Exiled in the "Land of the Free"

[H2O Man]

The republican machine does not recognize us as American citizens, with all (indeed, any) of the rights outlined in the Constitution and defined by the Bill of Rights.

I attempt to be objective; I do not subscribe to a number of beliefs that are incorrectly called "conspiracy theories." LIHOP is an example. I don't believe it, but too many people have too much evidence that demands closer examination, to classify it as mere paranoid thinking. It's one of several very reasonable explanations for the state of our country today. We indeed have had a group that is without conscience take hold of the reins of power in America.

There is no doubt in my mind that a very significant number of citizens who voted yesterday were disenfranchised. I live in New York State, and my voted "counted." But when young people in Ohio, Indians in South Dakota, and black people in Florida lose their right to vote, then my vote loses its power, too. When the republican party can generate the same immoral hatred towards the gay and lesbian community as the most nationalistic of empires have done to other "minorities," all people of good will are the victims of that same evil.

Where do we go from here?

Choices such as "do nothing" or "despair" offer as little potential as to advocate "street action." We must not go there.

Exodus may represent the best possibility for many individuals. And one could not blame anyone for considering this, especially if they have draft-aged children. I understand it, because I struggle with this myself. I cannot rule it out.

But I realize that also represents an abandonment of those same victims of hatred and evil who I and so many other democrats have encouraged to think of themselves as united with the democratic cause.

Perhaps we need to take a closer look at that Constitution. We tend to see it in terms of state's rights and individual liberties. Maybe it needs to be viewed in terms of groups' rights. Maybe we need to consider a group action. Maybe we need to look towards the last teachings of the American messanger, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Perhaps we need to consider not having loud demonstrations, but instead a quiet, reflective, and even prayerful meeting in Washington, DC. A revival. Thousands of people, even millions, standing, sitting, kneeling and laying on the ground, quietly. Meditating, praying, or silently reading the Constitution. That could be somewhat of an immediate goal, perhaps around January.

There are many long-term goals for us to consider. But we must be fully aware of the fact that things have changed. Our right to vote in elections has been twisted, manipulated, and stolen. We can long longer hope to survive, much less find success, in using outdated tactics. We must change to master change.

[elepet]

1. Thanks

for your thoughtful post. It may very well be that the path of Ghandhi and Martin Luther King is our best recourse... the planet is at stake.

[Political_Junkie]

2. Thanks, Waterman

I don't know how you come up with such clear thoughts at a time like this, but I'm glad you do.
Not to mention, we've still got lots of dirt on these bastards, we'll get it out to the people somehow.

[IrateCitizen]

3. I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about these things!

I'd actually go for something a little less onerous than bringing everyone to Washington, DC right away. I'd instead focus on doing this in the communities in which we all live, all on the same day, all across the nation.

Washington DC could be a pretty big gathering on its own, but we need to do this in a way that encourages people without the means to attend a centralized "revival" to attend one in their area. It could be like a whole chorus of Hightower "Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour" events all on the same day.

[H2O Man]

4. You are raising good points ....

and I am certainly trying to keep an open mind. It may be that we are not ready to have a peaceful gathering in Washington at this point. We may need to take numerous smaller steps first. But we should begin a long walk in that direction.

[Algomas]

5. Marching in Tucson today..

Announce last night: there will be a march on the Federal building to protest the election today at 3pm.

[H2O Man]

6. Good!

That's the spirit. Please keep us updated on how that goes.

[mountebank]

7. Calm, Collected, and Resolute.

I haven't often posted in your threads, Waterman, but I read them a lot. I considered starting another thread - but it seems my thoughts fit well with yours. Maybe this can be a thread for those of us who were discouraged and depressed by the election last night, but have also woken up this morning and gotten out into the world to see it is perhaps not as radically different as we thought.

Those of us who are whole people will continue to fight for justice and equality in this world. In this capacity my life does not change.

