I used to think DU'ers were over-reacting when they said they hated republicans, but I finally

[Mike 03]

understand.

I have to confess up front, these emotions I'm feeling are totally against what I thought I stand for, which is peace.

But I'm so angry right now.

My rage towards them is something that, if I put it into plain writing, might get me into trouble.

I'm so furious that I can't even express it.

But I want to tell those of you who were furious all along: You were right.

They suck... It's true. They don't give a damn about our country.

Despite all of their hyperbole, they do not want to help anyone.

They have no clue what is good for our nation, and they will DO ANYTHING to impede and obstruct anything our president, President Obama, wants to do to improve our lives.

They are opposing EVERYTHING we voted for.

What do we do?

Honestly, what on earth should we do to support our new President?

The only thing I've done so far is write furious, probably indiscreet, impertinent and improper, emails.

The anger is eating me alive. And I don't have any good ideas how about how to combat what you all are writing about: the refusal of the repukes to cooperate with our amazing new president.

I'm choking to death on my rage.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Choking to death on your rage?

I think maybe you should back away from DU and all things political for a while and regain your newly-lost sense of balance.

I mean, there's being pissed off, there's being angry, but, I rather suspect that "choking to death on your rage" might be reserved for someone who - god fobid - murdered a loved one.

Relax.

Maybe this will help:

[Hekate]

3. That is just about my favorite Obama slogan. It got me through the final days of the election.

Recommended.

Hekate

[Tangerine LaBamba]

7. And hasn't it turned out

to be absolutely true?

I'm trusting him and sitting back, letting the process unfold, as it must. These worrywarts who don't understand the process are going to dig themselves into a deep hole with their outrage by the time Obama's first term ends.

Chill. And the perfect photograph.

Let us not forget this little beauty:

[Jane Austin]

9. Isn't it funny to read and hear the people who think Obama

suddenly isn't brilliant, wise, a strategic thinker, a chess player and a poker player any more. :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. Where the hell

is he hiding that Magic Wand that was supposed to fix everything by the day after the Inauguration?

I knew he couldn't be trusted.

:toast:

[Jane Austin]

15. Heh.

Where, indeed?

[Oilwellian]

42. Where is that written in the OP?

I didn't get that out of the post whatsoever. Both you and Tangerine are putting words in Mike's mouth. He was expressing outrage toward the Republicans...and rightly so.

And Obama "putting the smartest motherfuckers in charge" isn't exactly true. Many of them may be "the smartest motherfuckers" but they are also the SAME "motherfuckers" that helped get us into this mess.

Call me skeptical.

[Kahuna]

21. That picture should definately help.

:thumbsup:

[Runcible Spoon]

28. The message that picture implies it dangerous.

This is NOT the time for us to STFU and blindly trust ANY politician. Even one we like a lot and worked very hard to elect. A better thing to do would be to suggest that the OP research ways to get locally involved with the issues that matter to them.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

29. Chill, indeed,

is a message you really should take to heart.

Obama was sworn in thirteen days ago. Have you no concept of how government works? That's why that picture is so spot on, and if you think it's "dangerous," I would urge you to back up and get a good textbook on the form and function of governmental dealings. It's complicated, but it's a fascinating process. President Obama is redefining the political process, and confounding a lot of the old hands. There's a new game in town, and a lot of people don't understand it.

Tell me - what President did anything in his first thirteen days that made any difference?

Obama, that's who. To wit, just the Ledbetter Bill. His other signings have undone what preceded him, but as for original legislation, tell me what President accomplished anything in less than two weeks in office. That's what makes your response so inane.

Incidentally, the OP exhibits evidence of behavior that goes far beyond political activism. He's got bigger problems to deal with, that's my guess. That's wasn't at all a sound or stable post.

[Runcible Spoon]

31. You can insult me all you want.

I really do tire of the incessant fan club ranting trying to shut down all criticism of Obama and his administration. You don't get to dictate when or how we respond to policies and appointments that will affect our lives. NOW is the time to respond to the projected agenda, because this is the precise moment we can let our voices be heard. There are PLENTY of things to respond to; you can't simultaneously commend him for accomplishing and planning so much in such a short time and then try to criticize anyone who might take issue with it. Derf.

