Democratic Underground: "I wish I knew how to quit you!"

[Danieljay]

Seriously. I have to stop coming here before my head explodes. I'm at wits end with this administration and those effing robots that support him. The unscripted press conference said it all yesterday. His scripted conference today has me wanting to punch out my computer screen. How can anyone fellate this president the way these people do. Its disgusting. Its an insult to my intelligence. Its an insult to humanity and an embarassment to the world.

My anger level has steadily risen over the last few months as I watch dumbfounded the audacity these people have and the lack of accountability provided them. I was talking with my gf last night about this build-up of defensiveness and anger I have; much of it a result of watching this country fall apart and the idiocy of those that do not notice or for some strange reason think what's going on is actually ok. Then, As I drove to work I listened to a woman on the radio (NPR) saying that she didn't mind if she was wiretapped for "she" wasn't doing anything wrong. "Why would anyone care if they were wiretapped if they weren't doing anything wrong" She asked. These people just don't effing get it.

What planet am I living on? Is it ME that's going nuts? Has this country any common sense left or have I actually left the realm of reality? I'm really beginning to wonder. I can no longer walk around so pissed off about this. Its affecting me, my work, and my relationships. Honest to God.

I stopped watching the tv over 3 years ago and rarely read the newspaper. Why then do I torture myself coming here day after day, witnessing the daily ignorance put forth by this administration and its supporters, only to be again disappointed in the administration and the bending over of the average American who buys in to this crap?

Has my anger, defensiveness, and frustration become an addiction? How does coming to this site and others that point out the political sickness spreading throughout this country serve me other than contributing to anger, disappointment, and a general feeling of hopelessness? I've reached my political pain threshold and honestly don't think I can take it anymore.

DU: I wish I knew how to quit you.

[SoCalDem]

1. Aaaw Daniel. I know just how you feel... have a hug

:hug:

[wicket]

2. And another

:grouphug:

:D

[Radio_Lady]

26. Daniel, you're a cutie -- I'm old enough to be your mother!

(Peeked at your yahoo.com link on your information page.)

I certainly share your feelings much of the time.

If you're in Portland, OR and you'd like to get together with other DUers, you should send a private message to Viva_La_Revolution -- and she will put you on the list to get information on meetings. Get together with us in person -- it's solace, fun, and there are also beer and snacks.

Forgive me if you already know about the above.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Danieljay]

37. Thank you, Radio_Lady..for the compliment AND the information! nt

[Radio_Lady]

43. You're welcome, I'm sure. UPDATE: Viva has posted info!

Check the Oregon forum. We're making plans to meet in April.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=174x3321

Perhaps we'll meet each other sometime soon. I'm having hand surgery in early April and will be out of commission for a couple of days with sutures; then we're off to Europe in May.

We're here for you, and the DU Lounge is a fun place, if you're in a more personal or contemplative or just jolly mood! Hope you're doing better this evening.

Make peace a worldwide priority in 2006!

Radio_Lady

[wordpix2]

3. me, too, I spend far too long here & my work and bf are suffering...

[MaggieSwanson]

4. Come chill in the Lounge.

It helps, and that's what it's there for.

Don't quit us! Not with an avatar like that!

We have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep.

Peace,

Maggie

[Jo March]

25. MaggieSwanson

This is off-topic but are you a fan of Over the Rhine? This is a line from one of their songs, "We have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep." So, I was curious.

:hi:

[OnionPatch]

27. I don't know Over the Rhine

or MaggieSwanson, either, but I thought I'd let you know that Over the Rhine did not originate that line. That line was originally from a Robert Frost poem called "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." Maybe only us old-timers remember it.
http://www.ketzle.com/frost/snowyeve.htm

[Jo March]

47. You should check out the band

I remembered the Frost poem when I read it. It's been a long time since AP English in high school. ;)

Check out the band if you love good music: www.overtherhine.com

[MaggieSwanson]

35. Hi Arnheim!

It's actually from a poem by Robert Frost:

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

I worked on the Kucinich campaign, and Dot Maven sent the last few lines on an email shortly before the convention in Boston. When I think of "miles to go before I sleep" it reminds me of why I need to keep raging against the machine (so to speak).

I'll have to check out Over The Rhine, thanks for the tip!

[Jo March]

46. They are a great band

I was introduced to them by someone who once meant quite a lot to me. I managed to keep my love for the band. :)

www.overtherhine.com

The lead singer has the voice of an angel. They are anti-war and anti-* as well!!

