I don't know what to think anymore

[VelmaD]

Someone just said that to me and I realized that it pretty much sums up everything for me right now. I figure I'm not alone.

This place has been insane the last week or so with the various kerfluffles over Andy S in GD and the "clique" thing here in the Lounge and other assorted nonsense. I love DU but it's making me tired. I've been tired at least since the election...was probably tired before that too. I haven't slept in weeks. I keep waiting for the world to explode and it's wearing me down. I figure everybody else is in the same boat and that's why we're all acting like poop-flinging howler monkeys.

Just about everyone I know is being the most closed-off, tired, slightly paranoid, hardest version of themselves...me included.

I don't have anything deep or meaningful to say. I don't have any answers. I'm not looking for answers or sympathy or to hear that it'll get better.

[tk2kewl]

1. Ask KKKarl, hell tell you what to think.

[VelmaD]

5. I actually knew Karl...

he was my Campaign Politics prof in grad school. He is just as vile in person.

[LynzM]

10. Wow, and ick.

That's not a 'celeb' I'd be glad to have known....

[VelmaD]

12. I wear it like a badge of honor...

I survived the experience. Plus I get to tell people that Karl Rove once called me a "fundamentalist, Shi'ite feminist".

[uppityperson]

36. ooooooooo, good thing for the resume

was this just a passing comment or is there a larger story behind it? Do you consider yourself a fundamentalist, Shi'ite feminist? Is this a bad thing?

[VelmaD]

37. Here's the whole story...

Most of our class sessions we had guest speakers either in person or via videoconference. Always right-wing loonies. I gave them all hell. :) The last class session our speaker was Ralph Reed if you can believe that shit.

Anyway, at that last class I didn't say much. When it was over Karl asked me why and I told him I felt it was pointless to argue with religious whackjobs. It was a waste of my time. Plus I considered Ralph Reed beneath contempt. He said something about that not being what he expected from such a "fundamentalist, Shi'ite feminist". I took it as a compliment and told him so. :)

[uppityperson]

38. At first it sounded like an insult to me, then I thought it a compliment

Sounds like an interesting class. At least you weren't in danger of falling asleep.

Sounds like a good thing to be called. It's always fun to say "thank you" when someone says something they think is insulting and you don't. Throws them for a minute.

[VelmaD]

39. He was trying to get a laugh at my expense...

Was a lot of fun to turn it around on him.

That man is a scum-sucking bottom feeder and I still to this day regret letting my classmates talk me out of beating him senseless with my bare hands.

[Sheets of Easter]

2. If you pan-fry a clock,

the time will have more breading. You must think of this.

[terrya]

8. If you say so.

:shrug:

[MissB]

3. I won't say that it'll get better.

:hug:

I haven't bothered to click on any of the clique threads. :shrug: I think that helps. I'm still waiting for a Skinner-moderated discussion, frankly.

[VelmaD]

6. It isn't just here...

It isn't just DU where I feel like the whole world has gone insane. The people I know in real life are all getting harder and I can feel it trying to happen to me and I don't like it one bit.

:hug:

[jswordy]

22. That's a very astute observation.

People are "getting harder." I think it is a natural reaction to a harsher national environment. And the absence of any kind of gracious meeting of the minds in the middle anymore. The ratcheted up rhetoric has replaced the concept of caring for each other, loving each other, cutting each other some slack. All that has been eroding, as has our national sense of humor, in my view.

I am very concerned myself about this hardening process, particularly in light of the fact that the diminishing of retirement security and perilous financial times are making it more important than ever that we all look out for each other.

But that is not the national mood. The mood is, "I've got mine, now you get yours -- if you can beat me to it!"

I really can buy into your feeling. I understand your concern. For me, the only thing I can do about it is take care of my own internal housekeeping. I can't make anyone else change. I can be proactive about my own view of the world, and I can widen that view so that I understand that having Republicans in power does not cause/effect mean the world will come to an end.

