the fact is that we are so early in the process of transformation. It took the republicans/right wing 40 years to get to where they are now.
It has taken us 3 or 4 to get to where we are now.
The frustration is more of the sense of urgency on so many issues. Sometimes I try to think of how many "major issues" are being overblown by us, and then I think that there aren't too many.
So it is a catch 22 - we have to do something drastic quickly but we have to do something slowly and methodically to really make a change/difference....
Posted by clammyc at December 12, 2007 02:04 PMnice post Turkana. I sort of see the situation as...Bush/GOP is runaway train careening down the track...We've only managed to jump onto the train, we haven't gotten close to being able to put the brakes on. Even if we succeed in applying the brakes, it will be a long time before the train grinds to a halt. All we can do is hope it stops in time. The question is- did we wait too long to jump?
Posted by T2 at December 12, 2007 02:52 PMCrashing the gates implies getting inside, after having been shut out. It does not imply being in control. It does not imply getting our way. It means we're in the game, but it doesn't mean the game is won.
Well done, Turk! Thank you for (so early in your TLC stewardship) speaking so clearly about this subject so constantly on my mind.
I really was starting to wonder what difference 2006 had made. I really was starting to wonder if the Y2K Naderites had been right.
But, yes, the answer is staring us dead in the face. Many (most?) of the current Beltway Democrats will need to be replaced or re-educated, as will most of the current pro-Beltway Media.
Fortunately, TLC, Digby, Somerby, and a host of others are warming up in the wings....
Again, thanks for the reminder that this is going to be a long, hard slog.
Posted by bartcopfan at December 12, 2007 04:02 PMT2: If you open the anglecock on the last car, it will put the entire train including the engines into emergency stop and come to a screeching halt alot sooner than you think. "Cute" kids have done it to me.
I'd settle for throwing a stop strip in front of the White House dirty laundry truck.
Posted by TIKI AL at December 12, 2007 04:03 PMA very timely essay, Turkana.
Let me add that if anyone thinks that 2006 hasn't made a difference, just think for a second about Waxamn's investigations, the raise in the minimum wage and the fact that dispite our disappointments, good bill are passing forcing the veto of popular ltems like S-chip. Any of the Democrats running would make a better president than any of the Republicans. Next year we can take the veto away from them and secure that only sane persons get appointed to the Supreme Court over the next four years.
We still have a lot of work to do both individually and collectively. Stay active.
I'm fundamentally unconvinced that we've really made much difference.
Posted by andgarden at December 12, 2007 05:12 PM"The invite list included a lot of people from both political parties, a lot of wealthy lobbyists, a lot of wealthy media hacks, and the usual macabre cadre of demi-celebs, pseudo-intellectuals, and sycophants."
Ok, you have described the Democrats and the Leftists. You stipulated both political parties, where is your description of the Republicans?
"They are expected to recite poetry, express passions that the majority can only appreciate vicariously, and otherwise comport themselves appropriately by not overindulging at the bar or excessively perorating."
Nice. Would you provide paradox with some writing samples and, perhaps, a tutorial or two. Very nice.
"We were 'the people,' existing only in the abstract; less sophisticated, less polished, a bit clumsy and ragged, we were outside, just beyond the glimmering bedizened garden."
No, you are the NUT-roots: to be used by Democrats for political gain and then discarded like yesterday's fish-wrap. (As an example, remember Cindy Sheehan....oh, wait, she was one lauded on these pages...never mind.)
"That's why they are inside, and we are not."
See above.
"...somehow we got inside. The music didn't screech to a stop, and conversations weren't broken in mid-sentence, but some began to notice there were people mingling who didn't look like they belonged."
As I have posted before: the beginning of the end for the Democratic party. (Possibly the end will herald a new Democratic party....one that can return to its roots JFK / Truman....and you folks can go off and join the Communist / Socialist party: you will remain marginalized, but at least you will find some friends.)
"They would throw us out, if they could, but they know they can't."
Remember the Sister Soljah moment. It will be done.
"...and have a rough, roguish charm."
No. The Democrats use you and Conservatives point to you as a demonstration of the failure of public education.
"They ridicule, deride, and distort what we say and do."
See above.
"when writing about her, he didn't take her very seriously."
He / She / It, the genderless Digby is not to be taken seriously. He / She / It , the genderless Digby, is like most Leftists in the blogosphere: at best a flash in the pan without the resultant shot leaving the barrel, but more accurately characterized as wearing a tinfoil hat while braying at the moon in the chorus of self-important Leftist bloggers.
"... the Democratic presidential candidates had appeared at a bloggers' convention named after Markos..."
And provided so much material to work with in the coming general election: remember the public reaction to the John Edward's campaign when Amanda Marcott was hired as his blogger. (How long was it before the Edward's campaign gave her the boot?)
"Previously, people like us could be ignored."
And now you will be used and then the subject of Democatic party disdain (see above, re. Sister Soulja).
"They don't know what to do with us, but they do know that they can't ignore us."
See above.
"We haven't won..."
And you never will.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
See above.
"We will have to be more determined, more intrepid, more intractable."
Like a five year-old in the back seat screaming "Are we there yet....Are we there yet..."
"It is the power of our ideas."
Well, please come up with some that have not been proven failures.
"...if we remain smart..."
To remain smart, you have to first be smart.
"We must be ready for what lies ahead."
Disappointment?
But really, Turkana, a very well written post. Easy to read. Cogent. Not quite Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt (as portrayed by Kenneth Branagh) but a good rant. Bravo!!!
Posted by Bagley at December 12, 2007 05:31 PMbagley- you do realize that no one's going to read your entire post, right?
Posted by Turkana at December 12, 2007 05:35 PM"bagley- you do realize that no one's going to read your entire post, right?"
I never assume that a Leftist can, if fact, read.
:-)
Posted by Bagley at December 12, 2007 05:58 PMKA BOOM Game Over. Please try again !!
Posted by jj at December 12, 2007 06:24 PMThen why on earth post your crap? It makes you look like you have a fetish for public masturbation.
Posted by idiosynchronic at December 12, 2007 06:45 PM"Then why on earth post your crap? It makes you look like you have a fetish for public masturbation."
Because hope springs enternal.
Witness: you!
Regards,
Bagley
P.S. Weak, idiosynchronic. Very weak.
Posted by Bagley at December 12, 2007 06:50 PMDamn bagless, you trying to repudiate Turkana's post is proof that you are somewhere between the ridicule and fight you stage.
Thanks, that leaves us to winning the election next year.
Posted by Seven of Six at December 12, 2007 08:55 PMGreat Post.
For those Buffy fans, there is a relevant line:
Anya: I was being patient, but it took too long.
Posted by marc sobel at December 12, 2007 09:19 PMand right on cue, jj shadows baggy. jj, why not get an opinion of you own.
Posted by Judith at December 12, 2007 10:03 PMyeah Tiki....you can also blow up the track in front of the train. I saw that in a cowboy movie.
Posted by T2 at December 13, 2007 06:20 AM