This election is making me emo.

[Madrone]

I'm a late comer to the Obama hype. Not that I have anything against Obama, just that after 2000, then 2004 I've become SO cynical. I have no faith in Americans, their intelligence, their compassion, their ability (or willingness) to think....

I have an Obama/Biden sticker on my car in an area where you wouldn't even guess there was an election going ON. Definitely a more conservative area - but there are not even any McCain signs or stickers around. The owners of the small company I work at love Bush - and I'd be shocked if they didn't think McCain/Palin was the most awesome thing EVER. After 8 years of mob rule I feel like I can't speak out and say what's on my mind anymore - the Bush cultists have called me a terrorist, un-american, and a million other vile things for being a proud progressive individual. I put that sticker on my car almost a week ago. I feel like I'm "bad" for having it - after being tormented by the nutters for 8 years. I've decided, however, that I'm not going to be afraid to stand up for what I know is RIGHT. I'm an American that has a right to my beliefs - even if it may get my car keyed or the windows in my home broken out. I refuse to be afraid. They can BRING IT. And my car, with it's Obama/Biden sticker parks right in front of my office every day. I refuse to be scared to demonstrate my support in front of people that have been happy to rub my face in THEIRS for 8 years.

And my emotions are starting to come out. After the vileness I've faced (not necessarily personally) and suffered through for 8 years, and listening to angry, hateful people talk about me and people like me - there's now a very good chance I'll have someone that represents ME and cares about ALL of us in the White House. I find myself welling up more and more the last couple of days.

Today when I went to lunch the radio in the car came on and the song playing was Young Jeezy - My President Is Black. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=donoy6QvRvk I cried. I cried for a lot of things - for the hope that I feel, the sadness for everything our country has endured over the last 8 years, the fear they'll subvert democracy once again, and the pride I feel for taking part in history by voting for the first black president of the United States.

Then I came home and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxlwYP0HNdc More tears. The kids in the video are singing a song that shows no bias whatsoever - but I see their faces and their joy and I think how AMAZING it is that they see a real example of their worth and what they can accomplish in a country that hasn't been known for it's stewardship of them. I understand Michelle Obama and her meaning about being proud to be an American for the first time in her adult life. I'm a 36 year old white woman, and I feel it too.

Feel it in a way that I find keeps bringing me to tears.

Election night is going to be an emotional wringer - I've already asked for the day after off. And I can't wait.

[wtmusic]

1. Can't wait til it's over.

Republican desperation is driving me crazy. The true colors come out.

[Madrone]

2. Oh, it will never be over.

Think Clinton-style hatred. Times 1000.

[EFerrari]

21. Shhh!1 Let the kids enjoy this part.

:)

[Idealism]

3. Good job :)

for standing up for what you know is right. No one in this country should ever have to hide their beliefs for fear of retribution. That is one of the founding principles of this country. I'm afraid that the framers are rolling in their graves as they see what their dream has become

[99th_Monkey]

4. This seems like the perfect opportunity to ask

what the hell does "emo" mean. I've been wondering everytime I see it, but still have no clue.

would you per-chance indulge my curiosity?

[Madrone]

8. Emo is short for "emotional" -

Originally referred to a type of punk music, now generally meaning a kid dressed all in black all emotional and sad - decrying life. LOL

Emo is usually something that's made fun of anymore - the style, state of mind, etc. ;)

[99th_Monkey]

17. OMG!

... OK, of course.. I get it. Thanks for the tutorial. I owe you one. ;-)

[Libertyfirst]

5. Thank you for your courage.

It shouldn't require great courage to stand up for your beliefs and your candidate in a free society. But it does so in many areas. I'm an old white southern male whose mother was a great liberal when it was truly dangerous to be so in the south. She was scorned, but respected because she NEVER backed down. Your courage will help us take back our Country on Tuesday.

[crispini]

18. Welcome to DU!

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. .........

