Early morning observations: 1) Most people at DU no longer get

[rzemanfl]

very excited about BushCo getting caught at something nefarious or stupid, it appears that most of us feel they will just get away with it again. There are very few "this is the straw that breaks the camel's back" posts in recent months. 2) There is a near total absence of * jokes here these days-BushWorld just isn't funny anymore. Excuse me now while I go make my daily decision whether to shave or slit my wrists.

[shadowknows69]

1. Excuse me now while I go make my daily decision whether to shave or slit my wrists.

I hear that. We've just stopped being surprised when he gets away with it. Hopeless I think would be the term.

[rzemanfl]

2. I shaved. n/t

[shadowknows69]

19. Good for you.

I probably won't shave until tomorrow but I brewed coffee so I must be planning to stick around too.

[datavg]

3. The Fact...

...of the matter is Iowa is less than four weeks away and the party appears to be coming apart at the seams. I don't think Pelosi will be re-elected as Speaker.

It's also gonna be hard to gin up support for something like impeachment when the war is starting to go better, the economy is going into the tank and there's no cohesive message coming from either party.

We needed a solid, moderate candidate from the Democratic party who's electable in southern states. It ain't gonna happen this time.

Say hello to your new 'Pub president.

[annabanana]

4. lol. . . They are falling apart much faster than we are.

And that fissure with the South? Theirs is much much worse..

[ixion]

5. oh, you mean a 'moderate' who will not repeal the unPATRIOTic Act, who will NOT

end the illegal invasion of Iraq. Who will NOT end the so-called War on Drugs or it's ugly younger brother, the War on Terror.

You mean a GOP lite candidate, is what you mean.

Thanks, but no thanks.

[datavg]

8. As I Said...

...fine, here's your new 'Pub president.

The South matters, and those people don't support abortion, gay rights, feminism, unionism or open borders. You should get on a plane and fly down to Atlanta sometime. Rent a car, drive up to Alpharetta or Cumming, go to a bar or restaurant and start running your mouth. You'll be in trouble real fast.

Did you know Jimmy Carter was the last Democrat to win the White House with a majority of the vote? That's because he ran as a squeaky clean, moderate Evangelical Dixiecrat. None of today's Democrats are doing that.

That's the end of it. Those people get what they want. I lived there. I know.

[annabanana]

16. "You'll be in trouble real fast."

They just beat people up who disagree with them, right? And we should cede to their wishes because we don't want them to beat us up, right?

[ixion]

24. I live there now, so I know, too

and there's no difference, IMO, between GOP and GOP lite, so what does it matter?

[OzarkDem]

32. Ask Harold Ford how well GOP lite worked

the last time he ran in a southern state.

[OzarkDem]

31. Southerners also dislike criminal leaders and failing economies

Give them some credit. When things get bad enough to affect them personally, they will vote for someone who is proposing a solution.

We don't need the vote of the 28% Bush crowd, no matter how much their right wing, fascist POV appeals to some "moderate" DLC Dems.

[Clark2008]

39. I'm Southern and I support choice, gay rights, feminism and unions

I don't support completely open borders, but that's more to do with population than anything else.

Therefore, your assumption about "those people" is WRONG. Sorry to burst your stereotypical bubble.

[tekisui]

42. The South doesn't necessarily matter.

I'm in the South. People are just as fed up with the state of things as the rest of the country. The South does not elect the president.

I'm not worried about it. Just say no to the moderates.

America is ready for a true change. Even in the South.

[harmonicon]

53. the south does matter

That's why the Democratic party must be completely uncompromising in pushing serious social and economic reform. By "the south", lets make no fucking bones about it anymore: Republicans win the south because they known to be the racist party!!!!!!! What you are advocating is pandering to racists, and you should be deeply ashamed. Has the south lost industry? Hell yes. Are people in the south getting fucked by climate change? Hell yes. Now, if we were to greatly increase minimum wage, provide health-care for all, fund education in a real way, not some half-baked NCLB B.S., repeal the corrupt trade deals that have moved manufacturing (especially the textile industry) out of the south, we might have a chance to win the south. Once poor white and poor black see they're in the same boat, especially if neither lives in desperate poverty, the Republican party won't be able to put forth the false boogey man of black political power to frighten poor whites to vote against their interests. We should be going after the voters who support real Democratic ideals, not going for the votes of racist republicans. I imagine that there would be even more southern support for Democrats if they did run on issues that would really help people out. Who in their right mind is going to vote for the watered-down version when the non-diluted is also an option? By supporting what you call "moderates", you'll get the fewest votes possible.

