Today I want to make a few things clear to my critics, because it's quite obvious that far too many readers on this web site choose to make assumptions that have no business being made. I understand that people want to rush to the defense of their preferred candidate, but at what point did certain people cede all critical-thinking ability to him -- to the point where they really only serve to confirm the belief of many that theirs is a cult of personality?
So follow me below the fold, and I'll clear up some misconceptions for you.
First, do not make assumptions about who a diarist supports for president when that person writes an entry critical of your preferred candidate. Just because I'm telling the truth about Barack Obama does not mean I am supporting Hillary Clinton for president. She's just as corrupt and beholden to corporate interests as he is, and I am an anti-corporatist. I'm hardly going to side with one corporate-owned candidate over another.
Second, I am not supporting John McCain. Take a look at my profile page some time. I am a registered Democrat, and a precinct committeeman. I am not going to support a candidate from the opposing political party. And no, you don't get to assume I'm voting for Ralph Nader (or supporting his campaign). While I defend his right to run for president, and defend him against sour grapes-driven attacks from embittered Dems who -- unfathomably -- still harbor grudges from 2000, I really am not inclined to cast my ballot for him. And you can just put any thoughts of me backing Cynthia McKinney (as much as I'd like to see her become president) out of your mind as well. Re-read the third sentence in this paragraph, the one in bold type, assuming you bothered reading it in the first place.
Third, what is so difficult to comprehend when reading my posts about Obama? Is this or is it not still the primary season? Are we or are we not supposed to make ourselves and each other fully aware of who we're voting for? If you think what I've written about your candidate is tough, just wait and see if he makes it to the the general election. I guarantee you, everything I've posted is mild compared to what the Republican Noise Machine is going to put him through. All I've done is tell you the truth. What you do with it is up to you, but if I were in your shoes I'd make sure Obama is able to explain this stuff later on. From what I've seen so far, I can tell right now he's not going to be able to do it against a hostile corporate media that's suddenly all about loving McCain.
Fourth, just because you don't see me devoting equal time to criticizing Hillary Clinton doesn't mean I'm not fully aware of her flaws, deceptions, and corruption. Pretty much anything that can be said of her already has been, and I'm not going to waste my time rehashing old news. You want criticism of Clinton? Use the 'search option'. Better yet, wait another day. I've got an entry waiting for her.
Finally, as with any criticism of any candidate, what I post is just my opinion. It is shaped by the facts I am given, or that I find on my own. But at the end of the day, it is just that: my opinion. Agree or disagree with it all you want. This is America, you're supposed to voice your opinion. Just remember that at the end of the day, no one is holding a gun to your head to read my diary entries. Nor are you under any obligation to respond, if all you can come up with are mindless, insulting attacks. Do your own research, come back with a substantive response if you will, but you're more likely to convince people with rational, civil replies than you are with flaming. Keep that in mind, and you might get replies from me that are less defensive.
EDIT @ 8:46 AM EST - BONUS ASSUMPTION BUSTER: After reading some comments here, I'd like to add another word of advice to save you heartache and brain twisting -- don't confuse objectivity and neutrality. Better yet, don't assume, given the nature of this site, that one is necessarily going to be objective or neutral when posting his opinion. Not once have I ever claimed to be either. So why you'd think otherwise is beyond me.
The point, people, is that it doesn't pay to make assumptions about people just because they write things you don't like.