Dear Michael Moore, Forgive me, but I *AM* Spock (or a negative lib)

[Bucky]

Michael Moore is pissed at both you and me. In his September 20th email, he's all like:

Enough of the handwringing! Enough of the doomsaying! Do I have to come there and personally calm you down? Stop with all the defeatism, OK? Bush IS a goner -- IF we all just quit our whining and bellyaching and stop shaking like a bunch of nervous ninnies. Geez, this is embarrassing! The Republicans are laughing at us.

Excuse me for being negative, Mike. But to quote Mr Spock, "Please understand; it's what I am."

I'm a critical person--critical of others and self-critical; critical of ideas and critical of enthusiasm and critical of defeatism and critical of information that comes to me from any source. If the president tells me the mission is accomplished, I doubt it. But if the internet tells me the Bush family is a bunch of closet nazis, I doubt that too.

Because I'm critical, I think I can see thru a bit more bullshit than the average bear. I don't like being this way, but I don't mind being this way either. It's not a choice. If we're behind in the polls, I'm gonna pay attention to that fact and I'm gonna think out loud about what I can do to change it. You can't change problems if you don't look at their causes. Duh. The absesne of that particular trait among some of my fellow unelected Americans is why about 1042 other Americans aren't alive any more (not to mention fifteen to twenty thousand Iraqis).

Is Kerry doing better now that the Bush bounce is finally dwindling? Yeppers, and I'm damn glad to see that drop off. But I'm still critical of what my side is doing. Democracy only functions if we have a healthy level of doubt in all that our country is, does, and says. I think that quality makes me a better Democrat. But more importantly, I think it makes me a better democrat. But even if it doesn't help, I can't change the fact that I'm critical. It's what I am.

[noahmijo]

1. are you actually doing anything to help besides sitting around and

being critical?

[Bucky]

2. Great question! Yes, I've given money and I'm involved in GOTV

Also I'm a teacher and I've registered 18 students to vote (including one who'll probably vote for the president :( ).

I'm also gonna help knock on doors for Richard Morrison, who's running against Tom DeLay. We may not defeat him, but we sure as hell can tie Bug Boy down to his home turf for the election.

[noahmijo]

3. Good then you've earned your right to bitch

I just can't stand people who whine but do nothing. You're not in that category.

Though try to feel more optimistic, here in Pima County which is going to win it for Arizona we are registering students by the dozens everyday who understand what's at stake if Bush wins again. Micheal Moore is actually going to visit the campus on Oct 11. and hopefully rile things up. The Young Republicans have a protest planned already ;)

[indie_voter]

4. I agree, I am the same way BUT

I think there is a difference between critical thinking and handwringing.

The campaign was concerned enough about the polls to make some changes, these changes are taking us in a positive direction.

I like that Kerry is getting in front of the camera and addressing the lies this admin would like to spoon feed us. I like his forceful, quick responses.

None of us can change the past, however we can move forward and try to change the direction of this country.

Kerry didn't do much in August, part of this was due to financial concerns (as I understand it?) part due to mismanagement (not realizing that the national media would treat the swiftboat idiocy differently than local MA media)

The dems did a miserable job getting face time during the rethug convention.

However, this is the past. As we see, Kerry's camp has learned and made adjustments which are working.

We all have to ask ourselves and others how we can improve, however there is a constructive way and a demoralizing way.

I believe this is what Moore and others are referring to.

We should always question, but not count out our candidate in the process. It is a fine line, one which I some times cross, I admit.