There are those here on DU who, if they haven't flamed out already, will do so in the next week. I guess I can understand the reasons why: they put everything into this election, not just their hopes but their free time. Right now they are left with nothing - maybe not even a semblance of direction. These are the ones posting about "dropping out of politics" and "just looking out for myself and my family" and violence and widespread conspiracy and fraud. Without belaboring the point, there are other of us who had direction before this election, who have always believed in the essential goodness of people, in truth, equality, and justice - and we couldn't stop working toward these goals if we tried. It's not work, actually. It's just life.

The essential difference - as you've noted in previous posts - is whether or not you believe that democracy and freedom are ideals that spring from yourself - that they are part of you because you are human - or whether they are merely ideas vouchsafed by politicians.

So we woke up today to find out the American electorate is in worse shape than we thought - if only by a few percentage points.

I will continue to care about politics because it's important. Because you cannot separate politics from the social, economic, and spiritual. Because I still believe the world can be different.

Which is true, in the words of Little Tree.

[H2O Man]

8. "Spititual consciousness

is the highest form of politics." Haudenosaunee

I like what you wrote. This isn't a time to quit. Far from it. This is the most important time to dedicate ourselves to the work at hand.

Why did we join this struggle to begin with? For many of us, it's for love of family, community, and country. It was for the environment, for clean water, blue skies, and the land we live on. To honor our ancestors, our grandparents, and parents .... and to leave a better world for our children, neices, and nephews. And their children.

All these are the reasons we need to continue.

[shraby]

9. H20.....Democracy died yesterday

I don't know how to deal with that. I waver between despondency, anger and a feeling of helplessness against the machine. My mind is like a whirligig right now.
Thanks for the comforting words, they are much appreciated.

[H2O Man]

11. It's not to die, but to be reborn ......

Nothing lasts forever. Nothing stays the same. This is true for an atom and for a universe. That which does not grow, decays. This is the mechanical evolution that we see evidence of all around us.

Human evolution is not mechanical. People do not evolve unconsciously. If human evolution were mechanical and unconscious, then George Bush would be taking us a giant step forward. But he is not; we are all aware that he is an unconscious robot who brings a mechanical destruction about.

The democracy that this country had has indeed decayed. This is because our country took too much for granted. We became not only satisfied, we became comfortable. America, we all knew, was the greatest country on earth. Of course it was, but not everyone shared the satisfaction and comfort.

We felt bad about the Indians, and the blacks, but our grandfathers didn't have slaves. Except maybe their wives. And the land of plenty turned a deaf ear towards children who were malnourished and who starved for attention. Thank God we won the war in Grenada, and protected our freedoms.

Democracy has not died a sudden death. It has been rotting on the vine. How can a "Christian" nation turn its back on the exact people that Jesus demanded we pay attention to? How can an educated people miss out entirely on the most obvious lessons of history, regarding the rise and fall of empires? Certainly not consciously. No, our fall from grace has been unconscious, mechanical, and merciless.

But just as surely as truth crushed to earth will rise again, the rotten fruit that falls from the vine onto the organic decay of this empire will germinate -- not to die, but to be reborn.

Do not despair. Everything IS okay. We will survive this by remaining conscious and alert. Democracy will flower again.

[Me.]

17. That Is Beautiful

It inspires hope. Thank you.

[mountebank]

10. Josh Marshall has a good, sensible post this morning.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/index.php

I don't always subscribe to his analysis - but in this case I think he hits the right note.

Take a day to soak in the disappointment. Don't deny it and don't let it turn to impotent rage. Then - move on. Continue with positive work for the cause.

Is there another healthy option?

[H2O Man]

12. That's interesting ...

I believe that is the healthy option.

We need to take a day or two to rest, then a day or two to reflect. Then we need to get back to work.

Part of that healthy option is self-examination. Not to the point of being inactive, but with the simple understanding that in order to do more, we must be more. Not be more of the same; but rather, to grow and evolve. We can only master change by changing ourselves.

