Well, I'm depressed

[rockymountaindem]

I was ok this morning, because I didn't get out of bed until 11:00. But ever since I started reading the news on DU today, it's been all downhill. I came back from lunch to learn there's not going to be a fillabuster. No amendments passed. Soon we'll be violating international law that was supposed to *protect* our soldiers. Even talking to my good friend who I have a big crush on isn't helping me.

I was able to deal with the wiretapping, because I'd just assumed they were already doing it. In fact, when it was revealed, it was a definate "I told you so" moment. I was ok with Roberts and Alito. I saw them coming the night Bush was "elected" in 2000. The Iraq war too. Just ask my parents. Right before I went to bed on election night 2000, I said to my parents "I guess we'll be invading Iraq in the next four years". I was 14 at the time, and I saw that coming.

I never saw this coming. Waterboarding? Acting like the Geneva Convention is too ambiguous? WTF? This is all way too much for me.

I have a 600 page book to read. I have laundry to do. I can't. This has just knocked me right on my ass. I'm glad Yom Kippur is coming up, that always makes me feel better. But today... oh man. I haven't felt this bad the whole time Bush as been President, except for Nov. 3, 2004. Damn.

[babylonsister]

1. Trust me, you are so not alone.

I think I need a DU break; it is terribly depressing. :hug:

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. Me too

I am trying not to, but right now I hate Harry Reid more than any (non Republican) person in the world. I KNOW he sold out the option of a filibuster because he's such a vain, arrogant bastard and he didn't want to let some more liberal Dem have the spotlight. A REAL Senate leader would have broken kneecaps if need be to ensure that we had the requisite 40 votes. Can you imagine Master of the Senate LBJ rolling over like a whipped puppy and letting this shit go through? Reid is WORTHLESS and as of now an active accomplice to evil.

I'm with you. I was not surprised by Iraq, or wiretapping, or the SCOTUS assholes. I was angry and dismayed and fought against them, yes; but I was not surprised. Nor did I believe the DU Chicken Little brigade who constantly lamented the end of our democracy.

This is different. This time, I think the Chicken Littles are right. This bill, in effect, gives Bush dictatorial powers. He can declare ANYONE an enemy combatant for any reason and then do ANYTHING to them with no oversight, no recourse, no limitations. For once, the "democracy is dead" people are right.

I have never been actively frightened before. Angry, of course, livid, sad, everything else. But this has crossed the line. Now, it's fascism. And no one, no one can deny it now.

[beachmom]

3. I'm drinking a beer

I'm like you RockyMountain. I am unable to concentrate on daily tasks, this bill has got me so worried. I am a big history buff of WWII, and read avidly of Nazi Germany and how everything unraveled from 1933 onward. It happens when people are afraid and turn away from the truth and vilify the "Other". That is what is happening today.

What gives me chills is what's going to happen now. Five years from now, the stories will start to seep out -- of disappearances and torture and injustice. Of innocent people's lives being destroyed. And this law means NOBODY will be prosecuted for these crimes.

Today I am angry with the Democratic Caucus. And I knew two weeks ago (as Sen. Kerry spoke on Hardball, and he obviously was being muffled by Reid) that this was going to happen. Yes, we were given a bad hand, but Reid showed he has no moral core. It's all about the game, not about the principles. I recommend that Durbin be made MAJORITY leader next session.

If you get a chance, watch the film "In the Name of the Father" about the Birmingham Six. They were Irish, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, were mistakenly thought to be behind an IRA terrorist attack. They were detained, not charged with a crime, not allowed to sleep, and the son was told that they would kill his father if they didn't confess. They all confessed, and spent YEARS in jail, before it was discovered that it was all a sham. The father died in jail. That shameful British history has been and will continue to be OUR history. OBL must be grinning from ear to ear, what with Bush's reaction to 9/11 to dismantle our constitution.

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. What kind of beer? Can I have one?

:beer:

I'd like to do anything to forget about all of this... forget that my country is about to become a dictatorship.

