgusted.

Be ready to take this country to a higher level now. The big wheel is turning. We CAN do better than this. And we will.

[seabeyond]

12. god, i am with you. and really this is only in our power

i hear ya.

[liberalmuse]

14. Anger is a gift...

or it can be. I feel sorry for my daughter. She was barely a teen on 12/09/06, when I turned into this angry person. It was awful the 1st 4 years. She hated politics, and used to tweak me by playing devils advocate. Well, if anything, she's very politically aware. After the 2004 election, I had to throw myself into art in order to keep my sanity. Granted, nothing will make me more angry than seeing a pro-Bush sticker on a car these days. I have to talk myself down from shaking in rage and screaming out the window at them to demand an apology. Instead, I might flip the bird under my dashboard, or just change mental gears and try to think about something pleasant. I don't like how I cuss when discussing the Bush regime, but only the most vulgar words will do. I've learned to REALLY appreciate 'Rage Against the Machine'.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. One thing that I do that helps me feel better

is whenever I see one of those cars somewhere with the W04 stickers, ribbons and fish symbol, I put one of my little holy cards under their wiper blade.

?asdfe

I always feel better after I've tagged one. I just wish I could get to see their heads explode after they find my little gift.

[earth mom]

19. If you are not angry, you are not paying attention.

What's happened the past 6 years has changed us all in ways we don't like. But the truth of the matter is is that things are bad-very bad-and you and I and everyone on DU know it and that's why we're all here. The ONLY way anything is going to change is for many more people in this country to get pissed off and fed up.

Just know this: The other side is NEVER going to give in to guilt or fear or to other peoples negative opinions about their anger or behavior. Neither should we because it's sink or swim time right NOW.

When I first came to DU, someone posted the following line and it's stuck with me ever since:

Never Give Up!