[holboz]

5. LOL...that makes 2 of us! (eom)

[raccoon]

6. I've felt the same way. nt

[butterfly77]

7. My sentiments exactly!

[uppityperson]

8. Take a break, it is necessary sometimes

Yes, you can get stuck on the anger and frustration. If it motivates you to be active and help the world, this is good. If it only causes pain and problems, it is bad. Many of us take breaks, then come back and check things out again. There is so much going on, that it is easy to get stuck on only the negatives and easy to get too bad. So, take a break, check it out later if you want, ok to pace yourself, take what works and onward. Moderation works. Peace to all.

[BReisen]

9. I look at it this way

If I didn't have DU, where would I go for my daily (hourly? minute to minute?) sanity check. I would have decided I am crazy if it weren't for finding kindred spirits here. It would be even worse to be all alone with no one to talk to..."they're coming to take me away, ha ha, hee hee" (for those of you old enough to remember!)

[SoCalDem]

13. That was our college theme song :)...have a listen again

http://it.stlawu.edu/~x0tsing/takeaway.ra



They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-haaa!
Remember when you ran away
And I got on my knees
And begged you not to leave
Because I'd go berserk?
Well. . .

You left me anyhow
And then the days got worse and worse
And now you see I've gone
Completely out of my mind
And. . .

They're coming to take me away, HA HA
They're coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see
Those nice, young men
In their clean, white coats
And they're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

You thought it was a joke
And so you laughed
You laughed when I had said
That losing you would make me flip my lid
Right. . .

You know you laughed, I heard you laugh
You laughed, you laughed and laughed
And then you left
But now you know I'm utterly mad!
And. . .

They're coming to take me away, HA HA
They're coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
To the happy home
With trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile
And twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

I cooked your food
I cleaned your house
And this is how you pay me back
For all my kind, unselfish loving deeds?!!
Hah. . .

Well you just wait
They'll find you yet
And when they do they'll
Put you in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt!
And. . .

They're coming to take me away, HA HA
They're coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see
Those nice, young men
In their clean, white coats
And they're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

To the happy home
With trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile
And twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see
Those nice, young men
In their clean, white coats
And they're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

[LisaLynne]

10. I know how you feel.

I feel that way myself every so often. It's a clue to me that I need to take a break, step away from the computer, and go do something out in the real world. It's easy to come here, day after day, outrage after outrage, and start to feel really run down and helpless. Walking away for a day or two, or even longer, really does help. You can recharge and jump right back into it. :)

[LaPera]

11. Here read this (excellent) it might help to realize its all BS around here

read it (all) and weep...

http://www.iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_Rothschild.htm

[timber84]

12. Yes Chill in the lounge a good place to be when you feel like

you can't take it anymore

[Frosty1]

14. I may need an intervention

I've often felt the same way however if I hadn't found du I would never have been able to give a concise answer to some peoples stupid beliefs. Thanks du

[lostnfound]

15. Loving light

The ironies of life. Loving truth, we seek knowledge to shed light on the world around us, and what it shows us is darkness and more darkness.

Rekindle the joy of the simplest things, and take only small sips from the firehose of this place.

Find something positive to do with it. A seed of pain can be used to create something worthwhile -- a letter to the editor, a vision of something better, a poem or a book.

How to see the darkness without drowning in it is a paradox. Jung hints that we not try to resolve the tension from such paradox so much as to live with it and create with it. A burden to carry gladly, not to shirk, but not to be swallowed whole by it either. Just to live with it.

:hug:

I -- "we" -- know how you feel.

[coalition_unwilling]

16. I've started demonstrating\vigiling every day now for 2-4 hrs./day

I told my wife this morning it's the only way I can keep my self-respect. I want to be able to tell my kids and grandkids that I did everything I could to stop this.

[Hubert Flottz]

17. "Why would anyone care if they were wiretapped if they weren't

doing anything wrong?" Well I'd hate for everyone to know that I've been porking your old lady every time you go to work, for the past six months Bubba!

Edit...hypothetically of course! Just give the GOPers a dose of the kind of crap they dish out and they will shrink up like the slugs that they in fact are!

[lowcountry woman]

18. Me too

I missed all of my TV programs this morning. Dishes are dirty, carpets need vacuuming but my husband (180) will do that!

sure he will.

[jus_the_facts]

36. hehehe....WELCOME lowcountry woman....

:hi:

...Your husband is so very Dear to me...you're a lucky lady!!! :)

[EC]

19. You come here to make sure there are still sane people

in this country...I find relief everytime I look at the members numbers at the top of the page and see it growing daily...we'll be at 90,000 members in a couple of months....


