Sorry, but I'm sick of all the comfy back-slapping.

[JoeOtterbein]

We don't need inter-party props now.

We need help.

I know many feel kindly towards funny quips online.

BUT, even nicely timed tweets full of comical examples of political capers are nothing compared to the pain many of us feel NOW.

Entertainment is always preferable to truth.

Drop the feel-good fluffy stories.

PLEASE!

Now. Help US SURVIVE ASAP. Please!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[Irish_Dem]

1. Biden promises help is on the way and we need to hang in there, but it is very hard to do so.

For me, the fluffy stories give me a minute of escape.
But I know it is hard on you.

I cannot remember Americans facing so much pain in my lifetime.
2021 has to be better.

Sending you prayers and hope for the future.

[JoeOtterbein]

3. I'm ok. I'm worried about...

...US!

[Hortensis]

81. Take a lesson from the dreadful mistakes Venezuela's electorate made

and vote first to protect the blessings you inherited, and then to expand and advance them for ourselves and our children, and you'll be okay. Not all can become wiser, but every person who does makes us all safer.

“At the end of the day, there's now one pro-democracy political party in the United States of America and that's the Democratic Party. And I am a member of that party because of that. I'm a single issue voter. I believe in democracy." Steve Schmidt on why he is now a Democrat

[Irish_Dem]

88. Biden says he will build back better.

Glad you are OK, yes the US is a disaster on so many levels right now.

Biden says he will build back better, and he certainly has the opportunity to do that right now.
So maybe the US can be much better with him at the helm.
That is what I am envisioning.

[sheshe2]

2. I have no clue what you are taking about.

Care to explain?

"comfy back-slapping."

"inter-party props"

"funny quips online"

Late. Gotta go.

[JoeOtterbein]

4. It's hard to understand me...

...I know!

[sheshe2]

5. ??????????????

[JoeOtterbein]

7. Ok then. I'll just...

...say humans on the whole are difficult to understand.

Let me know if that helps or not.

[MrsCoffee]

8. Someone somewhere must have said something nice about Nancy and a bunch of people agreed.

[JoeOtterbein]

10. Or I may need, like many others....

...help!

[NurseJackie]

96. Haaaaa!

[BannonsLiver]

93. Indica: It's what's for dinner (and breakfast and lunch, too.)

I’m with you though. Bizarre. Incoherent.

[sheshe2]

99. ...

[Blue_true]

101. That was my feeling also. Seemed rather unfocused. I kept thinking

“what is the exact issue?”, even thought I know there are lots of problems facing us now.

[sheshe2]

103. Yes, all of us are facing problems right now.

Many economic issues, yet losing a 'touch', a hug from your family is one of the worst. It is right up there with starvation for different reasons. Stomach and heart are starved. Both can kill you. I give to food banks as much as I can, yet still can't touch my family.

[Blue_true]

105. Excellent points all. nt

[sheshe2]

110. Be well Blue_true.

Merry Christmas.

[Blue_true]

111. Merry Christmas to you Sheshe. And happy New Year.

Just with Trump being out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, 2021 is already better than 2020, even before it gets started.

[sheshe2]

112. You got that right.

He and the grifters will be gone!

[SlogginThroughIt]

6. Maybe you could be specific?

[JoeOtterbein]

9. If anyone can't hear me...

...why should I answer anyone?

[SlogginThroughIt]

12. ok whatever.

Enjoy your cryptic fun.

[JoeOtterbein]

16. Pain, and sorrow for others, is never....

...fun.

[Blue_true]

102. Well, we have all types of problems chewing on our asses right now.

It would help if you told us which ones top your list. Many Americans, including many here on DU can use stimulus money or UE money, is that what you are getting at?

[sheshe2]

11. Thanks

Thought it was just me.

[SlogginThroughIt]

13. I have no idea what they are talking about.

I might even agree if I knew what it was.

