General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFriends and Enemies
Yesterday, I read a wonderful OP by one of my long-time DU friends, regarding the issue of the racist fraternity business. One persons responses appeared to be attempts to distract from the issue the OP focused on. My friend did an amazing job of keeping the focus where it was intended to be.
I recommended the OP, and noted my admiration for my friends perfect responses. My buddy responded by saying thanks, and that a number of old friends now reject her/him (I know the correct one there, but thats not important) because s/he supports Hillary Clinton. Its funny how something a person says on the internet can take up space in your mind for a couple of days.
In my opinion, Ted Kennedy was one of the greatest US Senators in our nations history. But I didnt think he would be a great President. Obviously, I would have voted for him over Reagan or Bush the Elder. Still, Im glad he remained in the Senate.
I tend to have a similar opinion of Hillary Clinton. If she had remained a Senator from NYS, I would have supported her -- as I did -- for as long as she wanted that position. That she became President Obamas Secretary of State was, however, a good thing; it was necessary after the bitterness of the 2008 democratic primary. It wasnt limited to tension between Clinton and Obama: there were hostilities between the two campaigns, and between people at the grass roots level -- including here at DU.
A prime example of that hostility can be found in various books detailing the primary campaign, when Bill Clinton attempted to gain Ted Kennedys endorsement for his wife. The working relationship between two democratic giants was fractured. Despite Bill Clintons beliefs, as we saw, America was willing and ready to elect Senator Obama to the presidency.
On the internet site Face Book, Ive read some paranoid rantings that President Obama is sure to suspend the Constitution, cancel future elections, and declare himself dictator. Barring this rather remote possibility, I expect that Hillary Clinton will enter the primaries for the 2016 election. If so, there is a good chance that shell win.
One of the people that Im friends with on FB is a young lady who my youngest daughter met last year, at a state-wide high school leadership conference. This young lady is an outstanding example of her generations feminist movement. Its people like her that assure me that our country has the ability to provide real leadership now and in the future. At least four times a week, I read updates on various conferences she attends, links to outstanding articles she identifies as important, and other information from her.
In recent days, for example, she has been in the audience that heard Ms. Clinton speak. She expressed some very insightful opinions on the e-mail issue, and the republican agenda. It makes no difference to me if I agree or disagree with each and every opinion that she expresses -- I am encouraged by the way that she provides a solid foundation for those opinions.
We arent in a country where a black person cannot be elected president. Yet, there are still those who despise President Obama because he is black. We arent in a country where a woman cannot be elected president. Yet, there are surely those who are opposed to Hillary Clinton, because she is female. Racism and sexism are diseases that remain entrenched in a portion of our society. By no coincidence, both seem to be republican party values. But as we see with the fraternity issue, the greater society is rejecting such hatred.
I think that the biggest differences found here on DU are rooted in whether people think that our society is capable of achieving social justice by having a democratic majority in Washington fine tune the political machine, or if they believe that social justice requires major structural change. That includes the differences of opinion regarding if meaningful change has the best chances of taking place gradually, or if meaningful change can happen more rapidly.
Not everyone is going to think the same, of course. Nor is everyone on DU going to be friends. But it is a shame if friendships crumble, simply because of differences of opinion.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)H2O Man
(73,537 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)their own.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I remember back when I had a TV; Timothy Russert's non stop coverage of the "Clinton Scandal". Nevermind the fact that there was NO scandal. I wanted to throw both shoes at Russert. I still cannot stand that asshole and his masterful performance of character assassination on the Clinton's will forever keep me hating on the man.
Clinton's cock, Clinton's cock, Clinton's cock
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)And there is the blood-sport politics that is prevalent in the media and between parties. It allows for bigotry and prejudice to be driving forces.
Some of us may have never played that way, but, imo, most of the establishment is based on those two styles of political actions.
Kids these days don't cotton to such crude mentalities and thus they remove themselves from being involved.
"Party? Where's the Party? This is more like gang related activity you guys have going on."
Even on DU gangster type politics are regaled. Democracy is relegated to a 3rd position behind the two. It makes DU suck.