Mary,
Happy birding!
I was out of town for a few days and just returned last night and have a bunch of things to catch up on - in addition to meeting some friends and family over the next coupla days.
Posted by eriposte at December 30, 2005 11:54 PMSpending it with family in Denver after coming in for a wedding.
Mary, had no idea you were in/near Portland. Feel free to stop by our Tuesday night Pints group at the Lucky Lab.
Posted by Simp at December 31, 2005 12:11 AMThanks, Simp. Mostly, these days I'm in the Bay Area except when I can get up to Portland. I hope to have a reason to move back to Portland soon. Until then, I'll see if I can find a time to drop in on you all while visiting.
Welcome back, eriposte. Dave tasked you with the Meme of 4. (paradox - you've been passed the torch from me!)
Posted by Mary at December 31, 2005 12:33 AMNo special plans, but will probably do something different by spending it with my 84 year old Mother. I don't like to be out on the streets on New Year's Eve. It has been a hell of a year for this Country, but I am optimistic that the new year will bring about changes for the better. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
Also, thanks Left Coaster for a year of speaking truth to lies. You have done a great job, as well as those who post here (trolls excluded).
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 03:00 AMThanks from the bottom, Left Coaster, for giving me the opportunity to say to those who dare blame “the Americans” for the latest quagmire that, just like with everything and/or everyone else on earth, generalizations are odious since not every American voted the guy. Which, to me, means that blaming directly those who are behind the mess is AOK, but having the courage of leaving the rest well in peace is a must. After I give your web site to those who want to find out if the soul and heart of what freedom of thought and deed is supposed to be all about and, invariably, with websites like the Left Coaster and the like no one in his or her right mind can come to any other conclusion than the obvious: Indeed, that thought perhaps a bit bruised lately, thankfully this dear Lady, Ms. Freedom, is still alive and well.
Plans at home are to get together with my beloved family members, chat to our heart’s content, have a late dinner and, as the clock beats twelve, welcome the new-year with the old Spanish custom of trying to guzzle down twelve grapes with each beat. (Though seemingly easy, a feat I don’t remember ever achieving). Immediately then champagne, kisses and hugs galore, usually some tears, and the fond wish that the next year will bring peace on earth to all souls of goodwill. One can always dream…
Paz
Mary, I'd love to do a bird count! I've been looking into it this year, but haven't found a group yet. I'll get it eventually.
This weekend I'm doing nuthin' since last weekend and into Thursday, I had guests for a wedding. All done, and I'm exhausted. I've got to find my routine again. As for New Year's Eve, I'm usually asleep by 10, and wake up a moment for the fireworks. I'm too old for the late nite partying anymore and it's gotten too dangerous.
Posted by iamcoyote at December 31, 2005 06:20 AMWhat's up with the weddings?
The wife and I are headed to a wedding this evening, with dinner and drinks after. Have a hotel room across the street. A few times a year we like to toast, and get toasted, so this is one of those nice treats for us. We always are resposible about it, set up the babysitter, get the hotel room and no drunk driving. We have menudo (the soup) waiting, in case we have a hangover.
Weather tonight: Low 60's. We might even get some rain!
So I wake up this morning, and the first thing that enters my mind is not football, which at this time of year, causes me great concern.
No, the first thing that enters my mind is this:
Had Democrats been in charge while all of the corrupt, criminal, rotten, traitorous, incompetent bullshit that has transpired over the past 5 years, they would be getting roasted like pigs on a spit (and rightfully so) by the GOP.
WHERE THE FUUUUCCCKKK IS THE GODDAMNED OPPOSITION PARTY!!!!
If I wake up thinking of this shit on a Saturday in the midst of bowl season when I've got a team about to play in a big game, its a serious fucking matter, folks.
America is being ruined, exploited, and desecrated before our very eyes, and we hear little resembling righteous indignation and patriotic outrage coming from the Democratic party in Washington DC. Its a fucking travesty and tragedy.
2006 better be different. 2006 better be the Rise of the Opposition, the rage against the corrupt, anti-American GOP machine. I learned this year how much I really do love this nation and its Constitution as it came under attack by fascists, theocrats, traitors and war profiteers. 2005 was the year of corruption...of our rights, our Constitution, our reputation, our morality.
Good Riddance, 2005, the Year of Corruption. 2006 will be the Year of Redemption.
Trolls, reichwingers, and theocrats, you better fucking brace, because fury is coming upon you.