[Raine]

25. I have no idea either. 🤔 nt

[kcr]

90. Definitely not just you

[JoeOtterbein]

14. Hoping others will...

...understand.

[Journeyman]

15. 36 years ago, I was drunk on my ass Xmas Eve. Ruined the holiday for my daughter . . .

my wife, my parents, and my self. By the next holiday, I'd spent a week hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer caused by my drinking, my Mother had died, and I was still a drunk. Another ruined Xmas. But then, it was only another piled on to all the other disasters that comprised my life up to that moment. Hell, Ronald Reagan was president and would be for years yet to come.

The Christmas after that, I was sober. And I haven't had a drink since. And holidays with my family have special meaning for me now.

This year, my oldest brother died in June. He spent four weeks in a hospital unable to be seen by his children or anyone else in his family. He died alone. The middle brother somehow miraculously escaped death from Covid in April. He's in a longterm care facility and has suffered more medical setbacks in his life than any 10 other people I've ever read about. But he lived through Covid, despite dozens dying around him. Other friends haven't fared so well. A lot of needless death this year. And a lot of unbearable separation -- from my daughters, my friends, my granddaughters, who are 7 and 10 and growing up hidden from my eyes.

Now add on top of this all the nation's misery you and the rest of us share together. Gather your pain and clutch it tight. Then know that everyone of us has that same pain in equal measure, along with the pain and the burdens we carry alone.

If I choose to find humor in the day, if I choose to laugh, if I choose to find the kernels of joy amidst the chaff of despair, it is because my only alternative is to cry. And I've done that. And now I need to heal. As do you.

[JoeOtterbein]

17. Thank you.

[Journeyman]

19. 'Tis alright . . .

[herding cats]

22. Congratulations to you. ❤️

Have a truly beautiful Christmas again this year.

[secondwind]

35. Bravo to you!!!!

Some folks are wallowers and that is that.

[lillypaddle]

42. When words failed me

You came through. Perfect. Thanks.

[ms liberty]

79. That was exactly the right thing to say.

Some on DU could take a lesson from you here. But they won't.

[MustLoveBeagles]

98. Congratulations on your continued sobriety

I'm very sorry about the personal losses you've suffered. May this coming year be better.

[Squinch]

18. Wut?

[sheshe2]

20. ...

ummm......

[betsuni]

23. Errr....

[herding cats]

21. This is a message board, nothing more or less.

Hide the threads that are too happy, or hopeful for you, and move on.

Just to be clear. The rest of us are far too aware of the shit show we're all living. We're also doing a bit of self care trying to focus, when at all possible, on a few things which give us a bit of hope. 2020 is not all just doomscrolling. If it is, you're destroying yourself a bit everyday.

This has been a hellacious year for many of us. Please, excuse us for trying to eek a modicum of life out of all the loss and death which is plaguing us all.

Peace to you, and peace to the rest of us here as well.

[brer cat]

29. ...

I hope you and your family find some joy and peace during the holidays.

[herding cats]

31. Thank you, you kind soul. ❤️

Last edited Thu Dec 24, 2020, 03:31 AM - Edit history (1)

We're working on it, and plan to enjoy being together.

I deeply appreciate you and your kindness at our lowest point this year. You were a balm on our damaged hearts.

[secondwind]

36. Thank you, herding cats.

[herding cats]

40. We, as a community and as individuals should care about each other.

Never let anyone make you feel guilty for taking care of you. That's my message here.

It's been a horrific year for many of us. Never feel bad about finding a tiny glimpse of happiness here or there in all this darkness. Embrace joy where you find it, and have no guilt for your moment. It's ok to not feel bad for a bit. Truly, it is.

Love to you.

[sheshe2]

97. +1

No one person here is exempt from grief. Not one of us, though some have suffered more than others.

We will get through this together because we are so much stronger that way. It won't be easy, yet can do this.

Peace to you and yours, herding cats.

