We have seen a lot of desperate Democrats suddenly scrambling to “unify” with Clinton’s supporters, now that they realize that their snowjob of an election has caused turmoil and will lead to an Obama boycott in November. The classic response to our anger says that we need to relax, take a deep breath, not let emotions cloud judgment, and to think about Roe, your uterus, Third World uteruses, Iraq, thousands of dying soldiers, the economy, Bush III, and many other desperate pro-Obama talking points designed to crush the boycott and instill fear. Well, here’s my answer (disclaimer: I do not have a uterus).

First of all, I do not need to clear my head and take a deep breath. I did not start voting yesterday, unlike many of Obama’s supporters. Instead, I am a lifetime Democrat, and I have been voting for Democrats locally, state-wide, and nationally since the mid-80s. I am very experienced having my candidate lose, but then moving on to support the party ticket. In past primaries, for example, I voted for Dean, Bradley, and Jesse Jackson (twice!). I get the idea of party unity, so stop treating me like a kid.

Second, my vote in November goes beyond the liberal “issues” you describe: it protests liberal hypocrisy. The party espouses an equality rhetoric but has been completely dishonest and contradictory during this election. The party has bashed poor white people and people whose last names are Clinton. The party has ignored Latino voters because recognizing them challenges the “only racists vote for Clinton script.” The party has invented claims of racial injustice to demonize the Clintons. The party has ridiculed “uneducated” voters, even though Democrats supposedly represent disadvantaged people. Male party members and liberal media have constantly called for Clinton to drop out — starting after Iowa — in order to place an aura of doubt around her campaign. The party has ignored voters in Florida and Michigan in order to legitimize Howard Dean’s bad judgment. The party has completely ignored or even denied the sexist treatment of Clinton, while responding with absolute venom to any real or imagined “racism” directed towards Obama. The party has allowed Obama to wear multiple racial hats — the nonracial black man, the just black enough to be an historic black president, and the black racial victim –- to secure votes. If Clinton deviates even slightly from a prior script, she is portrayed as a horrible witch who would do “anything to get elected.” I refuse to join this madness.

In April, Obama pranced around and described Clinton as “Annie Oakley” gunning her way through Pennsylvania for votes. But when he came out looking like Steve Urkel bowling and drinking Yuengling for votes in the same state, the media and party ate it up — another “precious” Obama moment. Recently, CNN.COM posted footage of some mesmerized journalist covering Obama’s jeans. Why should I have to endorse this mayhem?

Third, I am unmoved by the progressive issues that the pro-Obama side uses to scare us into voting for him. But you got to love “the horror”: If you vote for McCain or don’t vote for Obama, the Supreme Court will overrule Roe, thousands of men and women will die in Iraq, poor people will remain poor, the environment will decline, we will not achieve peace on earth and domestic tranquility, and you will deprive “our children” from having a “great country.” I feel a tear coming!

These are just Karl Rovian “red alerts.” Obama is not entitled to our votes. He did not earn my loyalty. Whatever loyalty the party had from me prior to this election has been depleted. Earlier on when we wanted to discuss progressive issues, the Obama camp and the media silenced our efforts and instead focused on the big rock star pep rallies, Obamania, Camelot, weeping college students, and a host of other unimportant concerns. People could not tell us specifically why they supported him, but they knew that he was the best and that he would bring “change.” They told us that we and Clinton were cold and unhopeful and that emotions and inspiration were more important. Clinton was a mere “policy wonk,” while Obama made people “feel good again.” Well, enjoy your Hallmark moments and stop being two-faced. Suddenly, you want to talk about the issues because it benefits Obama. Earth to my fellow Democrats: Obama’s success does not dictate the way I vote.