Posted by God Of War at December 31, 2005 07:45 AMH,h,h... Th sck pppt hs bllwd... bwr hs fllng fry n th plypn...
[Editor: ignore=off]Happy New Year, Bendejo.
Posted by bbtb at December 31, 2005 08:10 AMbbtb, more than Bendejo I believe that Pendejo fits better...
Posted by quídam at December 31, 2005 09:36 AMHa,ha,ha... The sock puppet has bellowed... beware his flailing fury in the playpen...
Bendumbo - the one who loves to spout Christian aphorisms at us when he disagrees with us!
Political expediency is NOT an excuse to stop behaving like a Christian, bennie!
Posted by pessimist at December 31, 2005 09:51 AMNo, Benito (Mussolini) works very well.
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 09:54 AMI'm going to copy 25 year old VHS movies, burn them to DVD, cus at the damn thing a few times. While waiting, I'll post a note or two to you wonderful, tolerant, smarter, and loving people.
Oh, and then enjoy the company of about a dozen friends who are coming over to my home which was bought and paid for by Bush's tax cuts for the Rich.
Happy New Year to you all. I suspect you will be loathing it so, but I still wish you happiness in my little sardonic way.
Posted by Carpediem at December 31, 2005 11:04 AMHappy New Year to everyone at TLC. And I mean everyone.
Perhaps '06 will bring open eyes and new revelations of the truth. Just maybe trolls will stop trolling and will become enlightened. (One can have New Year's Dreams...)
I sincerely thank all of the editors here for a forum to learn and to commiserate. It is comforting to know that there are so many truth-seers and truth-seekers. The future still looks bright in light of those fighting for progression and liberalism.
Perhaps 'liberal' and 'progressive' will cease to be dirty words when those on the right realize that Jesus was a liberal and progressive. So much has been perversed in the demonization of what is truly good.
"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Thanks TLC.
Posted by Anjha at December 31, 2005 11:14 AMHAPPY NEW YEAR TROLLS.
Yeah, I guess we just don't know what the hell we are talking about.
Lobbyist, Prosecutors Said Close to Deal By TONI LOCY, Associated Press Writer
Sat Dec 31, 4:33 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors and lawyers for lobbyist Jack Abramoff are putting the finishing touches on a plea deal that could be announced early next week, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
The plea agreement would secure the Republican lobbyist's testimony against several members of Congress who received favors from him or his clients.
Abramoff's cooperation would be a boon to an ongoing Justice Department investigation of congressional corruption, possibly helping prosecutors build criminal cases against up to 20 lawmakers of both parties and their staff members.
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 11:34 AMabramoff? i never met the jew, er, guy.
Posted by tom deLay at December 31, 2005 11:38 AMMinister goes in Iraq oil crisis
Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum has been temporarily released from his post amid a dispute over the government's petrol pricing policy.
He is to be replaced for 30 days by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi.
Boy, are we good at predictions or what?
I've been sitting at my computer for several hours but haven't got much done. Instead I've been watching the 3 squirrels that live next door jump off my roof, their mouths full of nuts or those maple 'twirly-gigs' from my gutters, run down the power line to their trees and proceed to fill up on New Year's Eve's dinner. No matter how much we humans screw up life just goes on.
Posted by Paul Lucic at December 31, 2005 11:43 AMAnn Coulter Writes Racist Kwanzaa Jingle:
“Kwanzaa Bells, Dashikis Sell, Whitey Has To Pay; Burning, Shooting, Oh What Fun On This Made-Up Holiday!”
And they call us hateful. Someone should permantently fire that bitch and put tape on her mouth.
I'm trying to get the house ready for visitors this evening. I'm very lucky to have friends who are willing to come over and help me with our neighborhood fireworks watch. After a truly scary close call this past summer, (next door neighbor's garage caught fire) we've all come together in our effort to stop what has been a very dangerous situation.
On a political note -- I looked through the DCCC's races to watch yesterday. I'm not sure how up to date all of it is, but my rough estimation is that there are 100 unopposed republican house seats. Referring back to a link benjoya posted to swing state project, if you are in (or near) one of those not as yet contested seats, think about trying to at least get someone on the ticket -- even as a placeholder.
I wish you all a very safe and happy New Year.
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 11:46 AMCan't you just feel the warmth and respect from the world.
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Depictions of the U.S., French and British heads of state naked and engaged in a sexual act will be removed from hundreds of billboards across Vienna after causing a national uproar, the artists decided Thursday.