As for the OP, I'm sure all of us have had those moments where we are just DAMN MAD. Help him find an outlet, don't tell him to just look the other way and leave it to the "professionals". This is OUR government, and Obama is OUR representative, NOT vice versa.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

36. Don't put words in my mouth, or on my screen.........

There was nothing insulting in my post, and if you take anything that way, you're working on a defensive game when there is no one playing offense. I was just observing that a thirteen day period is hardly long enough to glean any substantive material over which to flip out.

Your reading of it was completely off the wall. You clearly have your own agenda, which leaves you alone out there, and that's fine. But, sure, voice all your opinions, but understand that for every opinion, there is a counter opinion, and if you don't like people taking issue with yours, you're going to be tired of the "incessant fan club ranting," since there are those who would probably find a line like that nothing but an example of myopic posturing. Otherwise, you become just like the rightwingnut weasels who love to dish it out but cannot take it.

I commend Obama for a lot of things that he's done in his first almost-two weeks, but I'm not happy with Geithner and this Daschle thing is disturbing. I let my representatives, and the White House, know my thoughts on the matter. If you have any bitches, too, I'm sure you've done the same, since simply ranting here at DU is, of course, worthless in terms of us taking part in an attempt at participatory democracy.

As for the OP, there has been a pattern to his posts - he's very distinctive - and if you're not familiar with them, then you wouldn't grasp my observation about the tenor of his original post here.

[Runcible Spoon]

49. I'll type whatever I goddamn want.

I have no agenda beyond calling out bullies. Your posts to me are full of nasty sarcastic garbage. I don't really care; I'm used to seeing your broken record go round and round here. I have no agenda beyond holding our government accountable for enabling corporate greed and actually pushing them to fucking represent the people. I know that's not as much fun as fawning over pics of Obama in a swimsuit.

If you were paying attention instead of trying to redirect the issue, my point was in indicating the offensiveness of that insipidly stupid "Chill, I got this" pic which is spawning all over DU and has been posted multiple times by you. Nobody should STFU and blindly have faith in ANY politician, and suggesting people's anger is baseless or overwrought is a not very veiled attempt to disenfranchise them from having a say. I don't make it a habit to stalk posters around so I have no idea what the OP's history is; I'm merely reacting to your "advice" to him.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

54. Hee hee

You are really a very funny character.

Thank you for the laughs.

Make sure you take good care of that very thin skin of yours. Maybe finding out that very little is really about you might help. Or, you just might end up with a bad staph infection.

But, truly, thank you. You are funny.

[Zodiak]

61. Now you are engaging in denigration by ridicule.

A bully's behavior.

Frankly, I do not want anyone acting like a bully on Obama's behalf. It is insulting to the man, whose philosophy is clearly the mirror opposite.

[Zodiak]

60. Actually, you did insult him

You basically accused him of knowing absolutely nothing about how the government works. An accusation of complete ignorance on a board where we are all ostensibly here because we care about how the government works.

And do not call out the OP..that is against the rules...whether by name or by just referring to them as "the OP". Talk about his pattern of posts in PM, not openly.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

63. Knowing and caring

are two different things. I'm sure you knew that.

You can care a lot about brain surgery. That doesn't make you a brain surgeon.

I love the phrase ".... basically accused..." What is that supposed to me? Accused or basically accused, and what is the difference?

Listen, observing a lack of understanding and then commenting on it is hardly "... accusing..." For heaven's sake, what is the charge that would warrant an "accusation"?

The hysteria level here in this sub-thread looks to be very low.

But, like every good message board, it's entertaining.

:hi:

[Bluenorthwest]

71. Your post is scummy and McCarthy like

This implication about the OP having big problems, who are you to say such a thing?
Here is real history, what a real President said:
"To announce that there should be no criticism of the President, or that we should stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only servile and unpatriotic, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Teddy Roosevelt.