I am still focused on issues, but topics beyond your “red scare” alerts are important to me as well. My vote responds to a party of hypocrites who dismiss loyal Democrats, bash older folks and women, and manipulate race - while calling it “progressive.” My protest is about not wanting to be a part of a vote that legitimizes sexism. I do not wish to condone the younger Democrats’ misunderstanding of the Republican witch hunts that hurt all Democrats in the past — what they call “Clinton scandals,” when every honest person recalls them as Ken Starr scandals! Where was the “education” on this issue by party veterans? The DNC rushes to bash McCain for his 100 years comment, which reputable entities like Factcheck.org say was not even true, but Clinton is misportrayed abundantly and all we get is silence. Party leadership and the media sharply denounce anything that could negatively impact Obama. They describe legitimate and fair criticism of him as racist, mean-spirited, evil, or “Clinton politics.” Clearly the party leadership has determined that anytime he looks weak, the “boys” will endorse him or call for Clinton to leave because she is “hurting the party” and “kneecapping” the “first viable black presidential candidate” - as if Clinton should bear responsibility for remedying the country’s history of racism which has kept people of color out of high office. Well, party leadership and media, you made these rules; suffer the consequences. To paraphrase Obama, don’t tell me my disgust with your behavior doesn’t matter. Don’t tell me sexism doesn’t matter. Don’t tell me liberal hypocrisy doesn’t matter. Don’t tell me fake racial politics doesn’t matter. Don’t tell me I must vote for Obama in order to be a “real” Democrat. If being a real Democrat means bashing women, the poor, and the elderly, manipulating race, ignoring Latinos, and stifling dissent, then I respectfully resign my membership! Achieving justice requires sacrifice, brutal honesty, and passionate commitment. I will not “endorse anything to get a Democrat elected,” and neither should you.

– A Black Man Supporting Hillary Clinton and the Women Who Want More…..

Is that mean? Too bad. Calling them dumb relieves them of some responsibility when they attempt to support this administration. Maybe I shouldn’t give them that out, but dammit, I love some of them. They’re family. And thinking of them in that way makes it easier to just ignore. I’m tired of the same sorry fights about how Clinton lied about who he screwed (come on guys, who cares? Hillary didn’t. He didn’t lie about weapons of mass destruction, right?)
It almost isn’t worth the effort to discuss it anymore. No, I have moved on to Obama versus Clinton, because if there is a God in heaven THAT is our next administration (well, Obama, not Clinton, but even she would be better than McCain).

Side note: McCain is as evil as the current bozos, but he didn’t seem QUITE as awful until he visited Liberty University and tried to claim he was still a moderate. John Boy, COME ON!

I don’t know what happened to old Hillary. I’m disappointed in her, and in Bill. Pandering on fear – both on the war and the ridiculous racial and religious fears people are using to support Hillary staying in the race. I think she was scared and resorted to good ol’ boy tactics. NOT A FAN! I would have had much more respect for her if she had bowed out gracefully.

You know, I would have loved to have voted for a woman for President. And I believe that someday I will. But I am going to be just as joyful when Obama takes office. And I must believe in this world where I am raising a new little human, that he will.

____________________ Art imitates life, and life imitates art.
What I see every day influences what I create, so commenting on and writing my own blog, and creating my designs are natural extensions of who I am.
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See you around the mountains and canyons of northern AZ!
“If you don’t laugh at life, it sneaks up and bites you in the ass!”

But I’ll ask a question back at you - why go to a particular church when you disagree with the preacher? Is it just about the fellowship? There are plenty of venues for people to hang out with nice people. I would like to assume Obama attended church every Sunday to be uplifted, not to ignore what the preacher had to say.

And move forward.

The underlying question you’re really asking is how he sat in church and listened to that angry black preacher make subversive angry black statements and somehow escaped having it rub off on him?

No matter how hard he has tried, my rather yuppie-like white preacher cannot convince me that being gay is a sin. Of course, I can feed you lots of DVDs and MP3s where he claims it IS a sin and you can smear his preaching on me but it won’t stick because people know I don’t think being gay is being a sin.

And MY preacher speaks mildly, in working-man speak. Not even a little bit of pretense in his tone, no Greek exegesis, no scholarly flourishes.

My point is that it’s really easy to stay in a church like that. I love the people in our church; the pastor is my friend, though we clearly disagree on gays and the death penalty.

Because, over all opinions and preaching, there is this fact: They are a group of people doing good things for other people in need.

That’s how he did it. And it’s really laughable that he’s painted with such an ugly brush for doing so.

Usually the Democrats can’t manage to find one decent candidate to nominate — this year we have two (and had THREE) outstanding candidates to pick from. We are fortunate for a change and shouldn’t be beating each other up.

Hug.

So I have been focusing my attention on local politics and in supporting a local politician I truly believe in and in fighting this.

… because I have actually lost a friendship or two over politics and now I have made pacts with close friends who are not of similar mind that we do NOT discuss politics with each other no matter what because once the gloves come off, well, there is no holding back…

So yes, I feel for you my dear and know not what happens next. But can I hug you if ever you make it to SF and meet up with you for that oh-so-delayed meet that still awaits us?

Much love oh my dear Queen!

PS… and any advice as to how to make this whole spraying controversy huge in the media would be a godsend… not many people know about it here and I want to make this huge and make a big stink because I’ll be damned if anyone sprays my babies! Yeah… changing my focus sure has helped!

Oy…

;-P