It's not worth reaching out...

[elfs]

It's not worth reaching out when the other side is reading stuff like this:

Let's face a hard truth: this was the bitterest Presidential campaign in living memory. The Democrats and their allies staked everything on the defeat of this President. All of the resources they had accumulated over a generation of struggle were thrown into this battle: and they have failed. Despite all of their tricks, despite all of their lies, the people have rejected them. They mean nothing. They are worth nothing. There's no point in trying to reach out to them because they won't be reached out to. We've got their teeth clutching the sidewalk and our boot above their head. Now's the time to curb-stomp the bastards.

... The future of the Democratic Party: providing Republicans with a number of cute (but not that bright) comfort women.

Four More Years! AKA: Take That, You Sons of Bitches

I'm sure the rhetoric is high on both sides, but it's comments like these that tell the rest of us that it's not worth reaching out. As a conservative, I'm revolted to my core by both the right (what the fuck is it with people like Bennett? The last thing a real conservative cottons to is "cultural renewal"!) and by the left.

The middle class of this generation are lost. They read books with titles and subtitles that claim:

• That liberals are the root of all evil.
• That liberals are innately treasonous.
• That they are internal enemies on a par with Al Qaeda.
• That they are responsible for conservative failures.
• That electing a liberal president would bring the end of the republic.
• That the nation would be better off if liberals were just eliminated.

Because when the bill comes due for Bush, he's not gonna get blamed. You and I are.

Comments

[solarbird]

Because when the bill comes due for Bush, he's not gonna get blamed. You and I are.
That's what I've been thinking. I haven't been saying it.

But I've been thinking it.

[kyriani.livejournal.com]

Ugh wow what a hateful article of text. *shudder* I can't believe any human could bear to write those things. Just... wow...

[solarbird]

You should see Andrew Sullivan's inbox of hate mail:

"I wonder if you noticed that yesterday all eleven states that considered the question of gay marriage voted to ban it. ALL ELEVEN. I think this sends a very clear message -- true Americans do not like your kind of homosexual deviants in our country, and we will not tolerate your radical pro-gay agenda trying to force our children to adopt your homosexual lifestyle. You should be EXTREMELY GRATEFUL that we even let you write a very public and influential blog, instead of suppressing your treasonous views (as I would prefer). But I'm sure someone like yourself would consider me just an "extremist" that you don't need to worry about. Well you are wrong -- I'm not just an extremist, I am a real American, and you should be worried because eleven states yesterday proved that there are millions more just like me who will not let you impose your radical agenda on our country."

[kyriani.livejournal.com]

Ugh... Wow. I am still in shock that human beings, people sharing the same world as the rest of us, think like this person. Sigh.
This election really has made me loose faith in our American corner of humanity, or at the very least the majority of our society that voted the same way these people do. I realize that people like that are the fringes of the right, but there seems to be a stronger united voice for conservatives than any of the liberal voices by far. I don't know how to overcome such an obstacle, as one of the strengths of the left is its individuality and free thinking.
* Yeah I'm making a lot of generalizations, sorry. =/

WoW !

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Wow, I thought I was the queen of all opinionated minds. Dam….this sucks. I want my crown back. Do you really believe in this hate with in your words? Are you quoting from a bigot? Just want to make sure before I start babbling my opinions. ON these close minded ungodly words of nothing but pure negative of unholy soul.

Re: WoW !

[solarbird]

Did you see where I said, "You should see Andrew Sullivan's inbox of hate mail:" and linked to Andrew Sullivan's web site? Also, did you see where I blockquoted it?

That's where I got it. And yes, I'm quoting someone else.

Sorry

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Didn't move my screen down enough. I didn't see the link.

[talisker.livejournal.com]

Reading such things makes me glad I don't live in the US. For all that there are very good people living there, I *so* wouldn't want to live under that administration.

I'm truly saddened that the US went from the "land of the free" to "it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there".

[dougs.livejournal.com]

It's not even a nice place to visit, now that all visitors are treated-like-criminals by default.

I just don't feel safe when I'm over there.

not worth reaching out

[lucky-otter.livejournal.com]

Yes it is! Sane people on both sides realize that their are nutjobs on both sides. We need a coalition of the sane, the rational, the people who put discourse ahead of rhetoric and consensus ahead of the numbers game.