Besides two images showing nude models wearing masks of President Bush, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and French President Jacques Chirac, another work also will be yanked, the Austria Press Agency reported.
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/12/29/lewd.posters.ap.ap/index.html
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 11:49 AMHold on, here we go. Just in time for the 2006 race.
Radical Right Trying Re-Open Same Sex Marriage Debate In Massachusetts…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
So, does that make them, "Yankees" or "Yankers"?
Posted by bbtb at December 31, 2005 12:01 PMDamn, how many timex can you make something illegal?
Posted by at December 31, 2005 12:12 PMKwanzai is what is racists. The Proud Liberal Professor who teaches at a liberal university who created this classic "liberal self-esteem" holiday, also is well known for those in the know, and care about the truth, as a man that tortured and raped several women and spent time in jail for it YEARS after creating this festival of life.
AGAIN, MY WORDS ARE NOT HEARD BY YOU. Liberals identity comes from their "socialogical" place within a GROUP, not as individuals.
If you are (generally speaking) low light reflecting American...then most likely you are a democrat.
If you find yourself shopping for antiques while a good football game is on, then you are either married, or gay, in which case you are a democrat.
If you can't make a living selling your artwork because no one in their right mind would pay for that junk, therefore you need a Grant from the NEA to pay for your crap, then you are a democrat.
If you can't teach, but demand that you be paid alot for doing so, as you join a union to protect your job and incompentence, then you are a democrat.
If you accept no personal responsibility for yourself, or you allow others not to pay for thier own tragic and ignorant life decisions, then you are a democrat.
What exactly does being a Democrat mean in the year 2006? I don't mean your grandieous (sic) talking points, but what does it mean? You have no agenda. Your leadership is however, AGAINST alot of things but never for anything, except maybe more taxes, more taxes, and allowing gays to marry, and blacks to take jobs from whites merely because of slavery.
What positive things does being a democrat stand for?
You want women to enjoy the rights to aborting a child, even late term partial birth abortions.
You want everyone to have a working wage, but you have no idea how in god's name someone without any real skills can earn that amount of money, without the price of everything skyrocketing in which the living wage loses its effect.
You want healthcare for everybody, which Sounds good, but you have no recognition of the effects of Socialism on our system. In Canada, they have to wait months and years for certain procedures. They come to American often enough. (I don't wish to debate this particular point, I'm just making them generally)
You want to bring our soldiers home, and leave Iraq to be run over by the insurgents that will destroy the vestigages of the first real hold of democracy in the middle east outside of Israel.
You want Gay Marriage so that I guess everyone is assimilated into an homogenous society. But why not incestuous marriage? Why not bestiality? If it feels good, and no one is complaining why not allow it?
You want Affirmative Action which rewards incompetence over competence based upon discriminatory practices.
You want political free speech to be banned, aka McCain/Fiengold, but rejoice in the freedom of child pornographers.
Mind you, the Republicans have a few nutsy ideas too. Especially the moderates who sound an awful lot like you guys. But what do you stand for? What do you believe?
Other than shouting and screaming and hating, what else do you have?
Funny, my conservative sister sent me the same e-mail last year around election time!
Posted by bbtb at December 31, 2005 12:24 PMAnd, you don't know "Little Feat"!
Posted by bbtb at December 31, 2005 12:26 PMWell, Carpediem, that must have felt good. I know most are susceptible to this habit of stereotyping. As humans, it is so much easier to classify those with whom we come into contact in this life into clearly definable categories.
While some of what you wrote is accurate and truthful, much of it isn't. Your first "mistake" (don't get angry) is in depositing many divergent views into one pot.
Take a deep breath and enjoy those home movies.
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 12:37 PMHappy New Year, dorita!
Posted by bbtb at December 31, 2005 12:47 PMHappy New Years to all...only just under 8 hours for us here on the eastcoast. Whether is cold and gray..light snow predicted for tonight. Love watching the birds going crazy at the feeder all day long. Peace and Happy 2006!
Posted by emal at December 31, 2005 01:10 PMyou too b!
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 01:12 PMHappy New Year to All (trolls included). Trolls distract us, and incite us. We find them despicable and are appalled at their seeming ignorance and obtuseness. Their hit and run, idiotic, sometimes indecipherable, typically pointless posts grate on our nerves (i.e., are annoying).
However discusting, the trolls represent an even larger population. We can use them for our own purposes by learning from them. Perhaps by analyzing their comments we can learn what is important to their population and discover how to communicate with them. I suspect that this may be a factor that our more liberal politicians are missing. They must reach this population.