[Cha]

106. Mahalo for speaking out so Eloquently,

Cat.

I know some of the hellaciousness you and your family have been through this year and how strong you all have been in dealing with it.

And, you know some of the unbearable sadness I and others have had to go through this year.. But we Persevere. We're not going to wallow in it and try to deprive other people, either, of looking for Light & Sunshine.

[Chakaconcarne]

24. maybe it's me, but I have no idea what OP is talking about.....

[Raine]

26. Very few do 😖

I know I don't.

[herding cats]

27. I thought they were upset we were trying to find some happiness in these tough times?

That's what it reads like. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[betsuni]

28. No comfy back-slapping, props, quips, capers, or fluffiness allowed.

That's what I got out of it.

[brer cat]

30. Think we can still share a "hi"?

[betsuni]

33. NO! It is not allowed!

Democrats didn't stop all the bad things!

[shrike3]

94. It's not you. n/t

[Indykatie]

32. I Suggest You Stop Telling Others What Are Acceptable Stories

You don't like funny or fluffy stories? Fine, then don't open those posts.

[cwydro]

34. No idea what you're on about.

I see I’m not alone in that.

[betsuni]

38. You're calling us "idjts"?

[AmyStrange]

39. IDJTS: Incredibly DULL Jesters

-

See, you proved it.
=============

[betsuni]

41. ...

[AmyStrange]

43. Thank you

-

for the confirmation.
=======

[betsuni]

44. ...

This is Democratic Underground, a site for Democrats.

[AmyStrange]

47. Even more proof

-

Stop it. You're making this too easy... heh heh heh.
===========

[betsuni]

50. ...

[AmyStrange]

53. That's better

-

thank you.
=====

[betsuni]

56. ...

[AmyStrange]

57. That's exactly the way I feel

-

Thank you
==========

[betsuni]

61. About what?

[AmyStrange]

63. Woke up a couple hours ago with a headache...

-

and your pictures are EXACTLY how I feel.

It sucks, but how's your day going?

Hopefully, better than mine.
===========

[betsuni]

64. It's strange.

[AmyStrange]

65. It is strange, but at least that means I'm still alive.

[betsuni]

69. Does it?

[AmyStrange]

70. It does, unless I'm imagining your replies.

-

Have you ever seen the movie, the Thirteenth Floor?
===========

[betsuni]

78. You are imaging my replies. I don't exist.

[AmyStrange]

80. That's what the Thirteenth Floor is ALL about!

-

Good movie. I'm sure you'd like it... or maybe not.
============

[JanMichael]

114. What kind of fucking response is that? It does not surprise but whew.

What have we come to?

[mtnsnake]

82. +10,000

[Cha]

100. Insulting people doesn't get

anybody anywhere.

[herding cats]

45. Did you just call me an idjt?

I admit I didn't realize the (foolish) subtext behind the post at first, but on its face it was somewhat heartless to all of us who have lost so much and so many this year and are looking to self care.

[AmyStrange]

46. IDJTS: Incredibly DULL Jesters

-

So?

You know compassion works both ways right.

Joe deserves some too.
==============

[herding cats]

48. Ok.

I purchased your last book. We shall see how dull my review is after I read it.

Fair enough?

[AmyStrange]

49. Be honest...

-

that's all I ask.

Vindictiveness doesn't seem like your cup of tea or is it?
===========

[herding cats]

51. You don't know me.

Don't broad-brush people, it's unbecoming. It's not the first book of yours I've purchased. I've just not reviewed them beyond stars before.

[AmyStrange]

52. You don't know me either, but...

-

a lot of folks here have broad-brushed Joe.

He's in pain and all they can do is mock him?

They should be ashamed of themselves.
============

[herding cats]

54. I'm not stupid.

A lot of us are in pain. We've lost so much.

Did you lose anyone this year? Have you suffered massive loss? I have. Don't play me, I'm the wrong person to go up against.