Also the next time someone says "well I don't care because I'm not doing something wrong" ask them if they feel the same way about a peeking tom, since they are not doing anything wrong while the peeking tom is watching them what's wrong with him watching? It's spooky and the one listening could be DOING SOMETHING WRONG...it goes two ways....

[eppur_se_muova]

41. How about:"Well, do you mind if they eavesdrop on your kids? Are they...

doing anything wrong?"

[MissB]

20. If it gets too bad

just ask Skinner to ban you. :D

:hug: It will be okay.

[EC]

21. remember this song?

» Somebody's Watching Me



Rockwell
» Somebody's Watching Me

I'm just an average guy with an average life
I work from nive to five, hey hell I pay the price
But I want is to be left alone in my average home
But why do I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone
CHORUS:
I always feel that somebody's watchin' me
And I have no privacy
I always feel that somebody's watchin' me
Is it just a dream?
When I come home at night
I bolt the door real tight
People call me on the phone I'm trying to avoid
Well, can the people on TV see me or am I just paranoid
CHORUS
When I'm in the shower, I'm afraid to wash my hair
I might open my eyes and find someone standing there
People say I'm crazy, just a little touched
But maybe showers remind me of Psycho too much
That's why...
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Who's playing tricks on me
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Tell me it can't be
I don't know anymore
Are the neighbors watching me
Well is the mailman watching me
And I don't feel safe anymore, oh what a mess
I wonder who's watching me now?
Who?
The IRS?
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Who's playing tricks on meI always feel like somebody's watching me
I can't enjoy my tea!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

22. Good post. I think you...

...express the sentiments of many who visit DU---certainly I share them.

[helderheid]

23. I am right there with you!

[Swamp Rat]

24. peace

[sarcasmo]

28. I get a two week vacation every spring from D/U no computer.

I promise the wife no computer on vacation it's the only way I can clear my head. However, I told her that KO was still must see TEEVEE every night at 8pm on vacation.

[Catchawave]

39. KO is a very bright light in dank MSM caverns these days !

Must have daily KO too :hi:

[lonestarnot]

29. DU is a safe place for now. That's why you keep coming back.

Just like the rest of us. Commentary upon the back of the inhumanity of it all is a release valve.

[MoonRiver]

30. You speak for many of us here, Daniel.

That's why you have 11 votes for Greatest, including mine. :bounce:
Sometimes my compulsion to come here every day feels like a sick addiction, but it's also a lifesaver. Besides my husband and family DU is all I have to keep me sane, but it may have the opposite effect when overdone. I dunno. :crazy:

[barbtries]

31. i know

exactly how you feel, it's the same with me. i'm at work with a month's worth of paper stacked around me needs to be attended to, and i'm reading DU.

every few weeks or so i just force myself away from it. according to my grief counselor, what you're experiencing is caused "flooding" - so much going on, it's so bad, and there's so little we can do to make a change. especially with this administration - the outrages seem never to stop.

[RazzleDazzle]

32. Try not to let it also affect your health

as I believe it has mine.

[byronius]

33. Information is power; it can also be unsettling.

I have the same problem. It's not addiction to anger, it's addiction to an information stream that is damn well a new form of information. Nothing has ever existed like this place. Sometimes it hurts, but I keep coming back. It's home.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

34. Danieljay - here are a few things that may help...

First, read this rant from Minnesota Libra, she went off on someone for saying that to her at the library. Guaranteed to make you feel better. :)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=717153

Then, stop by the Oregon forum, we meet every month for beer and conversation.
I always feel much better about the world after, and that's not just the beer talking.

DU MeetUp for April.... Venue thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=174x3321

[Radio_Lady]

44. Thanks, Viva. You're a great gal! We enjoyed spending time with

you a couple of weeks ago. I'm having hand surgery early next month but will consider whatever you guys decide. Hubby can drive.

[Initech]

38. I was thinking of making a post like this earlier

I was watching footage of yesterday's press conference (on the Daily Show, the only safe haven from the insanity that is 24/7 network news) and Dumbya's idiocy nearly caused my head to explode. I've stopped reading the newspaper and dont watch much TV other than the shows I have on DVD. And the times I do venture into flipping the channels, I just marvel at the downward spiral our country is heading in on a minute by minute basis. I really wonder if the tide is going to turn, if at all. But I just continue to grow more pessimistic, especially with this evil administration (and his brain dead supporters who think he's Jesus) on a daily basis.

