I'm Having Problems With DU...

[Steely_Dan]

I don't know if I can hang around much longer. We all see what is going on. While I think I understand what we are seeing, some of it is difficult to get my mind around. I suppose that I'm feeling more confused than anything else.

I never dreamed that our party would find itself hanging on to the lowest rung of Hell. I feel like we have gone beyond a point of no return.

I would love to be inside Joe Biden's brain right now just to get an idea of what he thinks about all of this.

The reason why I'm thinking of moving on is because I've started to realize that my posts are becoming more bitter all of the time. I used to be so courteous and polite. Now, I find myself acting like many others on the DU...full of venom and spite. I don't like this about myself.

Anyway...Maybe I'm just a little depressed tonight. Does anyone else feel like I do?

-Paige

[elleng]

1. Yes and no, Steely.

I tend to ignore the really obnoxious posts (unless a really good return comes to mind.)

But I think what we're seeing here is a reflection of what exists in the Dem party as a whole. I'll try to think this out, but John Dean and Professor Lakoff have done pretty good analyses of the Dem and Rep characters; they are different, and we see the Dem here.

We want to be open; its our nature. But openness makes the potential for disagreement, and maybe conflict, more and more likely.

Its understandable, and happens in other sites as well; people often check out, some more permanently than others.

But here, its easier to isolate oneself to the comfortable venues; don't go to the 'unpleasant' places, but if you have to check out for a bit, we'll understand.

[WheelWalker]

2. So...where you gon'na go? Just slip out the back, Jack?

You don't need to be coy, Roy...just get yourself free?
Hop on the bus, Gus? Not gon'na discuss much?
Just drop off the key, Lee...and get yourself free?

Well, that might satisfy. Or,

Hold a brave heart against the winds of despair.
Seek out those who share your experiential truths.
Take refuge in the three jewels.
Waste not this turn upon the wheel.

ON EDIT - That's my 911 post, by the way...what can it all mean?

[Steely_Dan]

3. Existential Absurdity Strikes Again

My burden is not to run from the stark realization that things are simply the way they are. Some realities are harder to accept than others...the knowledge that you have the passion, but not the talent to fulfill it. The absurdity of it all. I suppose that my days of trying to change the wind instead of my sails are over. There was a time when they said about me..."I hope he changes the world before he realizes he can't." Putting "It's a Wonderful Life" aside, we slowly realize the latter and that the former never existed in the first place.

I recall the lines from a song by JCM that states:

"Oh, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."

-Paige

[WheelWalker]

4. A monk's diagnosis....

Acute Involuntary Reality Syndrome. It will pass. Take two aspirin and batten down the hatches. Storm's a'coming.

[WheelWalker]

5. That's good stuff,

my friend. One might say, "the right stuff."

There is great suffering in living. So it is written - but even more importantly, so we know from our own experience. Letting go relieves the source of that suffering. So it is written - so I have experienced to be true.

[Steely_Dan]

6. Letting Go

So what is it that is in us that doesn't allow us to let go?

-P

[gateley]

8. Our very beings - who we are. We understand what LIFE is and that it's to

be celebrated and enjoyed, but our focus has narrowed. We know what is REAL and what is an illusion, and we can't not know that.

As suffocating and depressing as it is at times, it's life playing out. The very fact that we're ALIVE is joyously incomprehensible, when you think of it.

When I'm down and there's a dark cloud hanging over my head, I've literally "snapped out of it" while driving down the street and looking UP at a beautiful blue sky with big, white fluffy clouds, and I feel the energy of what is. If I have a kick-ass song blaring on the radio, it's almost ecstasy!

That's why we can't let go. We're alive.

Enough of the woo-woo talk. :hug:

[PatSeg]

11. But that IS "letting go"

A person has to let go temporarily in order to reach that moment.

[gateley]

21. Oh yeah, I guess you're right.

:blush:

[PatSeg]

10. Letting go is one of the hardest things

for people to do. It is often because of fear such as when we don't want to let go of a relationship or a job. I don't think it is all that simplistic in this case though. Many of us never invested so much energy into a candidate before. After seven years of continuous outrages, we finally found a ray of hope only to have it snatched from us rather abruptly.

I have some serious doubts about our future and right now superficial politics and empty rhetoric tend to contribute to those doubts. Hopefully, once I clear my head, I'll be able to see things more clearly. Right now, I feel a bit powerless.

[CrispyQ]

7. I'm not moving on, but I don't visit DU as often as I used to.

Mostly cuz I just don't have as much free time as I used to, but surprisingly I find I don't miss it.

The bickering between the top tier is sickening. The lack of enthusiasm I have for any of the top tier candidates has left me feeling apathetic about this campaign. I'll vote in the general, but I won't be participating like I did in '04. I volunteered at the local dem headquarters, I made phone calls for Kerry, I walked the precinct - several times! - for all the dem candidates, & I sent more money than I could really afford to Kerry's campaign.

I don't have any of that enthusiasm for C/O/E. Not one of them inspires me.

My first presidential election was Carter/Reagan. I was so disgusted at how the Iranian hostage situation was used to manipulate the vote that I didn't participate in politics again until 2004. I fear I may be in that same place again. It wouldn't surprise me if '08 is my last election. I hate that I'm giving up, but honestly, if a candidate the caliber of Joe Biden is overlooked for C/O/E types, what the fuck is the point? If Americans are so shallow that they want C/O/E over Biden then they get what they deserve. I honestly believe that none of the C/O/E candidates will generate enough of a landslide vote to overcome the election shenanigans the repubs are going to pull. I have a terrible feeling that we are looking at another 4-8 years of a republican presidency & that my friends will be the end of anything resembling what our founding fathers had in mind. Our Constitution will be effectively nulled & voided.

