Two things I read today have discouraged me.

[July]

I try not to let the bullshit overwhelm me, but I hope it ends soon.

Today I read something here at DU about a poll showing that Democrats are viewed favorably in almost every area of policy, but that in regard to the hurricanes and John Roberts, Democrats are viewed as "too partisan." I also checked out an AOL poll on how Bush is doing with regard to the hurricanes (I know, AOL sucks) and learned that a majority thought his performance "poor" or "fair" for Katrina, but a majority also found his performance "excellent" or "good" for Rita.

So I'm discouraged that when Democrats raise their voices to ask legitimate questions about failures (hurricanes) or judicial nominees' qualifications (Roberts), we are seen as partisan. This tells me that just opposing the Bush gang is viewed as partisanship -- very bad for us. And I'm discouraged that in a very short period of time, Bush gets props for -- well, what exactly? Taking several plane trips to disaster areas (after his safety is assured), slowing down the relief efforts, and doing photo ops? As far as I can tell, he has not done anything yet that will make a material difference in disaster preparedness or in assisting the hurricanes' victims. This reminds me very much of all the cred he supposedly gained for showing up very late in New York and posing with a fireman and a bullhorn.

What in fucking hell is wrong with this country?

[BigBearJohn]

1. Too much inbreeding, I guess

[Mr_Spock]

14. LMAO!!

:rofl:

Sometimes I wonder :rofl:

[AX10]

2. Who made the poll?

What firm?

[Dr Fate]

3. Most people who were polled supported the invasion of Iraq too.

But then all that changed, once the media facades crumbled.

We need leaders, not poll-watchers.

When DEMs pay less attention to the polls and start doing the RIGHT THING, we will all be less discouraged.

[Rick Myers]

4. There is no opposition party.

If just a few Dems would join Howard Dean and Chindy Sheehan, people would realize the BFEE are the enemy of democracy!!!

[NYC]

5. Regarding Rita.

Perhaps the true damage is not yet known by the public.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4892619

Could anyone having read KoKo01's post believe Bush was doing a good or excellent job re Rita?

Little LA Towns underwater, Levee's breaching now/Animals Dead/Stranded, Homes underwater, folks NOW being flooded, farms, and folks are trying to get help NOW. The AFTERMATH of RITA...Just now being discovered.

Photos of animals stranded, cows feet up dead, it's an agricultural area and the people didn't know the flooding would come up that far. Also, that levees in this area are now just breeching after the storm has passed and the MEDIA said "a bullet had been dodged."

More evidence that the poor in cities and the poor in Rural areas in America are the last we know about or care about when all the press goes to how WELL things were in Huston and Galveston.

We were warned by WeatherUnderground that there would be an AFTERMATH in rural areas of LA...but that the MEDIA ONCE AGAIN...would say "They Dodged a Bullet" and all is okay...Bush is there...Bush is there...but BUSH will NEVER set foot in those areas of "THE FORGOTTEN."

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. That's what I warned my wife about.... I told her that even though

the neighbor who stayed in their house (higher ground) said that there wasn't much flooding... you never know what the water levels are going to do when the water from the storms north of here start to arrive.... you just can't be certain for some time....

[TallahasseeGrannie]

6. But then why

does Bush look so... sick? What is going on there?

I'm not wishing him away via illness, because that is just too scary and dangerous. His hand is on the button.

But I think things are not all that rosy for him.

At least that is what I mutter to myself all day long.

[NYC]

8. Could it just be lack of sleep?

Are they keeping him up past his bedtime? I'm serious.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. I don't think so

because he went through a lot of stresses, such as Sept. 11 and the election and never looked like this.

I guess he sees the handwriting on the wall. (or in the bathroom note?)

[NYC]

12. He slept through 9/11.

He proudly announced that he was asleep by 11:30 p.m. on 9/11.

That was past his usual bedtime of 9:00 p.m., but he said he was sound asleep.

What if they are making him stay up late to pretend he cares about the hurricanes, and then make him get up early?

[July]

13. I do think things have been going badly for Bush, T-Grannie.

It seems that he hasn't advanced his agenda much since the inauguration (one of several reasons I doubt VERY MUCH that he really won the election). I'm muttering with you. That's why it's so bizarre to me that people are willing to give him points for flitting around doing photo ops.