To use a Bill Hicks quote - "Go back to bed, America. It has all been explained to you, now! No need to question your government's legitimacy."

[Catchawave]

40. When I was feelin' politically punky one day.....

For you today Danieljay !

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=512397&mesg_id=512397


P.S. You really should start a journal starting with your wonderful entry here!
Many share your feelings, and thank goodness for DU, I know we're all the normal true blue Americans here :grouphug:

[peace_on_earth]

42. I feel the same sometimes...but here's some good news

The mainstream media ALWAYS follows the profits, which means it almost always follows majority public opinion. Until recently, they probably saw somewhere around a 50-50 split between shrub supporters and us. And, they had their orders to support him, plus big fat paychecks to keep them in line.

But now public opinion is swaying big time against the shrub (did you see the recent DU posts showing all but a few of the states have turned BLUE?). And I'm already witnessing a shift in mainstream media to follow that trend. Just a little more time, and more media turning against him, and he and his criminal cronies are toast.

One thing I would suggest to you is that you spend at least 1/2 hour a day or 4-5 hours a week in nature. Find someplace really quiet and beautiful, and just sit. Soon you will know that it is ALL okay, no matter how horrible it looks right at this moment.

In my opinion, it had to get this bad before the majority of the people would wake up to the corporate takeover of America, and the utter corruption in Washington. Just think - how many people would have gone right back to sleep, if Kerry had been REALLY elected? I might have, even if simply from exhaustion after four years of that toad. (sorry, toads! no offense!)

So although others may not agree with me, this is my feeling about a complete cleanout of our system. That does NOT MEAN I am happy with things the way they are!!! I feel exactly the same way you do!! But, I see some possible good coming out of this horrendous situation.

Dictators always fall. This one is well on its way down. All the signs are there. We WILL get our country back, and it very well may be a better one than it's been since JFK's time.

Hang in there, spend some time in nature, be patient...it's only a matter of time now.

[JudyM]

45. Don't give up hope. We have another voice/movement starting to talk back

to the neocons.

One of the key things that's been missing for many of us is a coherent argument in favor of OUR values. There's a new book, just out last month: The Left Hand of God: Taking Back our Country from the Religious Right. In it the author (Michael Lerner) sets out a liberal values-based agenda and he and his grassroots group (Network of Spiritual Progressives) are having a conference in DC in May to rally support and have folks talk to their congresspeople while they're in town.

The movement he's trying to start is for people who share these values (compassion, ecological sanity, etc) regardless of whether they are spiritual or not.

We've been shamed into not talking proudly about our progressive values because they don't fit in with the 'bottom line' self-centered mentality that the neocons have built around us. This movement is a way of talking back with a strong united voice so that 'middle America' 'gets' that they don't have to be over there on the right in order to vote for values.

Check out the conference info at www.spiritualprogressives.org. I signed on with them last week as a volunteer, so let me know if you have any interest in helping to move this forward in your state (to take a step or two out of your darkness there). Happy for any help I can get.

Got to keep hope alive, just my opinion.

:hippie: :patriot:

[Inland]

48. "Take the pill back, Morpheus!"

In fact, I think Bush's big political power is that anyone who loves America and this world can't look directly at how low things have fallen. His strength is that nobody wants to know, because nobody can stand it.

[toymachines]

49. I feel it too

Some vague feeling that I am not in the same reality as most people. That I inform myself, and it seems to be driving me nuts in relation to those around me. And all I can do is inform everyone around me. This last month has been especially crazy...

[Misunderestimator]

50. "DU... I swear."

[mzmolly]

51. "I Can't Quit You Baaaaaaaaaby ..."

"I can't quit you DU
PC I think I'm gonna shut you down for a little while
I can't quit you DU
I... think I'm gonna shut you down for a while
I said you messed up my happy home
Made me mistreat my only child

You built my hopes so high
DU then you let me down so low
You built my hopes so high then ya let me down ... so low
Don'tcha realize sweet baaaaby?
DU I don't know ... which way to go

DU I can't quit you babe
I think I'm gonna shut you down for a while"



A more serious response to your post, I see things here daily that give me hope. This is where I can see articles/clips of sane people fighting every day. We are about to get some relief, in 2006 we will see a slide back in the right direction. Hang on - we're almost there.

I understand your thoughts. I spend far too much time here myself. But, when the world has gone insane, it's a place to connect with reality - and somethings deserve our collective anger. Our country was founded by people who were "agitated." And, it will be taken back by those who are rightfully pissed off - the celebration is near. I promise