We've learned that civil debates using facts and logic are ineffective when we attempt to enlighten the trolls. They are lacking in empathy so trying to convince them that some issue (adequate funding of education, or health care, etc) will have a positive effect on the entire population is useless. They don't care about the entire population, only themselves. They fear change and don't understand long term goals. To reach them politicians must keep their dialogues simple and explain how their platforms will have an immediate and positive impact on the individual. For the fundamentalists, the platforms of the left must be supported by some biblical doctrine. The platforms must be supported by evidence but statistics should be simplified (not skewed) and include a $ amount that can be saved or earned by the individual.
GOW just got me thinking so that's my little brainstorm for the day. I'm sure there's more but that's enough for now. We must know the opposition in order to sway or overcome them/it.
It's become our tradition to spend NY's at home and have our own little party-sometimes it's a big party. Not this year though unless their are drop-ins. I'm optimistic that it will be a good year. I want the trolls to have a good year too. If they do, I figure it will mean they've awakened and are leaning to the left. I'm borrowing one of Dorita's resolutions and hope to temper my contempt for the trolls, and others who are misinformed or uninformed but who don't deserve to be called such harsh words. As I temper my contempt, I hope to become a more effective communicator.
Posted by at December 31, 2005 01:25 PMOops, forgot to sign my name.
Posted by OffTheFence at December 31, 2005 01:28 PMCarpe, I can only speak for myself; I do not speak for Democrats, Liberals or Progressives as a whole. People are diverse.
I am an idealist. I believe that people are basically good. There are a small few, born sociopaths, who have no conscience. I fear that this president is one.
I believe that every living thing is sacred. Personally, I would not have an abortion, but I believe that this a right for any woman to choose. I believe that the woman's life is also sacred and that for every woman who makes this most difficult decision they are doing it out of love, most often, rather than indifference as the pro-lifers would portray.
I believe that equality is of extreme importance and that we live no where near a society that encompasses equality. Racism, classism and sexism is alive and active and insidious in its errosion of inaliable rights.
I believe that everyone has a responsibility to fight against this. The underdog needs opportunities and if given them will rise up and then help others out as well.
These basic beliefs feed every other belief that I have and can be found in anything that I write or say, but most importantly, what I do.
Ultimately, I believe, Love is the most powerful of ANY force and through it great things can be achieved.
Posted by Anjha at December 31, 2005 01:42 PMTrolls are a good barometer. Often their reaction to something, especially ideas, is a good indicator of how good the idea is. At other times they are useful foils for our arguements.
Recently some of them have pointed out one vaild concern about the NSA scandal. Namely, a lot of people don't understand that rights given up in fear may not be given back. We're dealing with an open ended war with an enemy without defineable borders, hence "victory" need never be declared if the sitting government deems wartime fear to be in its best interest. Our founding fathers understood that liberty and security are not mutually exclusive and that if you wilingly give up one you will soon have niether. Explaining the principle in a way people can understand in 2006 is as importiant as it was in 1776.
Happy new year and may we all understand the importance of being a people who can keep a republic.
Posted by rlp at December 31, 2005 01:43 PMHey OffTheFence that was Duke's resolution that I was bandwagonning (is that a word?)! I gotta give credit where it is due. I'll do my very best to keep it.
Good to see you and I wish you a happy and safe New Year.
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 01:48 PMOne more suggestion: When carrying on a conversation with fundamentalists-don't cuss. They will consider it the perfect excuse to turn you off, perhaps even brag about it as if they've carried out some moral obligation.
I've tried to explain that god wouldn't have invented cuss words if we weren't supposed to use them. Unfortunately, I can't find the bible verse to support my claim.
Anjha,
Again, you "feel" good about your opinions, and thats nice. I "feel" alot of good things to, but I have to decide if my "feelings" are the way that our society should be run or should we have basic principles to lay as our foundation.
Toward that end, I generally believe in the power of the individual both to succeed and fail. I think hunger is a great motivation for men to get out of bed, to go to work and to feed themselves. I think when ever we hand out anything to anyone for any reason, (specifically and generally) we should recognize that we might be hurting the individual. There are obvious exceptions, such as my brother, age 52 who has been completely retarded since birth, and my nephew, age 16 who is complete autistic and still has his diapers changed.
But my point is that Conservative's recognize the good that results when people are given the opportunity to live and risk living. Part of the challenge of living is that sometimes we fail. And sometimes, in retrospect that is a good thing.