The only way we're going to build that coalition is if both sides reach out to the other, and to people who don't associate themselves with either side. If you're sane, if you're willing to discuss things civilly and with rational arguments rather than emotional rhetoric, then you're welcome.

Re: not worth reaching out

[jenkitty.livejournal.com]

There are people who are trying. Read this.

Re: not worth reaching out

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Where do you suppose this discussion happen? People are writing their butts off. Some are just writing in there journal and not reaching out to speak their minds. I have written letters to Bush from the link from the Voter pamphlet I got. Plus to the White House main address. Plus to my State Rep.

So you tell me, you got the right Idea, but where, who is going to take note on what we want and can come to compromising agenda or a bill on for our freedom towards LOVE (Which has no Gender nor God).? My agenda is Gay Marriages / Pro-life to a certain degree, only if it doesn’t jeopardize the women’s health.My freedom on my rights to choose my Faith. With out being ridicule and threaten.

So were do we meet and who will take time to listen/talk about it?

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

Because when the bill comes due for Bush, he's not gonna get blamed. You and I are.

You betcha. They're already laying the groundwork (http://examinedlife.typepad.com/johnbelle/2004/11/dreams.html) for that.

[kenshardik]

I say we get together the 40 MILLION people who voted for Kerry and all go piss on his lawn.

[chgowiz.livejournal.com]

Well, no offense, but when I see this:
This blog is maintained by Adam Teiichi Yoshida: ultra-conservative political commentator.

on his masthead, I have no compunctions about what I am going to read here. Of course the eyedeetentees are going to be out in full force, trumpeting their pathetic viewpoints. I'm more interested in the Americans who voted under misguided viewpoints. Reason will win out over the loud voices on both sides. That's worth reaching out for.

[woggie.livejournal.com]

The more I read stuff like this, the nicer Canada looks...

[ai731.livejournal.com]

Gay marriage is currently legal in 5 of 10 provinces, and 1 of 3 territories, with the 6th province (Saskatchewan) due to rule in favour on Friday. A Federal court ruling is due next summer.

[j5nn5r.livejournal.com]

It may prove to be an interesting civil war.

I hope not

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

I've been saying that from day one. Half of me think we should, and take stand for what we believe. Yet, is war an answer...should we fight our brother's and sisters? Or can we at least talk about it? Yet half of me is tired of being civil and want to fight for what I believe in, if I have to!

I'm talking about actually going to war. Last civil war was for the freedom of African Americans. This is no different! If you really look at deeply.

Re: I hope not

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Slavery was an issue used to distract the moralists.

2004

Gay issues/faith/this war is just an issue used to distract the moralists. What did Bush supposely get elected for or why was Kerry running for?

Moral issue....

That's fuck up! Yet I see it( History ) repeating it self. Maybe it's just me.

I'm addressing this to myself I don't any would care.

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

All I see for a whole year this nation is divided, Vote for Bush – you’re an idiot. Your for Kerry – your on the right side of the nation. If you even mention Bush in some form of goodness to keep an open mind, you become an out cast.

Well I didn’t vote for either one of them. To me all I see was conspiracy of fear…

Fear towards acceptance for Gay Rights /Women’s Rights/ Freedom of religion. A phobia against homosexuality. Not all of Washington State voted for Kerry, they only counted the populated cities not the rural states. Washington State if you really look at it is divided. You down to the southern cities you see is Bush being recognized not Kerry. With all this propaganda towards Edwards and Kerry being for Gay Rights put towards an phobia of fear, that was counted higher than actual issue towards the Economic issue/Medical/lower taxes for the middle class worker.

Gay rights was distraction to deceive people away from Kerry for half the nation isn’t ready or choose not to accept different life style. I really think Kerry was just pond use to get people to vote for him instead of JOHN PARKER and Teresa Gutierrez or are they just ponds to scare those towards Bush. I really think this whole political race was just conspiracy.

