I don't want to live in a place where cheating on your wife is worse

[suziedemocrat]

than illegal - secret wiretapping!!!! Isn't there a saying about getting the government you deserve? I live in Indiana, PLEASE tell me in other places, "political talk" consists of more than "Kerry's face shape is too long." Please tell me in other places smart people pay attention to the "boring news" about the war. I've been stuck here for 4 years and I'm dying to leave - but my elderly Mother says normal people are busy and don't pay attention to politics. Is this true everywhere? Here they watch in careful detail the news about the new coach at IU - but I'm sure no one knows that Bush CAN legally wiretap Americas by getting a court order - AND he can get it retro-actively - but he wants no record of his secret wiretaps - so he doesn't bother with courts - which is AGAINST THE LAW!!!! Am I some nerd who pays attention to "boring politics" or is it the responsibility of EVERYONE in a Democracy to pay attention? It gets old only talking about this stuff online. </end-rant>

[greekspeak]

1. I have also heard that John Edwards looks like the Enzyte guy

Seriously, though, most of the political discourse I hear is canned. It goes from Rove to the Radio Hate Jocks, to the spell-bound audience to the rest of us. It is all very well orchestrated, but really it is one big well orchestrated rhetorical bowel movement.

[Divernan]

2. And West Lafayette is a university town, too.

That was my (now deceased) brother's address when he got a Ph.D. at Purdue. And he was a very lib. Dem. Too bad for you. Sounds like Indiana is the midwest version of Georgia (with apologies to DUers from Georgia) - proud home state of Saxby Chambliss.

[suziedemocrat]

3. Actually - I'm in Indianapolis now. Need to update my profile.

I grew up here and I hated it when I was 8! Just something about the out of touch people. Ignorance is not a bad thing here - it's almost desirable.

[Mnemosyne]

4. Here is a good quote by Mencken that explains it.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." -- H.L.Mencken

[annabanana]

5. Yes. It IS the responsibility

of EVERYONE in a Democracy to pay attention.....

An engaged electorate is the only thing that can make a democracy function. YOU are right..and your Mother, bless her, is wrong wrong wrong...

It is OUR country and each and every one of us is personally responsible for the damage that we do to each other and the world. It has to begin in grade school, (a well run, well funded, free public school) and kids have to learn right away that running the country will be their JOB AS AMERICANS when they are old enough to vote.

[we can do it]

6. Its Like That In Ohio, Too

They are working towards even being gay is a crime here. The state government is full of criminals, jobs are flying out of here - but lets worry about gay people....what a bunch of idiots. Like you, I gotta get out of here, but have a few family issues holding me back.

[darkmaestro019]

7. Criminalize natural behaviors, and you get a permanent

population of criminals. Just in case they ever run out of people to force into slave labor, they can always make more!

I feel you. In OH too. Gay in all kinda ways. I'm sick and tired of being chased, herded, driven. I'm sick of running. I was in FL before and we couldn't so much as grocery shop without someone kindly letting us know we're FAAAAAAAAGGGGOTS! from a swiftly moving car--sometimes with a breakable or heavy object thrown at us for emphasis. This is for such unabashed gayness as walking from car to storefront or standing in line at an ATM.

At least here in OH the strange human custom of shouting out the names of things is rarer. I tend to reply when this is done by someone with the balls to do it while not in a speeding car by pointing and shouting "Tree! Sidewalk! Trashcan!" (and the kicker, right at the phobe) "Moron!"

None of them ever understand the "joke"

We've only had something thrown at us once here in OH, and we were both in full goth and being very affectionate in public. (holding hands and sort of shoulder-shoving each other while walking along a Cleveland block of bars and clubs and such) So I suppose we DESERVED to be assaulted. :sarcasm: There seems to be slightly more reserve here, or something, anyhow.

They're not going to settle for anything less than everywhere. Problem with that--is that WE are everywhere, too.

EDIT: Not nitpicking at you like the Link! Link! gallery, but is there something specific you're referring to I may have missed about making gayness a crime here? Besides the general hateful tone and the marriage thing and the adoption thing.....

[Rockholm]

8. Come to Massachusetts!

We have brains!

[suziedemocrat]

9. Too funny!!! I have been checking out Dice for jobs in the Boston area!

Too funny!!! Maybe I'll get a job out that way!! It'd be too cool! Isn't the housing really expensive?

[Ariana Celeste]

10. Check out the Indiana state forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=151

I feel your pain- fortunately I have a couple of lefty friends in my area so it's not too bad for me.

Check out the Indiana forum though- they have DU meet-ups once in awhile in Indianapolis, maybe you could go to one? :hi: