Dear Hillary Supporters (And I’m not calling you PUMAs, because, frankly, it reminds me too much of the term "Cougar", and I find that highly offensive),
Please, pull up a chair. No, really, it’s ok. I know you’re angry – you’re entitled to be hurt and upset, hell, even angry. I’m not here to patronize you, or rub salt in your wounds. Quite the contrary. I’d like you to be comfortable, as I have a little story to tell you – one I think you’ll enjoy.
You see, about 15 years ago, I was working as a coffee-slinger in a small, independent coffee shop in small-town Wyoming. Fairly Red state, but I was fortunate to be in a vastly Blue county. Still, Red - we hosted (not my choice, but, hey) a "Get to Know Mike Enzi" event when he was running for his first term in office (dude was a complete ding-dong, unable to answer a single question I asked him, and instead "humming and hawing" and trying to hide.)
But I digress. The interesting thing about our little coffee shop was that we had a deal with the neighboring hotel, whereby their patrons received a voucher for a free continental breakfast from our shop. I met all sorts of interesting travelers, but one that really stood out.
I wish I could remember her name. She was in her 70’s, in town to visit her daughter. NPR was playing on the radio – some story about Hillary and health care. We made some small chit-chat while I assembled her coffee and Danish, and she said the most amazing thing.
"You know, Hillary’s a hell of a woman. People will understand that years from now."
I was floored. I mean, it was the meme-of-the-day – "Impeach Clinton and her husband too." Everyone was Hillary bashing. It was horrible and disrespectful, yet there were those who relished in it (most often misogynist jackals who fear any person with ovaries who dares to not be barefoot and pregnant.) I don’t think I have EVER seen a First Lady treated as terribly as she was. But here, standing in front of me, was one person with some sense – and some insight.
She continued, "I remember as a child, how much people hated Eleanor Roosevelt. People would say the most nasty, terrible things about her. Now, people look back and realize how wonderful and special she was. The same will happen with Hillary."
Hillary supporters – you are the embodiment of that woman. You all realize how special and wonderful Hillary is. You all know how hard she works, how she really does care about people having access to health care, how she really is a servant to the public. I know there are still hard feelings, but I bet if you ask an Obama supporter how they really feel about Hillary, they would still laud her ability to champion for women’s rights, or her compassion for the sick and underinsured.
I wouldn’t dare ask you to shut up or sit down. If you choose to stand for Hillary in Denver, that is your decision, and I would not hold it against you. It is your right and your voice- I would not try and silence you.
I will, however, appeal to your sense of right and wrong, to your morals and convictions, and ask that you think twice before pulling a lever for John McCain. Many diaries here have already pointed out his faults – how he left the woman who awaited his return - who worked for POW-MIA veterans, who’s only flaw was being injured in a car accident – for a rich trophy wife. How he denigrates woman, and would do just about anything to keep those of us with ovaries playing June Cleaver with our brood. How he ate cake while New Orleans drown. How he’s had his nose up Dubbya’s butt since deciding to run. And now, how he insults your intelligence by playing ads depicting you as his new base.
But here’s the deal – please bear with me...
A vote for John McCain is akin to a slap in the face to Hillary and all the other women in this country who have fought for and helped us obtain our rights.
A vote for John McCain is a vote to surrender our bodies to the Republicans and the Christian Right, who will make decisions regarding our personal and sexual health for us.
A vote for John McCain is a sentence for more death and disability to our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a big old "Up yer’s, I’m a POW" to those who return who are broken in body and spirit.
A vote for John McCain is a vote for the destruction of our pristine arctic regions and coastlines in a lip-service search for oil, and the further rape and pillage of our environment.
A vote for John McCain is a vote for more of this...
We need you - your strength, your intelligence, your no-holds barred honesty and tenacity. John McCain cannot be allowed to win – we cannot have four more years of Bush policies and antics. Please, do not let your anger and hurt blind you into becoming one of McCain’s pawns.
After all, he has never stood up for you or Hil.
No matter what, we’re all in this together.