Now, when you say 'chill' I wonder if you are more proud of being servile, or unpatriotic? Sorry to be harsh but you are being downright Soviet, with your whispers and insinuations. Vile, your post is vile, and worthy of the worst elements in our political history as a nation.

[ProfessorGAC]

44. Absolutely A Great Pic

Thanks for that.
GAC

[roguevalley]

57. the pendalum swings and we are back on track. the idiots are a

regional party now with nearly nil prospects. Things will come out. Not every wrong will be righted. Look around you and see the beauty in your life and trust in providence. A few months ago, we were underseige from a group that wanted to make evil permanent. Now we have Bolton whining about how we will never invade Iran. Take the good as it comes in increments. It will come.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

58. :)

Thank You! Great comment!

I love the chill pic too---possibly because I often need the reminder to chill when I start getting too righteous over my inexperienced opinions. (note: that does not mean relinquish involvement.)

Take the good as it comes in increments. It will come. -- yes, it is good to be reminded to deliberately put some focus and bask in the good! It's there, and more is always coming if you look for it.

[roguevalley]

62. the world is giving over to the young and the young want good to

happen yesterday. the older among us know that never happens but we have been here long enough to know it will eventually. stop and look at the blue sky. it has always been there and always will be. there is good in knowing that. :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

64. Lovely, and

dead right on. I'm not sure, though, that it's a function necessarily reserved only for the young. There's a dearth of understanding of the process, and that, I see, contributes to the impatience and confusion.

There is tomorrow. So far, so good.

:hi:

[roguevalley]

66. agreed. and waves back atcha. :)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

70. mmm, yes....

like practicing being in the moment.

no matter what your age, it's good to have others around to remind you. We all succumb to the fear monster from time to time, and need help to a better perspective....

:pals:

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Yes, I understand...it is creating background depression for me every day

since the afterglow of the election started fading. Malevolent, vicious, stupid/ignorant (take your pick),unpatriotic. Greedy, selfish, disgusting. Abhorrent. Hateful, spiteful, obstructive, hypocritical, chicken-shit

and just plain WRONG on most everything.

[SoCalDem]

4. Here's what has always consoled me

MOST people do not read the newspaper
MOST people do NOT watch CNNMSNBCFOX
MOST people don;t even watch the nightly news

so all the posturing and buffoonery of the republicans goes mostly unseen..

WE are a minority.. we pay close attention, but most do not..

We can only hope that sooner or later the dems will get tired of mollycoddling that tiny sliver of slime, and just add back in all the good stuff and ram it through congress..

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. And............

you're sucking on the cable news teat, which is feeding you sugar water. It's pap, all of it, nonsense, meaningless.

Didn't you figure it out during the election? These talking heads are meaningless.

And, in case you haven't notice, the Obama administration is 13 days old. Your last sentence is absolutely giddy in terms of how the process works, for heaven's sake.

[aikoaiko]

5. I'm with you, but I always get a kick about how undirected rage posts on DU and Freeperville are

are almost exactly the same.

[Township75]

10. LMAO!

I have never been to freeperville, but assuming what you wrote is true, that is some ironic and funny stuff.

Not hard to believe either!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. Oh, dear......

I've only looked at quote from freeperland that are posted here because, frankly, I'm afraid to go there. My hard drive would get all icky, I think.

But, extremists of any ilk certainly always sound the same.

Chicken Little would be so proud.

[Jane Austin]

8. Mike -

I know what you mean. Sometimes I get to where I am almost paralyzed - can't get anything done because of what Gingrich, then DeLay, then Bush, have done.

I have three things that pull me out of it: A wonderful husband who talks me down, an antidepressant that works (Cymbalta) and a bunch of silly Golden Retrievers.

If you don't have any of these, won't you please ask someone where you can find someone to talk to?

A hotline may know someone who can talk to you, and the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International will know where there are some gentle dogs who can share their special grace with you.

Take care, Mike. And remember there is someone, somewhere who needs you.

