It's getting to me. My heart really hurts today.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

Seeing those purple heart bandages made me think of my father who at 16 years old left his home and enlisted, fought in WWII and earned a Purple Heart during Pearl Harbor. I thought of the times I have visited his grave in the veteran's cemetary here in Riverside, California...I thought of ALL the headstones (my father's included) that say "Purple Heart" on just his row of grave sites at the cemetary.

If that weren't enough, the call on my own side to become this ugly to combat this ugliness makes my heart heavy. Must I become everything I despise about my enemy to combat my enemy?

If that weren't enough (and I am not out to debate the subject all over again) the many responses on the thread about the kid with allergies calling for him to be taken out of the school (even though I disagreed with the school's remedy) reminded me of a time when I was proud to be a Democrat, a time when all underdogs could count on us to come to their aid. Many responses on the thread stated we were on a slippery slope if we ban the freedom to eat avocados at school....I see the other slippery slope...if we start justiying excluding kids with allergies from the public school system...how many other justifications can we come up with for excluding people?

If that weren't enough, the president (and like it or not he IS the fucking president) went on the most hateful political radio show today to campaign.

My heart is heavy...with BILE....I think I need to go vomit now.

I miss my father but I am glad he is dead....the events of this year would have killed him anyway.

[SOteric]

1. Big-time

:hug: just for you.

[GOPisEvil]

2. I hate the lowest common denominator exercise politics has become.

It used to be about an exchange of ideas with at least a veneer of respect. That's all but gone now.

:hug::grouphug::pals:

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. me too Sweetie

me too

I try not to hate

Hate is distructive and clouds judgment

but it is hard--and getting harder

[GOPisEvil]

6. True...I really dislike that word and the ideas behind it.

There's far too much of it in the world today. Sigh...

[Guy Fawkes]

3. Hug time, I think...

:hug: :hug:

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. Amazing, the ignorance of the self-professed "patriotic" Right.

Anything for a cheap shot at their political foes. Bastards...

[Webster Green]

7. I wonder how low they can go.....

They are despicable....



Larger size for download:
http://www.votebushout.com/pdfs/bandaid.pdf

[fertilizeonarbusto]

8. Take consolation on two things.

The Purple Heart outrage will blow up in the Rethugs' faces. they just took off the mask and showed how truly mean they are.
* appearing on Lardbutt's show is a very good thing: he's wasting time preaching to the choir. Only his die-hard supporters take Rush seriously and they are voting for him already. I hope he keeps doing that. Funny, now he won't even talk to anyone but Bush-lovers ON THE RADIO, let alone live.
:hug: for you. I hope this cheered you up some.

[a_random_joel]

9. They are idiots. This will backfire on them, BIG TIME.

They don't even realize they are not defacing Kerry... they are defacing the Purple Heart itself. Of course, it's probably real easy to disregard the Purple Heart's merit and meaning when one has never been in a position to get one.

No one "wants" to earn a purple heart.

BTW, I didn't know you were in Riverside.

Fellow Inland Empire native here...

[chiburb]

10. I won't dare to compare us, but...

As I was walking back to my office I was thinking about posting a thread here, in the Lounge, about how depressing things are in GD:2004. Not just the Purple Hearts, but all the gloom about the campaign, polls, etc. I was reminded of the primaries, and how I felt "who needs the Republicans when we can just eat our own"?

I guess what I'm saying is don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Besides, you survived the CA recall and this too shall pass.

:pals:

[a_random_joel]

11. The irony is disgusting...

These are supposed to be the "patriots" who "support the troops."

Funny to hear those that say Kerry tarnished the Veteran's reputations.

And then turn around and tarnish Veteran's reputations.

[redqueen]

12. It helps to limit your exposure

Hope you're feeling better soon... you'll definitely be needing your energy for the GOTV effort.

:hug:

[GAspnes]

13. "Now I know I have a heart ... because it's breaking"

It's a sign you're still alive and are the person you want to be.

It worries me when my heart no longer aches for the poor, helpless and hopeless. Then I will have become one of them.

Your father would be proud of you.

[ellie]

14. My father left home at 16 too

to sail the world as a merchant marine, and later joined the Army to fight in Korea. He died in 1998 and I am glad he isn't here to see this. It would have killed him.

[Kierkegaard]

15. I think they got what they were after. A fight to the death

I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this because I'm unable to iterate the emotions I felt as a response to the despicable turpitude shown by these callous, ignorant subhumans posturing at the RNC last night. I don't have the words. Anger simply cannot adequately describe it.

I am the only male member of my family dating back to the Civil War that hasn't served. I have had numerous relatives in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Marines. Members of my family have served in the Civil war, WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and both Gulf wars. Even my wife is a navy vet who served in the gulf. Between them, they share a box full of purple hearts. Needless to say, I am envious, and very proud, of each and every one of them.

Because of that pride, I take the actions of those RNC delegates and spectators who were gleefully cheering on a heinous, insidious administration last night as a personal affront to my heritage and a dishonorable attack on every brother, father and son who fought and died for our freedoms. The very freedoms these venomous and spineless bastards take for granted. The very freedoms they are using to insult, demean and slander a man who dared rise to the occasion when his country needed him. How dare anyone attempt to demoralize a person who was willing to give up that most precious asset anyone can ever claim. Their lives. They must not be cognizant of the fact that many veterans were regularly thrown into a hail of enemy gunfire, they prayed in foxholes that a mortar round wouldn't find it's target, they slept with one eye open acutely aware they could be ambushed in their sleep. Death loomed, yet they fought. Some were drafted, others volunteered. They went because someone had to. They chose to sacrifice for me. For you. Even for those who would now criticize them.