[Leopolds Ghost]

68. So Dems should not support abortion, gay rights, feminism, unionism or open borders

I'll pass on the open borders, and hold on abortion. The sum total, however is GOP-ism.

Not every Deep Southerner thinks that way. Many union Dems in the south
are a silenced (black and white) minority. I should know because I have
Southern relatives in both camps.

[Kucinich4America]

71. Then maybe it's time we remind them who won the Civil War.

And who created the KKK, the religious right, the DLC, and a bunch of other horrible, disgusting, anti-American, anti-democracy bullshit.

Yeah, there are lots of good people in the South, but they aren't the ones setting these corrupt agendas.

And I'm sick of the rest of the country bowing down to these morans.

[Robbien]

9. So if not Pelosi, we get good old Steny Hoyer, a king of the Blue Dogs

and attendee at each and every secret behind closed doors Blue Dog/GOP deal making meeting where laws are written favoring corporate lobbying clients and where citizens of the US are screwed in each and every orifice possible.

Steny Hoyer and Rahm Emanual a good "moderate" team who waste Democratic party money to put up very robber baron "moderate" candidates in primary races where a Democratic Progressive candidate is already running.

Keep pushing that "lets get rid of Pelosi" deal of yours in order that the good old robber baron "moderate" Hoyer takes her place.

"Moderate" means screw the people and grab everything for the greedy corporate elite.

[datavg]

10. I'm A Blue Dog!

Whatcha gonna do about it? I'm six foot tall, 260 lbs with a crew cut and a loud mouth. When I walk into the room, people pay attention. I'm a big boy.

We need the party of Harry Truman to come back. The Blue Dogs are the only people capable of getting there.

Otherwise, you get Romney or Giuliani...or possibly Huckabee. He had a very moderate record as Arkansas governor.

This southern thing is huge. It's more important than I ever imagined.

[Robbien]

15. So you are six foot tall, 260 lbs with a crew cut and a loud mouth

and are bragging that people are scared of you when you come into a room.

Nice.

And you want the country handed over to people such as you.

What are you doing in a party who is supposed to support the people not be proud of bullying them. GOPers are the ones who brag about bullying, not Democrats.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

25. My thoughts, as well.

If most of the South opposes civil rights, unions and women's medical privacy, then they'll never vote Dem anyway.

And, to come here and brag about these unenlightened views all while explaining how intimidating one is seems very much out of place here. MKJ

edit, spelling

[harmonicon]

56. vote for me or I'll beat you up!!

I'm 5'7", 200lbs, wear glasses and walk kind of funny. And it seems like I get more bald every day, no matter what sort of haircut I have.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

60. LOL,

I have a big umbrella with a point and I know how to use it!

:rofl: MKJ

[0007]

66. Give me more french fries please

Don't be wise bubble eyes or I'll knock you down to peanut size.

[ixion]

26. I'm your huckleberry

six three, about 275, and I ain't no blue dog. Bring it on, brother. ;-)

[riverdeep]

29. What did you think of Tom Schaller's book,

'Whistling Past Dixie: How Democrats Can Win Without the South'? He basically says other parts of the country can make up the votes, and to win the South, we have to sign to many deals with the Devil. Hard to believe a section of the nation stuck in the nineteenth century is dictating to the rest of the country. You'd think it'd be the other way around.

http://www.amazon.com/Whistling-Past-Dixie-Democrats-Without/dp/0743290151

[Clark2008]

41. Good God - you really believe we're stuck in the 19th century down here?

And you call us fools.