It may be a lonesome dog at a local rescue society where the dogs need walking, feeding, brushing and loving.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. That's a lovely suggestion

That really moved me.

Thank you. I'm smiling.

Here's one just for you, Jane Of Austin (I peeked at your profile):

[Jane Austin]

32. Ooh . . . look at all those glamorous people clapping

for little ol' me? :)

Thanks, Tangerine!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. me too, Jane

That was very very wise.

Pragmatic suggestions often are. Abstracted ideas are great, but they really take on meaning after you find down-to-earth practices.

[Jane Austin]

68. Thanks. If I'm wise, it's the old

sadder but wiser thing.

I've come through some bad stuff, and am so glad to be out the other side now.

Thanks again.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

69. --->

me too--I've been through the ringer a time or thirteen myself! still waiting for the "wise" to kick in...... :P

I'm glad you're out the other side :hug:

[Jane Austin]

77. Thanks!

May we all get there. :)

[lonestarnot]

40. Mike posted his rage and then I don't see him on this thread again.

:)

[Township75]

11. Dude, you need to back off, because you...

are essentially Rush Limbaugh.

Think about it. THink about hiim and what he says, and look at what you wrote.

It's difficult not to get upset when you care about something, but I think it is in you best interest not to be like him. You will never be happy again.

[geckosfeet]

13. What did you expect? Warm fuzzy bunny slipper bipartisanship?

This is why it's so damn important to have majorities in both houses.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

18. Speaking of warm fuzzy bunny slippers,

I was reminded of this (which might be just what's called for here):

[pleah]

72. Welcome to the pissed off at rethugs crowd.

:hi:

[ldf]

25. uh, unless i have been in an alternate universe

WE DO HAVE MAJORITIES IN BOTH HOUSES!

and what is it getting us? THEY are telling US what is and isn't going to pass.

you can all sit around and tsk tsk those of us who are outraged, but let's see how this unfolds.

it certainly doesn't look promising, with obama already practically begging the repubs to back his watered down stimulus plan.

and now he has DEMOCRATS complaining about it.

geezus frigging kehrist! we need to stop being "bipartisan" and play the game seriously.

we could use the truth, and make it hell for them.

but that may not seem "civil". meanwhile, we all go to hell in that well appointed handbasket, because democrats will NOT grow a spine.

i, too, am livid.

i've said it once, and i'll say it again. obama will either take control and do this, or he will be the absolute destruction of the democratic party.

:grr:

you may now return to your short sighted lovefest...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

30. That is hilarious -

your use of the phrase "short-sighted."

I shall now offer you an obvious reality that you seem to have overlooked, and that is that President Obama has been in office for thirteen days.

Exactly what did you expect? Are you upset that he didn't wave his Magic Wand and fix everything?

Yes, Democrats have two house majorities. So?

Thirteen days. And you accuse others of being "short-sighted"?

You are a very funny person.

Take a bow.

[geckosfeet]

41. Let me sharpen that point - marjoroties that don't require repukian votes to pass.

[santamargarita]

17. The big problem is the main stream media that gives this scum a voice

:yoiks:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

20. That, yes,

but, "The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings...."

We don't watch, we don't miss a thing except the getting upset part.

Sort of like not going to a bar where you know the people who hang out there are really loud, stupid, and sloppy.

[OwnedByFerrets]

19. Welcome to the place I've been for about 7 yrs now. Glad you

have seen the depths of their darkness, but in the same breath, sorry you had to.

[Subdivisions]

22. Me too, Mike 03. And that 's all I'm going to say considering the

prying eyes that are all over this site, especially in the Dungeon.

[Tsiyu]

23. Hey, anger at evildoers is completely warranted

Look at it this way: if you know what you now know about those fuckers and you're NOT angry, something is wrong with your wiring.

All the folks living in la-la land are the problem. If some woman somewhere didn't get pissed at the old washboard, we might not have washing machines.

Just write some stuff for only your eyes. Or yell out all the rage in a closed room when nobody is home. Get it out. And then take a deep breath.

Comedies are fun. Or some of your favorite music.

