We were Democrats once, and young. Yes, we campaigned for our preference in primary elections, we "dialed" the telephones, put out yard signs, went to rallies and donated money. We were passionate and after a few drinks at a cocktail party/fundraiser we might have even said something unkind about "the other guy". But those were the old days, the days before this monster called the internet became our world and "Anything Goes" became our theme song. (it's old - check the google)
Don't get me wrong. I love this monster. It's the greatest thing since the proverbial sliced bread. I use it in so many ways - for up to the minute news,research, instant stock trades, acquiring goods and services without leaving home, connecting with family and friends, donating to causes and paying my bills without writing checks or buying stamps and envelopes, and playing a lot of Texas Hold 'em tournaments.
But this useful, dare I say, indespensible, monster has a downside that bothers me when it comes to politics and my Democratic Party. See an expample of that downside below the fold.
This is in a diary on the recommend list today:
So Hillary, you and Bill think you are so tough. Well this country is more important than you. At this point you are being selfish, standing in the way of fixing the messes of the Bush administration. The exit to the stage is right down the hall. The quicker you two dishonest, selfish, and divisive hacks exit it, the better.
True, this kind of invective has become daily fare on this site, this place designed to elect Democrats. But "get the hell out of my country you hacks" was once only directed at our enemies. Remember them? Gopers, Fundies, neocons, Bushies, Bushites, freepers, pugs - you know, Republicans. I was fine with that. It was new to this no longer young Democrat but I could dig it, I could share the digust and the need to rant. I felt the passion and it was righteous. I joined in. I participated. I even used words I had never before used (proving you can teach an old Dem new stuff) and probably wouldn't today except in annonymnity. But against a Democratic candidate? Never! For in my world, both real and virtual, any Democrat running for office is superior by miles to any Republican.
Last I looked a few hundred promoted that diary referenced above and perhaps I'm the only one to find fault with it, to find it disgraceful to denigrate a former Democratic President and a current candidate for the presidency. But maybe not. There have been sightings lately of names not seen here for a while. Names of Kossacks who once graced the recommend list with hints they'll return once primary season is over. I sincerely wish for that and look forward to the possibility of again being exposed to their ideas, insights, humor and fine writing. In the meantime, I won't be happy with what I see here but because I remember what Kos used to be and what Democratic politics used to be, I'll hang on by my fingernails and, to borrow a word, HOPE for better days.