The point is Liberals want everybody to be equal in all things, and we aren't. Some people are just better at things, some are smarter, some are luckier, some are just plain dumb. The job of Government is to insure freedom and civil rights, but not to be there everytime some little liberals falls down and skins his knee.
Risk, failure, and personal failings can make us stronger, but to eliminate that risk for everyone steals all motivation for many to suceed.
Every Conservative has read Atlas Schrugged. I tend to believe that its premise is correct.
Socialism is liberalism. Socialism eventually evolves to per anarchy because no one is motivated to do more than is minimally required. Talent is deemed to be capitalistic and to be sexists, or racists, or some "ist" and then our society degrades to where everyone is equally MISERABLE.
True socialism, where everyone is UNHAPPY AND MISERABLE.
Posted by Carpediem at December 31, 2005 02:02 PM
I wish for special happy new year to the girls here.
I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
Posted by OffTheFence at December 31, 2005 02:03 PMrlp, just in case I get distracted -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 02:05 PMCarpe, your beliefs are basically not so different from mine except in the role of society. I believe that the world is an organism as is each society within it. People are part of something whether it be a family, neighborhood, city, state, etc. But I have been through all of that before.
There is a big difference between 'get the fuck out there and do it yourself' and 'how can I help you to go do it yourself.' Neither is enabling as you portray, just one is done with love and the other selfishness.
Selfishness, greed and haughty, holier than thou attitudes is what will be a detriment to society. Not loving and helping.
When you make your way out of a pile of shit, the only way to maintain the benefit of being out - is to help another out. It is really quite simple.
Posted by Anjha at December 31, 2005 02:11 PMHappy new year Dorita, we've got cloudy skies but dry with temps. in the low 50's. A little above average for this time of year and perfect for watching birds and other outside activities. : )
Posted by rlp at December 31, 2005 02:16 PMCarpediem (give me strength OTF) I have tried today to be civil toward you. It seems that it is not so entertaining for you to be civil than to continue your chosen path.
I'll try to be nice and not condescending. Socialism is an economic concept. Liberalism is a political concept. Anarchy is also a political concept. Political concepts can endorse any economic system and vise-versa. So you can have a democratic socialist society or an authoritarian capitalist society. I know that in this country's political discourse that the terms of economics and politics have always been mingled -- for most.
I'm not even going to comment on the Ayn Rand thing.
Posted by dorita at December 31, 2005 02:17 PMSocialism vs. liberalism is the same as political vs. economics....
Nope, nada, wrong. On the Berkley Campus chalkboard, you might be right, but in reality they are essentially the same.
From each according to his means, to each according to his needs. Jimmy Carter's Maliaze.(sic)
As to Anjha's comments, your ideals are wonderful, on an individual basis, I applaud you, but as a means of governing I will fight you.
I love when you liberals are so concerned about the needs of others, so much so that you can't wait to put your hand into my pocket and take my money to give it to them. Thats not called selflessness, thats called stealing.
The challenge is to find a happy medium. A government that encourages independence, encourages self sacrafice and education. Not one that forces everyone to be the same. We are not all the same, and sometimes there is nothing you can do about it.
If all of your altruistic "feelings" could work, then I'd jump on your band wagon in a heart beat. But as much as I believe in the goodness of men, I also know that in bred within our DNA is the need to be challenged, to take a risk, to compete with others in order that we can provide for our immediate families. This desire is GOOD. It doesn't have to be selfish, but it often times can be. But to do otherwise, encourages lazy, ignorant, citizens, that the likes of Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco then use as a political stunt of oppression.
(The Crime in New Orleans was not the slow response of FEMA, but the CULTURE OF VICTIMIZATION that is encouraged and prayed upon by Democrats. One parent families, drugs, alcholol and welfare coupled with LIBERALISM's screams of racism, kept these people in their homes waiting for GOVERNMENT TO HELP.)
Just being born an American puts you in such a position of opportunity over all of the other countries in this world, including those that have ever existed. The opportunity is amazing, and many who strive will and do make it. But many that get lost in thier bottle of alcholol, such as my brother, will foreever be "less fortunate" as you liberals call them.
Liberalism is Socialism, except with a better Agent. Look at the only Socialist in Congress, soon to run for the Senate. Who does he align his vote with? The DEMOCRATS.
Once again, Carp proves he is not interested in anything presented here, much less facts. Good try Dorita, but no sale to Carp.
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 03:51 PMHappy New Year? Bah, Humbug!!
