Reply #111: There is much we agree on.

[Jai4WKC08]

I even like organic vegetables. :)

As well as universal health care, the Fairness Doctrine and media reform, electoral reform, and probably many other things.

I am so glad that you've taken the time to read my replies and respond thoughtfully and open-mindedly. We don't ever have to agree about Clark, or any other specific person or topic, but it's good when there be open, two-way dialogue. And that we can work together for the things we do agree on. The forces arrayed against us are far too powerful for us to waste time and energy sniping at each other, and I apologize for however I may have contributed.

There are a few things I would like to say about points you made, not in any particular order.

I believe that most of the generals who spoke out against Clark as being opportunistic were firmly in the Republican camp and doing their bidding. The army generals who eventually endorsed Kerry had nothing but good things to say. No need for links--I'm sure I've read them all, good and bad.

But I have supported Clark's units back when I was in the Army, and met many of his subordinates, both then and during the campaign, and they pretty much all thought highly of him. General officers are funny animals. They're ALL ambitious or they wouldn't get to be generals--the competition is tough. But some are willing to walk over others to get what they want and some aren't. Subordinates tend to be able to tell the difference better than peers.

You might be interested to know that we Clarkies generally believe that the reason Clark was all but blacked out by the corporate media in Jan 04, shortly before the primaries began, was because of a speech he gave about the dangers of media consolidation and the need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. He's on the media shit-list, but he's never backed down on this opinion. I'm sure I could dig up a link to that speech if you're interested. I don't recall hearing any of the other '04 candidates talk about it at all, but I could have easily missed it if they did--the media, afterall, didn't cover Clark's. Wonder why? Ha.

He did just help win a big victory to get Ed Schultz on Armed Forces radio. :) There's a DU thread floating around, I think. Maybe several. We're all pretty thrilled about it.

I agree with you that issues are important. But it takes people to act upon issues. One way that I hope to affect the issues that matter to me is by supporting Clark. But I also write to my (worthless) Repub senators and (pretty good) Dem rep, as well as to my local newpaper, I volunteer for the local party, and I was even a campaign manager for a candidate for our state senate last time around.

I happen to agree with Clark about the issues that are most important to me, and I like his priorities as well. For me those would be the fundamental nature our democracy and protecting the environment, both of which I think are in real trouble. Of course, media and election reform are critical to the health of our system of government, but so is transparency and the checks and balances that are supposed to exist with the separation of powers. We've lost all that completely.

That's why I've come to believe character is an issue of its own. Not the Repub preoccupation with sexual misconduct, but qualities like integrity. And backbone (to fight the Repub machine--can't effect change if you can't get elected). And just plain good judgment.

I've seen enough of Clark in action to be convinced he has all of these in spades. But if you do not agree, I will not try to change your opinion. I would only ask that you recognize that I have reason for mine.

I guess I found the "cult of personality" charge so offensive because it puts me in the catagory of some sort of rock or movie star fan. Yeah, people in politics often use entertainment industry words... don't they say politics is like Hollywood for ugly people? Something like that.

But most "Clarkies" I've met (and I sort of hate that term, but it's stuck... oh well) care deeply about this country and the world and what helps people live better lives. We don't support Clark or any other candidate because it's "cool" or whatever other reason a fan might follow a celebrity--I never have quite figured out what that is. We do it because we think he (or she) can help make the world a better place for the people living in it. And we want make our own smaller contribution.