:hug:


( you're not gonna dye your hair black, are you? )

[Madrone]

9. LOL - nope! Not gonna dye my hair black!

BTW - I want you to know that I <3 you! Someday I'd really love to hear your whole story. You're amazing.

[Ghost in the Machine]

14. :-)

:blush:

You're pretty amazing yourself. I remember when you were helping that young girl out that was trying to get clean. Not everyone can do that. It's an emotional rollercoaster all on its own. We win some, we lose some... but in the end, we know we've done what we can for another human being. We never give up....


As for my whole story, it won't be complete until my days on this earth are done. Until then, it's still a work in progress....

:hug:

[Madrone]

15. Well - okay, not the WHOLE story.

But I'm fascinated by your aryan brotherhood experience. I'd give almost anything to be able to pick your brain about that, and hear what you have to say. It amazes me - how you went from there to where you are now. I'm really interested in the story - but as I'm known for asking a LOT of questions it would have to be an actual "conversation" ;)

And yes - that was a rollercoaster. The day before Thanksgiving will make it one year since she walked out.

[wildwillie]

7. Don't let it bother you, just be prepared for action

It will only end when the fascists are hanging at the end of a rope. Treason can not be tolerated. I hope we take back our government through the ballot box but I'm pretty sure that the fascist right wing traitors calling themselves Republicans will steal the election through means that they have been perfecting for awhile. My weapons are well maintained and the ammunition is sufficient to cause a bit of damage if the fascists care to cause trouble. Hopefully it won't come to it but you need to be prepared. The enemies of America are within and call themselves Republicans.

[Vattel]

10. where do you fucking live, Oklahoma?

You must live in a real republican shithole if an Obama bumpersticker is that daring. Move to a big city where real Americans live. (I'm kidding Okies, small-town Americans, and anyone else I managed to offend.)

[Madrone]

11. That's not really my point...

Although I'm not really sure that I can explain it that well. It's complicated - but basically it's the effect of being brow-beaten for 8 years, not just in my area but in GENERAL, and the mix of emotions that have surfaced as a result. I feel anger, fear for the validity of elections, hope, promise, happiness, disgust ... a lot of different things that keep bubbling to the surface. That's the point - in a nutshell.

[a la izquierda]

12. Plenty of Obama signs and stickers...

in Oklahoma...fyi. Just depends where you live.
:)

[Zomby Woof]

13. I know your region well

:-)

And I applaud your audacious hope! :D

[Madrone]

16. :)

I'm ready to head to Seattle on Wed if needed. Whether it be to riot in the streets or to dance in them... I'm not going to work that day and I'll be ready!

[TahitiNut]

19. As a former dry-shitties resident for five years, I know EXACTLY what you feel.

:hug:

I had friends in Poulsbo and would visit from the Dry-Shitties in order to regain some sanity. I vividly remember reaching the car ferry lot, stopping, turning off the engine, stepping out of my car ... and BASKING in the hum and heartbeat of a liberal city. People! Alive! Getting along! Smiling at others waiting for the ferry ... and having them smile back. Genuine.

Wow ... do I know what you mean.

[Madrone]

20. Dry Shitties?

:rofl:

Yeah. ;) There's a fairly liberal element here too - but the only passion I see is that of the misguided variety. The "Obama's anti-american!" kind. Don't like Obama's policies or think they're any good for the country - I DON'T CARE! At least base your dislike of my candidate on stuff that's REAL - not some made up, reactionary bullshit.

But yeah - it's not just, or even really, where I live - it's that cocky, arrogant fucking attitude that's become so prevalent since the 2000 election - and it's everywhere.

[Chovexani]

22. Cheer up emo kid!

Here, for a laugh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7IxliAPjAk

[EFerrari]

23. I feel so lucky. Today I counted signs on my block.

There are no McToast signs, five Obama signs and three signs against our Prop 8 against teh gay marriage. One of the Obama signs was hand lettered. The rest were signs for local candidates and none of them are rightwing nutcases although two of them are conservatives. Whew.