I'll agree to say Good Riddance to 2005, yet another misbegotten year of Republican misrule by crooks, clowns and charlatans, cheered on by hordes of imbecilic cretins, "leading" us ever closer to the abyss of utter catastrophe.
The republic is catatonic, on life support. 2006 will determine if the plug will be pulled.
Posted by euzoius at December 31, 2005 04:19 PMEuzoius, I agree that 2006 is the year that we take a different direction, or all is lost for years. We are at the crossroads, and if something does not change in 2006, I predict that we (meaning liberals) will become enemies of the State. It is truly the "give me liberty or give me death" moment.
Posted by Judith at December 31, 2005 05:27 PMI am spending New Years Eve shit-faced as usual, ready to take on the red-necks at our local bar here in fucking Republican Loudoun County, VA. I'm out of here at eleven pm--I have a designated driver, my pool man, Horace. Don't hold your breath in the next year Lefties! Ain't gonna happen!
Posted by Mal Feasance at December 31, 2005 07:37 PMEvery Conservative has read Atlas Schrugged. I tend to believe that its premise is correct.
You do as well to believe in the easter bunny.
Your philosephy is one built to enshrine greed. To make it palatable. Nothing more, nothing less.
But it is an artificial constraint. Without certian protections for its adherents to hide behind, it would soon devolve to dog-eat-dog anarchy such as practiced by our neadrethal fore-fathers. You want survival of the fittest? How bout we put ultimate value on how many yards away I can put a 7.62 metal-jacted slug through your frontal lobes. Thats just as valid as how much $$$ Ken Lay can accumilate by ripping off peoples pensions.
You talk of individualism, yet if you go to Sugarland Texas which is a bedrock of conservitism, all you see is ugly tract housing and fat-assed white people who all look the same.
Go up the road to Austin, which is a hotbed of liberalism and it is eye-candy of artistic examples of individualism.
I hear the methane belching from your lips, but in fact once again reality trumps cognitive discordance.
You like to think your an individual, but you are a sheep.
Republicans-a million rugged individualist marching in lock-step.
Posted by SnarkyShark at December 31, 2005 11:25 PMTrue socialism, where everyone is UNHAPPY AND MISERABLE.
Hmm...that sounds more like the Republicans I know.
I mean, they have control over the levers of power and are at the ascendnsy of their political philosephy, and yet they are still mad about everything.
Go figure. Maybe its you guys that are trying to drag something down. Trying to make everyone else as scared and bitter as you are.
Posted by SnarkyShark at January 1, 2006 12:16 AM"You talk of individualism, yet if you go to Sugarland Texas which is a bedrock of conservitism, all you see is ugly tract housing and fat-assed white people who all look the same."
"Go up the road to Austin, which is a hotbed of liberalism and it is eye-candy of artistic examples of individualism."
SnarkyShark, you really can descriptively sum up the differences. Conservativism has always been afraid of anything that is different than the status quo. That's why they live in gated communities.
I visited friends, who live in a gated community in South Carolina. I came back and told friends that I was stunned at how they live. You could chose between five styles of homes. You were allowed to differentiate between your home and others by the type of flower/bush you planted in the frontyard, but there were specifications where these plants could be placed. Each garage had a smaller garage for their golf carts (there are four private golf courses on the premise). Precisely at 7:00 each morning and evening, the water sprinklers came on. No children were allowed, and I mean no children. It was a very strange experience indeed, like stepping into the twilight zone.
My friends who live there obviously have real money, are Republicans, and have tried for years to sway me on my political beliefs. What they will never know is that I feel sorry for them. They may have more wealth than I do, but they have isolated themselves against experiencing
life and the diversity that makes life wonderful and interesting. I can assure you that a liberal is not welcome in this gated community.
"Go figure. Maybe its you guys that are trying to drag something down. Trying to make everyone else as scared and bitter as you are."
Interesting observation SnarkyShark, and probably true.
Posted by Judith at January 1, 2006 07:46 AMThey may have more wealth than I do, but they have isolated themselves against experiencing
life and the diversity that makes life wonderful and interesting.
Yep....I almost feel sorry for them...almost.
But when the try to legislate their crumedgeminsm(is that even a word?) then they cross the line.
Posted by SnarkyShark at January 1, 2006 05:18 PMI had to work a graveyard shift last night, settling for calling people from wireless phone to wish them a happy new year instead of imbibing in potent potables. Time for work again...
Posted by DukeRevolution at January 1, 2006 09:55 PM