And he does look like hell. Personally, I hope a little suffering is headed his way. He's overdue. But I have no control over that. It just amazes me that his incompetence hasn't gotten him impeached already. Clinton was impeached for something that didn't materially affect his job performance, and this guy has corrupt traitors and incompetents in high places, lies 2000 Americans into their graves, loots the Treasury, and sails merrily along.

I guess it's just fatigue. I'll get over it.

[I Have A Dream]

18. As I'm sure that you know, the only reason that Clinton got impeached...

was because the Republicans controlled the House of Representatives. He was guilty of much less than what B* is guilty of. The only thing that's keeping B* from being impeached is that the Republicans still control the House, and people aren't yet screaming for his head. (The screaming for his head would be required since B* is also a Republican.)

[PowerToThePeople]

16. I'm not wishing him away via illness

Well then, I will. But, not before he gives it to all the other ashats in his admisministration.

[buff2]

7. Khrist.....

"So I'm discouraged that when Democrats raise their voices to ask legitimate questions about failures (hurricanes) or judicial nominees' qualifications (Roberts), we are seen as partisan."


This is the very reason we will never be the majority again. Too many Democratic politicians think the same way. When so many of the voters think this way too,what chance do we have? I thought this is why our troops are dying.....for our freedom. So,ok....lets just all be good little boys and girls and NEVER criticize a repuke and NEVER hold them accountable for anything. We certainly don't want to be the opposition party,now do we? :eyes:

[July]

11. That's just it, though -- Democrats ARE asking questions.

And, nonetheless, even though they are often criticized for not being bold like those macho (cough) Republicans, when they do, they are perceived in a negative way. To me, that indicates the success of Republican branding of Democrats. I don't like it, but I can't help noticing it.

I wouldn't like to think we will "never" be the majority again. I blame the media greatly for making it easy for Republicans to frame Democrats. But after all we as a nation have been through since Bush stole the office, and even when the scales SEEM to be falling from peoples' eyes, we learn that people still follow the framing. I'm not going to change what I believe, but how do we change others' beliefs? I keep telling myself that a house of cards eventually falls upon itself, but it seems to be taking a very long time.

[buff2]

19. Well,the first we have to do is SPEAK UP

and not be afraid of the repukes. The Democrats in the Congress and Senate need to do the same. I am so sick and tired of hearing about how we have to be careful of what we say because it will make us "look too partisan". Good grief....the repukes don't give a damn about how partisan THEY look,because they ARE and they are not embarrassed about it either. I am also sick of this shit about the name Liberal being treated like a four letter word. You see those wimpy ass Democrats on all these talk shows and when they are confronted about being a Liberal they him haw around and dodge the question and NOT A DAMN ONE of them will admit they are a Liberal. The repukes have smeared,slimed and convinced the Democratic politicians that if they admit they are a Liberal they will be done politically. BULLSHIT.Whenever they are asked if they are a Liberal they should proudly say YES and then give the talk show pundits the definition of what Liberal means. That's too much to ask though,since they won't show their coward asses on TV and confront those bastards.All we get to defend US is Joe Biden or some other phony ass who can't speak up for us. Well,I am done with this rant. Don't take this personal...it's not against you. It's against the representation from the Democrats in the Senate and Congress that we DON'T HAVE. :hi:

[Az]

15. When Dems do not stand up for unpopular ideas

Particularly ideas they are supposed to stand for, then when they do stand for something that is popular the people see it as simple political opportunism.

This is what we mean when we want the Dems to have a spine. We want them to stand up for what is right. Not what is politically expedient. This is simply put what the right has been doing.

The right has staked out a series of issues that they claim as their values. They do not back down from these issues no matter the political cost. In this way when an opportunity to grand stand on those issues comes along claims of political opportunism is difficult to make.

As long as the Dems do not find their sticking point on the issues they will be called opportunists when they find something politically advantageous to jump up and down about. Because they do not stand for anything they cannot stand for anything.

[July]

17. That's a good point, Az.

By failing to stand up on a regular basis, Democrats contribute to the situation we see now of their being seen as partisan when they finally open their mouths.

Completely agree with your assessment. I've been baffled and fed up with the inability of the party to take all this ammo the Republicans have been throwing at them.

That's why I like people like Clark. To me he seems to say what he thinks, no pausing to assess whether his beliefs will benefit his political career or not.

Still, people are stupid if they think Bush has suddenly developed an "excellent" response to disasters.