Politics in inherently divisive. And I just found that I personally could not live in anger/angst all the time. I guess my adrenal glands just ran dry. Heheheh.

It's another beautiful day here, and I am about to go out soon and walk in it...just revel in it. That and my own personal landscape -- whether I view matters positively or negatively -- are things I have some control over.

I sleep well. I wish the same for you. And I thank you for your sensitive post.

[MissB]

4. oops.

[Enraged_Ape]

7. Just for that post, you can be in my clique

Because I've been feeling the same way.

There are many times that I have to pull myself back and tell myself that this is a political chat board on the Internet, not the entire Universe. There actually is a life outside of here.

[VelmaD]

9. I wouldn't join any clique...

that would have me as a member. ;)

I tell myself all the time this is just a chat board. Unfortunately real life is just about the same as it is here.

[cally]

11. I feel the same

It's not just DU but all the stuff going on. The Nuclear option, the Downey street memo, and just acknowledging just how bad our media is. For me, it's knowing that there is not much I can do other than make a few phone calls or write letters. I'm actually looking forward to the beginning of campaign season because at least I feel I will be doing something. Looks like California will have a special election so it's time for us to gear up once again.

[VelmaD]

13. A good meaty election would sure come in handy...

down here. Unfortunately all I have locally is the Texas legislature...not exactly politically inspiring at the moment.

[KoKo]

14. Go to this link, download...and you will feel better about one part of

this craziness. The rest of it we are all dealing with, but just watching Galloway will make you and those replying here feel heaps better for today! Dancing in the Streets for a day...maybe, after you watch and listen.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1788893

:-)'s

[VelmaD]

15. kewl

and thanks :hug:

[sui generis]

16. I see we left the pod too far from your bed last night

so quit griping. You have not yet been assimilated. It could still happen. Better sleep with one eye open.

on a serious note - I totally get it. I think there are two problems with the "cliques" - first one is that they don't really exist in any meaningful way (it's the lounge fer cryin' out loud) and the second one is that people are too sensitive and ready to be outraged. All this negative energy at the world is re-focused right here where we have a voice, and sometimes on other people here.

It's crazy - we're all on the same side, more or less, lurkers notwithstanding. I like to think that damn nearly every one of us would do something nice for any of us if we asked and they thought about it, which just makes the squabbles here seem more like sibling bitchiness than real social wars.

Don't take it so seriously. Judge the performances, not the performers.

[VelmaD]

18. I think you hit the nail on the head...

about people re-directing their negative energy adn anger at the rest of the world here...in the one safe space they have. The social worker in me understands it. The human part that needs this safe space wishes they would stop.

[progmom]

17. hey Velma

I hear you.

:hug:

[VelmaD]

19. hey you

:hug:

[MrScorpio]

20. Check out Will Pitt

I'm sure your feelings are shared

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3672828

[VelmaD]

24. Yeah...I know...

That's who I was quoting in my thread title. *sigh*

Will is my friend. Andy is my friend. It's not easy.

[cassandra uprising]

21. You say meaningful things

without realizing it or trying.

:hug:

[VelmaD]

28. Thank you

You are too kind :hug:

[Nite Owl]

23. There are just so many

damned things going on. I think it is part of their strategy to put so much out there at once we don't know where to fight first and the all the talk from our side gets fragmented, nothing gets through. I have noticed that people just don't seem happy, they look sort of at their end. Maybe this is a good thing in a perverse way, maybe they will wake up at last and see what has been done. At least that is my hope. It seems like the worse is really happening for those of us that have been watching and it is all coming down so fast and furious almost like they are running out of time to do their evil.

As far as DU the thing with Andy seems like a deliberate attempt to break us apart. It was a great thing that was done for a good man and I won't let any outsiders ruin that, that's just what they want.