Do you always believe everything said on message boards?

Between 42 and 49 percent of Southerners in any given state did not vote for that POS in office now - it's just that the Electoral College means winner takes all.

[riverdeep]

43. Not all, obviously.

But even by your numbers, that indicates a majority. The south IS damn conservative overall, the most conservative in the country. Not just economically conservative, but religiously and socially. And yeah, listening to people talk about blacks, immigrants, women, foreign countries and science like they were from the nineteenth century makes me think they're from the nineteenth century.

[Warren Stupidity]

51. Between 42 and 49 percent .

Electoral College means winner takes all.

That is the point. The south is once again the solid south and it is a waste of time and money to go after that region, a waste of resources that in addition forces the Democratic Party to pander to rightwing fundamentalist bigots. The point is that the party could do just as well in the south by not trying to uselessly woo the southern suburban white male vote, and could do far better in the rest of the country by pushing a more progressive message and platform. Our leadership still hasn't figured out what the Republicans figured out 20 years ago: the bipartisan consensus era of politics is over.

[OzarkDem]

33. So why don't you hang with your pals at a GOP forum?

You don't have much in common with Democrats, nor with most voters in the US.

[Warren Stupidity]

46. The Harry Truman who proposed single payer universal health care?

That Harry Truman? Or did you mean some other Truman?
Truman Capote?
Harriet Tubman?
CAFTA got your tongue?

[Individualist]

55. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

:eyes:

[clixtox]

62. If you haven't already left,

are you considering fleeing?

Getting out while you still can might be the best, smartest option.

Neither major political party represents you unless you are at least very rich, or preferably, super rich.

One political party is better at lip-service and empty promises, but even worse, now that they have capitulated, they have become complacent and compliant and are now complicit and collaborating in the fascist conspiracy. Amazing how we slipped into fascism without causing a ripple. Did you notice?

Keep signing those meaningless, useless internet petitions and contributing your nickels and dimes to miraculously create positive, progressive changes. I do. It is frustrating, but I do. I even regularly contribute to DU.

So sad, especially those long timers, non trolls, who should know better but parrot the MSM B.S. here on DU. Ignorance is still bliss, I imagine. Now ignorance is a sacrament. Be caught without it in contemporary Amerikkka and you are in trouble.

Stupidity is a mainstream value now due to the manipulated dumbing down of most of our educational institutions, particularly the ones you and I are most likely to frequent.

Keep your mouth and your mind closed, it is your only viable option to avoid being another victim of our fascist government.

The USA is the hub of the "Axis of Evil", please don't be complicit if you can help it.

Iraq is our own Poland. An illegal invasion of a sovereign country. Who's next, Iran? Venezuela? Syria? Nicaragua? Your home? Your outspoken neighbor? The nice Muslim family down the street? The hard working immigrant hispanic family around the corner? Your cousin, the medical cannabis user?

Are you on the "do not fly" list yet?

You might have accidently seen an example of "child porn" some years ago on your computer. That is, apparently, a Federal crime! Is it 1984 yet?

Too bad, prepare to lose everything including possibly your freedom, too bad...

This persecution/prosecution of Bernie Ward is an illuminating example of where we are as a notion/nation.

So sad...

[MADem]

12. I'm going to disagree with some of what you say.

Pelosi will stay on as Speaker because her constituents (in her role in that post) are her fellow representatives, who elected her and like the job she is doing. She won't lose her seat, so there will be no need to find another.

Impeachment is unlikely in the extreme. They've got Bush in a box, he's a lame duck. They're gonna let him OWN this ENTIRE mess, and not let anyone suggest that "If only they hadn't impeached Bush, he wouldn't have been distracted/Iraq would be a paradise/he was 'just on the verge' of bringing peace to the middle east" or words to that effect.

The only Republican I can see America electing out of that whole field is John McCain. When you get up close to Mittsy and Huck-a-poo and the rest of them, they're fucking CRAZY. McCain looks SANE by comparison. That isn't saying much, but there ya have it.