You are so right about Reid. I thought he was slime after the Alito business and now, he's not just slime, but collaborationist Vichy pro-torture slime. I have never used the word "Vichy" to describe a Democrat until now, but that's how serious this torture shit is.

[beachmom]

9. Nothing premium -- just a Michelob light which goes down easy

Just read this diary about somebody who called Reid's office. Apparently, they got punked on the amendments -- they thought the amendments would pass, and of course, they didn't. Stupid Reid. He STILL doesn't get who he's up against.

Anyway, check it out -- the staffer sounded depressed. And, of course, NO filibuster. This thing is over:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/28/161735/932

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. I think I'll have a drink with dinner

My friend and I might go out for Mexican and a margarita sounds like a great idea right now.

[Mass]

5. Mee too - In addition to all, we have to listen to Levin professing his

friendship to McCain.

Not only did the Democratic Leadership enter in a stupid agreement, but they insist in being nice with Repugs.

[Blaukraut]

6. that's something else I'm sick of

if they're all such good friends, why the attacks and backstabbing? Gimme a break. When will our dem leadership ever learn that you cannot make deals with the devil. He never holds up his end of the bargain. You'd think Reid et al have been fucked over enough to know by now.
I feel like a beer now, too.

[rockymountaindem]

7. For the first time, I'm considering not voting

Bill Ritter is going to win for the governorship without my vote, and Jay Fawcett is probably going to go down to the certifiable lunatic the Repubs have running against him by over 20%. Yesterday I would have said that's stupid, but now I'm seriously wondering why I should bother. This is really way too much for me. I haven't been so upset about anything in politics the last 6 years, and that's saying a lot.

[MBS]

8. do please vote

. . if nothing else, voting will keep you on the voter rolls for the next general election, and we will need you!

[Mass]

11. I will vote because I have great candidates, but I think I would vote

anyway. Consider that if the Democrats were leading Congress, this bill would not be there.

[Island Blue]

13. Please vote.

In my state, we have no "big" seats up for grab this year. (Meaning no governor or US Senator.) My congress person is Republican, "Freedom Fries" Jones - he "inherited" the seat from his father who had held the seat since 1965. (Jones' father was a moderate Democrat - go figure.) Despite the fact that there is very little chance of a Democratic upset, you can bet my ass will be at the polls on November 7th voting for Craig Weber (D). The right to vote is that important to me, even when faced with insurmountable odds.

[beachmom]

14. Then Karl Rove wins

He wants to demoralize the base. Well fuck him. We have our eyes on the prize LONG TERM. And that means voting in every primary and general election, getting involved to help out, and delivering more progressive candidates OVER TIME.

Please vote.

[rockymountaindem]

17. Maybe the Democrats should do something to energize me

Why on earth won't they fillabuster this?

As damaging as things like the budget deficit, faith-based programs and everything else the Bush administration has done are, this torture thing goes directly to the core of what it means to be an American. And they can't even get it together for that? I've never been so disappointed, angry and confused about the Democrats. Why should I care about them? They won't even vote to save their own rights.

[Mass]

18. As explained earlier, it is too late. Reid accepted a compromise

where they agreed to a limited debate against the right to propose 5 amendments. Dont ask me why they accepted that. I cannot understand, but they did. So, there is no way for them to filibuster now.

[rockymountaindem]

19. Exactly

They should have stood up for themselves when they had the chance.

[Democrafty]

15. What happened today in the Senate has nothing to do with

those candidates. Guilt by party affiliation should not apply here.

Please vote.

[whometense]

10. At least you're not alone.

The first thing I did today when I got home from work was burst into tears. Seriously. Then my husband said, "Have a drink." So that's what I'm doing now.

These people have way too much power over my life. Gotta make that stop.

[Mass]

16. Time to get Reid out of leadership. He is congratulating McCain and

Warner for stepping up to the plate. When are they going to understand!

[ProSense]

21. They have no regard for how

disturbing and depressing this is for more than half the country. None. They are callous bastards!

[rockymountaindem]

20. Wow. 65-34. Even worse than I thought.

I don't know how to feel right now.