You know, it's funny.

[Mythsaje]

I spent several hours yesterday talking with non-DU liberals. My father, for one. And my niece, who just graduated high school back in a small town in Wisconsin. We flew her out to visit the family as a graduation gift. And I also got a call from an old friend and protege I haven't seen in years.

People say that we here at DU are "living in a bubble" and we don't reflect the attitudes and beliefs of most "liberals" across America. Well, I beg to differ. These three people--three very different people with different backgrounds and experiences and sources of information, see many of the same things I do coming down the line.

My father has always been skeptical about credit. He owns his house outright now, and has very few monthly bills. As far as I know he's never had a credit card. He gets his news primarily from the newspaper and occasionally I have to fill him in on details about something he's heard about, but he gets it.

My niece is pro gay-marriage, suspicious of the banks and insurance companies, and wants to see a more equitable distribution of resources to eliminate or at least diminish the effects of poverty. This is all aside from being involved with a ROTC pro-military fellow for the past two years. They don't talk politics, she says, because he won't listen to her. As I told her, once he actually GOES to Iraq and Afghanistan, he'll have a different point of view. It might take more than one tour to awaken him, but he won't be the same person either way.

She's familiar with the Tillman case and considers him a true American hero.


The third conversation was with this old friend of mine--a protege, as I said. It's a long story, but I helped a out-of-control teenager get back his life. He's now got a B.S. in Psychology (or, as he calls it, "a B.S. in B.S.) from Bastyr university. One of the most persuasive, articulate people I've ever met. He'd have made a good lawyer, or a politician. Thankfully he didn't go that route.

He started talking about MSNBC and K.O. and Rachel, and Ed. Well, he mentioned MSNBC and I mentioned the names. He laughed. Then we got down to talking about the political situation--single payer health care, the bank bailouts, Chrysler, etc... Despite the fact that I'm a DUer and we haven't talked for years, we're on the same page. He's as disgusted with Congress at this point as I am.

Other people ARE talking about what we're talking about. DU isn't as much a bubble as some would like us to believe.

[leftstreet]

1. Most people are very left on economic issues n/t

[Cant trust em]

2. It's not that people aren't talking about these issues

but I don't think that they are as willing to completely write people off who aren't 100% supportive of those positions.

[tabatha]

3. I was surprised by Jim Cornette's rant.

It was often Malloy-speak at times.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. That's very encouraging, and

I'm glad you're having a good time.

It's very reassuring, but not at all surprising that people "out there" get it. After all, they're the ones who voted for Obama, so why be surprised?

As for Pat Tillman, the poor guy wasn't a hero, but he surely was a victim.

And, as a proud member of several bars, and a long-time attorney, I am saddened by your gratuitous swipe at lawyers. You cheapened what was otherwise a very nice post. But, you had to take a cheap shot at a profession, and that's unfortunate...

[Mythsaje]

5. Who says it was a swipe at lawyers?

I happen to know several lawyers I'm on very good terms with--even a corporate lawyer who is, surprisingly, a really decent guy. As far as the rest--I wouldn't want my friend practicing law OR getting into politics. He's one of those who could start spinning and forget how to stop. I've seen him do it.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. Ah, the old "Some of my best friends ......."

Thanks for the clarification.

When you have to defend it, that's pretty conclusive that you've stepped in it........

[Mythsaje]

8. Of course, some lawyers are dicks...

And I said nothing about "best friends." Actually, one of my best friends was a legal secretary. I know her former bosses. Decent people who paid for her husband's funeral reception after he killed himself. If putting words in people's mouths are how you practice law, you need to go back to school.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. Sure,

attack me because I took note of your swipe at lawyers and politicians. I have no brief to carry for politicians, but you took a shot you really didn't have to take.

Trying to somehow make it MY responsibility is jejune. You wrote it, you posted it, you own it.

[MrMickeysMom]

7. And just consider the many lurkers who may fit into this same set...

If they lurk as Republicans' Independents, Greens, Lib's- whatever, as regulars, they probably do have similar interests, not necessarily ready to jump in, or no time to...

I think as a whole, you can't "bubble" us, either!