But in the end, use that anger constructively to write those letters and e-mails. One way to keep out the indiscretions is to pretend you're writing to your boss. More diplomacy in my letters when I try it that way!


Hang in there!

[angrycarpenter]

24. I know exactly what you mean.

Rage can make you stronger if you can channel it. Coming here and roaring helps a lot. Too many times I have heard people here say that we should remain calm and reasonable and talk of these things in peaceful, even tones. Screw that. Quit internalizing your anger, pour it out for us and feel better.

[elizfeelinggreat]

26. "If you're so damn mad you can't think straight ...

you're not going to have a lot of confidence." - That's what Senator McCaskill just said on Rachel's show (or it's awfully close). She was talking about the bailout money in that instance but her words are so true about anger's effect on our emotions.

I understand how you feel, Mike O3, and if it helps you to let off steam then this should be the place to find some support and hopefully some help so you can see things in a better light - or at least to know you're not alone and it's okay to feel the anger.

We all have to let it out once in a while, it doesn't do us any good to keep it in or pretend it's not there. We need to work through it. I hope you feel better for expressing it and seeing that others feel/have felt the same. This place kept me sane many times when I thought I couldn't take it anymore.

[Ardent15]

27. Man

Don't feel any shame in hating these sleazebags.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

33. Mike, maybe you should take a breather.

The Romans believed anger was an acute form of madness because it clouds reason. Remember, they're like children throwing a tantrum. They want attention and everything their way, they want it now, and by God they'll hold their breath until they get it! The funny thing about that is that eventually those children eventually pass out or tire. So it will come to pass with this.

Take a deep breath Mike and try to relax. If you need to rant or blow off some steam, just pm me, buddy.

[catnhatnh]

34. Mike...

I think your emotions are much like many of us experience as we become seasoned members here. I like many here, stumbled in right after (like 2 days) the election in 2004.

I arrived here both confused and depressed because everything I logically believed and saw confirmed we should have won that race pulling away. Instead of seeing what my intellect told me was truth, for the second straight time I saw the race inexplicably fall to the worse man.And after several months of reading the truth behind the media "truths" I spent several months in a rage that was nearly blinding. The source of course was the sense that so filthy a betrayal of the principals of public service and fair play displayed so unilaterally and banally by a party whom I never liked but was brought up to respect in my small town where the republican power elite were several houses, not several socio-economic classes away. This was also tied to a self-disgust that I could be played such a patsy for much of my adult life.

Thinking back on this now I'm sure you could easily work up an analogy to Kubler-Ross and the emotional stages involved in the acceptance of the death of a loved one. Lord knows I loved the ideals of my country before they were gone. Perhaps a smarter poster will list those stages and speak further on this. I remember only that anger was a middle stage on the path and not a final destination.

But part of my acceptance was to use just that rage to forge a steely determination to both know, and to disseminate the truth to my loved ones, who also sensed something wrong but could only stare blindly at "news" channels that worked constantly to obfuscate what they swore to expose.

So here we sit, both in grief for an America that either once was or merely pining for a cleverly told lie with which we fell in love.
I read, I speak, I advocate, and I vote. I accept the death of my past ideals and determine to speak with logic and clarity with all willing to listen or to discuss. I want freedom and I want fairness and I want accountability and I want the rule of law. I want peace and an end to hunger and poverty. I want equal access to education and to health care. This I will fight for until I die. This is my manifesto.

[Patchuli]

35. !!!

:applause:

[143tbone]

45. Very well said. Thanks. n/t

[agentS]

37. We all come to dislike them at some point.

It's rare for Republicans to give regular people some reason to like them.

But it doesn't look like you'll have to do much more than write e-mails. The GOP seems to be fracturing enough on its own.
Steele's election is ultimate evidence of that- many DU posters and bloggers have pointed out that the religious wing of the GOP (it's most hardcore base) got shafted at the party election. With Limpballs calling the shots de facto, the economy tanked, and memories of Iraq/Katrina/Bush still embedded in the minds of voters, esp YOUNG VOTERS, the GOP is likely to fracture or dissolve.

