Dear Aunt Barbara

You were 78 not over 80. maybe it was wishful thinking on my part that you would live that long. I think you're smiling about my mistake now. Hey, Auntie? I never said I could count!

I was never good with people face to face. I don't do grief well. But you knew that. I've always been good with words. Sometimes it seems words are not enough. But sometimes, they're all we have.

I lost someone I love a great deal

My Aunt Barbara passed away last week. I've felt numb and angry by turns. She had a good long life. She was over 80 years old. She was one of the most kind, most Christian people I've ever known. The world is a colder and crueler place without her. It feels as though someone has cut out another piece of my heart. I miss you Aunt Barbara. You were never judgmental. You took people as you found them, flaws and all. You loved them despite (or perhaps because of) those flaws. Tears seem inadequate. My soul hurts. There aren't many like you at anytime. You were my touchstone. When I wanted to give up you gave me the swift, metaphorical, kick I needed. When I just needed sympathy or someone to listen you seemed to know that too.
I know the Angels rejoice, Jesus smiles, and God, well God keeps His own counsel. But I know both He and His Son will be there to greet you. Do I believe that? I don't have to. It's enough for me that you did. I love you, always.

The Poo Poo Done Hit Da Fan

I've read a few reports around the blogosphere about Obama's "race baiting". It's fairly obvious at this point that that's what his campaign is doing. I think it will backfire eventually. Why? Because many white older liberals that did fight during the main Civil Rights Era will be offended. There are unsung heroes in that group that gave their lives. They're not in the history books either.

Obama needs to stop circulating the notion, through surrogates, that the Clinton's are card-carrying racists. He's implying that white Democrats in that age demographic are also racists. That demographic won't vote for McCain. They just might stay home on election day, though. That would be a disaster for this country. I disagree with those who say they simply cannot vote for Obama now. What they're threatening to do is give us eight more years of Bush through McCain. These are the same folks that trashed Nader for the same reason.

Getting a Democrat in the White House is imperative for the survival of this country. It's not about hurt feelings, it's about all of us. Suck it up and vote for the Democratic nominee.

It's the patriotic thing to do.

Disturbing Poll

The new Rasmussen poll is disturbing. There are far too many Democrats who say they won't vote for the nominee if their choice does not win. It appears the Republicans (and the media) have done their damage again. Both Obama and Clinton supporters are falling for the negative press. We need someone to remind us (Al Gore I'm thinking of you) that this election is not just about winning. This is a fight for the soul of the country.

I don't believe that any American wants this country to be known for spying on its citizens, torturing prisoners, starting wars because we can, censoring the media, or calling those who disagree terrorists and traitors.

This is what America will get with 8 more years of Republican rule.

John Edwards was right. This election isn't just about the candidates. It's about the people and the kind of legacy we want to leave for future generations.

Democrats need to remember that.

Respite

It appears this weekend there was a small respite from the durm and strang in the blogosphere. There are more pleas for civility on both sides. That's definitely a good sign. A bad sign is that some Obama supporters still don't get it.

They keep saying that Clinton (and her supporters) needs to stop the attacks on Obama because it may hurt him in the general. They say that the Republicans will use the Clinton ads against him. However, they don't think Obama or his supporters need to stop attacking Clinton because it could hurt her in the general.

This is the double standard I'm tired of.

My position has been for months that both sides need to tone it down because either candidate may make it to the general. To me that makes both political and common sense. Both of those seem to be in short supply these days.

Ok, I was wrong

It ain't over yet. I'm as surprised as anyone. I fell for the common wisdom of another Obama sweep. The common wisdom I have warned others not to fall for. So sue me. (not you McCain, I don't work for the NY Times)

I think I was correct about the backlash. I was wrong about what form it would take. I believe enough Hillary supporters finally had enough of the "Hillary's done and she should drop-out" mantra.

Evidently I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Many of the latest polls show Hillary, once again, beating McCain. She's at a statistical tie in others. These same polls show the opposite for Obama. He's now losing to McCain in many polls. He's at a statistical tie in others.

Maybe the latest results will help tone down the rhetoric from both Democratic camps.

I still maintain the majority of criticisms have come from the Obama camp. I think there's been considerable help from stories planted in the media. These stories are designed to have each camp pointing fingers.

Hillary has played it smarter recently. Her camp didn't fall for the media stories but challenged Obama on what he said or the ads he's run. Obama has primarily criticized Hillary on the basis of media stories.

I think Democrats have wised up to the fact that most of the controversy has been ginned up by the media. I think they're looking for substance, not slime, from either candidate.

Please let it be over

Today is the day for several major primaries that may determine the Democratic nominee. I hope these primaries are the deciding factor. Why? I'm sick of the in-fighting. I am sick of my fellow Democrats falling for the right-wing spin of the evil divisiveness of Hillary Clinton.

Why are so many admitted right-wing Republicans singing Obama's praises?

I don't know. I do know that it's not a good sign.

I'm also leery of a corporate media that can't stop singing Obama's praises (for the most part) and pointing out Hillary's every flaw. (it's not that she doesn't have any but why believe a media that's lied to the public for years?)

Divide and conquer is alive and well.

They're fully employed by the Republicans.

I've been away for awhile

I needed the break. I've also taken a hiatus from reading most of the liberal blogs. Why have I done this? Because the back-biting and nastiness have gotten to me. I haven't seen a Democratic primary season this nasty well - ever. Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns point fingers at the other. I've seen fault on both sides. But taking a little time-out from all of this I've come to one conclusion:

The Obama campaign has perfected some of the best and the worst of Republican campaign tricks.

I think a lot of Democrats and Liberals have cheered on this behavior for two reasons:

a. It works.

b. Many Democrats have been waiting for this type of no-holds-barred campaign from our side.

There's only one problem with the above reasons. First, it leaves the winning Democratic candidate open to attack using the same reason, logic, and examples used by their own side.

That is to say, that if you think the Republican and their supporters will hesitate to comb the media, the blogs, the news sites etc. of Liberal commentators for ammunition well.... You are severely delusional and should seek medical attention if the condition lasts for more than 4 hours.

I have no idea what the solution is to this problem.

But I do feel there is one looming problem unaddressed by most Liberal news sites and bloggers.

Liberal/Democratic/Progressive baby-boomers are being made to feel, to a great degree, old and in the way. I've read more than one "liberal" website where the comments section is filled with statements such as:


The boomers screwed up everything and now they want to fix it?

I hope the older generation does stay home and doesn't vote. Who needs their votes anyway?

This is our time. The older generation's day is done. They need to get out of the way.

Let's say us old boomers take the above advice. What are the odds the Democratic nominee will win? I'd say slim and none.

Oh yeah, don't forget the Nader note. Millions of boomers may vote for him for any of these reasons:

a. He's closer in age to the boomers.

b. If they're angry and feeling ignored they may vote for him in protest.

c. He's the only candidate running with a real l Liberal/Progressive platform (isn't what the younger folks say they want?).

I was feeling hopeful at the beginning of this primary season. Now not so much. I suffer from the most pervasive of Democratic syndromes. The syndrome of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.