#1
Posted: 7/29/04 at 9:39am
Okay, Democrats, what are we about? Are we so terrified of offending 6 swing voters in Ohio, PA, and Florida that we have to fall all over one another to distance ourselves from a strong woman and an impassioned black man? (Forget poor Whoopie and Linda, another topic.) The queasy reception afforded two voices at this convention -- one woman who dared to discuss herself, and her concerns, and a man who dared to answer the Bush appeal to the African-American vote -- suggests timidity not consistent with this party's history. Everyone saying they were "off message." Whose message, white man? As Maureen Dowd voiced today, Democrats think the only shot at the prize is to copy the Republicans, walk n'talk butch, to scream strength and unity, and other macho platitudes. Since when did the Democratic party make staying "on message" so bland and singular of focus? Thou shalt not offend means don't sound too feminist, too disenfranchised, too pro-gay (how many times have gays been mentioned at the convention?) too angry -- and oh yes, too anti-Bush. I hate to break it to the party brass, but most of us out there attending FAHRENHEIT and grass roots Kerry activities are very anti-Bush administration, very offended by the Patriot Act, the war built on deception, the hate-generating constitutional amendment, the lack of discussion about myriad domestic issues, and our fervor should not be taken for granted.
Did it every occur to them that being against an administration we do not approve of might be ... a positive? "Staying positive" now has the same empty meaning as "support our troops." It mostly means -- sound Republican. For better or worse, our "unity" is about one thing: removing this regime. That is a fact, and though we all embraced pragmatic strategy -- propping up war hero Kerry to topple The War President Bush -- we are not a monolithic group of cheerleaders who spout group-speak. We do not need to have our wrists slapped when we voice our outrage, or when we bring up concerns other than homeland security and the economy. It was refreshing indeed to hear of the Colorado delegates, anti-war, all, who held out for Dennis K. If we are still a big tent party, let's support one another, and speak of matters big and small, those intensely personal and of national concern. No wonder no one knows what Kerry is about -- so far, he's too often just about not offending.
Did it every occur to them that being against an administration we do not approve of might be ... a positive? "Staying positive" now has the same empty meaning as "support our troops." It mostly means -- sound Republican. For better or worse, our "unity" is about one thing: removing this regime. That is a fact, and though we all embraced pragmatic strategy -- propping up war hero Kerry to topple The War President Bush -- we are not a monolithic group of cheerleaders who spout group-speak. We do not need to have our wrists slapped when we voice our outrage, or when we bring up concerns other than homeland security and the economy. It was refreshing indeed to hear of the Colorado delegates, anti-war, all, who held out for Dennis K. If we are still a big tent party, let's support one another, and speak of matters big and small, those intensely personal and of national concern. No wonder no one knows what Kerry is about -- so far, he's too often just about not offending.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 7/29/04 at 09:39 AM
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