Could these ingrates have the slightest inkling what it means to sacrifice so much? Could they be remotely aware how much it hurts to belittle and humiliate those who made such great personal sacrifices?
I think not.

Anyone who participated in the slander fest that was the RNC on Monday should be prevented from ever calling themselves an American. For shame!!!

[OldEurope]

16. From Europe:

I was born after the WWII, but I grew up in a mood of thankfullness: We were so gratefull, that persons like your father helped us to get rid of that terrible Nazi-shit. And never, never we´ll forget those cheerfull days. We liked your culture, your music, everything from America, and we still do. We all hope that you and all other thinking persons in the US are able to return to that: be the leading nation for freedom and democracy. And as I learn here from all DUers: I´m sure, you will overcome.

:toast: from Munich

[Misunderestimator]

17. I'm so sorry...

I wish I could take you away from all this... :loveya:

[johnnie]

18. I hope you get some relief from all of this

I understand what you are going through. It's probably best to take a few days off of the crap in the world and relax.
Ingesting too much information can be seriously damaging. I hear about how bad the world is these days and I disagree, but that's just me. I think we live in a wonderful world and there is a lot to be happy about. Of course there is a lot of shit, but that is nothing new. Taking a few days to do some light reading, crossword puzzles, paint, watch stupid sit-coms and other non-political activities might help to ease your heavy heart.
I wish you luck.

[Pithlet]

19. I know. I'm sorry.

I thought of my grandfather who received two purple hearts in the Korean war. The whole thing about those damn heart band aids disgusts me. I'm glad he isn't around to see how low things have become. I can't believe how low things have sunk, myself.

There are a lot of things that have been happening on DU lately that have been making me upset. But, it's the people like you that keep me coming back. :hug:

[BigMcLargehuge]

20. Don't let the assholes get to you NSMA

They aren't worth it.

[peacefreak]

21. I know what you mean, sweetie.

It is hard to live through these times. The way I can impact on a large scale is my vote. On a personal level all I can do is to try to treat the ones around me just a little kinder, with just a little more respect. Yes, even those people whose politics I detest. My guess sooner or later we will all wake up from this national nightmare & have to re-evaluate our behavior. I'd rather have a little to feel quilty about, than a whole pile. It's the hippie hangover, I guess... Remember this one?

If you hear this song I'm singing you will understand
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling little hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command
Come on, people now,
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together
Try and love one another right now . . .
(I'm sorry, I can be a little sappy sometimes)

[Skittles]

22. I WILL KICK THEIR ASSES TEENA

I know what you mean - I've got to get rid of this reoccurring notion I have that conservatives cannot stoop any lower; they ALWAYS manage to do it. I really never thought I'd see the day when COMBAT SERVICE WAS TRASHED BY CHICKENHAWKS.

[Chovexani]

23. Take care sweetie

I am with you. It has been a rough couple of weeks in general and on DU. Take a step back and breathe some, it will get better eventually.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. Audio anti-depressant

First of all...:hug::hug::hug:

Knowing how you love music, you might want to pick up a recording of Aaron Jay Kernis "Air for Violin and Orchestra". The only recording I know of is with Joshua Bell. The cd includes Kernis' "Lament and Prayer" performed by Pamela Frank and his "Double Concerto for Violin and Guitar" with Cho-liang Lin and Sharon Isbin.

They're all interesting pieces; but the Air is so simply profound.
I hope you listen to it, and find comfort there...

more :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[guitar man]

25. I hope it stays confined to the convention

My father earned two Purple Hearts in Korea, shrapnel wounds for both. If I see someone wearing one out in public here, I WILL make them take it off, period. If they don't remove it, I will!

[Bunny]

27. Please do, GTRMAN!

And don't be nice about it either.

Sorry, NSMA, it sucks to stoop to their level. Sometimes I despair of it myself. It seems to be the only way to get their attention, though. Taking the high road has gotten us exactly nowhere, and has led to the current state our nation is in. I keep hoping for the day when the country wakes up and sees this crowd for the lowlifes they are.

The turning point for the HUAC was when someone asked : At long last, sir, have you no shame? We need that moment to happen for us, too. It will come, I'm sure of it. People ARE basically decent, and like all tyrants, the crowd in power will eventually overplay their hand. It's a matter of time.

[Krasnaya Lastochka]

26. I feel same way a lot of the time...

when I think about just how badly this whole country is f***ed up. I get these really bad bouts of depression sometimes (but hey, I'm a russkie!), sometimes I can hardly even think straight. Let's just pray to whatever might be up there that Bush LOSES this election...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

28. Just checking in..I very much appreciate the responses and suggestions

I stayed off much of the day ....I'm still upset but I thank you all...I'll go walk the dog and get away from it...I do appreciate all my pals giving a shit and to OLD EUROPE...thanks....that was really great to read (even though my dad was in the Pacific)

[nini]

29. I feel the same way..

My dad would be heartbroken to see what has become of this country after the sacrifices of his generation and all those before and after.


We're dying a slow agonizing death here and no one seems to give a shit anymore