These games are droll. This would bore me if it didn't anger me due to the erroneous premise of the initial argument.

[AmyStrange]

55. I don't like his opinion either, but I chose to be the better person and explain why, and...

-

I never said you were stupid.

People have different ways of dealing with pain.

How is mocking someone helping them?

In my opinion, it just makes the mockers look heartless and mean, like me with my Idjt comment.

You didn't like it, did you?
==============

[herding cats]

58. You need to back up. Who did I mock?

No one. Ever. That was you. I'm never petty, nor rude. I'm kindness, love and caring in this thread. Take a moment and actually read it.

Something is definitely off here, and in this instance it's not me, for a change.

Some self reflection might be in order?

[AmyStrange]

60. Never said YOU did the mocking?

-

You're the one that said I called you an idjt.

Maybe you should reread my post ALL the way through again.

Might help, and thank you for buying my book.

I'll be happy to give you your money back if you don't like it, but first you've got to send it back to me.
==========

[herding cats]

59. Are you even following who you're replying to?

I'm just curious. It kind of seems like you don't know.

[AmyStrange]

62. Yup, herding cats. That's you, right?

-

JoeOtterbein is the OP poster.

Why?
==============

[herding cats]

66. None of your conversations follow me.

You're angry and lashing out. I'm not. You're calling people names. I'm not.

You can understand my obvious confusion here.

Relax. I'm not your enemy, ok? You devolved to calling names, not me. I detest such childish methods. I admit that's a thing for me.

Before this exchange I had respect for you, but damn. Now? I'll work on that. I'm adaptable.

You know language, use it. Don't devolve into petty (low ass rent) name calling. None of us needed the definition, ok? It was a toddler level word. Be a better person. If you can't use MUCH better words.

I'm done trying to mom here since you may well not be young enough to be my kid. Night.

[AmyStrange]

67. Nope. You're wrong, but...

-

thank you for proving it.
============

[herding cats]

68. You actually thought this was a good reply?

Really? Use your words!

[AmyStrange]

72. Yup, I do

[herding cats]

74. M'Kay.

You do you.

[AmyStrange]

76. I do me very well...

-
It's the ONLY thing that I'm really, really good at.

How 'bout you? What are you really good at?
=========

[Cha]

108. Well, it wasn't.

[herding cats]

71. Literally, this is copy/paste of many, many of your previous replies.

Pretty dull for someone who bills themself as an author.

Dull, repetitive, non-imaginative. The writing was baseline at best. They relied too heavily on rote phrases.

You know, that style.

[AmyStrange]

73. What can I say, I can be an idjt too...

[herding cats]

75. I never said that

But I did notice the irony.

Peace to you and yours.

[AmyStrange]

77. Never said you did, but...

-

Happy Holiday to you and yours also.
============

[mtnsnake]

83. Amen to that. nt

[MrsCoffee]

86. HERP DERP.

[Cha]

107. A Lot of People are "in Pain" but we

don't tell others how to post on a Discussion Board.

herding cats posted a compassionate eloquent reply to the OP.. There is NO reason at Ever to Insult her... Bottom LINE.

[NurseJackie]

84. Dave? Dave's not here, man!

[jcgoldie]

109. What is your name?

10 seconds, Bob.

[NurseJackie]

124. Ha! It's an easy question!

[AmericanCanuck]

85. Too late

I just came back from a session of comfy back-slapping ... and it felt good.

Stop being sick -- Biden-Harris will be running the show soon and we have a great chance of controlling the senate.

[MineralMan]

89. How can we help if we don't know what the issue is?

I'm sure you're referring to something, but it is impossible to guess what it might be.

We're all sick of something these days, it seems. Sometimes, we laugh instead of crying. It can help.

But, please tell us what's bothering you in less cryptic terms. Maybe we can help.

[JoeOtterbein]

91. Thanks.

Just needed to rant.

