In 2006, we were occupied Ireland. Today, we're the Irish Free State. What about 2009?

[derby378]

Just watched The Wind That Shakes the Barley last night. Let me simplify part of the plot for you. There's two brothers who are opposed to the British occupation of Ireland, but one of them is convinced that partial autonomy as the Irish Free State is the best way to keep the hated Black and Tans from returning, and the other brother believes that complete independence for Ireland is the only solution. Those of us who bothered to stay awake during history class know that civil war broke out between the Free Staters and the Irish Republican Army as a result.

Now, I've had my problems with some Democratic candidates. I think we all agree that none of them are perfect, including the top three. But I do not want to see the Democratic Party degenerate into a civil war when the Republicans are threatening to do the same. At the moment that the Republicans are possibly at their weakest, we MUST remember Sun Tzu's military strategy of stones against eggshells - attack complete emptiness with complete fullness.

And the ironic thing about the movie I mentioned? The brother who was tortured by the British is the brother who favored the Free State treaty. I have a feeling many Democrats have adopted the same mindset in relation to George W. Bush, but we really need to stay united and demand real, fundamental change in the way that America does things in 2009 and beyond.

We owe it to the rest of the world. We need to show them all that the American ideal still works.

[derby378]

1. Post-game kick!