"We have more important issues to deal with"

[Stinky The Clown]

I listened to the teevee while I made coffee this morning.

I was in my office working and at the same time listening to Bela Fleck's (way off beat) Christmas album.

I balanced the checkbook while speaking to my son.

I picked my nose while chewing gum and walking.

Discussing why one is PISSED RIGHT THE FUCK OFF about something does not mean one is happy about all else. Seeing hundreds or thousands or millions of people pissed off about one issue does not mean that all other issues are being ignored.

Saying "We have more important issues to deal with" is kinda the same as saying "fuck you, your concerns don't matter."

This post apros pos of nothing.

And everything.

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Phentex]

2. Yes, it is the same thing. And yet....

those typing the words took precious time out of their day to tell the others to fuck off. So it's *not* important enough to discuss but it *is* important enough to berate those who are angry and hurt.

I like the way you expressed this. :thumbsup:

[Hydra]

3. You know what

If they can't fit human rights into their schedule, what are they doing that is that much more important? Giving handouts to Wall St? Starting a war with Pakistan? Killing whales with our sonar excercises? Making a place at the table for bigots and thieves?

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. The corollary is that some people do have more important issues to deal with.

Saying "everyone who isn't as pissed off as I am about my main issue are enemies" isn't reasonable either.

Everone's concerns matter... to them.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. No one is saying that. It is a strawman.

I have no idea how you got "everyone who isn't as pissed off as I am about my main issue are enemies" from the OP .... unless your intent was to misdirect.

Strawman.

[uppityperson]

10. Yes, they are. You aren't in OP, but people are saying that elsewhere.

[Stinky The Clown]

20. Then ..... maybe ...... such comments ought to be directed to them?

[uppityperson]

22. I agree with your OP, by the way, and regarding directing such comments to them...

I have posted few and far between this last bit, after reading all the rhetoric between posters. Rather like Skinner's post today, about rhetoric. It is a highly emotional topic for some, and for others (on all sides) the attacks get old.

And yes, I didn't mention, but I agree with your OP. Multitasking is possible and probable for a lot of people. Much to work on.

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. I'm not suggesting that you are.

But I'm saying that many others here are. I could provide examples, but I wouldn't think it necessary.

I haven't participated in those discussions because I have no desire to be called a bigot because of my perceived inadequate outrage over the issue.

I think Warren was a poor choice, and I don't think this kind of pandering outreach is of any benefit, but on the other hand, the garment rending I've witnessed here ("I'm giving away all my Obama clothes!") really calls into question people's expectations.

He's a politician, who is simply better than his competition.

[scarletwoman]

8. What a steaming pile of bullshit! "everyone who isn't as pissed off as I am about my main issue are

enemies" NOBODY, but NOBODY is saying that!

The OP is talking about people being told to shut up, that what they're upset about isn't important. In other words, pretty much the exact opposite of your stupid strawman.

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. Well at least you didn't call me a bigot. n/t

[scarletwoman]

17. Why would I?

I do my best to avoid fallacious arguments, including argumentum ad hominem.

[lumberjack_jeff]

25. Then you have resisted that impulse better than many.

Hyperbole sometimes appear to be the hot gift this season.

[whathehell]

24. Correct.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. It has been crossing my mind that my whole take on this issue is because of

my age/life experience.

I've seen too much "political pandering and compromise" in my life and have seen where that has taken us.

My trust also has to be earned and no matter how much I would love to wear rose tinged specs, I have to look at situations and people objectively. Right now, I don't like what I'm "seeing".

The sheer fact that a person who is Openly bigoted against a portion of our human family, and controlling of another, is being given a position of High Honor, makes me want to puke.

When I voted for Obama, I frankly voted for him, because I had hoped my gut instincts against him were wrong. I really wanted to be wrong. I voted for him, even though he voted to recommend Rice as SOS. I voted for him, even though he voted for FISA with telecomm immunity. I voted for him, even though he voted for the bank bailout (which IMHO was one of the biggest heists in history). I voted for him even though his plan for health "insurance allows" the insurance companies to keep making money hand over fist and have the power of life and death.

(FYI - I was never a Hillary supporter..if someone wants to accuse me of that)

And he was elected.

Of all of his choices for his cabinet (most I'm not happy with) Gates is abhorrent to me. Gates was involved with thousands of lost lives and torture during Iran Contra. He should be in prison for life.

Now this pick of Warren. Although I am not gay and I'm past my childbearing years, I stand in solidarity with those fellow human beings
who have been marginalized by our PE.

[Bluebear]

6. Love and peace to you.

You always "get it".

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

18. Love and peace right back at you ((((Bluebear)))))

You always get it too. :hug: :loveya:

[scarletwoman]

12. Thank you, you pretty much speak for me.

I ended up reluctantly supporting Obama only when it came down to him or Hillary, because I absolutely *knew* I didn't want another Clinton in the White House.

And then, because I'm Democrat who has ALWAYS voted for only Democrats, I voted for him in the General, because it was either that or not vote. At age 59, I'm now seriously considering not voting anymore, it's clearly a pointless exercise as far as creating real "change" goes.

But I did sorta "hope" that maybe Obama really would turn out to be something different and better than the usual run of corporate-controlled politicians. Silly me.

His economic picks quickly disabused me of any such fanciful notions. Clinton as S.o.S. sealed the deal. Gates is just the frilly toothpick topping off the whole shit sandwich.