With unity and GOTV, though, we could slap the shit out of even him. The whiners and naysayers would have to sit down and shut up, though, and let the rest of us get on with electing our eventual nominee, whosoever that might be.

[datavg]

14. What I Never...

...liked about McCain has nothing to do with policy. I don't like his health situation and the fact that he's just too damned old to be President.

[MADem]

20. He's way too old, and way too unhealthy. But he is the sanest of the bunch..FWIW. NT

[harmonicon]

58. you have the wrong haircut and are too fat and tall to vote

[WilliamPitt]

36. *snarf*

OK...

[rzemanfl]

40. I've lived in Florida the past 11 years, The populace of Florida

voted for Gore and Kerry, the STATE did not. Bush doesn't have approval that exceeds his disapproval in any state at all. The "conservative Christian, moral values" voters are a minority of asshats with Jesus fish on their cars and choose life plates. Their numbers and impact have been vastly exaggerated to provide cover for vote stealing and fraud.

[Leopolds Ghost]

67. The war is starting to go better

This is like saying that the warrantless wiretapping -- another illegal act -- is starting to go better.

[datavg]

72. But It's True...

...and the races next year will reflect it. Even the television pundits on both sides are starting to change their tune.

[taterguy]

6. I haven't shaved since November 1, 2003

[H2O Man]

23. 6-18-01

Last time I shaved.

[taterguy]

28. I got into a fight with a sidewalk and lost

What's your reason for not shaving?

[H2O Man]

30. I was struck

by a vehicle that ran two stop signs and a red light, hitting my vehicle at 55 mph. The driver was busy chatting on a cell phone. My vehicle then began to roll towards a steep embankment, until I hit a third vehicle. Some relatives came from out of state to see me, and brought an old tin-type of my great grandfather, with a great beard. My daughters asked me to grow a beard.

[rzemanfl]

38. I tried to grow a beard once and found that I could not stand the

itching and there was a stark contrast between the color of my facial and head hair. Maybe when my hair goes grey (I am 60 and it hasn't happened yet) I will try again.

[Perry Logan]

7. It's a sick world, and I'm a happy man.

[malaise]

11. Indeed we have more than a few threads here

but it seems most DUers don't realize that this latest fugg up is very serious

[annabanana]

17. The thing is... many of the "fugg ups" have looked just as serious

to us over the last 7 years...And they haven't received the publicity they need to reach critical mass....

[Junkdrawer]

13. Ever wonder how once democratic people come to accept a Pinochet, or a Saddam?

Wonder no more...

[EFerrari]

18. You're right, they're not funny. I used to write a humor column

about BushCo. It would be really difficult to do that now.

[rzemanfl]

50. The thought just crossed my mind that the writers are on strike.

I wonder if they test their jokes on the net?

[EFerrari]

59. To a degree but in person in a group is really much better.

People don't hear the way they read, for one thing. I always have to tinker with spoken material before it goes into print and vice versa.

[rzemanfl]

65. Down here, however, people write exactly as they speak-

which I learned after spending a long time trying to figure out what someone was saying in a letter when they wrote: "I had no eyedear I could get in trouble for this."

[rucky]

21. Not much hope until 1/21/09

And even then, depending on who's elected.

[spanone]

22. you get numb after seven fucking years...numb and pissed

i have little respect for either party

i find NOTHING bu$h*/cheney amusing whatsoever.

[H2O Man]

27. All of life

can be best understood in terms of the sport of boxing, even more so on the day of the Mayweather vs Hatton fight. The legendary trainer Cus D'Amato used to say that you can lie to yourself and others in training, but the truth comes out in the ring. "Training" is the campaign season, and in 2006, we were lied to about what the democratic candidates would fight for once they got in the ring. But the truth has come out since January '07, and a person would have to be willing to believe those training days lies to think that there is a snowball's chance in hell that the democrats in congress are willing to take the steps necessary to hold the devils in the administration responsible for their crimes.

[riverdeep]

34. Actually, I'm surprised these two scandals are getting as much coverage as they are.

The NIE report and the CIA cover-up. Usually, these are just blips on the road to talking about 'American Idol' or Paris.

As far as the war, the story isn't being told properly. That's not surprising in a time of soundbite journalism and a desire to cater to the administration, still. Violence is down in sections of Iraq, true. But it's down in sections where armed forces have actually decreased as well. They don't talk about the refugees that have left the country. They don't talk about the fact that ethnic cleansing is nearing it's close. In other words, they've run out of people to kill. The political climate is as bad as it ever was. The country is nowhere close to unification. It's still a powderkeg that will go off any time.

Americans, for the most part, have been sealed off from this war. As soon as superficial appearances show some improvement, and economic problems catch their gnat-like attention, they drop concern with Iraq. Like they did with our other war, Afghanistan. Anyone remember that war?

[PassingFair]

35. They've killed hundreds of thousands of people.

They've bankrupted our country.

They've stolen the ill-gotten gains.

I now just hope they will go away.

I lost all hope for retribution when
John Conyers said there would be no
impeachment.

We have Republicans like James Comey
ready, willing and able to testify.


Democrats in power are complicit.

I really don't care any more.

My money goes to people like Waxman,
Feingold, Schakowsky, and other
single entities willing to fight for
the truth. I no longer really even
identify as a democrat.

[rzemanfl]

37. I was away for a while doing necessary things and dealing with

another damn plumbing problem (something I know nothing about). After reading the posts in this thread, maybe shaving was a bad decision....

[Warren Stupidity]

44. That camel is dismembered. nt.

[Poiuyt]

45. Why would you shave your wrists?

[rzemanfl]

48. They are right next to my hairy palms. I am one of those folks

who never listen.

[SoCalDem]

47. if your wrists are that hairy, I would recommend the shave n/t

[rzemanfl]

49. Okay, what is it about my punctuation or syntax that makes the

sentence difficult to understand?

[Warren Stupidity]

57. Here:

"shave my face or slit my wrists"

that would be clear. What you wrote was literally a choice about actions to take on your wrists.

[rzemanfl]

63. True enough. n/t

[Mutineer]

52. The press doesn't seem to care. Neither does the public.

And neither does Pelosi & crew. It's like he's got a free pass to do whatever the fuck he wants. So why should I care anymore? What is the use of raising my BP over it when nothing ever sticks, nothing ever changes and no one is willing to stand up and demand something be done about it and really means it and has the power to do something to change things? I guess a lot of us here just have fatigue. He wins, we've all lost and nothing will change until if and when a Dem gets in office. Until then, we're screwed by a do-nothing congress, an apathetic public, and a lapdog media who allow themselves to be spun unmercifully by BushCo.

[Leopolds Ghost]

69. What makes you think anything will change if one of the top Dems are elected?

They have been carefully vetted by the party leadership to BUILD on the Bush Doctrine of warrantless spying and containment of Iran, not dismember it.

[michaz]

54. They don't have the time to. They are too busy smacking around everyone's religion!

And it is getting pretty sickening!

[gulliver]

61. I still hope Enron will bring Bush down.

Not really.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

64. It's called "learned helpnessness" and is a conditioned response.

[JustAnotherGen]

70. I'm ready to fight

But most aren't.


Charlotte Corday - where are you? I keep trying to channel that kind of crazy into the world. It wasn't perfect - but it wasn't afraid, it didn't care about the consequences, and wasn't afraid to literally put her neck on the line/block.


Oh Doh! You were in France last month when you lit a few trains on fire. You shut down the Universitys and made life tough for a few little snots from Duke that were personally inconvenienced. You're in the spirit of the unions that have been sporadically shutting down your country. A few years back your President was the only one who put Bush in his place.

Hey - since you aren't coming to town, could you do us a favor and let Crispus know we need him - and we need him now?

Thanks,

Citeyonne Adrienne


*********************************************

That above is my po'd at the world response. That said - I for one am sort of ho-hum because nothing has been done. I also think many Americans are extremely afraid of our government. Gitmo hasn't just silence Iraqis/ so-called enemy combatants. It's silenced us as well.