[coeur_de_lion]

13. H2O, I knew I could count on you to come out with something sane

I think you're right, we need to think about a peaceful, prayerful "revival" -- not a protest. An affirmation that we still believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We have to think of a good date to do this.

I'm glad you're still with us, dear boy.

[H2O Man]

14. You can also count on me to say

numerous insane things. I promise. And as I quoted to you long ago: "You must believe me, for I am a mad man, and mad men always tell the truth." (Che)

[coeur_de_lion]

15. Ducky, whatever you are, mad or sane --

I still am grateful that you're here.

So there.

[H2O Man]

16. "Ducky"?

Did you just call me "Ducky"?

I am grateful that you are back on DU after your recent vacation. It is a pleasure to converse with you.

[coeur_de_lion]

18. Ducky, lovey, honey, darlin, dear, sweet pea, take your pick

It is a peculiarity of southern women to call everyone "honey." Or some other term of endearment. I don't know why, it just is. When I go up north they can't handle it at all. The women think I'm being condescending, and the men think it is hilarious. Down here everyone is honey, from the mechanic to the manicurist to my Grandmother. Just habit, Ducky.

Here is my rant.

I am reading these posts on DU and feeling rather bad. But not as bad as I felt at 3:00 yesterday morning when I had to face the fact that * had done it again. He has stolen the election, and more skillfully this time. I wanted to jump off a bridge then, but not now. I still can sympathize and empathize but I'm sorta over it now. It isn't anger I feel, just a sort of . . . . callous resignation. And great disappointment in the democratic party and Kerry. Wishing for what might have been.

I have picked the most amazing time to take an interest in politics.

I think when Wes Clark conceded I told myself it was okay because Kerry would surely be able to unseat *. So along with the realization that Kerry couldn't do it, I finally had to face my grief that the man I really wanted in the Whitehouse (Clark) would never be there. I worked so hard as a volunteer for Clark and now I know that it was all for nothing. Devastating. Very sad -- I have a taste of what the Kerry people must be feeling. We should pray for them.

I'm trying to decide what (if any) involvement I'll have in politics in the future and I just don't know. Common sense tells me to walk away, and make it a permanent vacation from DU. I'd like to strike a balance between the apathy and naivete of the distant past and the fevered obsession of the more recent past. Obsession is never a good thing. I still feel a kinship to fellow DUers but my old habits want to come back. I want to be naive and innocent like I was a few years ago. I'll take your suggestion and do an introspective search in the next few days, and think on what I might be able to contribute. I have so enjoyed the discourse with you and with all the other DUers. Even those conversations that I read and didn't participate in, I enjoyed immensely. There are so many intelligent and good people on these boards, yourself especially.

Later Lovey!

[mountebank]

19. Perspective from 9000 ft in northern Mexico.

I came back to the U.S. so I could watch this election. But from the top of the mountain in northern Mexico I didn't think about it. When I got the chance I logged on to electoral-vote.com and the rest. Anxious for news. Amazing that in the middle of nowhere, Chihuahuan desert, one can get news, and relatively quickly. I watched the first debate live. I am a biologist and when I was out on the project I didn't think about it. Surrounded by the mountains, the forest, the desert. Eastern screech owl calling at night, ring-tailed cats investigating camp, a group of wild turkey passing through. It's made it easier to cope. I was terribly depressed last night. But knowing there is another life out there. I talk to the people in the ejidos of northern Mexico. The election means nothing to them. Even though the class 2 border crossings are closed after 9/11. Border towns have dried up. Boquillas del Carmen, once a thriving border town across from Big Bend National Park, is now a wasteland full of drunks. But the election is not significant. Life ebbs and wanes - but does not change significantly. All the significant struggles still exist. I saw The Motorcycle Diaries today and all that Ernesto Guevara discovered on his tour is still waiting to be discovered. Latin America is changing, going left, regardless of the United States. There is a world out there. A struggle apart from ours. Let's be a part of it. As world citizens we'll have no shortage of causes.... There is life beyond our borders.... Other struggles..... This gives me perspective. Hope.