A last few words for now

[frustrated_lefty]

This is my last post here for a while, at least. I've been weaning myself away from this forum as it becomes increasingly apparent Kerry will be/is the nominee. Before I part, though, I wanted to offer a few thoughts for consideration.

To the strident defenders of Kerry, fairly often you hear complaints or worries that "Kerry just doesn't inspire me." I've posted a few things along those lines myself in the past few months. Responses to this kind of statement tend to not be productive, as I see things. There are generally a good number of posts focused on just why you should be "anybody but bush." While I agree in principle, please understand that's a crappy way to inspire people. People generally do not want to vote AGAINST something, they want to vote FOR something better. To these people who feel disenfranchised, the ABB argument simply misses the point. Some of the more strident Kerry supporters insist Kerry's speaking is, in fact, inspirational. His ideas may be inspirational. His speaking may be inspirational to YOU. But, be fair, a sizeable number of people see his speaking as a monotonous drone. Rather than telling these people they are wrong or misguided, if I were you, I would talk about his ideas and accomplishments as inspirationally as I could with friends, co-workers, family, strangers on the street. Castigate me if you must, but Kerry doesn't have an inspirational charisma in my opinion. Rather than insisting he does, you could lend your own personal charisma and fervor to him, speaking in his favor, on his behalf. Take his ideas, which you believe in, and fortify them with YOUR energy. WillPitt and NSMA both do a wonderful job along these lines.

To the opponents of Kerry, just stop. Stop nibbling his heels, stop expressing deep-felt reservations. I don't mean stop having the reservations. It just isn't appropriate to express them here, now, as vague, intuitive feelings. If you have a criticism, voice it, but please do so constructively.

If you object to Kerry that strongly, the thing to do is leave the country. Vote for him on the way out, though, because he IS an improvement over the Bush administration. That's what my wife and I are doing for our own reasons. But do not make the mistake of thinking a Kerry administration would be equivalent to what these Bush bastards would do.

Signing off for now,

FL

[WillyBrandt]

1. Very good, smart

Much smarter than whatever the heck I write. Godspeed, FL. And if you're looking to hep yourself up on Kerry, I recommend his writings, which I've been impressed with.

But in any case, be well and we hope to see you back.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I'll miss ya Lefty

We may have sparred, but you at least listened and responded as though you had listened.

[Rowdyboy]

3. Its a shame to lose someone as quality as you

because you feel you must "goose-step". It really isn't necessary.