I did it, I actually pinched myself..

[converted_democrat]

I was sitting here watching the news, and I kept thinking to myself, this is a dream, it has to be a bad dream.. Then I did it.. I pinched myself long and hard, thinking that maybe, just maybe, I might wake up from this nightmare.. I don't know if that says more about my mental health or more about how messed up the world we live in is, and frankly I don't much care.. This is insane..

What are these crazy people thinking? I mean, it's not like we haven't done enough damage to Iraq.. They're bombing the hell out of Iraq, calling it the "biggest air strike to date." Yea, I bet that will do some good.. Not.. Aside from being a blatant propaganda attempt to "convince" the people of our country and the world how big and bad we are, what is this supposed to accomplish? Make them hate us more than they already do? Make them pay for not wanting us in their country? Make them pay cause' they aren't turning the oil over fast enough?? Lets kill some more civilians, and deprive more people of electricity, food, and water.. It's worked sooo well to date, lets do it somemore.. I mean, WTF are they thinking? How do they reason that any good could come from this?

I don't see how anyone could have thought this was a good idea on any level.. It's no wonder they hate us.. I hate us... I swear to God I keeping thinking I'm going to wake up..

Next up!! Iran!

[MadMaddie]

1. Apparantly in a Press conference Scotty McFellon

just admitted that the ground commanders made the decison... * had no say so...so now he is opting out of any responsibility of this bombing....There is no leadership in the WH!!

[RazzleDazzle]

4. I saw part of that -- I should've tried the pinch on the part that

was so freakin' Orwellian (about spreading democracy and making future generations safe, yadayada) that a bad B movie would've been (a) better written and (b) more realistic. The cognitive dissonance was the worst I've ever experienced. It was ghastly! Almost laughable, were it not so serious. Kinda like: Scotty. YO! Ya gotta be kiddin' me you and your folks still think anyone's listening and believing this crap. You poor fool. Someday you're gonna be soooooo embarrassed.

[converted_democrat]

7. It think they know how stupid it sounds coming out of their mouths, they

just don't care.. I watch Scotty alot, and he even has a tough time spewing that crap with a straight face..

[radfringe]

5. There is no leadership in the WH

he's been blaming the generals all along -- i.e. more troops sent in if Generals ask, troops withdrawal when Generals say so yadda yadda yadda

he even blames congress for the prescription drug/medicare F**kup

meanwhile - the repugs are left holding the bag and will pay big time for it in november (i hope )

on another note - repugs are like a battered wife that won't leave her husband because they are married. repugs won't leave bush*, even though he spits on them, because he's their president

[jedicord]

2. Do you/did you put your hand over your heart when you heard

the Star Spangled Banner? Do you/did you sing along?

I used to do that. Now I hang my head.

A friend mentioned it the last time I was in this situation, her with the hand over her heart, singing to beat the band. In her mind, it's wrong.

But I can't help but hear the words differently now. "Bombs bursting in air, gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there."

[niyad]

3. no--nor would I say the pledge. loyalty oaths and emotion-driven

political propoganda do not appeal to me.

[converted_democrat]

6. I have not been in a situation where that has been required of me for

a long time, but I don't think I could do it.. It just seems like such an empty gesture anymore..

[CrispyQ]

8. There was a news story some time ago

about two British citizens at a game & when the national anthem was sung, they stood but did not place their hand over their heart or sing. They were given a ration of BS from others around them until they explained.

Just wondering if, other than your friend, you've ever gotten shit for not participating in nationalism? Like converted_democrat, I have not been in such a situation for many, many years. I had not given it much thought, but now that I have, I would do as you do.

[jedicord]

9. This was the first time anyone said something.

But if anyone else does, I'd have to give them an explanation as well. Although it would not be as "forgivable" as the British citizens' was, 'cause mine is: "Because I cannot stand to hear those words any more, they've lost their original meaning. Those are OUR bombs over there right now."

My friend made a disgusted sound, strangers would probably do worse.