Since you have asked what you want to do, might I suggest you work to 'expediate' the downfall of the GOP. Never underestimate the power of a well-targeted well-written e-mail.

[readmoreoften]

38. Peace without justice is fascism.

We owe it to one another to reject the fascists and opportunists as harshly as possible, but always welcome them into the fold if they truly change. My bet is that we have more luck with fascists than opportunists.

[Hubert Flottz]

39. Whenever I'm feeling the rage choking me and I'm sad or blue

I go right here, for a little inspiration...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5Y1OuQIxo

[143tbone]

46. I go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ

[143tbone]

48. Actually this is a better place to go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEX037I5QY

[Hubert Flottz]

52. Sometimes I go here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrav_MSMjNs

Or here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdJvHE8qxA

Or if I'm really down...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEZrB_FDw4c

[ThomWV]

43. "if I put it into plain writing, might get me into trouble" If true the nation has failed already

What does it mean to have freedom of speech, the press, or anything else if plain writing will put a person in trouble?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

65. There's no free speech on a message board

There are things that cannot be posted here, there are sentiments that are not allowed to be expressed here.

Free speech is free, but only to a point.

[Life Long Dem]

47. We have a stimulus package. It's which one we are fighting over

The repubs want tax cuts to pay for bailing out home owners so they can continue work.

But this leaves out the person who foreclosed already. A jobless economy where 3 part time jobs don't cut the job you lost to pay for rent.

With 100,00 jobs a week lost, how long before this effects you?

[Downtown Hound]

50. You'll get used to it, the rage I mean

I've been feeling it for years. Exercise helps, and after all these years, I can say it's the one thing you can do that not only calm you down but is also good for your health. Drinking, overeating, hell, whatever else you can come up with, they all have a negative side. But I find there's no greater motivation to hit the gym and tear it up than listening to Republicans. Maybe they could be our new national get in shape plan?

[Arugula Latte]

51. I hate them, too. I used to be more tolerant, but after what they have done to our country,

I can't forgive them. I hate their greed, their ignorance, and their malice towards the environment, women, the poor, other countries, you name it.

[McCamy Taylor]

53. I hope that this is satire. Dems don't do hate speech. We despise the GOP, not the people.

[rateyes]

55. Sounds like you've awakened to the fact that motherfuckers

fuck their mothers, as another post here at DU pointed out.

The Republicans are being Republicans. No need to get mad. Just get even.

[libodem]

56. There, there

honey, it will be OK. I'll help you hate 'em.

[deaniac21]

67. The opposition party opposing, I'm SHOCKED!!!

[ProfessorGAC]

73. Well, This Is A Little Different, Isn't It?

These are people who, based upon a political POV that they themselves haven't been able to execute, are now insisting that things be done their way. Problem is, their way is what set all this up.

So, it's not just regular opposition, imo. It's pure partisanship with no basis in the best interest of the country.
GAC

[L. Coyote]

74. The Rs only have one card left in their hand now, distractring you/USA from change, and

And, they have only one good leader left, Rush Limbaugh, due to the "Darkness Principle."

The Darkness Principle, penned by the great political scholar Currant Lee A. Dissonant,
states that:

A.) in any aggregation of willfully blind people, there is
a natural tendency to select the most willfully blind as the leader,

B.) and, because the best way for the willfully blind to select leadership is hearing,
the result is always also the loudest blow-hard among the willfully blind,

C.) and, the aggravating volume of the resultant leadership leads to complete withering
of the political movement, just like trying to grow plants in total darkness.

:rofl: Currant Lee A. Dissonant is finally being hailed for keen intellect and futuristic vision. :rofl:

[marions ghost]

75. Anger, outrage

it's totally justified. Your eyes are open to it now.

Keep writing emails to representatives and media about the issues. Be civil but to the point. It really helps to get it out there....make anger work for you. It's the first step to taking back this country.

[L0oniX]

76. I love my "Republicans Suck" t-shirt. I hate them f*cking asscarrots.