So, yeah, I'm in absolutely no mood to hear any excuses or rationalizations for Obama granting a place of honor to a misogynist bigot huckster.

sw

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

19. You're welcomed scarletwoman.

I'm 57 and am considering not voting ever again too. And yes, I have been a lifelong Democrat.

My youngest son is idealistic and voted for Obama but my 21 year old didn't vote. Although he's young, he's quite brilliant. He was the statewide debate champ in HS. He knows that the two parties are "opposames" and although they might appear ideologically different, when push comes to the proverbial shove, the real important legislation favors the corporate masters and advances fascism. He knows that I intellectually feel the same and he asked me why I was voting for Obama. I told him that my head knew it wouldn't make a difference, but I needed this last glimmer of Hope.....

Peace and love to you sc.

[lumberjack_jeff]

26. Maybe it's a matter of expectations.

I got to Obama through Kucinich, Edwards and Clinton. Part of the reason for it was my perception that his instinct to try to appeal to a perceived center was a flaw.

He won. As a Democrat, I'm on his bus. I'll back-seat drive to the best of my ability, but I knew this bus wasn't going exactly where I would prefer when I got on.

Then again, when I got on, the only alternative was "the straight talk express".

In order for Obama to do any of the things we want him to do, he needs support. Burning our t-shirts does nothing to help the progressive cause.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. In this case, the bus has gone totally off course and in a direction diametrically opposed

to where I believe Obama's priorities should be. If you read my post, you will know that I had hoped that my feelings about him were wrong, and now I know that I was right.

The "Straight Talk Express" and Obama have very little difference as is the same with the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate.
The Leading Democrats are just kinder and gentler in leading us down the path to fascism.

As to Progressive Causes? He made his first important decision in selecting Warren, and he FAILED. Perhaps when it comes to his re-election in 2012, he'll pander to the Progressives once more...

[Mark Twain Girl]

30. You keep speaking for me. Scarletwoman, too. Oy. Stop the bus, let's consult the map! nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

31. lol! And not to be sexist, but we women are much better at reading

maps than men! :rofl: :hi:

[lumberjack_jeff]

32. If there is anyplace in cyberspace I would not expect to see "they're all the same"

it would be here.

There are dramatic differences between Obama and the alternative. Further, Warren was hardly his first important decision, in fact his role in the big picture is miniscule. His role is no more important than Stevie Nicks role in the Clinton Inaugural.

The teeth gnashing is getting pretty overdone.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

33. Check this thread out

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4698602

Kinder gentler fascists.

Another good one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4687666

[The Doctor.]

9. We have many important issues to deal with.

And we can certainly walk and chew gum at the same time.

[Mari333]

11. Again, it reminds me of the 60s

when I was caught up in the antiwar movement. The women in the movement were given menial tasks. we were told our place was to make coffee for the men, to be earthmothers, and to have sex.
when women started having conciousness raising groups and started refusing the roles they were told to play, a lot of the men got angry and basically told the women that womens concerns, (rape laws, violence against women laws, reproduction laws) were NOT important compared to the struggle against the war in Vietnam.
and they were told to stfu.
of course, the women left...and the movement fell apart.
its no different now to hear that same crap said about glbt rights, as tho they have to be put on the back burner because there are more important things to do.
a lot of it is homophobia i think..hatred of anything people fear within themselves..and goes hand in hand with misogyny...

[Stinky The Clown]

16. Homophobia .........

..... maybe I am the most naive person ever to draw breath, but I really can't imagine as many people as are okay with asking 'teh gays' to just wait their turn or to just shut up to be actual homophobes. I'd like to think they simply don't agree with the strategies or tactics.

I could be wrong, but on this, I do NOT want to be.

[Starry Messenger]

15. Happy to recommend.

Regardless of one may feel on the subject, telling someone that their feelings are not important is rude and not conducive to having a good conversation. Would one say this to a family member in a crisis? Why would you say it to a total stranger?

[blueraven95]

21. thank you. this is my response to all the people who say:

"We have more important issues to deal with"



I understand what you are saying, but I think you underestimate people.

We can manage to be focused on many issues at the same time.

During the late 1950s and all of the 1960s, while the Civil Right Movement was gearing up and gaining momentum, the United States was dealing with Vietnam, the Cold War, the Cuban Revolution, the Drug Culture, the government's role in the economy, space exploration, among many, many other issues, and we still managed to bring real, positive change to the lives of millions of Americans.

I remember reading that Martin Luther King Jr. was asked to hold off in his protests, because while the rights he was fighting for were important, there were so many other issues that needed the public's attention first. His response was essentially the same as Hillel's (from thousands of years earlier) "If not now, when?"

As far as I'm concerned, we as citizens are required by our Constitution to stand up for the basic rights of all of our citizens, those of "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness", we can not stand by when their rights are trampled on and remain good citizens, or even good people. The outcry here is appropriate and timely, and we should encourage it, not stifle it. We are not single issue people, but multi-focused on all the issues, and we can, and will find solutions for all of them.

[mmonk]

23. Nothing I despise more than that statement.

it's the ultimate bug off, you don't matter statement that politicians use. Recommended.

[GeorgeGist]

27. Well actually they may be right ...

after all, if they are busy losing their non-sanity.

[glowing]

28. Solidarity gets ALL issues addressed. The right is running out of issues

to divide us on.. they've gone thru women, blacks, now they're losing teh gay. Solidarity. and Multi-task.. we all do it..