[MineralMan]

92. Open-ended rants without a specific target are problematic.

You appear to be crying out about something, but nobody seems able to figure out what that something might be.

We're all upset about many things, from politics to a pandemic that is running wild. We're dealing with those things as we can, individually and as a group. Sometimes a little distraction helps ease the pain, as does humor in many cases. That doesn't mean that we're not still hurting about the bad stuff.

However, if you just post a rant that has no target that can be identified, it's impossible to respond in any real way. I suppose some post by someone here on DU bothered you for some reason. Maybe it was made by someone who disagrees with you in some way, and you got angry at that post. I don't know.

I rarely agree with your posts, really. That does not mean, however, that I do not want many of the same things you do. It just means that I disagree with your approach to achieving those goals. In this case, however, I have no idea what has set you off into a rant. Normally, I'd just shrug and go read another post, but I decided to see if I could ask you to be more specific about what is upsetting you. Apparently you aren't interested in specificity, so I guess I'll revert to my shrug and shifting my attention.

[cwydro]

95. ...

Best response in this thread.

[JoeOtterbein]

123. To be honest, I may have agreed with your posts often. I never have ever worried about whether...

...anyone agrees with mine. That's just me. But please note, my top OP never mentions "me". Only "we".

Hope that helps you to understand me! Thanks for helping me explain.

Regardless of anything, YOU have fun!

[Blue_true]

104. Come on MineralMan, we don't have any problems right now.

Maybe the gent found one that we are missing.


If so, sure would be nice to know WHICH one.

[mtnsnake]

113. Hey Joe. Keep 'em coming. A single post of yours often generates more interest

and excitement than the threads of 10 people combined including yours truly, so don't let all the "constructive" criticism and armchair psychiatric analyses discourage you at all. I can just about guarantee you that there are far more people out there than not who are lurking the forum and who very much look forward to hearing what you have to offer. Don't forget. It's a lot easier to criticize a courageous post like yours, but not everyone has it in them to start a courageous thread themselves, let alone starting a thread of any kind. Happy Holidays, man!

[JoeOtterbein]

115. Thanks!

It does seem like that when I post, they will come!

You have fun too. Despite all the pain and horror of everyday life. I try my best to have a bit of fun despite it all. It never matters what day it is, I still try to have fun. Of course it bugs my wife, my dog, my cats and even the ferrets sometimes. But most of the time they just ignore me!

[moonscape]

117. Admitting this post baffles!

Your OP seemed to want others not to make posts that are cutting through the pain and tedium with a bit of light and fun, but you're saying here this is exactly what you try to do.

Confused, but okay

[JoeOtterbein]

119. Sorry, but I did think that discussion here on DU should be a little more...

...serious than me doing a little too much ferret war dancing with Bat Boy and Polar Bear.

But ok here too. Take care!

[mtnsnake]

122. You're very welcome

Take care.

[MustLoveBeagles]

116. I get what your saying, I think

People posting the feel good stories haven't forgotten all the bad that's going on. Most of us just need breaks from the bad news to recharge and keep ourselves going. If you don't want to see those that's fine. Just skip them.

Happy Holidays Joe. I hope you can find some peace.

[JoeOtterbein]

118. Thanks.

I just feel that thought discussion demands that we remember the pain and horror of life for many, if not most, humans on a daily basis.

I skip the nonsense most of the time, but I tend to boil over when so many are fine to ignore the obvious truth that human life on the whole is suffering while most Americans are celebrating.

Just one example that has been making me cry out in anger lately: on any given day, about 30,000 humans will die from hunger. Even on xmas eve.

(tears)

[MustLoveBeagles]

120. It makes me sad too

I've been battling depression lately over some personal issues and the state of the country. Some of the escapist stories are helping me get through it even though I don't forget the bad stuff. We all cope in different ways. Take care of yourself Joe and hug your fur babies.

[JoeOtterbein]

121. Thanks again! I will give the little ones a hug...

...if they they let me catch them!