[VelmaD]

29. I think you're right...

about them throwing everything at us at once hoping to overwhelm people's ability to deal with every little thing. It grinds us down. I almost with I could have tunnel vision and only care about my little pet issue instead of feeling like I have to care about everything...but only almost. :)


re: the Andy thing. I am very close to Andy. He's my friend and I want to believe him. I'm also friends with Will and he has some questions right now and I can understand him being concerned with his reputation. I'm also an auditor by profession and therefor a professional skeptic. It's not easy to trust but I really want to.

[Bouncy Ball]

25. Which is part of the reason why I wasn't on DU all weekend.

I signed off Friday and didn't touch the computer until Monday morning.

About to sign back off again and go out.

I really wonder about all the weirdness. But that's all I'll say about that.

Take a break. I planted a lot of flowering plants in containers and in my yard this past weekend and it was great.

[VelmaD]

26. I tried to take a bit of a breadk this past weekend...

but one of our fellow DUers who will remain nameless did something really mean to me in real life and it pretty much ruined my weekend. This weekend should be better. I'm taking a couple of days off work and having a long weekend with my family. Nothing makes it all better like the pure, unconditional love you get from a 6 year old nephew. :)

[Willy Lee]

27. True words, Velma.

Things seem to have gone haywire. Me- I never really thought about cliques in the lounge... until every other post was from these supposed "clique members" posting how ridiculous it was that people said there were cliques, or something. It is all sitting a little poorly with me right now.

Maybe a breather would do me good. Spring is here, after all.

I guess that is my version of closed-off, tired and slightly paranoid!

But I still love all you guys. Through thick and thin, I think we need to stick together. I think it is the only way to beat the insanity.

[ScreamingMeemie]

32. I would say it's more like every third post.

:)

But, seriously, perceptions have run deep for some and this is a place to air them. I've got no problem with it. The Lounge is what it is...sometimes quite fun, sometimes a little too serious! But, always there, day or night, whenever you need. :hi:

[MadHound]

30. It is time for you to get out to the woods

Away away from the computer, the TV, the radio, the news. Go out and enjoy some of Mother Nature's bounty. Go watch baby rabbits and baby groundhogs play. Watch the birds take flight. Listen to the trees as they talk with the sky in all of their sibilant sylables. Feel the wind caress your cheek and ruffle you hair. Smell the dirt, feel the strength in rocks and trees. And don't despair. Know that no matter what mankind does, Nature will persevere in all of her glory.

I moved out of the city over a year ago, and absolutely love it. I make it a point everyday to just listen, observe and be a part of nature. It is very relaxing, a very goo destresser. I suggest you try it, it will rock your world.

[VelmaD]

31. I grew up in the country...

no amount of trees and critters is going to make this go away. I have a trip to my parents' planned for this weekend. I'm hoping that does the trick for a little while.

[texas1928]

33. You know the other day I was thinking I needed a good campfire.

Just to go out and sit by a campfire and talk and watch the flames burn. Nothing like it in the world. A friend and I would do it when we need to releave some stress. It helped a lot.

[VelmaD]

34. Woohoo!

Let's set shit on fire. ;)

[texas1928]

35. No not like that...

you little arsonist. *Shakes head*

Just a good ole campfire. You don't know how well they work.

[TX-RAT]

40. Is the Fox, still showing up?

Have her pup's yet?

[SOteric]

41. True, true, but I hold out hope.

While occasionally shit waxes, sooner or later shit also wanes.

[VelmaD]

42. "Shit waxes"?

Remind me never to let you wax my car. :P

[Terran]

43. Maybe it's time for a DU vacation?

Three years ago, I took almost six months off from this place. It was like severing my connection with it, almost, and I'm a long-time member (August 2001). Came back and didn't recognize half the names anymore (I still don't who the hell Andy Stephenson is, for god's sake). But it also made it fresh for me, and showed me how easy it is to 'reset' DU. I think it's good to go back to the real world and deal with the political situation on your own, without a thousand other voices yammering at you. Just mt two cents, Velma.

Dirk