Civil War – Compare today is happening its, going on in Afghanistan. It might happen today in the UNITED STATE if they keep counting the votes the way they are, not all the absentee votes were counted or lesser states of the people with in the rural areas. All I see is populated city votes were counted. I’m sorry if you really counted every vote for ‘We the People’ that map would be poke-a-dotted. That what I believe, I don’t think Ohio was for Bush, if you counted the rural and lesser cities.

If our freedoms for the rights of all people (including Gays which are people too, yet some don’t want to acknowledge It.) are violated, I believe we should take a stand. If we can go into another country fight for them, why can’t we fight for our own fellow man/women within our own land…...?

This is what our kids are being taught today. Yes I do see it, instead of Slavery of African American it’s the slavery how women were treated or the people.

http://www.pbs.org/americaresponds/afghanistantoday.html

Here’s something from Lincoln, Second Inaugural address
http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.html

Sorry I really feel that Gay issues and Etc…was use as a deception to cause phobia against Edward and Kerry. Plus I also feel Kerry and Edwards were just ponds with in the political race. They were the distraction away towards people like John Parker and his running mate. It’s just how I see it.

You can say I’m full of shit, that how I see it and what I believe.

Re: I hope not

[j5nn5r.livejournal.com]

Please note that I was not advocating for war. I've carried weapons in battle zones.

Re: I hope not

[flying-pegasus.livejournal.com]

I didn't think that. I just thought you were expressing towards a comment what you see with in that comment. I was just expressing my feeling in what I saw. In how I feel to you. Just emotional feeling in how I see it in the world today and what I believe....you can say my opinion.

Re: I hope not

[srmalloy.livejournal.com]

Last civil war was for the freedom of African Americans.

Go back and look at the reality of "The Great Emancipator", not just what drivel gets fed to you in school. As cited in The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln:

"I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races -- that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races from living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race."

When the Emancipation Proclamation was written; the war had already been going on for years; don't you think that, if the Civil War was to free slaves, it would have been issued at the start of the war, instead of near its end? And have you actually read it? "That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free..." -- followed by an enumeration of where slaves were declared to be free. Curiously, this declaration was extremely specific; it declared slaves to be free in the South -- which at that time Lincoln held no authority over -- except for those parts of the South already occupied by Union troops. It also did not mention the Northern states of Maryland, Delaware. Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri, all of which still permitted slavery.

And the citizens of the Union, suddenly finding that they were fighting, not to preserve the Union, but to 'put an end to slavery', displayed a massive disinclination to fight, and 'voted with their feet'. The Emancipation Proclamation caused a desertion crisis in the United States Army. At least 200,000 Union soldiers deserted; another 120,000 evaded conscription; and another 90,000 Northern men fled to Canada to evade the draft, while thousands more hid in the mountains of central Pennsylvania 'where they lay beyond the easy reach of enrolling officers.'

Interestingly, a week prior to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's response of September 13, 1862, to a call for a General Emancipation was:

"Would my word free the slaves, when I cannot even enforce the Constitution in the rebel States? And what reason is there to think it would have any greater effect upon the slaves than the late law of Congress, which I approved, and which offers protection and freedom to the slaves of rebel masters who come within our lines? Yet I cannot learn that the law has caused a single slave to come over to us."

Despite this recognition of his inability to enforce the edict, Lincoln issued it anyway, and caused a serious crisis of desertion in the military.

The Civil War was fought over the issues of states' rights and economics; the Emancipation Proclamation was an attempt to get Southern slaves to rise up against their masters, diverting manpower from the battlefield to control them.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to keep my paranoia in check, but at this point I'm not sure whether people like Kos (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/3/92359/8844) are paranoid, or just uncommonly observant.

A followup to the "boot stomping" blog entry

[chgowiz.livejournal.com]

Apparently, he can't take the heat, so he runs away. Guess he can't live what he preaches.


Ending the Comments
Alright, it's time for the comments to go. I'm not hosting Democratic Underground here. I think I can see why most high-traffic blogs don't allow comments.

As for the rest, my last posts were a little angry, but I mostly meant what I said. The only reason why Kerry didn't try and steal this election was that it became mathematically impossible for him to do so.
posted by Adam at 3:41 PM
http://www.adamyoshida.com/2004/11/ending-comments.html