And you thought you were depressed, huh? :hug:

[PatSeg]

9. I think we all need to disengage for a while

At least back off some until after the primaries. Then more of the focus will be on the republicans. What is going on out there in GDP is a bit too manic for me and I need a certain amount of order and reason to function.

This will pass.

[WheelWalker]

19. Self-delete > moved

[1corona4u]

12. Sorry all...

but I will continue to speak out against Obama, because I fear for this country if he gets elected. I don't know that Hillary could win, but I know what to expect if she does. With Obama, I think we get what we have now. Other people pulling the strings.

[Steely_Dan]

13. The Myth of Sysifus (sp)

Perhaps I was speaking more philosophically...as in, why we continually roll that same stone up the hill only to have to repeat the process over and over again.

I'm really not depressed...I just find these subjects interesting.

-P

[WheelWalker]

15. Me too. Thanks for engaging. nt

[lyonn]

16. We can't help ourselves Dan/Paige

We all know who is running the elections, media and big business. We can only hope that during these elections the masses that spend most of their time working and busy with the family pick up on what is really happening. One of my sons is in that position. He was once a rabid Democrat like me. Now when I mention politics he says he doesn't have time to watch much tv. There seems to be few in the masses that have the time or interest to check out what is really going on in their country. For years I was in that position, was interested but not that involved. Had a friend that was and was a die hard Dem. Looking back I wonder what she thought when I ended up voting Repub. (Reagan). She was still my friend. What a lady she was, I miss her terribly. But, I have seen the light!! I will vote Dem no matter. At least we have a chance. With a repub there really is no chance.

At the moment I am putting my hopes behind Edwards. That isn't going to pan out. My hope is that he makes the other two candidates answer his call to pay attention to the people and not the corps. Do wonder about all the people, like the Kennedys endorsing Obama. Life doesn't always go the way we are sure it should go. That is true in all phases of life on earth. You win some you lose some. With politics it is so permanent. Like these last 7 years - - Unbelievable. Insanity

If each of us can only change a few minds or at least make them think about these election we have accomplished something.

[Eurobabe]

14. I went skiing yesterday, it was SO beautiful

sometimes you just need to get off DU and enjoy life. I know I spend way too much time in here. And I really have no vested interest in the top 2 candidates. I'll vote for the nominee, but I am not all hot and bothered about this bickering shit, because my dog didn't hunt. :cry:

If you'd like to see my pictures of the Alps: http://picasaweb.google.com/dakota73060/SkiingJanuaryAustria?authkey=SkwYWxOaFRk

[jillan]

17. How beautiful!! picture perfect - like a postcard.

That would definitely take your mind off of politics :)

[gateley]

22. Wow - absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the mini-vacation. nt

[jillan]

18. I too would love to be inside Biden's mind.

DU is getting really obnoxious and certain posters have really gotten my dander up.
I actually had someone tell me that I was disappointed in Kerry's mouth because Joe lost so badly.

As Bidenites we always tried to talk about Joe in gd-p as what he would offer the country.
There are certain supporters of Obama and Hillary out there that promote their candidate by tearing down the other. It has gotten mean and divisive, and I too have found myself saying things that I never would have months ago.

Maybe the answer is to stay out of gd-p.
:shrug:

If you go, I will miss you.
Maybe just take some time off.

[lyonn]

20. What's in Biden's mind

Exactly. I know it wouldn't be right for him now to speak out, I guess. With the Feb. 5th primaries it might be important?! Apparently he didn't have the backing of enough people?! We all know the media speaks for us whether we like it or not. Biden and now Edwards will not cater to the corps. I just got an e-mail asking to send Keith Olberman a note saying how he needs to have Jim (guess that is the head of department having to do with the itel where they allowed bushco to get info on all of us from the likes of ATT without our permission) on his show to explain why they have this right. So I sent my 2 cents worth. That's all we can do.

My grandson and a few friends came by awhile ago and in the course of our conversations I just had to relate to them how everyday things factored into the politics of the day. Declaring how I am a died in the wool Democrat, now, haven't alway been, and then made comments about the corps. and their taxes. Some were in college and working a meager job and paying taxes or just working meager jobs and still getting shafted by the govt. They truly seemed to agree. That was exciting. Tried not to push them. Just ranted on how unfair our system was now. We live comfortably, that's all, it's not like we need a handout. One of the guys was in Engineering school and struggled with one class. Had to take it again when he failed. Said he was the 5th youngest in this class, speaking to how hard it was. Then I told him that some foreigner will come in and get his job because they can work cheaper. And the visa's that cover those kind of workers is BS. He works hard, pays his due and gets shafted for a foreigner???? He knew what I was talking about.

We just gotta keep talking the talk.....

[jillan]

23. Talking the talk -

I think it will be alot easier once the Dems aren't so divided as they are now.

Hopefully once we have a candidate, we can all unite together and work for what is really important.
Things are going to be tougher on our kids than they were for us. I just hope and pray that whoever gets the nomination, wins the WH and gets this country back on track.