Comments on: Liberals Should Not Be Dissin’ Hope: Ugly Moments From the Campaign Trail

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:55:38 +0000

PB, I apologise. It is your blog. I enjoy reading it even, especially, when I disagree with you. I appreciate the work it involves for you. You are smarter than I, and more articulate. My words and phrasing may be clumsy, but I am trying very hard to discuss issues in a heartfelt, respectful, and truthful way. I appreciated both KJR’s and Ann’s comments for that reason–I’m about to reread them now.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:12:52 +0000

It’s not about optimism, of course — it’s about realism. “Hill” (what bulls**t condescension) [Oh, get over it, Ann. We have a democracy here, not a monarchy. Nicknames are in common usage everywhere. Fer Christ’s sake, her own husband calls her “Hill.” - PB] was studying political reality when Obama was in diapers, and actually involved in the system up close and personal when he was still using Clearasil. Whose skills and experience will win my vote? I know who is the best candidate, and I know who has the best rhetoric. In November, I’ll support whomever wins the nomination, because the alternative is unthinkable. The US is in the ditch, and once again (as in 1990) needs a Democrat to pull it out.

By: KJR

KJR — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:47:01 +0000

I have to say, Hillary’s behavior makes me feel sorry for her, not angry. She seems to be cracking up under the pressure — becoming shrill and unpleasant and looking desparate. It makes me cringe as a woman because I have been in that place, and, occasionally, been that graceless, and it is so embarrassing. I feel fortunate that there are no videos of me in that state, but I feel sad that the first female candidate with a real shot at the presidency is making herself ridiculous. Even though I never supported her candidacy — she is too conservative — whenever she is publically humiliated, even when it is self-inflicted, I feel a certain identity with that pain. She is my age and has gone through the changing, ambiguous, roles of women, which makes it harder, I think, for women of our generation not to be, and look like we are, all over the map. [That’s a very cool analysis, I think — compassionate without being enabling or excusing, as so many other feminists seem hell bent on doing. Thanks for this perspective. - PB]

I think one of the amazing things about Barak Obama, and a key reason I support him, is that he has put together a more stable identity from an even more challenging array of choices and experiences — white mom and grandparents, Indonesian stepfather and early upbringing, Hawaian childhood, being black in a multi-cultural setting, working on the Southside of Chicago, finding his African father and relations, and being the third black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Of course I admire and support his opposition to the war and his willingness to start with diplomacy and many of his other stands, but I think recent history has shown me that an integrated persona and the ability to avoid having one’s judgement clouded by momentary pressures is more important in a leader than being right on every issue. I do like that he is an inspirational speaker — not so much for me but for the country. I hope that those supporting him won’t abandon the work after election day.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:24:29 +0000

Don’t mean to be a pest, but just carefully reread your post and all comments, and there’s a lot of vitriol here. I just don’t think Senator Clinton was sneering at hope and optimism. I think she was expressing the skepticism I feel when Senator Obama goes on and on, but doesn’t really say anything. The problem with this vagueness is that it means whatever you want it to. I keep listening to him and hoping for some hard reality, or to get some idea of what he really believes. None of his supporters really seem to know either. Honestly, this frightens me. Well I’ll leave it at that. PeaceBang, I’ll pray for you to receive the gift of tolerance and you pray for me to receive it. That way, both our prayers will be sincere, and maybe God won’t clunk our heads together for being smart-alecks! [I’ll also pray for you to get a better sense of blog etiquette, Lynn, and how you speak to someone whose salon you’ve voluntarily stepped into as a newcomer. - PB]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:27:20 +0000

Just asking, not telling, PB. Also asking you to try to look at this from some else’s viewpoint, not to agree with me. After writing, wanted to clarify that this was the intolerance that I perceived in your post, so glad you responded. As liberals, it’s often difficult for us to realize that we are showing what we accuse others of. And having been a self-righteous liberal myself for an awful long time (TRYING to be more open-minded - comes with experience!), I think I can recognize this mindset. Perhaps, you could take what Senator Obama seems to be saying to heart, and not go throwing the “r—” word around. I think he’s referred to it as nonsense. Senator Clinton just expressed what many of us feel. [If you feel that optimism and hope are to be mocked, then by all means just say that. If you think that HRC is “just expressing what others feel,” then by all means say that. If you don’t see her actions as potentially racist or extremely ugly and anti-liberal at heart, then just say it. The point of a blog, btw, is precisely to speak from one’s own viewpoint, not someone else’s. My readers come here to hear PeaceBang’s viewpoint. I have mine. I don’t try to have mine and yours. - PB]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:33:16 +0000

Please do not imply Senator Clinton is racist (even unconscious). It just exacerbates the problem and shows your intolerance. What she said perfectly sums up my extreme feelings of uneasiness about Senator Obama. If he is the nominee, this lifelong Democrat, whose first vote at 18 was for McGovern, will have to seriously consider voting for McCain. And that makes me really uneasy. [Please do not tell me what to think or what to write, Lynn. We believe in free thought around here, and free expression. Vote as you like, and stop projecting your own intolerance onto others. - PB]

By: D.

D. — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:48:09 +0000

I totally agree with you about Hillary’s contempt for optimism. It’s appalling. [Thanks for getting that this was my major point, D. - PB] How strange is it for a candidate to act this way? It’s bizarre. It’s like she’s telling people, “Vote for me because I’m here to tell you that it’s stupid to have hope, and stupid to become inspired to take part in working together to make this country better. Insignificant little people like you citizens shouldn’t mess with such preposterous aspirations.”

I fervently hope that after Tuesday, the Clintons will be finally and truly in our rear-view mirror.

By: Rosemary Bray McNatt

Rosemary Bray McNatt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:09:54 +0000

Tell it, girl! I made a similar comment last night on my blog (http://revrose.com). I’m completely done with HRC. Good to read you!

By: Will

Will — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:37:02 +0000

My wife found herself humming the song “My Own Worst Enemy” while she was putting herself through an especially difficult semester at a graduate program she didn’t like, while commuting 45 minutes each way and working 30 hours a week. I wonder If Hill will do the same.

And as much as I’d be glad to help you tie up Ralphie, I think the best response is to deal with “Mr. I need attention” is to ignore him. Ralph who?

By: Comrade Kevin

Comrade Kevin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:12:26 +0000

I like how Obama dealt with the moment when they played that clip at the debate last night. He laughed it off and said that it was indicative of a sense of humor he never knew Clinton had before.

This effectively neutralized the situation and made her respond with about five seconds of shame on her face when it came time for her response.

And yes, I had the same response you did when I first saw it. It made me utterly loathe Hillary Clinton, a loathing I had never felt before. As a matter of fact, I was angry for about five hours straight.

And Ralph, Ralph, Ralph. As the youtube says, her are your laurels. Rest on them, and take a g-d nap.